Tips for moving to the city

[hopefuldreamer]

By September next year, I want to be living in the city.

The trouble is I have no experience in uprouting myself, and was wondering if anyone else has ever done it or has any tips on how to go about things?

Do I get a job first (which means trying to get work off for interviews and my boss getting suspicious if there are two many random one day requests - plus I am supposed to give a couple of weeks notice at least) or do I save up and get a deposit and first couple of months rent down on a flat and THEN look for a job (running the risk of not getting one before I'm out of money).

Should I go to a recruitment agency, or should I pursue positions personally?

Should I try and get an easy job first (I'm experienced in bar work) or hold out until something more 'career' related comes up?

Should I try and get a bedsit/studio flat by myself, or go in for a houseshare?

How do I figure out what the 'nice' areas of town are and what the 'bad' ones are before looking at houses?

How do I write a covering letter for my CV (most websites for jobs seem to want that)? My CV is okay, but I haven't got a clue what to put in a covering letter.

Any advice anyone has would really help me

FYI, here is the full situation:

Spoiler

When I finished uni (studied journalism), I came back to my hometown to save up to pay off my debt in a place that had cheap accom and I felt safe. I'd been really homesick the whole time I was there despite having a tonne of great friends who would easily have lived with me after - and I just wanted to come back

I got a job at the only newspaper in town as receptionist and selling advertising over the phone (it's mind numbingly boring and your never good enough), as well as various bar jobs on the side.

It's been 2 years now, and I managed to rack up MORE debt in the first year. I've almost got my credit card payed off now, but the student overdraft is still pretty much constantly maxed out.

I've been bouncing around from houseshares to lodgings and finally into a bedsit of my own. Moved 5 times in the 2 years and I've put up with a lot from various housemates, from druggy parties all the time, being hit on within a week of moving in, living with a family with children and pets who completely did not respect my privacy etc etc.

Basically, I'm used to barracading myself into my room.

I finally live on my own now, in a little en suite bedsit. It might not sound like much, but the last 2 months have been heaven, and helped me to realise how ready I am to move on.

I'm completely comfortable being independant, being alone and in my own company, and I don't think I can stay for another year in a job that is this soul sucking.

I am my most happy when I am succeeding. I need constant achievement or I start to get depressed and down on myself. And I've basically spent the last 2 years achieving nothing

I made a pact with myself a long time ago, not to turn 25 in my home town.

I'm 24 now, 25 next september.

I know it might be too late to start trying to stick to that goal, or unrealistic or whatever... But I feel like if I don't at least achieve that, I'm going to get really disheartened and stop believing in myself. Which would just be such a shame, cause there's still a part of me that hopes I CAN achieve some of my dreams.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Interesting. I'm a journalism grad myself, but when I left school it was a time when there were still newspapers.

1. Depends on how much money you have, and what you project it would take to live on without short-term income in the city. If you have enough to subsist on for 3 months without income, hypothetically, then moving first might be something worth considering.

2. Both. Recruitment agencies are of very limited use, but the advantage is you've got critical eyes looking at things like your resume, your demeanour, etc. But do not rely on a recuitment agency, especially for your career-oriented job. Assume that the recruitment agency will land you nothing, and continue to network and search on your own.

3. You work in the hospitality industry, which may leave your daytimes free to go for interviews for proper jobs. Sounds like an easy answer there.

4. Can't help you on this one. I hate housemates/flatmates, I hate sharing my space with other creatures. If you can deal with strangers becoming roommates, then you can save a lot of money that way, and make the decision for #1 easier.

5. Not sure what life is like in the UK. In a given Canadian city, besides looking at the internet, one thing I always look out for is if there are one or more retail outlets from major banks within close walking distance, assuming you live in a mixed commercial-residential area. The most delapitated urban neighbourhoods in my country are ones that banks don't bother setting up branches. If there are more "cheque-cashing services" than proper banks in your neighbourhood, just keep an eye out.

6. Cover letters are necessary, but do not write a general one for all jobs, that's a big mistake a lot of people make. From my HR experience, I could go on for hours, so PM me if you need more help on this.

