I use to work retail for 3 years with a clothing department store, and frankly, I do not want to go back to that life. I have a part time job right now, but I need a second job to help pay for bills. I was considering Starbucks in the Pittsburgh area since I do have customer service experience (and in my mind, Starbucks does not seem like the droning lifestyle that is of retail---which sucks the life out of you), and I was wondering, how is the turn over with Starbucks? Are they like Barnes%26amp;Noble (it seems you need inside ties to work at b%26amp;n) or more like fast food restaurants where people are in and out?
Any positive input would be great! thanks!Looking for a job....?
information and resources relating to work abroad, job overseas, canada jobs, USA jobs, dubai jobs, australia jobs, europe jobs and international jobs.
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Have you ever thought of working in a call center? I'm not talking about outbound cold calling and sales, but customer service call centers for like QVC channel, or RCI resorts or something? They are always offering overtime, they usually have good insurance, and they pay well. I am a travel agent working for Bluegreen corporation in a call center environment. I love it. Just a suggestion.Looking for a job....?
Have you ever considered working your own business?
I have a suggestion, go to www.stayhomeforgood.com
and see if this could be in your future along with Starbucks for now? Then eventually your business will take you a lot farther than you can go with retail or other places. The choice is yours.
1. Tell me about yourself
The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.
3. What experience do you have in this field?
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.
4. Do you consider yourself successful?
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
5. What do co-workers say about you?
Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work.
6. What do you know about this organization?
This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?
7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.
8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.
9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.
10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.
11. What kind of salary do you need?
A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.
12. Are you a team player?
You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.
14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.
15. What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.
16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.
18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization
You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.
19. Why should we hire you?
Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.
20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made
Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
21. What irritates you about co-workers?
This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.
22. What is your greatest strength?
Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude .
23. Tell me about your dream job.
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.
24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.
25. What are you looking for in a job?
See answer # 23
26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.
28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver
29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor
Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.
30. What has disappointed you about a job?
Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.
31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.
32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.
33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition
34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally honest.
35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful
36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.
37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
38. Describe your management style.
Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.
39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
40. Do you have any blind spots?
Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.
41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.
43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.
44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.
45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.
46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
47. Describe your work ethic.
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.
48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.
49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
50. Do you have any questions for me?
Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
ROAD TRIP!!!! ANY GOOD IDEAS?
I'm bored and NEED a road trip!!!
Start---%26gt; Pittsburgh Pa
End----%26gt; Key West
Time---%26gt; As long as it takes!!!
Looking for fun, interesting even odd and strange places to see and have fun along the way.
Anybody got any good ideas???
Bars, clubs, restaurants, museums.... anything goes!!!ROAD TRIP!!!! ANY GOOD IDEAS?
"Amazing Tours and Travel"
http://www.amazingtoursandtravel.com
go to cars page and click on "Enjoy the Freedom of the Road"
There are also very valuable online travel guides at:
"365 EZ Travel" Blog
http://www.365eztravel.blogspot.comROAD TRIP!!!! ANY GOOD IDEAS?
You should map out where you would like your route and than do a google search to see if there is anything interesting around the area and if you can't find anything than request a brochure or something from the cities along the way through the visitors bureau so you know what is around. Also, AAA has travel guides with things to do in cities you should look at those. Sounds like a really interesting and fun trip to make though. Look into exotic foods that you have never tried a long the way or go through and only eat at the small vending food carts or eat at only local markets not fast food or fancy restaurants or anything like that.live meeting sample sales
Start---%26gt; Pittsburgh Pa
End----%26gt; Key West
Time---%26gt; As long as it takes!!!
Looking for fun, interesting even odd and strange places to see and have fun along the way.
Anybody got any good ideas???
Bars, clubs, restaurants, museums.... anything goes!!!ROAD TRIP!!!! ANY GOOD IDEAS?
"Amazing Tours and Travel"
http://www.amazingtoursandtravel.com
go to cars page and click on "Enjoy the Freedom of the Road"
There are also very valuable online travel guides at:
"365 EZ Travel" Blog
http://www.365eztravel.blogspot.comROAD TRIP!!!! ANY GOOD IDEAS?
You should map out where you would like your route and than do a google search to see if there is anything interesting around the area and if you can't find anything than request a brochure or something from the cities along the way through the visitors bureau so you know what is around. Also, AAA has travel guides with things to do in cities you should look at those. Sounds like a really interesting and fun trip to make though. Look into exotic foods that you have never tried a long the way or go through and only eat at the small vending food carts or eat at only local markets not fast food or fancy restaurants or anything like that.
If you had to rank the "best big cities" in America, what would your list look like?
I’m doing this research b/c I’m thinking of moving and I want to live in an area that offers big city living. I think the ideal “big city” not only has a large, dense population with a sprawling metro area, but also great nightlife/culture and restaurants, a bustling job market, big time sports, a “global city” reputation w/ lots of diversity, good public transportation and is also a tourist destination. With these parameters in mind, I created a five-tiered list of my own that classifies U.S. cities in terms of their urban appeal. Any feedback or arguments? Which cities should have made my list but didn't?
Tier 1
-New York
-Los Angeles
-Chicago
Tier 2
-Boston
-San Francisco
-Washington, DC
-Miami
-Dallas
Tier 3
-Houston
-Philadelphia
-Atlanta
-Seattle
-San Diego
Tier 4
-Denver
-Phoenix
-Minneapolis
-Baltimore
-Las Vegas
-Detroit
Tier 5
-Pittsburgh
-Cleveland
-Austin
-St Louis
-Portland, OR
-Charlotte
-Nashville
-Milwaukee
-New OrleansIf you had to rank the "best big cities" in America, what would your list look like?
Houston is definitely Tier 2. Boston isn't. Aside from the Boston Pops and lots of strip joints there isn't a whole lot to do there (you see the historic stuff once and then it is BTDT).
The problem with your Tier 1 cities is that they're all incredibly expensive to live in. Houston and Dallas are not.
only one that is New York City but only Brooklyn every other part of NYC sucksIf you had to rank the "best big cities" in America, what would your list look like?
Tier 1 Should def be
-NY
-Chicago
-LA
I think Philly should be in tier 2. That's my only problem...otherwise, great job!
You might want to consider San Antonio on your list. San Antonio has lots to offer including a decent job market and housing market. It also has lots of neat restuarants and night life offerings and is often considered the "oddball" in Texas because of that along with the city culture.
In your top tier, LA really has no public transportation to speak of and is more of a giant suburb as opposed to the metro areas you find in Chicago and New York. Chicago and New York both offer lots of what your looking for but Chicago has more of a relaxed culture as compared to New York where the people are more on the go and brisk in their conversations. Its basically the diffrence between east coast and midwest.
San Fran also offers lots of great city culture but it stays relatively cool so if your a warm weather fan prolly not the best choice.
