| I Was facing the same thing as you not too long ago. I was living in Garden City, making a decent living, but my girlfriend and her family were moving to Dallas. I had a decision to make...should I stay in my comfortable world, where I knew all I needed (not all there was, but all I needed...), or go out and experience something new? It really didnt even have to do that much with the girl - it was about me expanding my horizons.
Now, from my experience, I will give ya some advice...
1. Go and visit the area first. You said you saw Denver - I like Denver, too...but you didnt say anything about KC. Go spend a weekend or a few days up there and see how ya like it. I am sure you can even find a lot about it on the internet.
2. I dont know what you do for a living or how martketable you think you are, but always keep in mind there is someone more qualified than you when applying for jobs in large areas. Be prepared to sell yourself. Have a game plan going into interviews. Look for job fairs.
3. If at all possible, have a job lined up before moving there. Most businesses will respect the two week notice thing - if they dont, then they probably arent worth working for. Look on the internet, then do some research on the companies that look promising. Post your resume on Monster.com and other websites like that.
4. If your buddy gets up there, gets a place with the idea of you and him splitting it and you are wanting to go, then do it! BUT....have some money saved up first - at least enough to get you through a couple months with no pay check. Never rely on credit cards to take care of ya. I learned that the hard way...but was able to battle out of it and now things are great, but it did take a few years.
5. Try not to settle on a job. When I moved to Dallas, there was nothing I wanted more than to work in radio - course, that was a big dream for anyone in radio, working in a major market like Dallas/FtWorth. I sent out a few resumes, went on a couple interviews, but didnt get hired, or didnt get offered a full time position. So, after my savigs almost was gone, and my credit cards almost max'ed out, I went to work in retail. Not a bad job, made ok money, but wasnt what I wanted to be doing. The problem is, when you are into the 40 hour weeks, you never seem to have time to get back in the swing looking for the career you really want. So, if you can, get to the major city and just job hunt til ya get what ya want.
6. One last note...wherever you are working and/or living, try to have them be somewhat close to each other. This is just my own personal opinion. I know it sure got old for me driving 30 minutes to work every day, and an hour home because of rush hour. your 8 hour day just became 10 because of the commute! But, this is also one of the "charms" of big city living.
Sometimes you have to take some chances in life...but at least the risks can be calculated and not just jumping into the unknown. I would tell ya to go for it, as long as you have done some planning ahead for it. I wouldnt trade my few years in Dallas for anything - met some good friends, have some great memories. But, after living there, I realized I prefer smaller communities, and came back here when a job was offered to me. You never know where life will take you, so dig in, cinch up the seat belt, and hold on - it could be a bumpy, wonderful ride!  |