Again, we live in different countries, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

Well, first things first. You should decide a career. And also a city. I can't really advise much as my moving has mainly been with my family.

But after seeing my sister move to several place and spending several months a year with her for four years, I'd recommend London, it really does have everything. If you want to pursue journalism, I think there is a branch of the Daily Mail/Associated Newspapers Limited, on Derry Street close to Kensington High Street Tube station. My sister went to Uni not far from there, she lived in a convent for two years, so that was free, but afterwards she moved to Acton. It's two minutes from the tube and fifteen if you walk. The area also is fairly ok, and the flat she had, while the price was a tad extortionate, was worth it IMO. However, in the city, you really should try and get a house share or even better, move with a friend.
However, if you don't want to pursue Journalism, there are bars, clubs, banks, businesses and more to work for.

That's the best I can give you, I'm afraid. I really hope you succeed.

 

[Erzengel]

When you move into the City, the most important thing to do is to take your hat and toss it into the air.

 

[Pink Ranger]

When you move into the City, the most important thing to do is to take your hat and toss it into the air.

If that city happens to be Los Angeles, that hat will be full of bullet holes by the time it gets back down to you.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Interesting. I'm a journalism grad myself, but when I left school it was a time when there were still newspapers.

Yeah, it's certainly a different world.

1. Depends on how much money you have, and what you project it would take to live on without short-term income in the city. If you have enough to subsist on for 3 months without income, hypothetically, then moving first might be something worth considering.

I have no money saved up. Literally nothing. That's kind of the biggest problem here, and the biggest reason why I think it will HAVE to be job first.

I mean, I can keep TRYING to put money back, but there is always something you have to pay for - even if it's clothes/travel for an interview for that potential job. I get minimum wage, and I live alone. There's not a heck of a lot of margin for saving up, which is why I do my little bar job on the side to try and get in as much extra as possible to help me do that...

Yet I always find it slips through my fingers. Birthdays, christmas, etc. I even did an open university course because I thought it'd be good to keep writing - which cost me £80 a month I really couldn't afford.

2. Both. Recruitment agencies are of very limited use, but the advantage is you've got critical eyes looking at things like your resume, your demeanour, etc. But do not rely on a recuitment agency, especially for your career-oriented job. Assume that the recruitment agency will land you nothing, and continue to network and search on your own.

Well for the sake of getting me a paycheck so I can move up there, I think i'll start with them. I mean, I don't mind temping at first, or even doing admin/receptionist jobs for the first year i'm up there... at least i'm THERE! It's a start, and one that i'm worried i'll never achieve.

The career success is step 2, i'm just trying to focus on the best way of a person with no money, no contacts and no experience getting to the city at all.

3. You work in the hospitality industry, which may leave your daytimes free to go for interviews for proper jobs. Sounds like an easy answer there.

Well I think any bar job I could secure is going to be unpredictable hours, and if it was a franchise like Wetherspoons, if I was down to work and I had an interview come up, I wouldn't be able to just call in sick.

4. Can't help you on this one. I hate housemates/flatmates, I hate sharing my space with other creatures. If you can deal with strangers becoming roommates, then you can save a lot of money that way, and make the decision for #1 easier.

So do I. Especially strangers. I really want a place of my own if I can

5. Not sure what life is like in the UK. In a given Canadian city, besides looking at the internet, one thing I always look out for is if there are one or more retail outlets from major banks within close walking distance, assuming you live in a mixed commercial-residential area. The most delapitated urban neighbourhoods in my country are ones that banks don't bother setting up branches. If there are more "cheque-cashing services" than proper banks in your neighbourhood, just keep an eye out.

That might be an option, cheers.

I find it difficult because everything is so subject. Some people tell me 'This area is a no go' others say they've lived there for years and it's fine. You just don't know what's true.

And ideally I need to be finding the middle ground between the high end expensive part of town and the place where people are likely to smash in my windows at night, in terms of the cost of rent.

6. Cover letters are necessary, but do not write a general one for all jobs, that's a big mistake a lot of people make. From my HR experience, I could go on for hours, so PM me if you need more help on this.

