It's looking like I may have to relocate to find a job.

[rucky]

I've been looking for 2 months now, and it's slim pickens in the Dayton area.

Looking at some work at home and contract stuff, but I also need to keep my relocation options open.

This would wreak havoc on my family, so I want to make sure we're in a place we won't regret moving to - plus I need to narrow down the search somehow. this is getting overwhelming.

Here's my criteria, and any suggestions on where to look would be most appreciated...

- I'm a Product Manager, so I need relatively good prospects for tech: media and/or e-learning. Would/could do Financial Services or consumer products if I have to.
- Warm climate
- Reasonable cost of living
- Fairly progressive
- Decent schools

Any suggestions?

[Tobin S.]

1. If it weren't for the reasonable cost of living criterion

There are lots of places out west that would fit. I'm from Dayton, too, but I've been all over the country doing my truckerly duties. When I checked out real estate prices out on the west coast I couldn't believe it. I have no idea how people out that way can afford to live there unless they are all millionaires. Ohio is one of the cheapest places to live in the country as far as housing goes. You are in for some sticker shock anywhere on the east or west coasts.

[rucky]

13. Yeah, I don't even care about owning a home anymore.

I'm more worried about selling & salvaging some equity I've paid into my home now.

Did you recently change your DU name from Droopy? :hi:

[EndersDame]

2. Austin Texas int the Peoples Republic of Travis county

There are lots of tech/media opportunities
Beautiful green areas and lots of parks and trails(including Barton Springs Austin's Crown jewel whose waters were blessed by the Dali Lama
Very Very Progressive environment
Lots of culture and live music

[rucky]

15. I really do like Austin.

And it's close, yet far enough from my family in New Mexico.

[grasswire]

3. there is a whole new field opening up

....and I am going to start posting this to every thread that talks about employment.

The field is called "social media" and it is the wave of the future for businesses and non-profits alike. It is the management of digital community for a product or brand. It is replacing traditional marketing and strategic brand management through the newest Internet communities.

Jobs are being posted everywhere, for some of Americas biggest and best employers, as well as locally. Telecommuting is usually available.

I urge you to google social media jobs and check out this phenomenon. There are varied levels of jobs available out there, from the six figures on down.

It's a whole new world and the opportunities are enormous.

http://twitter.com/SocialMediaJobs

[wickerwoman]

8. What kinds of qualifications do they look for?

I have product experience in a tech company, but not really a tech or marketing background.

[grasswire]

23. well...........

at the lowest level, a social media strategist might spend the day doing what is called "skittering" -- disseminating and gathering information about the brand/product/service by browsing the web and social media sites such as facebook, twitter, to find mention of the brand, either positive or negative; and doing some posting here and there regarding the brand, and gathering followers for the brand, and shaping the message; and getting statistics for the marketing team. That would be the $12-$15 per hour type of job. The qualifications are Internet savvy and social media experience (twitter, myspace, facebook, linkedin, etc.), the ability to communicate well, keyboard skills of course, perhaps some customer service or marketing experience.

If you check out the job descriptions you will find on the Internet for social media, you'll see some of the various levels of work.

I am a partner involved with a startup LLC that will provide social media services to clients in a particular industry. We plan to hire social media strategists who might serve five or six clients, creative team leaders who will supervise the strategists and work with the marketing team of the client to shape and direct the message, consultants who can do custom work, regional sales people, and the support staff.

It honestly is a booming field. And for people who are Internet savvy and good communicators, it won't take much preparation to be able to land a client and make money. If I had a kid entering college, I would urge him/her to minor in marketing and go this direction for now, where there ARE jobs.

[rucky]

11. I've seen a few of those. Even sent some resumes out.

Worth checking out a bit more closely. Thanks!

[mnhtnbb]

4. If you don't mind seasons and mild winters, Chapel Hill/Carrboro

has the best schools in NC and a very progressive political environment. Research Triangle
area is loaded with tech and attracting more all the time. Couple of hours to the beach and
3-4 hours to the mountains.

I love Chapel Hill.

[rucky]

17. I've heard good things. I'll check it out.

[crispini]

5. Come to Dallas!

We actually do have lots of Democrats here. Also, the 'burbs have decent schools. And you can't beat the housing prices.

[rucky]

16. I went to college there.

Granted, the SMU scene may have soured me on the whole Dallas experience, though.

[XemaSab]

6. Don't come to Redding, California

The job market sucks here.

[MidwestRick]

7. I've relo'd for work

a number of times. I wouldn't knock out an option if it means poor weather. Work is work, and as long as you enjoy the work, should it matter if the weather isn't the best? If you are in Dayton, how far outside of that area have you looked to date?

Check out Indy and Chicago for starts.

[rucky]

12. I'm looking as far as Columbus & Cinci

I've commuted that far before, and it sucks, but it's doable.

Seen a few good ones in Chicago. It would have to be a pretty sweet deal to convice my wife to move there, though.

[Alexander]

9. Stay away from Phoenix. It's right-wing as hell and the schools are a joke.

There is also no work here unless you like real estate and construction - and even those are dying fast right now.

[deucemagnet]

10. You're the second lounge lizard in about 4 weeks leaving Ohio for work.

I just moved to southwestern Ohio for a job. I'm starting to feel lucky that I have one.

[rucky]

14. Congrats! I was (sorta) in your neck of the woods earlier today.

Figured I'd pay a visit to Boehner's West Milton office. The staff had the place closed tight, but there ended up being over 100 people there, lining Cin-Day Rd. It was pretty fun!

[deucemagnet]

20. I'm in Boehner country?!!

I did not realize this. x(

[rucky]

22. sorry, deuce.

Aside from a mandatory trip to Jungle Jim's, just stay in Oxford, and you should be okay.

[rucky]

19. meant to say West Chester

[deucemagnet]

21. It doesn't really matter.

I've only been here 3 weeks and I don't know where anything is. :P

[mike_c]

18. in my field the job market is national (or bigger)...

...so relocation is pretty much a given. I don't think any of the folks I work with are from here. I moved across the U.S., Pennsylvania to California, for my job.

Best of luck to you! Relocating was a great opportunity for me, and in the end I'm REALLY glad I did it!