Moving to another city. How? Help?

[Vtec?lol]

I got this job offer in another city about 5hrs from where I currently reside.

I'm worried as shit.

I never lived in a different city but I have lived across town. I'm moving to Texas' largest tourist attracting city, San Antonio. I've been there a few times but I've never stayed for more than a weekend. I have no clue what to do in my spare time, my job hours will be 40-65hrs a week, and I'm also between schooling. I have to find a nice place, friends, and all that other bull...

I don't know if I should move 5min from work or move further so I can become less bias about certain areas. Help me guis!
Pretty much the question goes, how do you manage? Where do you start?

I'm sure tons of you have moved away from home and had great or bad experiences. Please share!

[z31maniac]

If you can afford to move close to work, that's what I'd do (assuming it's a decent area of course). Time spent commuting is still basically work, as it's time you can't do something else.

As long as you aren't a hermit/asshole you shouldn't have any problems meeting new people, and all your current friends/family will only be a half-day's drive away.

[StereoInstaller1]

Make a "show me around San Antonio" thread

[quikveedb2]

As long as you aren't a hermit/asshole you shouldn't have any problems meeting new people

^lol. Working 40-65 hours a week isn't gonna give you a hell of a lot of free time to explore, which might be good since you'll be preoccupied with work and not being lonely. Moving isn't that bad; I moved from MA to NC when I was 15, and from NC to CO when I was 21, then back to NC last spring, and back to CO this past fall. I'm still alive, I have friends, & even a social life. It's fun to explore new places, eat new food, etc. Just go do the things you like in your free time & you'll meet like minded people. If you got really desperate to meet people you can get a plentyoffish account or something like that & do the online dating thing, but that's a crap shoot to say the least. Good luck, don't be worried. People who live the same place their whole life confound me, it leaves you with a very narrow view of the world.

[NigelStu]

^ agree with that last line.

Out of college, I moved from Central Wisconsin to Phoenix for work. 2 years later I packed up and moved up to Detroit.

The process is very easy. Just pack up and go! Like what was said before, do what you like to do, you'll find people. In some ways, busy/big cities make this easier. There are lots of different social groups, especially in bigger cities.

Do some city searches for the area. You can find demographic information for some (you don't want to get stuck in an area where its mostly familes with little kids or old people. Unless of course, you're into grannies...).

Also talk to the HR group for the new company and ask for recommendations on places to live. Ask for contact info for some co-workers that are close to your age. Your peers will give you some of the best info on places to live; and if its best to live near work or closer to where activities/fun can be had. (In Phoenix, I ended up living 40 min from work, but if I had lived close to work, it would have taken me 45 minutes minimum to get to anything fun).

And then once you are there and settled in a little bit, start exploring.





And just remember 2 things.
-Life is an adventure, go out and experience it!
-Work to live, don't live to work (or, work provides the means to live)

[Ray Ban]

I wouldn't turn down a job just because you're scared if I were you. Especially in this economy. Clearly you're somewhat sheltered from change, so the best thing you can do is make a change. So make it. It'l be hard at first but you've got to do what's best. Just don't let your worries take you over.

[Kershaw]

get involved with the local e30 community.

[z31maniac]

You can find demographic information for some (you don't want to get stuck in an area where its mostly familes with little kids or old people. Unless of course, you're into grannies...).

It's been my experience that old people make great neighbors.

They are retired and nosy, therefore, not a lot of crime/vandalism/etc. They always have that shovel/tool/cup of sugar you need to finish whatever it was you were doing..........and they sleep hard enough that building a bon fire with 25 people and two kegs of beer doesn't get the cops called.

[expressfish]

so what are you going to do in SA ? Ive lived (live outside city limits now) and worked here all my life........same as you 50+ a week. Rent a uhaul with a car hauler in tow for the E30. Not to sure how many san antonians we have on board ?? Ive always wondered.

[expressfish]

As to your question about living 5 min from work or futher away it just depends on your tolerance for traffic !! Coming from houston you'll probably be alright, as it isnt half as crazy here. I can tell you the shiitty and nice parts of town if that will help. Who are you coming to work for ?