No, well I didn't think I should. But that's what makes it even harder. It's the first thing a person is going to see, and it's what they are going to judge me on... I really don't wanna open with something cliched or that doesn't sound confident or competant enough.

Again, we live in different countries, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

No, you've been very helpful thankyou

Well, first things first. You should decide a career. And also a city. I can't really advise much as my moving has mainly been with my family.

Oh I'm going to Bristol. It's an hour and a half bus journey, plus a half hour train journey away from home - feesible for travel to interviews, fairly close to home, I have a few friends who live there (not close friends, just some people that I know who i'd probably go out for a drink with once I get there but couldn't approach for a place to stay for a while).

Plus, there is enough of a media prescence there. Both the BBC and ITV have Bristol branches, and plenty of magazines operate out of bristol. Also, the Western Daily Press, Western Morning News etc.

And yes, Journalism is still the career destination in a sense, but i'd be happy in any media related position. PR, Marketing, Research etc.

But after seeing my sister move to several place and spending several months a year with her for four years, I'd recommend London, it really does have everything. If you want to pursue journalism, I think there is a branch of the Daily Mail/Associated Newspapers Limited, on Derry Street close to Kensington High Street Tube station. My sister went to Uni not far from there, she lived in a convent for two years, so that was free, but afterwards she moved to Acton. It's two minutes from the tube and fifteen if you walk. The area also is fairly ok, and the flat she had, while the price was a tad extortionate, was worth it IMO. However, in the city, you really should try and get a house share or even better, move with a friend.
However, if you don't want to pursue Journalism, there are bars, clubs, banks, businesses and more to work for.

That's the best I can give you, I'm afraid. I really hope you succeed.

London's an incredible city, but I don't think i'd enjoy living there.

It is well out of my price range. I don't know anyone there. Travel back home would be incredibly expensive or incredibly time consuming... and it doesn't have the sense of identity that I think Bristol does. Bristol people are proud of their city. Heck, i'm proud of Bristol just because it's my nearest big city (Exeter would be the other one but it's a bit smaller).

 

[hopefuldreamer]

When you move into the City, the most important thing to do is to take your hat and toss it into the air.

If that city happens to be Los Angeles, that hat will be full of bullet holes by the time it gets back down to you.

I don't even have any hats... One size fits all my arse, none of them ever fit my head. But then I suppose that's because of my enormous brain

 

[Erzengel]

Quick thing you can do?

Do a budget of how much it's going to cost for you to live in the City for approximately 3 months.

Now remember, you'll probably may have to pay first and last month's rent.

Take into account, utilities, food, phone and internet and whatever other bills you might have going.

Then remember any job you have is going to have to cover that month of expenses.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Okay, well we're talking at least £550pcm for a Studio flat. It's usually one months up front, plus half the rent as deposit right? so for 3 months = £1875 (and that's not including agency fees for credit checks and such).

I'm in a long contract with BT, so that'll be going with me. That's £40 a month (x3 = £120), I'd budget £100 a month for other bills (water, heating, council tax etc) (x3 = 300), £20 a week for food (x12 = £240), my mobile phone contract of £25 a month (x3 = £75), and I think i'd need a bit of disposable budget for things like taxis/buses while I find my way around and socialising in an attempt to get to know bristol a bit better (call it £500 for three months).

I also need at least £100 to get some decent interview/work clothes, and however much it is to hire the van that moves me up there - call it £100 again.

So i'm looking at approximately £3,500.

From now until September that would mean i'd have to save about £400 a month...

Which on a wage of approx £850 a month, with a rent/utilities expenditure of £440 would leave me with £10 a month for food, toiletries, tabacco, gifts, outings, drinks...

I don't see it happening somehow...

Realistically, i'm trying to save up £200 a month. Which either means I get the job first and have £1800 to cover the initial lack of money until the first pay check (paying for the deposit, first months rent and utilities).

Or I'd have to wait 18 months to move up there...

 

[Erzengel]

Did you think about getting a roommate?

