Relocating to Santa Cruz Area (San Jose, Pasadena: home, employment, living) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

kittie7 · 05-22-2009, 04:01 PM

I would like some help in relocating to the Santa Cruz area. I grew up going to Santa Cruz and just love it.. I plan on moving there as soon as employment is established.. I am having a hard time with response because I live about 164 miles away. Most jobs and or contacts I make only want to hire people already living there. Is this normal? I thought you could get a job and then relocate.. Am I wrong? I read othe posts and know that some people relocate from other states.. Some advice on getting employers to respond would be great. I realize that maybe it's because of the economy right now.. thanks for your help.

tlucz-huba · 05-23-2009, 03:44 AM

I guess the willingness to hire even before relocation might depend greatly on the line of work.

mysticaltyger · 05-24-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittie7

I would like some help in relocating to the Santa Cruz area. I grew up going to Santa Cruz and just love it.. I plan on moving there as soon as employment is established.. I am having a hard time with response because I live about 164 miles away. Most jobs and or contacts I make only want to hire people already living there. Is this normal? I thought you could get a job and then relocate.. Am I wrong? I read othe posts and know that some people relocate from other states.. Some advice on getting employers to respond would be great. I realize that maybe it's because of the economy right now.. thanks for your help.

I think it really depends on the type of position you are looking for. Employers can afford to be super picky. That has always been true of the Santa Cruz area in general as it does not have that many high paying jobs and many residents work over the hill in Silicon Valley.

In general, I think it is the high demand jobs that are willing to hire people from out of the area. But of course, positions in high demand are the exception, not the rule.

kittie7 · 05-25-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the advice.. I'll keep trying....

bigdumbgod · 05-26-2009, 10:28 PM

They probably are skeptical of prospects who say they're ready to relocate, then do an about-face when they actually find out how difficult that may be, given the size of the town, the cost, and home availability.

kittie7 · 05-27-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

They probably are skeptical of prospects who say they're ready to relocate, then do an about-face when they actually find out how difficult that may be, given the size of the town, the cost, and home availability.

I am a native californian and am well aware of the cost of living. I have NO intention of doing an "about face" when I get a job in Santa Cruz. That is where I want to be....

MtnSurfer · 05-27-2009, 11:02 PM

I work in Seaside and we have ppl driving in from SC work on the base at Ft Ord. I was recruited from out of state myself - CO. Although I am a native of CA. It really does depend on what you are looking for. Our engineering group is looking for ppl who are a 'right fit.' And we look at the whole state of CA. We just offered a guy form Pasadena a job. He drove up with his wife a day early to check out the area before the interview. They like Monterey and he had the skills we were looking for.

But as other have said employers can be more picky in the current economy. So it really depends on the job. If it is a job with 'many' local applicants applying for it, then yeah they will probably go local first.

You might need to expand your job search a bit to the Monterey area and possibly (cough, cough) SJ. But I hate the 17 hwy. I know some folks in SC do it though.

Derek

kittie7 · 05-29-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

I work in Seaside and we have ppl driving in from SC work on the base at Ft Ord. I was recruited from out of state myself - CO. Although I am a native of CA. It really does depend on what you are looking for. Our engineering group is looking for ppl who are a 'right fit.' And we look at the whole state of CA. We just offered a guy form Pasadena a job. He drove up with his wife a day early to check out the area before the interview. They like Monterey and he had the skills we were looking for.

But as other have said employers can be more picky in the current economy. So it really depends on the job. If it is a job with 'many' local applicants applying for it, then yeah they will probably go local first.

You might need to expand your job search a bit to the Monterey area and possibly (cough, cough) SJ. But I hate the 17 hwy. I know some folks in SC do it though.

Derek

Thanks MtnSurfer! I know I didn't mention it in my post, but I have actually expanded my search to San Jose(and surrounding areas) as well as Santa Cruz (and Surrounding areas). I' ve been looking for about a year now. I already have a place to live in San Jose with a friend(temporarily), if I should get a job there.. I have friends networking for me in San Jose as well. However,I understand that employers can be real picky in this economy, but I won't give up. I have faith that the economy will pick up and I will eventually be where I want to be. It just may take longer that I would like. Thanks to all for your advice. I do appreciate it..