Tier 1
-New York
-Los Angeles
-Chicago
Tier 2
-Boston
-San Francisco
-Washington, DC
-Miami
-Dallas
Tier 3
-Houston
-Philadelphia
-Atlanta
-Seattle
-San Diego
Tier 4
-Denver
-Phoenix
-Minneapolis
-Baltimore
-Las Vegas
-Detroit
Tier 5
-Pittsburgh
-Cleveland
-Austin
-St Louis
-Portland, OR
-Charlotte
-Nashville
-Milwaukee
-New OrleansIf you had to rank the "best big cities" in America, what would your list look like?
Houston is definitely Tier 2. Boston isn't. Aside from the Boston Pops and lots of strip joints there isn't a whole lot to do there (you see the historic stuff once and then it is BTDT).
The problem with your Tier 1 cities is that they're all incredibly expensive to live in. Houston and Dallas are not.
only one that is New York City but only Brooklyn every other part of NYC sucksIf you had to rank the "best big cities" in America, what would your list look like?
Tier 1 Should def be
-NY
-Chicago
-LA
I think Philly should be in tier 2. That's my only problem...otherwise, great job!
You might want to consider San Antonio on your list. San Antonio has lots to offer including a decent job market and housing market. It also has lots of neat restuarants and night life offerings and is often considered the "oddball" in Texas because of that along with the city culture.
In your top tier, LA really has no public transportation to speak of and is more of a giant suburb as opposed to the metro areas you find in Chicago and New York. Chicago and New York both offer lots of what your looking for but Chicago has more of a relaxed culture as compared to New York where the people are more on the go and brisk in their conversations. Its basically the diffrence between east coast and midwest.
San Fran also offers lots of great city culture but it stays relatively cool so if your a warm weather fan prolly not the best choice.
Why is Los Angeles so hard to adjust to!?
I have been here since about the beginning of May and ever since then my opinion of the city has gradually decreased. Yes, the weather is gorgeous, yes, a lot of people are fit, yes, the beaches are stupendous, yes, there is a lot of diversity (and really really good vietnamese restaurants!)...
But beyond that, and the cool things about the city, there is a lot that has started to really creep under my skin far beyond my contorl.
For one, I come from the east coast with a midwest mentality I guess (liberal, open-minded, chill) -- Pittsburgh --;.
I find that yes, the stereotype about fake people in LA is overwhelmingly true, and even though a lot of people aren't, the fact that there are a lot of fake people overshadows the positivity.
Also, it is so crazy expensive and for me being a 20 year old college student I can't even move into an apartment and have to move "back in" with my parents (i used to go to college in florida but had to withdraw b/c it was too expensive.)
Also, the materialism. Don't get me wrong, I like to shop, but after awhile you feel like you HAVE to have a lamborghini, you HAVE to have the finest this, that, whatever. And truthfully, do we need it? No!
Also, it seems very difficult to meet people, and yes I have been trying a lot (I work 9 hours a week - that's all they give me - and I go to social things but I just haven't clicked with ANYBODY.)
I'm confused, lost, and feel like my dreams are slipping. Anybody else have similar stories?
Thanks!|||Marblebeach,
I'm confused, you say your from Pittsburgh, and yet you moved back in with your parents after returning from Florida?
So I guess they moved out here, and you moved in, do I have this right?
And then you went to florida, but moved back HOME because it was too expensive.
OK I think I've got that part, kinda sorta.
My ancestry goes back a mere 120 years, not like the eal natives, bot Cali is all I know so here are my hobbies over the years
Surfing, camping, skateboarding, BMX, moto-cross collecting rocks(mostly fossils collected locally), baseball cards, mad magazines stock car pit crew, collecting old diner plates, the list goes on and on.
this is just a drop in the bucket as to what you can do here, you are correct, this is the place to be, in my lifetime the population has quadrupled.
Here's the part where you stop reading: And in spite of all that is here, in spite of all that you can do for relatively cheap, in spite of the 14 million people that live here, all you can focus on are the ones who are in love with themselves.
You are a mere child at twenty. you should be waaaaay to busy to care one lick about what ANYONE else is doing, why? Because you are too busy having FUN
all of those hobbies I've done? I never mixed my friends from one group[ to the next, most I still keep in Touch with, and I expose my kids to as much as possible, sooner or later something sticks and then we run with that Idea
you can sit and snivel or you can join every group you can in college, sure there's weenies, sure theres folks who take themselves too seriously
If you are as liberal as you say you are, than show it, be wise, those people that upset you? they aren't any happier than you. Possessions do not a person make
When you can focus on what it would take to make you who you are, then those posers will fall away into nothingness|||Yeah I agree with you, I'm originally from Pittsburgh, been living in LA off and on for the past 8 years... Still am always happy to be back home in Pittsburgh.
I just guess where ever you were born and called home is the bar you compare other cities to. Sure LA has lots to do and see, but I've yet to be in a city that is as "comfortable" as Pittsburgh. Just different way of living and way of doing things.|||There are places in LA where everyone doesn't have to keep up with everyone else and not everyone on the street has a beamer. A couple of areas that come to mind are Long Beach/South Bay and Pasadena. Yes, you still need money but the majority of people in these neighborhoods don't flash it.
Good luck.|||LA is very diverse. If you aren't finding what you are looking for, you aren't looking in the right place.
Try to be yourself, and be natural. Don't have expectations. Have you heard the phrase "you find it where you least expect it"?|||I don't think you have given it enough time. You will adjust after a while.
Everyone has a lambo ?....Scheesch, I better run out and get one....|||just find good friends|||too hot for my liking|||I live in the South Bay, near Long Beach etc. There are TONS of things to do. Only "rich" neighborhoods have the attitude you're describing. Like Bevery Hills, Hollywood etc... That's NOT representative of most people or neighborhoods in California or Los Angeles, just like it's not "fair" to judge the "rich" neighborhoods near Detroit, Chicago, etc...
Affordable non-snobby neighborhoods include Monrovia/Duarte, east of Pasadena, Torrance which is west of Long Beach.
North of here is San Luis Obispo (my favorite area to vacation) with an incredible school Cal Poly.
I've been out of school for a long time so I cannot advise most affordable schools or student housing or apartments.
But stop judging everything based on Hollywood.
Most of us are just normal people with that great weather.
Try volunteering for a beach cleanup, a theater group etc... and you'll get a better flavor for things as well as meet "normal" people.|||You have only been here 3.5 months, that isn't enough time to give the place a chance. I didn't meet any decent people until I had been here 6 months. I also spent almost every weekend by myself sightseeing and getting to know my new city. That helped immensely. I think I know more and have seen more of California than the majority of people that live here.
My job transferred me out here 3.5 years ago and I don't find the people that much different than my hometown of Dallas. There are lots of fake-blond, overly silicone inflated, Botox injected, materialistic people there too.
It is expensive here. If I were to rent a comparable apartment to what I had in Dallas I would have to pay $2000 per month. In Dallas I paid $750 a month. Even though I make $20,000 more a year it's still hard to make ends meet.
