Chicago?

[will_couvillier]

 My wife sends me this today --

"What would you think about moving to Chicago if I was given the opportunity for an accounting clerk position there?"

What's in Chicago?

For me I'd have to dump my current Gov position, which is specialized to a software program designed for the department's use, which as far as I know is only used in a few Western states.  My other qualifications -- I have an AA in Computer Networking.  But it is 3 years old, and I've never found work in the computer field, outside of building, setting up, and repairing mine and friend's computers.  This, of course, makes my skills there quite rusty.  I know that in Reno the job market is pretty dry for entry computer tech positions.  I'd have to feel it's the about the same in any big city.

I'm sure her new salary WOULDN'T be enough to compensate for losing half of the household income.

So, for me, what's in Chicago?  For her, I know, but for me?

Doesn' matter.  If the situation happens, then I'll find out.

 

Comments

[grayrose76.livejournal.com]

Chicago is a fabulous city, but job search sucks, especially now when entry-level technical positions are few and far between.

Best of luck!
Rose

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Yea, and clerical government jobs are a tough-tobreak into thing. It took nearly 2 years to get on in this one. I'm sure that it'd be the same everywhere.

[grayrose76.livejournal.com]

Yes. It might be easier for your wife to find a job in Reno. The good thing about government jobs is their stability, whereas continuity of employment is not guaranteed to her in Chicago. Also Chicago, is a very expensive city to live in.

(We're facing similar problems now, ourselves...)

[stonetable.livejournal.com]

If it gets closer to a reality, let me know. I'm in the area and might be able to put you in touch with a few people.

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It will definitely be something I'll keep in mind!

[vaughan-stanger.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm meeting up with friends in Chicago, late Sept/early Oct, so I'm hoping there's plenty of good things to do!

[camillealexa.livejournal.com]

I hear Chicago is pretty cool.

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

So do I, but on the practical side, cool to visit or cool to live?

It's only, like, 567 miles away from Lawrence though, and it'd be easy to pop over for a Jim Gunn workshop...

Like Rose said, the cost of living is higher there than here, and my more-stable-than-the-normal sort of job will be gone. And nothing guarantees hers. Heck it would be a position with a company that bought out another. Who'se to say it would happen with this one? Or than when the consolidation is done they'll not need her?

Sometimes life is a bit too iffy. I'll go however it goes, of course, but I see way more negatives than positives in it.

[mehub.livejournal.com]

Um, didn't she just get a job? And didn't it take a while for her to get it? How did this new opportunity come about? I don't mean to be the cloud for the silver lining, but just playing devil's advocate. If you do move, maybe you'll run into Harry Dresden! (Ha Ha Ha, no shortage of fictional characters in Chicago!)

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

This is with the home office of the place she's on temp-to-hire with. They like her.

[mehub.livejournal.com]

Ahh. Being liked is good. And you're right, there are more writing opportunities there. That's the rub with small town Idaho.

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

...or biggest little city Reno.

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Well, *I* like living in Chicago. There are some openings for entry-level IT folks here, mostly with mid-sized firms.

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

Chicago is much larger than Reno. In this I would have hoped that there might be more potential to get into the field I spent all that time learning (part time community college over many years while working). My concern isn't so much that as much as it's how long it would take for me to get into something. We wouldn't have any sort of buffer to bring in on this big a move.

And that's why the "What's in Chicago?", for me. I'm sure I'd like to live there. Hey, I adapted to Reno from small town Louisiana when I came out here. And Chicago has a much better SF presence than here...

[sueo2.livejournal.com]

I used to live in Chicago and I hated it. Was happy to leave, and I left during a blizzard in a car with no heater. It was worth it.

Also, you have a gov job. They may not pay a lot, but the benefits are great. And, accounting clerk? Doesn't sound like a high paying position. Out here, clerk make maybe $12/hr. I think it would be important to have a better idea on the job being offered, and on the advancement possibilities (which may look good now but evaporate upon hire.)

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

I've only been there three times, twice for week-long conferences, and once for only two days on a vacation that got cut short. I LOVE CHICAGO!! If I had a job offer, I'd move there in a heartbeat. (You may give this the weight it deserves. There is no doubt the winters are horrible and it's expensive, and depending on the neighborhood, not so nice.) That said - oh my God, the cultural and scientific opportunities - sailing on the Lake! Hanging out in those parks - and Chicago has like, a dozen in-city nature centers! Great restaurants and cafes with ethnic foods from everywhere, the Chicago Art Institute (Or is it Museum...can't remember) - the Aquarium! The Natural Science Museum! And a BUNCH of great used book stores downtown. Scads of live theatre with some of the best actors in the world, and most exciting up-and-comers - symphony, opera. Egads, not to mention the shopping. I could spend DAYS just walking around downtown Chicago. I'd love to take a ride on the El, I never got a chance to do that. Summer arts and food festivals! Rock concerts! And sports, if you love sports. I mean, come ON! What's in Chicago???? You're kidding, right? Start networking, dood, someone with your brains and talent will find a job! If nothing else, get a waiter job in one of the cafes along Michigan Avenue for a season - talk about great characters for your fiction!

Ahem.