Figuring out where to move

[Sand Castle]

I want to move, and I want your help figuring out where.

It's like this, I'm incredibly unhappy where I am (Richmond, VA). It isn't just a political unhappiness, it's personal, career, cultural, etc. I have a variety of reasons for not liking it here.

I'm thinking about moving, but I can't seem to find a job somewhere else. Why hire someone from way out of town when there are people within a 30 minute drive who are just as qualified if not more? Last time I moved, it was to northern Virginia (in the DC metro area). I got screwed royally and had to move back to Richmond.

So I'm going to try and just move somewhere and find work once I am already living in the area. It's risky, probably the dumbest thing I'll ever do, but I'm probably going to kill myself anyway so let's at least try to make the best of life. That isn't a joke, I'm really, truly that unhappy. There are just no jobs for young people here, not even in Subway. We're second class citizens here.

So I want to move. Where is there a decent activist presence? I'm sure big-box, moneyed liberal groups like the Sierra Club are everywhere, but I don't mean them.

If you live in an area I might be interested in, tell me all about it. What is the culture like? What is the job market like? What is activism like?

I'm hoping to move north. Maybe up to Minneapolis or St. Paul (tell me about it). Or Washington DC, which I'm sort of familiar with. Although, in DC I've mostly seen ANSWER Coalition and PSL, and then a bunch of big-box liberal groups. Are there any other sorts of groups in DC?

I'm also opened to Philadelphia, but things look kind of rough employment-wise up there. I don't know much about Baltimore, someone should tell me about it.

My thoughts are that I should just aim for the DC area and live in a part of Virginia near DC. It would be easier for me since all my stuff is already registered in Virginia. And, worse comes to worse, I could run back to Richmond again if it doesn't work out. Though, I highly doubt I'll have a place to return to in Richmond when I leave this time if it doesn't work out. So it might not matter how far away I go. But still, I have my dad here and he would at least try to help me if it didn't work in DC. Keyword is try, he doesn't have much. He is unemployed and relies on people's help. I'm unemployed too, but if I move to a better area I feel I could change that.

Tell me your thoughts, and please don't be mean to me. I'm a screw up and an idiot, I get it. You don't have to remind me. Besides, even the biggest, dumbest, lousiest person on Earth needs to make a living and be happy.

[Ele'ill]

The west coast is more 'radical' and 'activist' than the east coast is. There are x10 the opportunities to get your voice hoarse here, annually. I live in a certain place in the PNW that loves activism, there are probably some jobs for it here, I dunno though because I hate it. I'm not an activist or a careerist etc.. I see that this doesn't apply since you apparently want to (wisely) stay in the east (because the east has seasons and that is so amazing and I love it so much). If you want to hit the streets with me out here, fly out and I'll indulge you. It seems like you want a change up in your life but not a big enough one to make a difference in your misery. Sorry that was blunt but its America Day and I'm drunk celebrating it too bad. You are worth, as a creature on this planet, the endless quest for happiness in moments, duration, and forever. That is your fight, you are not weird for it, everyone else is weird without it.

[thriller]

Minneapolis is an amazing city. It's not too expensive and has lowest unemployment in the Midwest. As far as political scene, it's somewhat active. There was a big push to get a SA member elected to city council, and their unions are a bit more active and radical than other places around (not that unions = a radical political thermometer, but at least it shows a bit more left thought in the mainstream). They have some good leftist book stores, and their music scene is somewhat left, in that stances are taken by musicians. My hometown, Madison, WI, is very left, and has like a million different leftist groups. Unfortunately the activity of these groups are not as high as one would expect. The Madison job market is kind of hard because most people in the area have a 4 year college degree, so some businesses expect that. Chicago seems about the same activist wise, proportionally, but not quite as accepting everywhere. Yes, I am partial to the Midwest :lol: As Mari3L mentioned, West Coast is the Left Coast (as least the Northern part). I know some people on RevLeft live along there, check out the Cali Leftist RevLeft Group.

[Sand Castle]

Do you think that being unemployed will prevent me from getting an apartment?

[Creative Destruction]

Do you think that being unemployed will prevent me from getting an apartment?

Unless you've got some coin in a bank account and a family member to cosign, then yes. Extremely difficult, at least. Your best bet is trying to find someone who is letting their room out on craigslist.

[Ocean Seal]

Do you think that being unemployed will prevent me from getting an apartment?
Not necessarily but you'll need to put a good amount of money down.

[thriller]

Do you think that being unemployed will prevent me from getting an apartment?

It was hard for myself when I was unemployed, you'd really have to look for a while. As others have noted, having some money in the bank would make it easier.

[consuming negativity]

Baltimore is an interesting city. I am originally from Maryland and still live within an hour's drive of Baltimore. That said, I've never bothered to go to Red Emma's or check out anything activism-related there. Most of my experiences there are a combination of driving through impoverished areas to get to the inner harbor, going to the comedy club, and working in areas where I've been all but driven out for being white until I realized it was a good idea to make friends around my workplace. The Wire is an incredibly accurate portrayal of real Baltimore. As far as jobs go, it depends on what you want to do. There is lots of construction work above or below the table. There are drugs a plenty. And there may be a worthwhile community of people whose politics do not suck. Maryland has pretty good welfare policies as well. It is, however, very expensive to live there, which is why I no longer live there. However, it is cheaper than DC, according to conversations I've had with friends who live in DC.

Good luck in your quest, friend.