I need some practical down to earth advice!

I am currently in a small southern town. Lots of space, cheap real estate. It is a farming/retired community and I am neither. No work here. I really need to move for a better life.

So I am looking for a place to move to, somewhere to put down my roots with more options regarding work and everything else.

I narrowed down my choices to North Carolina (Raleigh and Charlotte) and Atlanta, Georgia

How is the job market there?

I could even stay in Virginia but there is no real game here other than D.C. and I don't want to be near DC. Too much government work, security clearance for IT stuff, the traffic.
I love Virginia and lived here a long time but other than DC. you have Richmond which doesn't appeal to me and Roanoke, which is better where I am now but I think I can do better than that.

In addition to the above, I will consider New England States. Haven't lived there. Now that would be real change.

Also I lived all over the country but narrowed down my choices to the above. I want to stay on the East coast near a major metro, within about 1 hour so I can live in the country and privacy but commute to work. On the other hand, I don't want to live near something as huge as DC or NYC but rather Atlanta/Charlotte-sized metro, which are also considerable.

 

Well, Charlotte SUCKS during rush hour. So does Raleigh for that matter. Try Greensboro or Winston-Salem NC.

What do you do for a living?

 

I am well aware of their traffic. Atlanta is also pretty bad with that from what I hear. That's just a given. I will find a way to deal with it. Work 2nd/3rd shift. It is not as bad as the traffic in Seattle or the SF. Bay area where everything turns into a big parking lot until about 7pm.

I used to do IT work before the market collapsed. (Unix, etc.). Now, I have no idea. My choice seems to be to go back to data entry at min-wage, or sell auto parts or something at min-wage or just above it. Maybe computer operator for a 3rd shift. There is no more big money in IT but I think I can at least find data entry.

In bigger metros, you have choices. Here, there is only fast-food. And it is too far to commute anywhere.

Raleigh would be the easiest move for me. Only a few hours. If you know anybody who is hiring, please let me know.

 

You might try looking for something on the web just to get a feel for the job market in any particular area. Here's a link for the triad area of NC. http://www.triadcareers.com/ Also, try looking up the local newspapers online and browse their classifieds.

BTW~ RF Microdevices has announced expansion plans in GSO. Also, FedEx will be building a hub here in the future.

 

Thanks.
Also I will talk to Manpower types which do temp. placing that should be enough to get my foot in the door and look for something better.

I am leaning towards Raleigh to be honest. It is closer to the ocean but smaller. Atlanta, on the other hand is bigger with more work but also more expensive. I think both are good choices. I will have to consider everything.