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Yes... that was one of my initial questions, and something discussed in my previous posts...

I may not have a choice but to live with someone else, but I don't know anyone who wants to move as well, and so i'd have to move in with a stranger. I'm not even sure where to look for things like that, or at least where to look where I won't end up living with someone dodgy... i've had enough of dodgy housemates, and those where my friends for the most part!

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

When you move into the City, the most important thing to do is to take your hat and toss it into the air.

[YT]e2gq6Juwj9g[/YT]

Forward it to 5:00

 

[hopefuldreamer]

[YT]e2gq6Juwj9g[/YT]

Forward it to 5:00

Yeah that looks about right

 

[hopefuldreamer]

What does everyone think of the idea of me getting a loan?

Would that be a totally stupid move, or shall I just do it and get myself up there?

EDIT: Thinking on it, I'm pretty sure it'd be the best option.

If I had the freedom to actually spend my days looking for jobs and going for interviews, and didn't have to travel 5 hours there to do it each time, and didn't have to make constant excuses why I want a days holiday at short notice - I'd be much more likely to succeed at finding something.

I could do a pub job in the evenings so that I can make the money last as long as poss, and I won't look like a dishevelled and tired mess when I turn up to interviews from the travelling.

Just need to find out how much I'd be paying back a month, and whether that's going to be realistically affordable.

Which I think it actually might be, because the starting wages in bristol for office jobs of any kind are already 4 grand a year more than I'm earning here.

 

[Godzilla2000]

Are you talking about The City as in New York City?

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Are you talking about The City as in New York City?

No...

Bristol

 

[Erzengel]

I do the same thing. I think of the "City" as NY.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I do the same thing. I think of the "City" as NY.

Not Newark?

 

[Erzengel]

Nobody goes to Newark out of choice. It's usually necessity.

 

[Anita18]

I have no money saved up. Literally nothing. That's kind of the biggest problem here, and the biggest reason why I think it will HAVE to be job first.

Yes, having no savings means you HAVE to get a job lined up first, and some money saved up. I'm not entirely sure how it works in the UK, but in the big cities in the US you need first and last month's rent and a security deposit (which is another month's rent) in your bank account and ready to go. So it's three months' rent off the bat before you even move in. No landlord in their right mind will allow you to put that on credit or loan - check or cash only.

It's why a lot of poor people end up living in dingy motels. The initial costs are just too much to up and live on their own, even if will cost you more in the long-term.

My sister had to make the same decision herself after college. We eventually convinced her that it would be in her best interests to live at home until she had a job lined up at her dream city. It helped that it was just a train ride away, it didn't involve flying so she could go to interviews pretty easily.

Well, she also had a few friends who moved there without a job first and couldn't find one when they got there. They were quickly running out of money and would have to move out only after a year. Whereas my sister had the patience to get the job first, and now she's been living in her dream city for almost 3 years now, and is pretty secure where she is. It's all about gauging long-term vs. short-term goals.

So do I. Especially strangers. I really want a place of my own if I can

It's a privilege you're going to pay for. I have a coworker who is miserable living with other people, but it eventually became the only way she could afford it at all. When she was trying to live on her own, she asked us to save all of our cans and glass bottles for her so she could use the recycling money to buy food. Forget about nights out, she was skipping meals!

Think about it, it's the difference between paying $1,000/month (which is pretty normal in the big cities here) and paying $500/month, or even less depending on how many roommates you have. I make way more than minimum wage, and it's still a huge difference for me. You're able to save so much more quickly.

I'm a homebody myself and I've always had roommates (was even the only girl in a house with 4 other guys once), except for now since my bf moved out for his job and constantly visits. I'm not best buds with any of them (well, aside from bf obviously), but we got along and as long as people are mature and communicate well, it's very much doable even if they're strangers first. The only people who really can't have roommates are IMO people with OCD, which is what my coworkers mildly has. One of my previous housemates I'm sure had major OCD and we drove him up the wall every day. I have no idea why he didn't move out.

I find it difficult because everything is so subject. Some people tell me 'This area is a no go' others say they've lived there for years and it's fine. You just don't know what's true.