Where are you going to meet people? Maybe that is your problem. Go to more low-key bars and not Hollywood or West LA. The beach cities are more chill than inland.
Fake, materialistic people are insecure people. They don't deserve your time.
What are your interests? Join groups online. If you like food or bars register on yelp.com. They frequently have foodie get togethers.
There is a Pittsburgh Steelers meetup.com group in LA. You can meet other people from the steel city in LA and commiserate about LA.|||I moved to LA from Vancouver in 2001 and I got used to it in about 5 minutes.
Mind you my daughter went to high school and went to Pittsburgh to go to college. Pittsburgh is a lot nicer than people think it is. However she is returning here for her doctorate.
Here, you do have to get used to everything being so spread out compared to Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh in 30 minutes, you can get from Monroeville to McKeesport. In LA, in 30 minutes you ar ein another neighborhood that looks just like the one you left.
You do have to scale back your expectations on living quarters here. Most college students live 2 or 3 to an apartment here.
If you want to meet people join some clubs. I met good people joining Toastmasters. And Toastmasters is cheap.
As for the materialism, I do not know where you are getting that from. I have been here for 8 years and I drive a Ford Focus and an very happy with it. My daughter, who went to high school here is quite happy with a Chevy Cavalier. Sure there are some people with expensive cars. So what?|||You should have asked before you moved here. Here is an excerpt of what I tell people who ask about LA:
For a number of reasons, we get a bunch of questions asking what it’s really like in SoCal.
First of all, I'll tell you what it's NOT like: It's not like anything on TV. People watch shows on TV and think that’s what it’s like out here. The “Real OC”, Newport Beach, The Hills, etc. Ever wonder why people in those shows never have to pay bills, do laundry, and are NEVER stuck in traffic? Because it’s FAKE. And the news doesn’t help either, since they know that sex and sensationalism sells. News flash: There aren’t running gun battles in the street. There aren’t shootouts every day. Also, you don’t see celebrities just walking down the street, all glammed up, or sipping a cappuccino at Starbucks waiting to sign autographs. We don't go surfing during lunch hour.
Some sections are REALLY nice, others are “ghetto”. Too many people have this vision in their head that LA and Orange County are one or the other (either Beverly Hills or Compton). They either think it is a fairy tale fantasy or an apocalyptic ghetto. In fact, most of it is working class and middle class stiffs working to pay the bills. Like me.
Yes, gas and real estate are very expensive in SoCal. However, this would be the best time to BUY a house because it's a buyer's market right now. There are a lot of foreclosures, and too many houses on the market. If you want to rent, figure on $1200 per month for a 1BR in a decent neighborhood. You need to make about $30,000 per year in order to do that. You can't do it on minimum wage.
Yep, freeways are a drag, it's smoggy in summer, and expensive to live here. Yet, if it's so bad, why do we have thousands and thousands of people moving here? Weather, year-round activities, jobs, beaches, mountains, and deserts all within driving distance, and plenty of opportunity for those who have the skills and tenacity.
However, it is not for everyone. Every time someone posts this question, you get the LA haters who post their bile and venom. A lot of them don’t know what they are talking about. Some people never even visit, and hate it on principle and stereotypes. Some actually visited once, and found out it wasn’t like it was on TV, and it certainly wasn’t Mayberry. And some actually lived here, and couldn’t deal with the expense, the traffic, or the somewhat impersonal nature of living in a large metropolis. To those I would say “good luck” to you wherever you are, but please don’t spew your hatred in this forum.
More about “casual indifference: Most people here have cinder block fences between houses. In other parts of the country, you sometimes have no fences at all! It’s just the lifestyle here: People want their own private space. It’s sort of “you do your thing, I’ll do mine”. I wouldn't call people here "fake". I think "superficial" is a better descriptor.
To summarize, it’s a HUGE metropolis that really defies easy description. I live in one of the nicer suburbs, but the commute is no fun, often 1-2 hours each way each day. However, 340+ days of sunshine really helps. Yeah, it's expensive. Mrs. Obviousman and I both have to work to pay the mortgage. But is it worth it? Absolutely! But before you move here, you have to have a career already started, or live with a relative. Real estate is too expensive.
As for the materialism, it only gets to you if you let it. I don't know what pressure you're feeling. Personally, you don't HAVE to have the latest and greatest. I've driven the same car for 16 years now, getting close to 300,000 miles. Go Chevy!|||So many people come here with a pre-conceived idea for what LA is like, and when those ideas don't jive with the reality ... it's a bummer.
After re-reading your paragraph, you're awfully negative, hon. Will you re-read your paragraph, only pretend that you don't know who wrote it?
(pause, while you read it .... it's ok. I'll wait.)
What do you think of the person who wrote it, now?
My best advice to you is to try something that you haven't tried before. Not knowing what school you're attending or what part of town you're in, or whether you have a car to get around, it's hard to suggest anything. Just keep this firmly in mind: In order to have what you've never had, you have to do what you've never done.
Be yourself, but be better. Get the gray cloud from over your head, and start with YOU. What kind of day do YOU want to have? Screw anyone who thinks that anything less than a lambo is sad, ok? They're just snobs, and not worth your time. There ARE real people who don't care what's in your bank account.
Best of luck !!
But beyond that, and the cool things about the city, there is a lot that has started to really creep under my skin far beyond my contorl.
For one, I come from the east coast with a midwest mentality I guess (liberal, open-minded, chill) -- Pittsburgh --;.
I find that yes, the stereotype about fake people in LA is overwhelmingly true, and even though a lot of people aren't, the fact that there are a lot of fake people overshadows the positivity.
Also, it is so crazy expensive and for me being a 20 year old college student I can't even move into an apartment and have to move "back in" with my parents (i used to go to college in florida but had to withdraw b/c it was too expensive.)
Also, the materialism. Don't get me wrong, I like to shop, but after awhile you feel like you HAVE to have a lamborghini, you HAVE to have the finest this, that, whatever. And truthfully, do we need it? No!
Also, it seems very difficult to meet people, and yes I have been trying a lot (I work 9 hours a week - that's all they give me - and I go to social things but I just haven't clicked with ANYBODY.)
I'm confused, lost, and feel like my dreams are slipping. Anybody else have similar stories?
Thanks!|||Marblebeach,
I'm confused, you say your from Pittsburgh, and yet you moved back in with your parents after returning from Florida?
So I guess they moved out here, and you moved in, do I have this right?
And then you went to florida, but moved back HOME because it was too expensive.
OK I think I've got that part, kinda sorta.
My ancestry goes back a mere 120 years, not like the eal natives, bot Cali is all I know so here are my hobbies over the years
Surfing, camping, skateboarding, BMX, moto-cross collecting rocks(mostly fossils collected locally), baseball cards, mad magazines stock car pit crew, collecting old diner plates, the list goes on and on.
this is just a drop in the bucket as to what you can do here, you are correct, this is the place to be, in my lifetime the population has quadrupled.
