Have you ever randomly moved? How did it go?

• ohioguy12
  
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  Mar 18, 2011 10:51 PM GMT

  I'm thinking about randomly moving to a city in which I don't know anybody (not exactly sure where yet) in the next couple of months, has anybody else done it? Was it hard finding friends/job? Any stories that you'd like to share or advice would be appreciated.

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  Mar 18, 2011 11:10 PM GMT

  I moved on a whim to Chicago in 2008. It was fun, and exhausting. I got into modeling, met a few people, then was like lol wtf am I doing. So I moved back after 4 months.

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  Mar 19, 2011 1:27 AM GMT

  I've moved randomly my whole life... I lived in so many different neighborhoods, cities, states, I don't even remember them all... lol I have friends all around...

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  Mar 19, 2011 1:32 AM GMT

  I up and moved to Austin having never been before and I think it was the best decision I have ever made. That said, I think I completely lucked out. I just happened to pick a city that really clicked with me. In addition I happened to land a job within 48 hours of getting here with a company I hadn't even dared to dream that I could work at. Fourteen years later I still love the town and am happily working for co. I do remember all the stressing out about the whole thing in the week it took me to pack my crap up and move. That week seemed like eternity.

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  Mar 19, 2011 1:33 AM GMT

  yup.. many times.. worked out well. great education too!

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  Mar 19, 2011 1:34 AM GMT

  Yeah, it's fun.

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  Mar 19, 2011 1:40 AM GMT

  I took a job in Bel Air, MD in January 2000. I didn't know anyone there or in Baltimore where I was living. It was a unique experience. The first year I pretty much kept to myself and work. Some people at work would get me to go out every now and then. After about a year and a half I started to force myself to go out and meet people. And I did. And then I joined a gay softball league and met more people.
  
  At that time in my life it was the best thing I ever did for myself. It forced me to grow up and mature and really experience being a gay man.

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• JerseyBlues
  
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  Mar 19, 2011 1:48 AM GMT

  When I was 24, I let a friend of mine from home (Jersey) who was living in Atlanta talk me into moving down there. I thought about it for 20 minutes and said yes. The next day I saw a headline in the local paper that said, "Go South Young Man." That was a sign to me and a month later I moved down there only knowing 4 other people there. It turned out to be the best thing I ever did in my life and the best five years. I met so many new and wonderful people who are still some of my closest friends.
  
  I moved back to New York in 1999 and in 2006 I took a job in Baltimore where I knew no one or anything about the city. It took a while to make some friends, but I did and have been here for 4 years, though am ready to leave and try a new city.
  
  Good luck on your move! Sometimes you just have to take a chance and see what happens.

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  Mar 19, 2011 3:32 AM GMT

  Considering the economy right now, I'd at least figure out the job situation before you uproot yourself and move.

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• JerseyBlues
  
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  Mar 19, 2011 3:35 AM GMT

  I have to agree with atl2atx85. With this economy it's best to have a job in the city you want to move to first before making the move.

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  Mar 19, 2011 4:12 AM GMT

  Its a great experience i think people need to move out of there bubble and safe zone so they can grow. It could be what makes you into the person you wanna be or makes you realize that the person you are now is exactly who you wanna be.
  
  Congratulation on the adventure you have ahead of yourself

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• Webster666
  
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  Mar 19, 2011 6:05 AM GMT

  I moved across the country to where my parents were, stayed with them for a couple of months, then got my own place.
  Work was easy to find.
  Then, I met a guy and we moved to California.
  Again, work was easy to find.
  
  I think it's kind of amazing to look back and see the people I met who got me from one place to another (geographically, employment, relationships, etc.) to where I was supposed to be.
  
  I'm pretty sure that now I'm at a crossroads, again.
  
  
  
  

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  Mar 19, 2011 6:36 AM GMT

  2008, when I was 20, young and stoopid, I moved from PA to Tucson, AZ just for fun living the "freedom" life i've always wanted with my best friend (hes str. It was really fun while it lasted. I've met ton of new people and experienced and learned tons of cool new things.
  
