Ok guys (and ladies), I really need your help. I'm having a tough decision between whether or not I can/should move out of my parents house, or just stay home longer and suffer. Here's my situation: I'm 23, been in the workforce for just over a year now, and commute ~90 miles roundtrip daily from NW Baltimore to just NE of DC, which takes around an hour each way (can take up to 25 min more though if traffic is terrible, as it occasionally is). I have around 10k saved and no outstanding debt. I do not enjoy my job, and am currently looking to find a new one, probably in a different field. I don't hate it to the extent that I will be quitting before finding something new tho, mainly bc I've learned that I need money to survive. I desire to go to grad school full time, and will be applying very soon for fall enrollment.
I'd like to move out of my parents house and to downtown Bmore, mainly because of the social atmosphere. As far as commute go's, it MAY cut it down by about 10 minutes, but city traffic can make it just as long. Basically, commute isn't a factor in making my decision. I've been looking into renting a room in a house downtown, and have come to realize that if I move out, my expenses will go up dramatically. I'd probably be looking at having around $200 monthly in leftover money after all of my necessary expenses are paid for (of which all will go to entertainment). The lease of the house I'm looking at will end in July, which is good in case I don't end up at school in the city.
Now here's where I need opinions/advice. Should I just stay home until I know exactly what I'll be doing come fall of next year, and save money in the meantime? I estimate I'll save around $8k between now and then by not moving out, which won't pay for all of grad school, but a significant chunk. The issues with moving out are that I'm limited to searching for new jobs in the area (which isnt a bad place, if things are available, but id be locked into ONLY looking there). Or should I move to the city, keep at my job, and then leave when school starts in the fall? Another option is to just find a new job asap, which would most likely set me up to start school part time. The way I see it, there is no way I will be at my job come the fall, whether I'm in school or not. There is no opportunity for promotion or advancement of any kind, and my salary is subpar for my position as compared to private industry. I do however have very good job security.
So let me know what you think, I'm sure there will still be a lot of questions to answer. Also I'd like to add that Bmore is the only place I'm considering moving. I don't want to live in the boring suburbs, and DC will be more expensive from what I understand.
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Don't move out. First find a job you are happy with. If you don't like your current job chances are your coworkers know this and that can be reason enough to fire someone. $200 a month is too tight of a budget... you need to find a way to reduce expenses(roommate?) or increase your income before you can consider moving out.
Message edited by: brettdoyle on 2009-11-04 19:26:31 CST
How sure are you that you'll enjoy grad school? How sure are you that this program will enable you to actually get a job that you'd enjoy? I'll chime in on the rest when you answer those. Oh, and there are more locations out there besides the suburbs of Baltimore and DC...
My coworkers are aware, but my situation is pretty unique..I worked with 2 students, a more senior scientist, and then there's my boss. Only my students know my feelings on the job, and I won't be fired (im federal gov). Expenses can't be reduced if i move out... i'd already be moving into a house with 3 other guys, and for the area there is nothing cheaper that I'm considering (aka something clean/safe/fun area). There's no chance I'll get a raise.
I'm not 100% sure I'll enjoy grad school, which is also part of the issue, but I know I need it to get anywhere in life, and I'm pretty sure I'll like a career in public health (which is what I'm looking to get a masters in). There are more locations, but as I'm currently working in DC and living in Bmore, there is nothing fun in between. I'm a 23 y/o single male, i have no desire to live where I will not be socializing with others my age.
Message edited by: shmuey on 2009-11-04 19:31:50 CST
shmuey said:I'm not 100% sure I'll enjoy grad school, which is also part of the issue, but I know I need it to get anywhere in life, and I'm pretty sure I'll like a career in public health (which is what I'm looking to get a masters in). There are more locations, but as I'm currently working in DC and living in Bmore, there is nothing fun in between. I'm a 23 y/o single male, i have no desire to live where I will not be socializing with others my age.
Please don't come into healthcare (especially in the Federal sector) with the notion you can't be fired, the business of healthcare is becoming more cutthroat than ever--focus on doing your job right each day and being a good steward of tax dollars. Also, be sure your MPH is CEPH accredited and you might get a worthwhile education.
