![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cyranoSo I took a quick day-trip to Portland yesterday (I'd have called if I had more time, Luana) and I am once again going through the thoughts that I think whenever I visit there or Seattle, the past three years.
Why haven't I moved there yet?
I keep refusing to admit that I'm not making enough money to survive here. For what I pay for my half of the rent now, I could probably get a three-bedroom apartment in Beaverton or Vancouver, and Jess finds it highly likely that she and I can track down a job that pays almost as much as if not more than what I'm making now.
I cannot craft words that express how much I really don't want to leave people I've spent five years getting to know and building a life with. The second big tie holding me here was concern about my housemate being left without somebody to help cover financially. (As much as I help cover.) And tonight she said she thought I should look into the idea. The third tie was removed about a year ago, and so mostly what I find barring the way is not things that keep me here but things that keep me from there.
If a position opens that I'm at least somewhat qualified for at SkyWest Portland I can ask for a transfer. There are apparently phone support positions with tech companies in Portland. Hell, I could probably work for Tower again if Sean is still working the Classical room in Mountain View and can give me a recommendation, but a job with medical insurance is pretty important to me. Given time, I could probably procure work before I got there.
Where do I come up with the money required to move me out of California and into a new place up north? How much of my collected crap can I/will I get rid of to save trying to ship it? Should I try to trade in the car here for one there? How can I move anywhere if even thinking about it drives me into a panic attack and I end up in the corner of the room crying?
Okay, so I can't talk about this any more for now. I'm sure there will be more news later.
Why haven't I moved there yet?
I keep refusing to admit that I'm not making enough money to survive here. For what I pay for my half of the rent now, I could probably get a three-bedroom apartment in Beaverton or Vancouver, and Jess finds it highly likely that she and I can track down a job that pays almost as much as if not more than what I'm making now.
I cannot craft words that express how much I really don't want to leave people I've spent five years getting to know and building a life with. The second big tie holding me here was concern about my housemate being left without somebody to help cover financially. (As much as I help cover.) And tonight she said she thought I should look into the idea. The third tie was removed about a year ago, and so mostly what I find barring the way is not things that keep me here but things that keep me from there.
If a position opens that I'm at least somewhat qualified for at SkyWest Portland I can ask for a transfer. There are apparently phone support positions with tech companies in Portland. Hell, I could probably work for Tower again if Sean is still working the Classical room in Mountain View and can give me a recommendation, but a job with medical insurance is pretty important to me. Given time, I could probably procure work before I got there.
Where do I come up with the money required to move me out of California and into a new place up north? How much of my collected crap can I/will I get rid of to save trying to ship it? Should I try to trade in the car here for one there? How can I move anywhere if even thinking about it drives me into a panic attack and I end up in the corner of the room crying?
Okay, so I can't talk about this any more for now. I'm sure there will be more news later.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 09:59 pm (UTC)On the other hand, each month you stay, you're paying more California Rent. Having been in a similar situation, I'm pretty sure it's not financially good to stay there. All things considered, you make up the moving costs in rent decrease in 2-3 months. (Though, getting the initial outlay of cash might be tricky.)
The economy isn't roses and dancing monkeys in the Northwest either, but when you can get a $500/month apartment, life at Kinkos isn't nearly as depressing.
Life isn't easy anywhere, but it's always going to be harder to make ends meet in the Bay than almost anywhere else. You've got several places to choose from where you've got good friends. Your roommate will be fine - she's smart and popular. Don't panic!
Maybe you should trade your car for a pickup that's got enough life to get over the mountains, and put all your stuff in it, and just go North?
I do miss the Bay Area sometimes, and particularly the people in it, but I don't miss the insane cost of living. All things considered, I'm doing better up here.
But my real advice is, make a decision you can live with, and then live with it, don't live in panic and indecision longer than necessary.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-02 10:26 pm (UTC)Maybe Ambar would loan you her pickup/horse trailer and driving services if you figured on covering the gas money both ways? (For planning purposes, the rig gets ~600 highway miles per 33 gallons of diesel, sans trailer.)