Post: #1

As of June 24th, my lease will run out.

I notified my landlord that I won't be renewing it.

I have a stoker in the fire right now when it comes to other work and if that comes through, I'll be moving to that location (because of the job) not a question to be asked. If it doesn't come through, I'm still done in my current place — but I don't know where I would head as of now.

This is both exciting and frightening to me.

For those of you who have done something similar as in just packing up and being done with a location or job and moving somewhere else, how do you go about doing it? Obviously you need to sell a bunch of stuff so you can be as mobile as possible, but other than that how did you pick the location?

I've thought about where I want to go and obviously nice weather is a major plus — but I don't have too much money to my name, so that would rule out some of those places like Miami, San Diego, etc. I've also thought about 'taking my talents' to an oil field like many of you, but who knows how that would pan out and how long it would take me to find work.

Hopefully this makes some kind of sense. I'm 28, if that matters.

Suggestions? Tips? Thoughts?

P.S. — I'll be sure to post a data sheet on my current city once I'm out of here for good.

Post: #2

I would start cutting down on expenses to the bare minimums so that you have more money for the big move and in case the job doesn't work out, and also so that you start building a "spartan" mentality which you will need until your cash situation improves.

So are you looking to stay in the US? If not, the advice you get will probably be different.

Some guys here live in Miami, you might want to ask them about the cost of living there before you write it off. I was considering a move there a while back from pure internet research of cost of living and rentals on craigslist it actually seemed relatively cheap compared to most east coast cities.

Post: #3

Save up like a mother fucker before you do anything.
Before I moved to Norway from Australia I spent 6 months working about 20 hours of overtime every week. I managed to save up about $30,000 before I left.
I still managed to bankrupt myself into prostitution.

Research what your cost of living will be, thoroughly. Because you will won't be prepared for it when get there.

Apply for a shitload of jobs before you leave. There is no harm in having to turn down jobs or just getting rejected tonnes of time. It's all a learning experience anyway.
But if you get a job a week after moving there... That's like winning the lottery.

Try some online networking to find some mates there. It's not the city that dictates whether or not you have a good time, it's the people you are around.

Post: #4

Thanks for the advice thus far.

I am planning on staying inside the United States, as a plane ticket to somewhere would eat up most of my savings. I could sell my car, which would give me a good chunk of change to work with, but I have no leads on work outside of the United States (even though I applied for jobs in the past).

Saving money is my first priority, for sure. As is breaking down stuff I don't need.

Post: #5

(04-29-2014 02:33 AM)Blaze Frazier Wrote:  Thanks for the advice thus far.

I am planning on staying inside the United States, as a plane ticket to somewhere would eat up most of my savings. I could sell my car, which would give me a good chunk of change to work with, but I have no leads on work outside of the United States (even though I applied for jobs in the past).

Saving money is my first priority, for sure. As is breaking down stuff I don't need.

If an international plane ticket is going to eat up most of your savings...you don't have nearly enough savings!

Post: #6

you have no income now?

Post: #7

(04-28-2014 02:23 AM)spalex Wrote:  I still managed to bankrupt myself into prostitution.

spalex, not trying to be terribly nosy. But could you clarify? Understand if you don't want to.

Post: #8

(04-29-2014 07:59 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(04-28-2014 02:23 AM)spalex Wrote:  I still managed to bankrupt myself into prostitution.

spalex, not trying to be terribly nosy. But could you clarify? Understand if you don't want to.

Awwh at one point, when I had no accommodation or money.... I would let a bunch of older desperate Norwegian women pass me around in exchange for a place to stay for the night.

Post: #9

This October will be the 10 year anniversary that I broke free. I was 26, freshly divorced, and wanted a new start. I picked a country (Costa Rica), bought a ticket and came here. I didn't speak Spanish, I didn't know anything. I had 5 grand in my pocket and a ticket home in 3 months if I needed it. Failure wasn't an option. Best decision I ever made.

It can be scary, definitely. But isn't anything worth doing a bit scary? The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.

Post: #10

Finding a new place to live while not being in a city is annoying as all hell.