Here's the part where you stop reading: And in spite of all that is here, in spite of all that you can do for relatively cheap, in spite of the 14 million people that live here, all you can focus on are the ones who are in love with themselves.
You are a mere child at twenty. you should be waaaaay to busy to care one lick about what ANYONE else is doing, why? Because you are too busy having FUN
all of those hobbies I've done? I never mixed my friends from one group[ to the next, most I still keep in Touch with, and I expose my kids to as much as possible, sooner or later something sticks and then we run with that Idea
you can sit and snivel or you can join every group you can in college, sure there's weenies, sure theres folks who take themselves too seriously
If you are as liberal as you say you are, than show it, be wise, those people that upset you? they aren't any happier than you. Possessions do not a person make
When you can focus on what it would take to make you who you are, then those posers will fall away into nothingness|||Yeah I agree with you, I'm originally from Pittsburgh, been living in LA off and on for the past 8 years... Still am always happy to be back home in Pittsburgh.
I just guess where ever you were born and called home is the bar you compare other cities to. Sure LA has lots to do and see, but I've yet to be in a city that is as "comfortable" as Pittsburgh. Just different way of living and way of doing things.|||There are places in LA where everyone doesn't have to keep up with everyone else and not everyone on the street has a beamer. A couple of areas that come to mind are Long Beach/South Bay and Pasadena. Yes, you still need money but the majority of people in these neighborhoods don't flash it.
Good luck.|||LA is very diverse. If you aren't finding what you are looking for, you aren't looking in the right place.
Try to be yourself, and be natural. Don't have expectations. Have you heard the phrase "you find it where you least expect it"?|||I don't think you have given it enough time. You will adjust after a while.
Everyone has a lambo ?....Scheesch, I better run out and get one....|||just find good friends|||too hot for my liking|||I live in the South Bay, near Long Beach etc. There are TONS of things to do. Only "rich" neighborhoods have the attitude you're describing. Like Bevery Hills, Hollywood etc... That's NOT representative of most people or neighborhoods in California or Los Angeles, just like it's not "fair" to judge the "rich" neighborhoods near Detroit, Chicago, etc...
Affordable non-snobby neighborhoods include Monrovia/Duarte, east of Pasadena, Torrance which is west of Long Beach.
North of here is San Luis Obispo (my favorite area to vacation) with an incredible school Cal Poly.
I've been out of school for a long time so I cannot advise most affordable schools or student housing or apartments.
But stop judging everything based on Hollywood.
Most of us are just normal people with that great weather.
Try volunteering for a beach cleanup, a theater group etc... and you'll get a better flavor for things as well as meet "normal" people.|||You have only been here 3.5 months, that isn't enough time to give the place a chance. I didn't meet any decent people until I had been here 6 months. I also spent almost every weekend by myself sightseeing and getting to know my new city. That helped immensely. I think I know more and have seen more of California than the majority of people that live here.
My job transferred me out here 3.5 years ago and I don't find the people that much different than my hometown of Dallas. There are lots of fake-blond, overly silicone inflated, Botox injected, materialistic people there too.
It is expensive here. If I were to rent a comparable apartment to what I had in Dallas I would have to pay $2000 per month. In Dallas I paid $750 a month. Even though I make $20,000 more a year it's still hard to make ends meet.
Where are you going to meet people? Maybe that is your problem. Go to more low-key bars and not Hollywood or West LA. The beach cities are more chill than inland.
Fake, materialistic people are insecure people. They don't deserve your time.
What are your interests? Join groups online. If you like food or bars register on yelp.com. They frequently have foodie get togethers.
There is a Pittsburgh Steelers meetup.com group in LA. You can meet other people from the steel city in LA and commiserate about LA.|||I moved to LA from Vancouver in 2001 and I got used to it in about 5 minutes.
Mind you my daughter went to high school and went to Pittsburgh to go to college. Pittsburgh is a lot nicer than people think it is. However she is returning here for her doctorate.
Here, you do have to get used to everything being so spread out compared to Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh in 30 minutes, you can get from Monroeville to McKeesport. In LA, in 30 minutes you ar ein another neighborhood that looks just like the one you left.
You do have to scale back your expectations on living quarters here. Most college students live 2 or 3 to an apartment here.
If you want to meet people join some clubs. I met good people joining Toastmasters. And Toastmasters is cheap.
As for the materialism, I do not know where you are getting that from. I have been here for 8 years and I drive a Ford Focus and an very happy with it. My daughter, who went to high school here is quite happy with a Chevy Cavalier. Sure there are some people with expensive cars. So what?|||You should have asked before you moved here. Here is an excerpt of what I tell people who ask about LA:
For a number of reasons, we get a bunch of questions asking what it’s really like in SoCal.
First of all, I'll tell you what it's NOT like: It's not like anything on TV. People watch shows on TV and think that’s what it’s like out here. The “Real OC”, Newport Beach, The Hills, etc. Ever wonder why people in those shows never have to pay bills, do laundry, and are NEVER stuck in traffic? Because it’s FAKE. And the news doesn’t help either, since they know that sex and sensationalism sells. News flash: There aren’t running gun battles in the street. There aren’t shootouts every day. Also, you don’t see celebrities just walking down the street, all glammed up, or sipping a cappuccino at Starbucks waiting to sign autographs. We don't go surfing during lunch hour.
Some sections are REALLY nice, others are “ghetto”. Too many people have this vision in their head that LA and Orange County are one or the other (either Beverly Hills or Compton). They either think it is a fairy tale fantasy or an apocalyptic ghetto. In fact, most of it is working class and middle class stiffs working to pay the bills. Like me.
Yes, gas and real estate are very expensive in SoCal. However, this would be the best time to BUY a house because it's a buyer's market right now. There are a lot of foreclosures, and too many houses on the market. If you want to rent, figure on $1200 per month for a 1BR in a decent neighborhood. You need to make about $30,000 per year in order to do that. You can't do it on minimum wage.
Yep, freeways are a drag, it's smoggy in summer, and expensive to live here. Yet, if it's so bad, why do we have thousands and thousands of people moving here? Weather, year-round activities, jobs, beaches, mountains, and deserts all within driving distance, and plenty of opportunity for those who have the skills and tenacity.
However, it is not for everyone. Every time someone posts this question, you get the LA haters who post their bile and venom. A lot of them don’t know what they are talking about. Some people never even visit, and hate it on principle and stereotypes. Some actually visited once, and found out it wasn’t like it was on TV, and it certainly wasn’t Mayberry. And some actually lived here, and couldn’t deal with the expense, the traffic, or the somewhat impersonal nature of living in a large metropolis. To those I would say “good luck” to you wherever you are, but please don’t spew your hatred in this forum.
More about “casual indifference: Most people here have cinder block fences between houses. In other parts of the country, you sometimes have no fences at all! It’s just the lifestyle here: People want their own private space. It’s sort of “you do your thing, I’ll do mine”. I wouldn't call people here "fake". I think "superficial" is a better descriptor.