[Vtec?lol]

Man, all of you have really great advise. It actually is helping me set it all in smoother... I'm only 22 and right out of school.
As far as finding thing I'm interested in, I pretty much love autosports but never had the resources to participate. I'm a seasonal biker, by that I mean I'm in love with motorcycles but can't bare to ride in the winter and rather than let the bike tease me all fall I sell them and make profit, then when spring comes around I buy a new one. So far it's worked out great and I love starting with something new and different every year. So far I've owned a gxsr600, ninja zx6r, a HD Vrod, a yamaha R6/R1, and cbr600rr. My favorite has been the R6. But back to the point I love group rides and exploring the city on my bike. The biggest flaw to this is I HATE BIKERS. Lots of them are pompous ass holes that are more than just judgmental. It's alwasy a "your stupid and I ride better than you" thing and then someone gets killed and they say some of the most disrespectful shit.
Track days are cool and it's usually the more calm and friendly crowd. Grown folks. I've found a majority of my friends through biking and lost a majority of them as well.
I also love old school bars/pubs. Nothing like enjoying a brew and shooting some pool at the beginning of the weekend.

As far as the e30 scene, san antonio has some well played e30's. I've seen plenty but I ask and usually none of them are on this board. I've told countless owners about the site but I doubt they listened.

If you can afford to move close to work, that's what I'd do (assuming it's a decent area of course). Time spent commuting is still basically work, as it's time you can't do something else.
As long as you aren't a hermit/asshole you shouldn't have any problems meeting new people, and all your current friends/family will only be a half-day's drive away.

The side of town is pretty raggedy. I would hate to live near. lol, and I'd like to think I'm far from a hermit.

Make a "show me around San Antonio" thread

I shall. I'll probably just edit the title of this thread and post pics and stuff here.
I mean, you guys, you have to see some of the E30's out here.

^lol. Working 40-65 hours a week isn't gonna give you a hell of a lot of free time to explore, which might be good since you'll be preoccupied with work and not being lonely. Good luck, don't be worried. People who live the same place their whole life confound me, it leaves you with a very narrow view of the world.

Thanks, and very well said. I don't plan on living in one spot all my life. It's just my first time. I'm only 22

And just remember 2 things.
-Life is an adventure, go out and experience it!
-Work to live, don't live to work (or, work provides the means to live)

Note taken. ;)

I wouldn't turn down a job just because you're scared if I were you. Especially in this economy. Clearly you're somewhat sheltered from change, so the best thing you can do is make a change. So make it. It'l be hard at first but you've got to do what's best. Just don't let your worries take you over.

Very much so.

get involved with the local e30 community.

I plan on doing this first thing.

It's been my experience that old people make great neighbors. They are retired and nosy, therefore, not a lot of crime/vandalism/etc. They always have that shovel/tool/cup of sugar you need to finish whatever it was you were doing..........and they sleep hard enough that building a bon fire with 25 people and two kegs of beer doesn't get the cops called.

This is sooooo true. It's the middle aged ones I can't stand.

so what are you going to do in SA ? Ive lived (live outside city limits now) and worked here all my life........same as you 50+ a week. Rent a uhaul with a car hauler in tow for the E30. Not to sure how many san antonians we have on board ?? Ive always wondered.

I will be working for Toyota's plant out there. They assemble all of the trucks in North america. I'll be the guy that makes sure all the automation goes smoothly.

[kronus]

Craigslist, find some roommates around your age, live it up. At first, go in on a month-to-month deal so that you aren't stuck with shitty roommates for a year-long lease (until you establish contacts).

[chadthestampede]

San Antonio is an awesome city.

[expressfish]

I will be working for Toyota's plant out there. They assemble all of the trucks in North america. I'll be the guy that makes sure all the automation goes smoothly.[/quote]
Ahhh, hwy 16 area. I live outside 1604 myself about 25 miles from there. I'd try and find somewhere in the downtown scene, maybe the king william area.

[Turf1600]

SA isn't 5 hours from Houston.