When I lived in LA, my college set me up with corporate housing for a 6 month stint at the Oakwoods. It might be worth your money to "leapfrog" so to speak into some corporate housing and then move into a more permanent place.

They're reasonably priced and you can do short term leases or week to week.

http://www.oakwood.com/

Post: #11

(04-29-2014 11:51 PM)spalex Wrote:  

(04-29-2014 07:59 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(04-28-2014 02:23 AM)spalex Wrote:  I still managed to bankrupt myself into prostitution.

spalex, not trying to be terribly nosy. But could you clarify? Understand if you don't want to.

Awwh at one point, when I had no accommodation or money.... I would let a bunch of older desperate Norwegian women pass me around in exchange for a place to stay for the night.

What? To do chores?

Post: #12

(04-30-2014 06:26 AM)SteveCR Wrote:  This October will be the 10 year anniversary that I broke free. I was 26, freshly divorced, and wanted a new start. I picked a country (Costa Rica), bought a ticket and came here. I didn't speak Spanish, I didn't know anything. I had 5 grand in my pocket and a ticket home in 3 months if I needed it. Failure wasn't an option. Best decision I ever made.

It can be scary, definitely. But isn't anything worth doing a bit scary? The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.

Care to share your story of how you managed to start making a living in Costa Rica? Sounds amazing.

Post: #13

Congrats on breaking free! It can be rewarding and scary at the same time.

My advice: get rid of ALL erroneous expenses. You can always get new stuff/services after you settle.

I am in Miami currently. It is very expensive to live anywhere in a nice area. For example, I am in a good part of town in a two bedroom apartment, 15 minutes from South Beach and Miami beach. I pay $1810 a month. Fairly steep, but central to everything and low crime.

PM me if you want more information specific to Miami.

Post: #14

I like this thread. There's few things better than challenging yourself by getting outside of your comfort zone; in this case, dropping everything and moving to a foreign land.

I'm likely doing this myself in the next few months, and I'm looking forward to it.

Post: #15

(04-30-2014 11:22 AM)michaelm Wrote:  

(04-29-2014 11:51 PM)spalex Wrote:  

(04-29-2014 07:59 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(04-28-2014 02:23 AM)spalex Wrote:  I still managed to bankrupt myself into prostitution.

spalex, not trying to be terribly nosy. But could you clarify? Understand if you don't want to.

Awwh at one point, when I had no accommodation or money.... I would let a bunch of older desperate Norwegian women pass me around in exchange for a place to stay for the night.

What? To do chores?

All sorts of shit.
Put on strip shows for them and their friends, go to swingers parties with them, use some bondage gear, humiliate them and generally just do filthy shit to them.

Post: #16

Spandex needs to post a datasheet on Norwegian cougars. My Latino ass needs to capture them and Norwegian citizenship.

Also, OK... You broke free? But the question is, when are you breaking bad??

Post: #17

(04-30-2014 03:04 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  Spandex needs to post a datasheet on Norwegian cougars. My Latino ass needs to capture them and Norwegian citizenship.

Also, OK... You broke free? But the question is, when are you breaking bad??

hahah I did a whole data sheet on Oslo, Norway. The good thing is that it covers every city in Norway as they are all the same.

I did partake in some criminal behavior to get some extra cash here and there. But a few weeks later I got a legit job.
Now I'm planning on breaking free of Norway.

Post: #18

(04-29-2014 07:54 PM)Switch Wrote:  

(04-29-2014 02:33 AM)Blaze Frazier Wrote:  Thanks for the advice thus far.

I am planning on staying inside the United States, as a plane ticket to somewhere would eat up most of my savings. I could sell my car, which would give me a good chunk of change to work with, but I have no leads on work outside of the United States (even though I applied for jobs in the past).

Saving money is my first priority, for sure. As is breaking down stuff I don't need.

If an international plane ticket is going to eat up most of your savings...you don't have nearly enough savings!

Current job, which was my ideal job at this stage, pays shit — so I don't have too much money to save when most of it goes to living expenses (food, rent, etc).