And ideally I need to be finding the middle ground between the high end expensive part of town and the place where people are likely to smash in my windows at night, in terms of the cost of rent.

You'd be surprised at how large the range is. My sister (a tiny petite Asian girl who isn't butch at all) lived in sketchy parts because she loved San Francisco but could only afford the areas where druggies peed on your street and packages got stolen from your porch. But as long as she didn't go out by herself late at night, it was fine. It wasn't like it was gangland where there were driveby shootings or people broke into your apartment and hold you at gunpoint or kidnap you.

I live in a pretty nice area but even just a block west, it's a little more sketchy. You really have to visit the area at both day and night to get a feel for it.

And there's a reason why bars on windows were invented.

What does everyone think of the idea of me getting a loan?

Would that be a totally stupid move, or shall I just do it and get myself up there?

Stupid. Don't do it. What kind of loan would it be anyway? In the US we have things called payday loans and they're notorious for getting people into hopeless debt, because it's basically impossible to pay it off unless you make a lot of money and really did just hit a rough patch and need help VERY short term. Most people who utilize them don't fall under that category - they use them as long-term loans and under that, the annual interest is really like, 500%. For a person without a job, it will be literally impossible to pay it back.

18 months is not that long to save up for a goal. Keep your eye on the prize and use that time to save save save and most importantly, network!

As for general "moving to a new place" things, I've found Padmapper to be a great resource to find out how living in a particular area costs. It can greatly differ even depending on the region in a single city, so it's best to get some research done and then go visit.

Good luck! I'm all about taking responsibility and finding resources to help people become more independent, but it might be difficult since we're on different continents. Hopefully I can be helpful though!

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Yes, having no savings means you HAVE to get a job lined up first, and some money saved up. I'm not entirely sure how it works in the UK, but in the big cities in the US you need first and last month's rent and a security deposit (which is another month's rent) in your bank account and ready to go. So it's three months' rent off the bat before you even move in. No landlord in their right mind will allow you to put that on credit or loan - check or cash only.

It's why a lot of poor people end up living in dingy motels. The initial costs are just too much to up and live on their own, even if will cost you more in the long-term.

My sister had to make the same decision herself after college. We eventually convinced her that it would be in her best interests to live at home until she had a job lined up at her dream city. It helped that it was just a train ride away, it didn't involve flying so she could go to interviews pretty easily.

Well, she also had a few friends who moved there without a job first and couldn't find one when they got there. They were quickly running out of money and would have to move out only after a year. Whereas my sister had the patience to get the job first, and now she's been living in her dream city for almost 3 years now, and is pretty secure where she is. It's all about gauging long-term vs. short-term goals.

That'd be great if I hadn't been 'trying' to do that for the last 2 years.

And by 'trying' I mean talking about it, failing to save money and procrastinating about applying for jobs.

I need a motivator.

And it seems like me being there without a job, with money running out quickly, would be a motivator.

Put it this way, I don't care if I have to work in a convenience store for a year.

I have no expectations of finding a media related job in 3 months.

I just want to be in the city, where opportunities are actually available, so that I can pick them up when they come along.

It's a privilege you're going to pay for. I have a coworker who is miserable living with other people, but it eventually became the only way she could afford it at all. When she was trying to live on her own, she asked us to save all of our cans and glass bottles for her so she could use the recycling money to buy food. Forget about nights out, she was skipping meals!

Think about it, it's the difference between paying $1,000/month (which is pretty normal in the big cities here) and paying $500/month, or even less depending on how many roommates you have. I make way more than minimum wage, and it's still a huge difference for me. You're able to save so much more quickly.

From looking around on the internet, a studio flat in bristol is around 550pcm. Ideally I'd prefer to find a bedsit like I have now, but that might not be completely impossible to afford. I don't know, it depends on the council tax tbh.

My situation now, I pay 360pcm and that includes all my bills accept phone and internet.

But I'm on 12,000 a year.

In Bristol, just looking at general admin/receptionist jobs, they start at 15 - 16,000 a year, so I hopefully could afford a little more.