It is accredited. I'm not going in with the notion I can't be fired, and I do like doing my job right each day. This is part of the reason I don't like my current job, which is in a different science field. I don't like how I feel im wasting away my days w/ busy work and often doing nothing at all. I actually want to be driven and enjoy a challenge (hell, be challenged at all..maybe learn something too?) That's why I need a change.
shmuey said:I'm not 100% sure I'll enjoy grad school, which is also part of the issue, but I know I need it to get anywhere in life This statement is complete BS. In fact most people who graduate with a masters and little relevant work experience can't find a relevant job (and won't).
shmuey said:and I'm pretty sure I'll like a career in public health What makes you so sure? Because you like the show Scrubs?
shmuey said:There are more locations, but as I'm currently working in DC and living in Bmore, there is nothing fun in between. I'm a 23 y/o single male, i have no desire to live where I will not be socializing with others my age. Why not try Houston, there are young people there?
You've already wasted your undergrad education and the start of your career. Don't waste any more. Figure out what you want to do by doing it, then go back to school when you need it to advance further.
stay home til you find a job you want. why would you move to a place where you're pretty certain you won't be at for very long? find that job you want, move out of the 'rents house, and then you can actually invite ladies over.
the statement about the master's degree really was BS. A two-year degree can get you 6 figures by age 30 at a nuclear plant.. in the SOUTH, even.
and "the boring suburbs"? i live in rural TN, and i'll tell ya i have a helluva lot of fun.. on WEEKENDS. you're in the real world now, kiddo. you work during the week, and live for the weekends at this age (and older, too???). college was fun, now grow up. that place in the suburb you could have might save your job since you won't be as apt to go out some random tuesday night somewhere downtown and come to work smelling and looking like hell and getting invited into the boss's office at 8:17am.
Message edited by: mrredskin on 2009-11-04 21:08:59 CST
DO not move out to fells point or Caton ect. That woudl be stupid. Either stay at home or move to DC. To live in an apartment 10 minute from home for and extra several hundred a month is idioitic . Dc has tons of young 20's people. If you move out move to within the beltway and move near a metro line in a shared house. But leases typically are 1 year so you are only going for less then that so you are looking to sublease anyway . So decide either live at home saving lots or move to Dc.
Since you are starting grad school in 10 months, I don't see the need to find a new job. It would be better to show continuous employment on a resume than to show that you quit a job, worked 10 months, and then quit again to go to school.
Move when you can comfortably afford it. If you get along with your parents and they aren't in a hurry to get you out of the house, there is no rush. Find some friends who don't mind you inviting your lady (or guy) friends over to hang out.
Your social life will not improve as much as you think just because you have moved out, however a location change can help. Know that being more "social" usually equates to spending more money, so budget accordingly.
If the social aspect is your biggest concern, join singles groups that do activities you enjoy. Or volunteer. Just find more excuses to be around people and then be friendly.
TheMeliorist has some good advice concerning school. Don't do it just because you think that is what it takes to earn the money you want. Go to school because you have a passion for a particular career field, and you have the right aptitude and personality to get into that field.
Message edited by: redpoint5 on 2009-11-04 21:44:52 CST
Take a moment and count your blessings. Right now you are employed while many people your age are not. A one hour commute is bad but there are ways to make it better. Check out books on tape or some podcasts.
You can also consider living with your parents "paying" yourself since you avoid rent. If you have enough self control with your expenses and think you can still budget money for savings then consider moving out. Like Brett said $200 is far too thin a margin to go it alone. You have 10K in savings. It would take you four years to save that much money on a $200/mo surplus. Now throw in a car accident or hospital visit and you can see how people end up living paycheck to paycheck or building up CC debt.
If you want more of a social life then consider enrolling in a local community college. The cost is much lower and you can still learn alot (good for foreign languages, some IT stuff, etc.) and for the most part the peers you will meet there are much looser with their decision making.
Message edited by: Rayout on 2009-11-04 21:58:10 CST
shmuey said: Should I just stay home until I know exactly what I'll be doing come fall of next year, and save money in the meantime?
Definitely stay and save until you decide on the grad school/new job. Is there any way the fed employer will cover your grad tuition? Or, can you attend a DC school (George Washington Univ for public health), and live in student-type housing while still working?
OP, i've been in your situation for a while - one foot out the door but not sure where i'm heading. while the situation is not optimal i think the choice is clear - stay at home until you resolve the school/job issue. moving to downtown Bmore while working in DC would be bizarre, it really won't improve your social life as much as you think.
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