Hello everyone,
I'm a 43 year old single guy with no kids - American citizen - living in Rohnert Park, CA (Sonoma County). The company I work for went out of business some months ago and I'm looking for work in the field of graphic design, but I'm pretty fed up with the traffic and fast pace here (I know it's even worse elsewhere in the U.S. - San Francisco for example). I'm free to move, have no particular ties here and, in conjunction with continuing my work search here I am toying with the idea of moving somewhere else in the U.S. (I investigated Canada and it looks rather difficult - very long wait after an employer offers you a job before getting approved by the Canadian gov't to work).
I find people in this area in my age bracket are too busy to form relationships and spend time together, the cost of living in relation to the wages is such that you're busting your ass all the time just to stay afloat. I'd be interested to live in a small community where I wouldn't have to battle ulcer causing traffic on a daily basis, where I could know my neighbors and feel some community involvement. But I also would like to live some place where people are open minded. Please don't make fun of me for asking such a question. I'm just putting feelers out there. I might consider looking for some other type of work out of my profession. I am entitled to $3,000 worth of educational benefits in addition to my unemployment if I want to take some courses and change careers.
I should mention that I don't do too well in extreme heat. Even the past summer in Rohnert Park was too much for me (I have no A/C in my car or apt.)
I could add a lot of other info, but I'll just wait and supply it when folks ask. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
- Fed up with the rat race
Alaska? Even though you sound reticent to the Canada thing you might consider a small town in BC?
If you want community involvement etc. you may need to leave the US.
let's chat more!
Almost anywhere in the mountains, both the Appalachians and Rockies. Alaska is good too. Lots of choices. I've spent plenty of time in Canada and love the place. But community involvement hasn't been outlawed in the US. I know plenty of places where most in town are involved deeply in the local world.
Ed
Usher73,
Please tell me more about Asheville, NC
akirakhan,
Alaska. That's an interesting suggestion. I love the arctic. Been to Iceland twice and Svalbard once. I wonder how the male/ratio in Alaska would affect me?I've been single my whole adult life, but I still appreciate the presence of women.
Funny you should mention a small town in B.C. I hitchhiked across Canada last summer. Aside from the more friendly and well informed people, I wasn't particularly enamored with most of it any more than the U.S. until I hit B.C. The Sunshine Coast was just what I was looking for. I loved the town of Madeira Park. People seemed really connected there. I hear that most housing there is secured by word of mouth. Gibsons might be more realistic in terms of finding a place to live and a job. But, what I found in checking out the Canadian immigration website, and taking their quiz based on the reality that I have a sister who is a Canadian citizen (in Owen Sound, Ontario where I wouldn't particularly care to live) and assuming that I have offer of a job, it takes on average 19 MONTHS to get clearance to work in Canada for a U.S. citizen. How is that possibly workable to get accepted for a job and then have to wait 19 months before you can start working?
For country in your bio it says Antarctica. Is that where you are now? Awesome.
Hey there-
Your question strikes right what troubles some many of us these days.
Now, as to moving- would you consider Pittsburgh, PA? It's not the Pacific Coast, but it is a lovely city, and it is starting to revitalise. I do some freelancing on a very occasionaly basis with people there,a nd there is a need for a lot of skilled people for businees there. The cost of living is half of what is is on the Pacific coast,and you may be able to make a living wage and live rather well there.
I'm not sure what the job opportunities are like in the field of graphic design.... but if you could find a job in Burlington, Vermont, I'd highly recommend it! You can walk or bike anywhere in town, stroll the pedestrian mall, buy groceries downtown, hang out at the lake, and enjoy the winters.
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