I'm a homebody myself and I've always had roommates, except for now since my bf moved out for his job and constantly visits. I'm not best buds with any of them (well, aside from bf obviously), but we got along and as long as people are mature and communicate well, it's very much doable even if they're strangers first. The only people who really can't have roommates are IMO people with OCD, which is what my coworkers mildly has. One of my previous housemates I'm sure had major OCD and we drove him up the wall every day. I have no idea why he didn't move out.

Yeah I've lived with some crazies too

And I'm sure it would be fine living with roomates again. I'd just like it better if I didn't have too

You'd be surprised at how large the range is. My sister (a tiny petite Asian girl who isn't butch at all) lived in sketchy parts because she loved San Francisco but could only afford the areas where druggies peed on your street and packages got stolen from your porch. But as long as she didn't go out by herself late at night, it was fine. It wasn't like it was gangland where there were driveby shootings or people broke into your apartment and hold you at gunpoint or kidnap you.

I live in a pretty nice area but even just a block west, it's a little more sketchy. You really have to visit the area at both day and night to get a feel for it.

And there's a reason why bars on windows were invented.

True, I think people go over the top with how 'unsafe' an area is, but I don't wanna be naïve.

Stupid. Don't do it. What kind of loan would it be anyway? In the US we have things called payday loans and they're notorious for getting people into hopeless debt, because it's basically impossible to pay it off unless you make a lot of money and really did just hit a rough patch and need help VERY short term. Most people who utilize them don't fall under that category - they use them as long-term loans and under that, the annual interest is really like, 500%. For a person without a job, it will be literally impossible to pay it back.

Oh god no, nothing like that. Payday loans are completely pointless.

No, I mean from the bank.

They keep bringing up their graduate loan scheme, and suggested it when I last met with them about my overdraft. They said one option would be to get a graduate loan that pays off my overdraft and credit card and have it all be one monthly payment.

I'm going to meet with them and see if it's feesible, but it might work out being not much more than I was paying in debt last year (got left with a few things to pay offfrom an ex housemate), and I managed that with my little wage.

18 months is not that long to save up for a goal. Keep your eye on the prize and use that time to save save save and most importantly, network!

It's another 18 months in this job that I hate. And I don't even know if I can make it through the next day.

I won't go into it too much, but the job is just sucking the life out of me. I used to be in the head office, but in march they moved me to their small office, where I work with only one other woman - a miserable 50 year old who blames me for everything that goes wrong. There is barely any work to do, so I mainly just sit here on SHH on my phone, counting down the hours.

I can't do that for another 18 months.

Besides, like I said, I've proven I'm incapable of saving. If I have money, it slips through my fingers.

I am however, really good at making payments. I've never left a bill longer than a few weeks overdue.

As for general "moving to a new place" things, I've found Padmapper to be a great resource to find out how living in a particular area costs. It can greatly differ even depending on the region in a single city, so it's best to get some research done and then go visit.

Good luck! I'm all about taking responsibility and finding resources to help people become more independent, but it might be difficult since we're on different continents. Hopefully I can be helpful though!

Cheers, I'll have a look at the sight when I get home!

 

[Anita18]

That'd be great if I hadn't been 'trying' to do that for the last 2 years.

And by 'trying' I mean talking about it, failing to save money and procrastinating about applying for jobs.

I need a motivator.

And it seems like me being there without a job, with money running out quickly, would be a motivator.

Put it this way, I don't care if I have to work in a convenience store for a year.

I have no expectations of finding a media related job in 3 months.

I just want to be in the city, where opportunities are actually available, so that I can pick them up when they come along.

That's what my sister's friends thought too, but the economy here was SO bad at the time that even jobs at Starbucks were impossible to get. In any other time, my sister would have had a job lined up months before graduation (perfect grades, numerous awards, renowned school), but took her almost half a year after graduation sending out resumes until she got a position.

It really depends on the job market in your target area. It's very likely that the job market isn't nearly as bad in Bristol as it was in many of the large cities here. Craigslist is your friend - take a look at how many job postings are there.