To summarize, it’s a HUGE metropolis that really defies easy description. I live in one of the nicer suburbs, but the commute is no fun, often 1-2 hours each way each day. However, 340+ days of sunshine really helps. Yeah, it's expensive. Mrs. Obviousman and I both have to work to pay the mortgage. But is it worth it? Absolutely! But before you move here, you have to have a career already started, or live with a relative. Real estate is too expensive.
As for the materialism, it only gets to you if you let it. I don't know what pressure you're feeling. Personally, you don't HAVE to have the latest and greatest. I've driven the same car for 16 years now, getting close to 300,000 miles. Go Chevy!|||So many people come here with a pre-conceived idea for what LA is like, and when those ideas don't jive with the reality ... it's a bummer.
After re-reading your paragraph, you're awfully negative, hon. Will you re-read your paragraph, only pretend that you don't know who wrote it?
(pause, while you read it .... it's ok. I'll wait.)
What do you think of the person who wrote it, now?
My best advice to you is to try something that you haven't tried before. Not knowing what school you're attending or what part of town you're in, or whether you have a car to get around, it's hard to suggest anything. Just keep this firmly in mind: In order to have what you've never had, you have to do what you've never done.
Be yourself, but be better. Get the gray cloud from over your head, and start with YOU. What kind of day do YOU want to have? Screw anyone who thinks that anything less than a lambo is sad, ok? They're just snobs, and not worth your time. There ARE real people who don't care what's in your bank account.
Best of luck !!
Can you believe this illegal immigrant, accused of hiring illegal immigrants?
A Pittsburgh-area business owner, who himself is an illegal immigrant, was accused of hiring illegal immigrants for his food-supply business.Federal prosecutors on Friday charged Bao Ping Zheng, 39, of Ohio Township, with harboring illegal aliens.Zheng has been in federal custody since September on immigration violations, according to his attorney, Martin Dietz.
Zheng is accused of knowingly hiring seven Chinese workers through a New York employment agency for his Stowe Township-based business, New Chinatown/NBT Trucking, which delivers food to Chinese restaurants throughout western Pennsylvania.
Zheng's business was legal, even if he was in the United States illegally, Dietz said.
The Chinese workers were either in the United States illegally or could not legally work in the U.S., prosecutors said.
Zheng told investigators he was forced to hire the workers because he couldn't find eZheng said some of the workers lived in one of his business' warehouses until he bought houses in nearby McKees Rocks, according to the government.
In the warehouse, investigators say they found an old office that had been converted into living quarters for four people.
One worker living there told investigators he was in the U.S. illegally, had worked at Zheng's businesses for five years and had been paid in cash, according to the ICE affidavit.
Zheng also owns New Chinatown LLC, New Chinatown Realty and New Chinatown Trading, the government said.
Zheng, who arrived illegally in the U.S. through John F. Kennedy Airport in New York in 1993, was held in the Allegheny County Jail.
nough legal workers to satisfy the needs of his business
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1鈥?/a>Can you believe this illegal immigrant, accused of hiring illegal immigrants?
How the heck can businesses owned and run by someone here illegally be legal themselves??? "Zheng's business was legal, even if he was in the United States illegally, Dietz said."
The northeast has a big problem with Chinese illegals. They come in the holds of ships hundreds at a time. I guess that is why Philly has more Chinese restaurants than anyplace I've been to.Can you believe this illegal immigrant, accused of hiring illegal immigrants?
who gives a ***, i love chinese food
This is nothing more than Slavery! People are talked, caught, exploited into coming to the United States! Once here, they have no papers, no support other than the scum that brought them..Afraid they stay in servitude until someone finds out! I say hang em high!
I can believe it, but I can't stand illegal immigrants, no matter which nationality they are. God Bless you.
this sounds not quite right
how can an illegal immigrant own a business in the US
thats impossible
i think any foreigner who wants to start a business in the US must have proper documents to own a business
Which idiot wrote the article ?
Yes...I believe it....it is wrong....they all need to be deported.
I say send 'em all back.
We know that Chinese are very good, hard workers. They are an asset to any country
What is your question ? I don't see any
and you wonder why your country has problems?
all those workers AND the employer should be deported immediately.
ANY employer who hires illegals must either be deported or shut down.
Zheng is accused of knowingly hiring seven Chinese workers through a New York employment agency for his Stowe Township-based business, New Chinatown/NBT Trucking, which delivers food to Chinese restaurants throughout western Pennsylvania.
Zheng's business was legal, even if he was in the United States illegally, Dietz said.
The Chinese workers were either in the United States illegally or could not legally work in the U.S., prosecutors said.
Zheng told investigators he was forced to hire the workers because he couldn't find eZheng said some of the workers lived in one of his business' warehouses until he bought houses in nearby McKees Rocks, according to the government.
In the warehouse, investigators say they found an old office that had been converted into living quarters for four people.
One worker living there told investigators he was in the U.S. illegally, had worked at Zheng's businesses for five years and had been paid in cash, according to the ICE affidavit.
Zheng also owns New Chinatown LLC, New Chinatown Realty and New Chinatown Trading, the government said.
Zheng, who arrived illegally in the U.S. through John F. Kennedy Airport in New York in 1993, was held in the Allegheny County Jail.
nough legal workers to satisfy the needs of his business
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1鈥?/a>Can you believe this illegal immigrant, accused of hiring illegal immigrants?
How the heck can businesses owned and run by someone here illegally be legal themselves??? "Zheng's business was legal, even if he was in the United States illegally, Dietz said."
The northeast has a big problem with Chinese illegals. They come in the holds of ships hundreds at a time. I guess that is why Philly has more Chinese restaurants than anyplace I've been to.Can you believe this illegal immigrant, accused of hiring illegal immigrants?
who gives a ***, i love chinese food
This is nothing more than Slavery! People are talked, caught, exploited into coming to the United States! Once here, they have no papers, no support other than the scum that brought them..Afraid they stay in servitude until someone finds out! I say hang em high!
I can believe it, but I can't stand illegal immigrants, no matter which nationality they are. God Bless you.
this sounds not quite right
how can an illegal immigrant own a business in the US
thats impossible
i think any foreigner who wants to start a business in the US must have proper documents to own a business
Which idiot wrote the article ?
Yes...I believe it....it is wrong....they all need to be deported.
I say send 'em all back.
We know that Chinese are very good, hard workers. They are an asset to any country
What is your question ? I don't see any
and you wonder why your country has problems?
all those workers AND the employer should be deported immediately.
ANY employer who hires illegals must either be deported or shut down.
Chambersburg, PA info?
My wife has been offered a permanent position with nice pay and lots of perks in this area. But it seems isolated and the low population has us wondering about making new friends. We are curious about the weather as well. We are both NC natives and have lived here forever. We have been to PA but not in the winter. Everything I read gives different info. Even elevation varies according to where you read about it.