  However, the bubble bursted pretty early after 5-6 months when money ran low and minimum wage jobs could not handle it. Then hit the National financial crisis before I could find a real job... I flew home and continue my education. I don't regret it one bit though.

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  Mar 19, 2011 6:38 AM GMT

  Did it 18 from Hawaii to Spokane never been there had scholarship tried it out. Hated it did it again moving blindly to SD cause I wasn't ready to go back to Hawaii. First year was the hardest year but most fun ever!!!! You learn to open up and meet people quickly or you're be lonely. Totally do it if you can best experience ever! Scary but fun.

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  Mar 19, 2011 6:42 AM GMT

  I've moved a lot that way....the only time that it actually didn't work out was when I planned it...

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  Mar 19, 2011 6:51 AM GMT

  ohioguy12 saidI'm thinking about randomly moving to a city in which I don't know anybody (not exactly sure where yet) in the next couple of months, has anybody else done it? Was it hard finding friends/job? Any stories that you'd like to share or advice would be appreciated.

  
  
  I moved from a small town in Ontario, to Melbourne, Australia 2.5 years ago on a whim, and haven't looked back. While not homesick, moving so far away has made me appreciate my home town and what's special about it, and I miss my family more.
  
  It's great for independence, as you are on your own, you get to really see what you are capable of.
  
  As for finding friends, it depends on your personality. Join groups and sports are a great way to meet people. You'll actually find moving somewhere is a great incentive to meet people, just be prepared to go through meeting lots of people before settling down into a certain group of friends. Settling into a new city does take a lot of work and strength, but it can be very rewarding. It's what you make of it! :-)

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• alphatop
  
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  Mar 19, 2011 7:14 AM GMT

  I moved from Europe to China in 2006, Beijing to be precise, lived there till 2010, than went back to my homeland ( Serbia ) for 8 months, realized that I can ever live that kind of life again, and came back again to China in Sept.2010, but in south western province of Yunnan and it's capital Kunming, where I am currently. Didn't know a word of Chinese, no idea what would I do there, I just have urge to do so. And now, after 5 years, not a single regret, on the contrary, it was the best decision I have ever made. I've learned Chinese ( fair enough, there is always space for improvement ), made some good Chinese and expat friends, earning more cash than I could ever earn in Europe ( teaching English ), traveling every now and then in China and south east Asia, and, in a word, love my life the way it is now. Sure, there were some hard times along the way, but no pain, no gain, right?
  Just do it.

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  Mar 19, 2011 10:12 AM GMT

  After my graduation from a university in Hawaii, I bought a ticket to Boston where I knew no one nor had been before. My plan was to break the journey in LA for a couple of weeks just to look around since I had to change my flight there anyway. Didn't like it, so I bought another ticket from LA to Salt Lake City to visit an old friend as I still had more than one week to wait for the flight to Boston. Fell in love with the city and threw the rest of my tickets away.
  
  However, that didn't go well. After a year I felt that I should have gone to Boston.
  
  Moved to Thailand where I was originally from. I landed right in the economy crisis and it took YEARS before getting the right job for me.
  
  After that I pretty much move ONLY for a new job. From Thailand to China, China to Angola, Angola to Tanzania.

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  Mar 19, 2011 11:10 AM GMT

  Done it twice. From college in Wisconsin to Hartford, CT and after going back to Wisconsin for my master's, to Burlington, VT. Didn't know a soul in either. I had a job waiting for me both times, though.
  
  I agree, have a job waiting for you before finalizing any move. This would likely involve an interview in the potential new location, so take advantage of that and research the community while you're there. Does it have services or activities that you enjoy? Look at potential housing - is it suitable and safe?
  
  Doing your research in person or online before making a move will pay huge dividends for you afterward.

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