True, I think people go over the top with how 'unsafe' an area is, but I don't wanna be naïve.

To be fair, I think my dad would rather not think about where my sister used to live before really getting on her feet, but she's a smart girl and she can handle herself very well now. I mean, if she were stuck in a physically dangerous situation it would still be dangerous for her, but dangerous people tend not to target even women who look like she could fight back or run.

Weird guys randomly talk to me and I get weirded out, but she handles all that very well. They're just weird, they're not dangerous (yet) but you obviously can't be too naive but you also can't be too timid.

Oh god no, nothing like that. Payday loans are completely pointless.

No, I mean from the bank.

They keep bringing up their graduate loan scheme, and suggested it when I last met with them about my overdraft. They said one option would be to get a graduate loan that pays off my overdraft and credit card and have it all be one monthly payment.

I'm going to meet with them and see if it's feesible, but it might work out being not much more than I was paying in debt last year (got left with a few things to pay offfrom an ex housemate), and I managed that with my little wage.

Hmm, if you think you can get a good rate at a bank that knows your name and will give you good honest information, it could be something to try.

It's another 18 months in this job that I hate. And I don't even know if I can make it through the next day.

I won't go into it too much, but the job is just sucking the life out of me. I used to be in the head office, but in march they moved me to their small office, where I work with only one other woman - a miserable 50 year old who blames me for everything that goes wrong. There is barely any work to do, so I mainly just sit here on SHH on my phone, counting down the hours.

I can't do that for another 18 months.

Besides, like I said, I've proven I'm incapable of saving. If I have money, it slips through my fingers.

I am however, really good at making payments. I've never left a bill longer than a few weeks overdue.

Ugh, having a job you hate is no good. But money does give you freedom. My bf hated his job but stayed until he'd saved up enough, he didn't have to work for a year and tried out his own thing in a different field. It didn't pan out (he's not really the entrepreneurial type ) but his new field is very in-demand so he found a new job pretty painlessly. But if he didn't have money, he wouldn't have had that freedom. At the same time, he toughed out the soul-sucking job during the day while working on his own thing in his free time, and worked up the skills that led him to where he is now.

Then again we're boring hermits who work on insanely geeky projects in our spare time, so such a thing might not work for you if you'd rather be socializing in your free time instead. But certain sacrifices will have to be made if you weren't born a trust fund baby.

 

[Spider-Who?]

By September next year, I want to be living in the city.

The trouble is I have no experience in uprouting myself, and was wondering if anyone else has ever done it or has any tips on how to go about things?

Do I get a job first (which means trying to get work off for interviews and my boss getting suspicious if there are two many random one day requests - plus I am supposed to give a couple of weeks notice at least) or do I save up and get a deposit and first couple of months rent down on a flat and THEN look for a job (running the risk of not getting one before I'm out of money).

Should I go to a recruitment agency, or should I pursue positions personally?

Should I try and get an easy job first (I'm experienced in bar work) or hold out until something more 'career' related comes up?

Should I try and get a bedsit/studio flat by myself, or go in for a houseshare?

How do I figure out what the 'nice' areas of town are and what the 'bad' ones are before looking at houses?

How do I write a covering letter for my CV (most websites for jobs seem to want that)? My CV is okay, but I haven't got a clue what to put in a covering letter.

Any advice anyone has would really help me
[/SPOILER]

I'd advise BOTH saving up AND trying to find a job within the city. Give yourself a reasonable deadline: In X months, I want to have X amount saved up. I want to start my new job in X months. This will give you (and a potential employer) a good idea of when moving is reasonable.

Finding an apartment is FAR EASIER than finding a job. Focus on the job (but don't neglect apartment shopping); that'll take more time. A lot of employers will even help out in some fashion if hiring you means a relocation for you.

As far as roommates, that all depends on you and your income. Do you want roommates? Can you afford to live alone? Another reason why having both money saved and a job lined up before moving is smart.

Call up the city's police office. Tell them you're looking to move there and want to know the crime rates for the area. Take time to explore the city. You'll very quickly figure out the nice spots and the bad ones, or if you want to move there at all.