***Are People Friendly?
***Is There Anything To Do? Snow Skiing Or Water Sports? Restaurants?
***Is It A Good Town For Dogs?
***Is It Cold? We Have Been Told It's Like Pittsburgh But That Was Useless To Us.
***How Much Snow Do You Get In A Normal Winter? Are Roads Taken Care Of?Chambersburg, PA info?
Chambersburg is barely in Pennsylvania. It's more southern-like than northern-like, so it's not like much of Pennsylvania. Most winter days will top out between 35 and 40. Overnights in the teens and 20s are normal, although single digits aren't out of the question. But below zero temperatures are rare. Snows around 6 inches are normal, but can exceed a foot. Anything more than 18 inches is a once every 5 or years thing. Local roads are usually well taken care of, otherwise township and borough supervisors get voted out of their jobs.
***Are People Friendly?
***Is There Anything To Do? Snow Skiing Or Water Sports? Restaurants?
***Is It A Good Town For Dogs?
***Is It Cold? We Have Been Told It's Like Pittsburgh But That Was Useless To Us.
***How Much Snow Do You Get In A Normal Winter? Are Roads Taken Care Of?Chambersburg, PA info?
Chambersburg is barely in Pennsylvania. It's more southern-like than northern-like, so it's not like much of Pennsylvania. Most winter days will top out between 35 and 40. Overnights in the teens and 20s are normal, although single digits aren't out of the question. But below zero temperatures are rare. Snows around 6 inches are normal, but can exceed a foot. Anything more than 18 inches is a once every 5 or years thing. Local roads are usually well taken care of, otherwise township and borough supervisors get voted out of their jobs.
I'm graduating from college in December. Based on the listed criteria, where should I live?
I grew up in a small town in Northwestern Pennsylvania and am currently attending the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown pursuing my Bachelor's degree in communication. I will be graduating on December 19th (yay!) and I have no idea where I should move to start my new life. I have done a lot of research but in all honesty I am having trouble narrowing down cities.
My major criteria are:
-Beach beach beach. I want to live within an hour of a beach with relatively warm and sunny weather year round...BUT I don't want to be evacuating my home and city every year due to hurricanes and flooding.
-I want a a city with a good nightlife; bars, comedy clubs, theaters (both movie and civic theaters), etc.
-I'd like a city with a lot of things to do (growing up my only choices of leisure were the mall or bowling alley, *yawn*), i.e. many different restaurants, museums, clubs, etc.
-I despise heavy traffic. I don't mind some mild rush hour waiting but I just drove in Pittsburgh Saturday morning and it took 30 minutes to get two blocks. Grrr!
-I want a pet-friendly city, one with parks, apartments, and such that allow dogs and cats.
-I want a city with a low crime rate and a great job market (Raleigh is doing great despite these depressing economic times but it's a little too far from the beach).
-A city with generally nice, educated, and friendly people is a plus. I hate prejudism and rednecks.
I don't know, maybe this is asking a lot but I want to find a city that I fall in love with. I don't want to go to a place and be stuck there and hating it.
Thanks for any insights! :)I'm graduating from college in December. Based on the listed criteria, where should I live?
Honolulu, HawaiiI'm graduating from college in December. Based on the listed criteria, where should I live?
They don't get them too often. There is a rainy season though which can put a damper on things for a few months.superchips chinese food delivery
My major criteria are:
-Beach beach beach. I want to live within an hour of a beach with relatively warm and sunny weather year round...BUT I don't want to be evacuating my home and city every year due to hurricanes and flooding.
-I want a a city with a good nightlife; bars, comedy clubs, theaters (both movie and civic theaters), etc.
-I'd like a city with a lot of things to do (growing up my only choices of leisure were the mall or bowling alley, *yawn*), i.e. many different restaurants, museums, clubs, etc.
-I despise heavy traffic. I don't mind some mild rush hour waiting but I just drove in Pittsburgh Saturday morning and it took 30 minutes to get two blocks. Grrr!
-I want a pet-friendly city, one with parks, apartments, and such that allow dogs and cats.
-I want a city with a low crime rate and a great job market (Raleigh is doing great despite these depressing economic times but it's a little too far from the beach).
-A city with generally nice, educated, and friendly people is a plus. I hate prejudism and rednecks.
I don't know, maybe this is asking a lot but I want to find a city that I fall in love with. I don't want to go to a place and be stuck there and hating it.
Thanks for any insights! :)I'm graduating from college in December. Based on the listed criteria, where should I live?
Honolulu, HawaiiI'm graduating from college in December. Based on the listed criteria, where should I live?
They don't get them too often. There is a rainy season though which can put a damper on things for a few months.
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Currently live in the U.S. Thinking about relocating to Australia. Insight?
I currently live in a small town in Pennsylvania about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh. I will have my Bachelor's degree in communication from The University of Pittsburgh in June and am seriously considering moving to Australia. I am single and do not have kids so now is the best time to move if that's what I decide to do. I am obsessed with beach, I love hot, sunny weather, and like being surrounded by people of all races/ethnicities/backgrounds. I am a cultured, educated, amiable and motivated young woman. I make friends easily and yearn for more adventure and excitement in my life. I have been doing a lot of research and have heard extremes of both the good and the bad and everything in between. I have some questions and I would greatly appreciate some more insight please!
My biggest question is what exactly is the "points system" like to emigrate there? I am 23, healthy, educated, no criminal history; would I likely be able to get a visa? And how does the whole Visa process work?
I will have my Bachelor's degree, as I mentioned, and have about 4 years of work experience. What can I expect to make? Again, I am single and will not have any help with income (until I meet a wonderful Aussie man, of course ;) so I need to make sure I would be able to comfortably live! (I would consider a roommate, I suppose)
I am young and enjoy the nightlife, as well as culture. What city would have the best scene for other twenty-somethings? I.E, theaters, museums, comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, etc.
What are the crime rates like? Are the people of Australia more optimistic and imaginative than the general population of the U.S? Everyone is so cynical and jaded here!
One of, if not THE biggest concern I have, is from what I've heard about all the dangerous critters that reside on the continent. I keep hearing horror stories of giant, aggressive spiders, thousands of species of venomous snakes, sharks, etc. Is the wildlife there really as bad as people make it sound? I am not naive and I understand each country has it stereotypes, but is the premise of this ghost story based in enough truth? My biggest fear is of spiders, eek!
What is the cost of living there like? I have heard Sydney is very expensive, so I am leaning more towards Melbourne.
Speaking of cities, what would be the best city for me to live in? I plan on being there for 2 or 3 years (maybe longer if I fall in love with it!). I like busy cities (meaning there's a lot to do) with a laid-back feel (the hustle and bustle of an NYC type city might stress me out too much). I enjoy diversity and despise the uneducated, "red-neck" attitude.
Now I know a big stereotype with Europe is that they do not like Americans (b/c of the American stereotype?), but how do Aussies feel about Americans? No ill blood there right? I don't want to feel like the odd-woman out all the time! :P
Also, I know it changes a lot, but what is the current conversion rate?
That's all I can think of at the moment. But if you can think of any other pertinent info please let me know. I have travelled within the U.S. and to the caribbean before and I guess I just want to make sure that if I did make the move I'd enjoy it, and be financially and socially sound after I did. It's exciting thinking about it, but I want to make sure I don't have a naive, too high of hopes about the whole thing.
I guess I just need to know what lifestyle changes I would need to make; all the major differences and adjustments, you know?
Thank you for your input!!
~Sarah|||Apart from coming as the partner of an Australian, the only way to migrate to Australia is as a skilled migrant. For all skilled migration, you must have qualifications and experience in an occupation on our Skilled Occupations List (SOL) so that's the first place you should start to see if you have a chance of getting a visa. Here is the current SOL but a new, shorter one will be released later this month to take effect from 1 July:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121鈥?/a>
The following ASRI list includes job descriptions and details the required minimum qualifications for each occupation. It also includes details of how to obtain skills assessment which is a mandatory requirement for most visas:
http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/a-z.htm#a
There is no points test for employers sponsored visas but for any non-employer sponsored visa, you must achieve the required points test pass mark before your visa application will be considered. The pass mark for an independent visa is 120 points and for relative or state government sponsored visas, it is 100 (including 10 for the sponsorship itself so it's really only 90). The current points test allocates points based on your age, occupation, work experience and English ability but a new test using different criteria is expected to replace it in July - no details have yet been released. Here is the current points test - click on each link under Eligibility requirements for information on how points are allocated to each category:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-s鈥?/a>
Assuming you can get a work visa, with your qualifications you can expect to earn $50k+ and that will be enough to live comfortably if you don't spend too much on accommodation - sharing would be a good idea, at least at first until you're established.
For the type of lifestyle you enjoy, you would do well in any of our state capitals with the best being Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne - Adelaide is pretty small and Perth is very isolated over on the west coast. Brisbane is in the subtropics and has a better climate than the other two cities (spend a winter in Brisbane and you'll never leave); Sydney is an exciting and beautiful city, but accommodation is very expensive; Melbourne has the best mix of what you're looking for though the weather isn't as good as in the other two cities but it's still much warmer than anywhere in PA.
Australia has it's share of crime and criminals, but our cities are much safer than similar size US cities. We have very strict gun control - most people here have never even seen a gun much less been threatened by one and our ordinary crims don't carry them so if you disturb a burglar, you're most unlikely to be shot. Most people here will never come across violenc of any kind as long as they use normal commonsense about who they hang around with and where they go. People are very laid back and generally pretty cheerful and there's an air of optimism about the place that I haven't seen in the USA for several years.
Please don't worry about the supposed dangerous critters here. We certainly do have venomous spiders and snakes, but I've never even seen a nasty spider and most Australians have never seen a snake outside of a zoo. Our big spiders can be pretty big, but they're harmless and are at least as scared of you as you are of them. We have no more sharks than the USA - you hear about them here because we have such a huge coastline and such good weather that there are always people in the sea, but again, I've never seen a shark or had to leave the water because one was around. Crocodiles and dangerous jellyfish only occur in the far north which is over 1000km from Brisbane, the northernmost of the east coast capitals. We have no dangerous mammals - no bears, our only cats are the domestic kind, no wolves and importantly, no rabies. Don't mess with bats (they can carry some nasty diseases), but all you risk with any other kind of furry creature is a painful bite.
I've already addressed the city question, but check out this video of Melbourne - it's a marvellous city:
http://www.streetfilms.org/melbourne/
We have a few redneck types here but stay away from the lower socioeconomic areas of the outer suburbs and you'll probably never meet one.
The current conversion rate is getting close to parity with the AUD strengthening against the USD over the last few months. At present, the official exchange rate is about AUD$1.07 to USD$1.00 but you won't do as well as that - count on $ for $ and you won't go too far wrong.
Last but not least, why don't you get yourself a 12 month Work and Holiday visa and come down to see for yourself? You're definitely eligible (no points test or occupation requirements) and your W%26amp;HV allows you to work and travel here with the only restriction being that you can only work for each employer for up to 6 months. Stay in one place (a waste of a W%26amp;HV IMO) or backpack around our amazing country and get to know us. There's plenty of casual work around if you're flexible and a fantastic array of hostels and camping grounds to keep your accommodation costs to the minimum:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-鈥?/a>
http://www.bugaustralia.com/essentials/|||There ya go! haha sorry i cant really help as i live in america, but one day i wish to travel to australia. hopefully you will get some good answers! Good Luck with everything!!|||The points system is a way that we ensure that we have qualified mid level people coming over to Australia. We dont want new university graduates, or people without sufficient experience. If you completed your degree when you were 19 and then have 4 years experience in one of the areas that is listed on the CSL then you have a chance - but if that 4 years is working p/t I dont think it qualified. Also communication - unless it is as an telecommunications engineer (working telephone poles etc) there is no listing for this, and it is unlikely there will be. Australia is only allowing skilled people like midwives, plumbers, doctors, maths teachers etc to qualify for migration.
There is also a push, which has already happened with regards to the medical professions, to limit migrants to living and working in the bush/rural areas for a period before being permitted to move to a city. Doctors from the US are not given leave to work in a city for 10 years after they arrive- they have to live and work in the bush for that time.
EDIT: The retiree visa is only valid for 5 years with no guarentee or renewal. you have to have an income of over 60K per year for an indivual and 500K in assets. you have to have health insurance and be of good character. That is one of the good things about Australia - being an island, we are able to moniter who comes to live.|||im a 15 year old girl, i cant help you with the job side of it. but i live in sydney, its great and im a proud aussie. i dont have any problems with americans and i love your accents :) i dont think anyone does unless some personal background to them....
melbourne sounds best for you. cheaper, its got great night life and stuff to do! its not too busy and not to quiet. there are many spiders and critters, sharks etc. but you get used to avoiding them. like there are spider webs in my yard, dont walk into them. and i have to check my shoes for spiders if i leave them outside. and sharks arent too common in melbourne but there are several attacks round sydney. just dont go out far in the water! its all about common sense :) hope this helps|||I'll address your biggest concern;the dangerous critters,in my 40 years i've only seen 1 snake in my back garden (which i belted the living daylights out of with a golf club) and yes every year i get one or two spiders,which suck up nicely with a leaf blower on suction,a vaccuum cleaner would be just as good.Sharks i've never encountered.
You really need not worry,besides,they don't eat much.
Your education will serve you well if you are migrating,this link should help you.
http://www.immi.gov.au/
Just don't come in via the back door,apply through the proper channels and you'll be right mate :)|||Living in australia is the easoest country to live in, completely different to america, yes you can come here and get work visa and stay, welfare system is completely different to america, anyone is elegible at any time so long they dont work, payments are three times asmuch as what youd imagine in america would be, jobs are not rare, housing is affordable and the lifestyle is something youd never turn your back on, i wish the one person i adore would come live in australia with me|||Sounds like you would love Melbourne. It's very cosmopolitan and is the entertainment and sport capital of the country. I'm from Brisbane which is a little more laid back and quiet- but with the most beautiful beaches in world an hour either side of the city.
To be honest it will be extremely difficult to get a visa for Australia. We have masses of graduates coming out of our own universities that can't get jobs in the field of communication. (My boyfriend is one of them). I suggest going through a Migration Agent to assist you with your visa. The MARA website is by far the best place to start your research into the big move. Choose one that is based in the city you choose.
I know a lot of Americans as I'm currently living abroad and working with an American company. Regarding cultural differences there are some, but generally it's not anything to worry to much about. I have a lot of American and Canadian friends that I will keep for life, and openly welcome them to my country :) Some Australians don't like Americans due to people living up to the American stereotype, but as you explain you're open to new things, aren't racist and seem keen to explore other parts of the world I'm sure you'll be fine. Australians are a proud people and we love to share our country with people who appreciate it. But as the saying goes 'love it or leave it' :)
The current exchange rate is $1 AUD = 93c US. It jumps around a little but not too much. All the capital cities are expensive to live in, it just depends on your life style.
I have always lived on a large block of land surrounded by trees and am used to spiders etc, however it is rare to get them in the house. you might see one or two a year, be weary of where they like to live and you'll be fine. I can guarantee they are more scared of you then you are of them and will run away. As for sharks, unless you swim out past the breaks you won't have an issue. Always swim at a patrolled beach where the life savers are there to patrol the waters for things like this. I don't think creepy crawlies or sharks should factor into your decision to move or not. In the U.S you have tornadoes and bears lol!
Hope that helps.|||FIRSTLY I'LL address your question re our nasty critters by pasting an answer I gave to another person asking , AFTER that I'll address your other points ( in other words it's going to be a long post ~~ sorry)
CRITTERS :
in the USA you have the following animals...
Mountain Lions
Bears
Coyotes
Rattle Snakes
Corn Snakes
Alligators
Bob-cats
Wolves ....
I'd consider those animals pretty dangerous ( hoping I got it right with the corn snake.. could be the one that LOOKS like the corn snake)... and more of those are likely to eat you.
Yes we have some of the world's most poisonous critters...but in most cases we our hospitals have quick access to anti-venom...
Sharks aren't an issue for me because I don't swim in the sea.. and they are not likely to come onto the land and get me...
Crocodiles .. well aren't they a bit like alligators .. so it's not like you aren't aware of what can happen in the US....
I think I'd rather take my chances with the animals we have in AU .. than those you have in the US .... and YOU also have RABIES.. we DON'T have rabies here...
AND THE REST...
Well from what you have written... I think Melbourne would be better for you than Sydney... it's busy but has an absolutely great atmosphere, quite laid back but has everything you seem to want,
IT is though NOT that much cheaper than Sydney....
We have our share of violence... seems to be a trend at the moment.. but look .. in australia wide last year .. we had LESS than 300 murders ( in fact I think it was only just above 200).
I have never been a victim of violence myself
Aussies and Americans.. well .. so long as you don't come here and start up boasting how much better the USA is ( I don't think you would from how you write) ... YOU WILL BE FINE.. Aussies love to pull americans legs... and we can give such a straight face while spinning you a tale...that you WILL fall for some of the stories you're told.. lol.
We need teachers and nurses here.. ( and a few other things) if you are qualified in those areas.. because you're young .. it SHOULDN'T be that hard for you.
Here are some links that you might find helpful :
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-鈥?/a>
http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/
http://www.study.vic.gov.au/OthrIntPro/I鈥?/a> %26lt;-- this one has people who you can email and actually ask them if you can be employed as a teacher... and what is involved.
http://www.plexusrecruitment.com/
ok I hope all those links help.. GOOD LUCK ..
My biggest question is what exactly is the "points system" like to emigrate there? I am 23, healthy, educated, no criminal history; would I likely be able to get a visa? And how does the whole Visa process work?
I will have my Bachelor's degree, as I mentioned, and have about 4 years of work experience. What can I expect to make? Again, I am single and will not have any help with income (until I meet a wonderful Aussie man, of course ;) so I need to make sure I would be able to comfortably live! (I would consider a roommate, I suppose)
I am young and enjoy the nightlife, as well as culture. What city would have the best scene for other twenty-somethings? I.E, theaters, museums, comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, etc.
What are the crime rates like? Are the people of Australia more optimistic and imaginative than the general population of the U.S? Everyone is so cynical and jaded here!
One of, if not THE biggest concern I have, is from what I've heard about all the dangerous critters that reside on the continent. I keep hearing horror stories of giant, aggressive spiders, thousands of species of venomous snakes, sharks, etc. Is the wildlife there really as bad as people make it sound? I am not naive and I understand each country has it stereotypes, but is the premise of this ghost story based in enough truth? My biggest fear is of spiders, eek!
What is the cost of living there like? I have heard Sydney is very expensive, so I am leaning more towards Melbourne.
Speaking of cities, what would be the best city for me to live in? I plan on being there for 2 or 3 years (maybe longer if I fall in love with it!). I like busy cities (meaning there's a lot to do) with a laid-back feel (the hustle and bustle of an NYC type city might stress me out too much). I enjoy diversity and despise the uneducated, "red-neck" attitude.
Now I know a big stereotype with Europe is that they do not like Americans (b/c of the American stereotype?), but how do Aussies feel about Americans? No ill blood there right? I don't want to feel like the odd-woman out all the time! :P
Also, I know it changes a lot, but what is the current conversion rate?
That's all I can think of at the moment. But if you can think of any other pertinent info please let me know. I have travelled within the U.S. and to the caribbean before and I guess I just want to make sure that if I did make the move I'd enjoy it, and be financially and socially sound after I did. It's exciting thinking about it, but I want to make sure I don't have a naive, too high of hopes about the whole thing.
I guess I just need to know what lifestyle changes I would need to make; all the major differences and adjustments, you know?
Thank you for your input!!
~Sarah|||Apart from coming as the partner of an Australian, the only way to migrate to Australia is as a skilled migrant. For all skilled migration, you must have qualifications and experience in an occupation on our Skilled Occupations List (SOL) so that's the first place you should start to see if you have a chance of getting a visa. Here is the current SOL but a new, shorter one will be released later this month to take effect from 1 July:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121鈥?/a>
The following ASRI list includes job descriptions and details the required minimum qualifications for each occupation. It also includes details of how to obtain skills assessment which is a mandatory requirement for most visas:
http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/a-z.htm#a
There is no points test for employers sponsored visas but for any non-employer sponsored visa, you must achieve the required points test pass mark before your visa application will be considered. The pass mark for an independent visa is 120 points and for relative or state government sponsored visas, it is 100 (including 10 for the sponsorship itself so it's really only 90). The current points test allocates points based on your age, occupation, work experience and English ability but a new test using different criteria is expected to replace it in July - no details have yet been released. