Relocation Advice

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  • AC02

    So i've been at my job for 6 months, some days it's great most days it's pretty crappy. I've also come to the realization that i've been in this area too long and need out. I want to relocate out west most likely San Francisco or Portland.

    My lease is up in April and thats the same time it would have been a year at my current and first job. So i kinda need to start thinking about this now and weighing out my options.

    The main issue i have is, do i find a job first and relocate or relocate then look for work? I don't know anyone out there so it's not like I can tap into any network easily, and i don't know what the job market looks like in those areas.

    Any other places out west or in general you can recommend an outdoorsy designer? Any particular job sites for portland/san fran you can suggest? Just looking for some ideas and help since i've never moved so far before.

  • SigDesign0

    I, and I imagine quite a few designers, are trying to get out west, but nowadays jobs are really competitive and difficult to obtain if you're not in the area.

    I'd imagine I get passed over sometimes just due to geographical bias, but could also be the fact that so many people are looking for work, especially in places like Portland, which is a rather small area and competitive in the best of times (as I've been told on here).

    A friend of mine in NYC said it's easy for him to help people find jobs if they're in the city already, but otherwise it's not as possible. It's probably similar in other cities, just because you have to go to interviews and meet people and network in the area.

    It definitely helps to know people...network however you can...

    • I see what you mean. I hear portland is competitive, but i have been in love with the city before i even knew i was going to be a graphic designer. I guess ill have to move and find a job when i get there most likely. That or sell my body on craigslist for rent.AC02
    • I love Oregon, also... you can probably find something eventually... it's just not easySigDesign
  • cosmicEntity0

    For starting your sentence "So.." I think you should relocate to the prison featured in Prison Break Season 3.

    • You mean the one in panama? Sorry for my poor sentence structure, i tend to type faster then i think.
      AC02
  • seven8nine100
  • dMullins0

    Move anywhere but SF. Too many fuckin' people here as it is.

    • You think there is a lot of people there. HA. Come down to LAsilentseven
  • dMullins0

    Move anywhere but SF. Too many fuckin' people here as it is.

    • So i've heard. I think it's off my list already.AC02
    • he had to say it twice there are so many people!SigDesign
  • johndiggity0

    i hear good things about denver.

    • I am a huge fan of denver and it is also another one on my list of possibilities.AC02
  • AC020

    Can anyone recommend any areas similar to portland that'd be easier to find work? I'm not tied to the area just like every aspect of it being a young designer that loves the outdoors.

  • allysin0

    I live in Portland and it is an amazing town. Lots of creatives and more outdoorsy stuff than you will know what do with. The salaries/wages here are a lot less than SF for the same work. And less than LA too, but the cost of living is cheaper. It is tough because it is a very livable city but its size makes the market pretty competitive. I still think it is worth trying to make it work if you really want to be here. Even if you don't know anyone out here, the people are so welcoming that with a little effort you will probably be able to meet fellow designers and network easier than most cities. My only other thought would be Seattle, salaries would be higher, but also the cost of living. It is a bigger town, more SF like.

    • Thanks allysin. I really dig portland and think it's the place for me. I still have to learn flash and add a few things to my repertoire. If not this spring i'll be there the following year.AC02
  • AC020

    What's web design like in denver colorado? I have family there so it might be easier to move there...

    • And by what it's like i mean are there any great places to work that do mainly web work?AC02
  • horton0

    • Hahaha thank you for that Horton. Where would you suggest in the west?AC02
    • Maybe god told you to post that video in an effort to signal that portland is my answer.AC02
  • designbot0

    ^Talk to JackRyan, he's in Denver.

    I'm in monument and work in Colorado Springs. Colorado in general seems alright for design, but I do notice pay seems a little on the low side. My advice would be keep looking/applying for jobs you are interested in out-of-state and wait to get a response. The one thing I did (which may help you) was put something on my cover letter about loving the area, and wanting to relocate. Realize that anyone applying for the job locally already has a leg-up on you, and so you need to be that much more aggressive. Get phone interviews if possible, this can help avoiding the hassle of flying out for an interview to a job you might know instantly you don't want. If you do do a phone interview, BE SURE and fly out to see the place, meet people, get a feel for the company before you accept (not sure of many co's that would hire over the phone anyway ) I've been here in Colorado about 8 months now and recently moved from Minnesota. I probably applied for a few months or so before I got a single call back. Ended up getting the job, and the move and everything was paid for so that was nice.

    Anyway alot of this is common sense, but just some basic advice from someone who's been through it a few times.

    • Thanks designbot i appreciate the advice. My push is to find a job/move by april (when my lease is up). I have a lot of work to do this winter it seems.AC02
    • I had around 4 phone interviews before them wanting to fly me out and interview in-person which I think is pretty typical.designbot
    • np man, glad to help. Moving to a new place is just awesome...so much fun once you get the moving part done:)designbot
    • I hope it happens. I'm nervous about the possibility of moving without a job, but i can't be stuck in DC or i'll regret it down the road.AC02
    • I think you are feeling the exact same way I did before I moved. Pretty liberating actually...work at it and you'll be moved in no time :)designbot
    • I hope you're right, otherwise i'll be jobless, a nervous unemployed wreck, and mooching off mom and dad!AC02
  • MarketMaker0

    Follow the money.

    • worst advice, ever ;)designbot
    • It's worked for me.MarketMaker
    • haha, I was only joking. As long as that is not your only decision maker (money) it definitely is important to get paid well.designbot
    • Problem is i dont know where the money is, and the money has to be close to mountains for biking purposes.AC02
  • 23kon0

    Follow the Beer.

  • madirish0

    Portland!

    • Portland, Maine...that's where my aunt lives!SigDesign
    • I love the shout outs for portland, if only they came with a job too.AC02
    • it's frustrating that Krop doesn't get more Portland jobs... some lower level ones on monsterSigDesign
    • cool! which part?madirish
    • I'd probably still be lower level if i moved in the spring. I'm only 6/7 months into my first job now. Krop has nothing, time to cruise monster, ugh.AC02
    • She actually lives in Gorham...pretty place!SigDesign