Moving to Chattanooga without a job? (to rent, hotels, new home)

[TD*]

Hello, here is my current situation. I am a graduate of Florida State University, and I have lived in Tallahassee, Florida my entire life. I love this area, It has definately served its purpose of providing a great place to grow up in. What is lacking however are jobs, and me wanting to spread my wings and get out on my own.

I don't think I could ever be happy here because all of the jobs here are mostly boring government related which i absolutely hate.

I am interested in non profit work, or working with the environment in some fashion. I seem to be most happy doing something I enjoy instead of something boring, yet extremely lucrative.

Every time I have been camping or driven the blue ridge mountains or visited the state parks up there I have been in heaven. I truly believe that I can be happy If I surround myself which makes me feel that way, which is the beautiful outdoors with activities I enjoy doing.

I also cant stand the heat here.. ugh.


As far as jobs, I have worked my share of bottom of the barrel jobs from retail, to government, and after completing my degree I feel as if I should at least be doing something of some semblance of what I would like to do.

I dont have any wild aspirations or really any career goals. Just enough to get by, and doing something i like which would be working outside, working for a non profit, working for a park etc.. you get the drift.

My degree isnt specialized either, its Social Science, which is a result of not having a clear direction in college. However, I do feel like maybe it could be of some use, as I did trudge through 4 years opposed to someone who has not.


Sorry for the long post, but I am tryint to give everyone a vivid description of where I am in life.

I am also single, free of debt and have no ties or obligations to my home town.

I am 23 years old.


What I would like to know is do you think my plan is worthwhile. I have saved 5,000 dollars and wanted to pack everything and try to make it in Asheville.

I know this and that about the economy etc. but I really am fed up with doing a job that is pointless in my eyes, and not making any progress in life.

Progress to me, is being around great people, making friends, and working in a place that inspires you.

I don't need all of the luxuries in the world to make me happy.

I have a vehicle, a mountainbike, and I just want to start living, I want to hike, bike, kayak, raft, and live in a place that I can feel good about what I am doing as a person.



As far as living goes, I hope I could find a rooms share or cheap place on craigslist, to get me by until i meet some people up there.


Thanks for taking the time to read this post, and I appreciate any and all suggestions and thoughts on this.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Nonlocal]

TD* - It was funny reading your post, I'm almost in the exact same position. Well, similar at least. I'm 24 and like you, have no debt, no ties, and just want to break away from my hometown (Tacoma, WA) and settle down somewhere new, and find a job and activities that make me happy. Coming into this summer I saved up over $7,000 and traveled all around the US and Canada, and decided on Chattanooga as my new hometown to start anew, but on my own--no friends or family here. Like you, all I have is my car and the stuff in it.

Anyway, with that said, not sure I have much insight to offer. Other than I think what you're doing is awesome, economic situations be damned. More power to you (or us). It's great that you have a degree, that's one thing I don't have. But Chattanooga seems to me like a good city to find what you're looking for, with so many outdoor activities and a friendly community, I'm sure you'll find something. Not sure about Asheville, myself though. Are you going to settle down there or in Chatt?

Good luck to you, and keep us updated.

[TD*]

Im not sure, I have always liked Tennessee the best... Are you currently living in chatt or are you about to move there?


Maybe we can rent a place together.. then we wont be friend-less in chatt.

[Nonlocal]

I can't rent yet. I'm currently jobless too, and living in my car. Can't afford to rent anywhere with my savings starting to dwindle. As soon as I find a job and get a steady income though--which hopefully shouldn't take long--I might be looking for a shared rent situation, so we could keep in touch. I'll send you a PM on here.

I'm not currently living in Chatt. Was there for a couple days last week to check it out, now I'm visiting a friend in Virginia until early next week. But once I get back, I'll be looking to establish some footing out there.

[MountainAire]

TD I think you would be a perfect candiate to work as a Wildlife Ranger or some kind of employee in one of our State Parks. Hey better not be knocking the goverment jobs Darlin......its better than NO job in this day and age and we need to get you the heck off the street. A job like this might fulfill you.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is above Chattanooga about 60 miles or so. They do have camping, cabins to rent and hotels.
Check it out:
Tennessee State Parks: Fall Creek Falls

[Grizzlybear34]

Mike - Good luck to you, you are definitely the courageous sort to be starting out in an unknown environment with no connection to anyone. At your age, I don't know if I could have made the same step.

Right now, it sounds like you have found the location that you want, your next step would be to work on finding a job that fulfills you. There have been several message threads in the past on this forum that have linked various employment pages that look to have potential. I personally didn't have the breadth of work experience when I chose my line of work. Started out as a bellman after college (back in the stone ages), made enough money to buy a car and a small bank account. Got a taste for the hospitality field and went to work for the hotel industry for about 4 years. Enjoyed the work, but didn't like the hours, the time away from the family. Made my decision at that point to go into health care.

Better hours, more family oriented and the feeling that what I am doing contributes to the healing of others in need. From your personal description, sounds like you are looking for a job that meets your needs financially but also fills your glass from a meaningful work angle.

Have you thought about taking one of those personality profiles tests online? Myers Briggs, etc. would help you determine your temperment and from that there are a lot of books and such that would say kind of what industries you match up with. From that you could determine what resonates most with your inner "TD".

Again, good luck and please keep us updated on your progress.

[TD*]

Well, I may meet up with nonlocal, and share a place to rent, the next problem is finding a job....

[79_Limited]

You know I grew up in Chattanooga and at your age I did not really pay much attention to "economic conditions." I have been out of 'Nooga for about 10 years now but really miss some of the City. At your age I just went for it and took it one day at a time. If $$$ got tight we just added a roommate and ate less. It made for more interesting parties and kept us really skinny.

[Jon F Moss]

Do it while your young and single

[slowes]

Amen to that TriDad and 79_Limited
Even if you try and fail, it is still better than wishing you would have. Take it from me, someone who wishes they would have. What an experience this could be for you! Who knows what can come of it.
You are only young once.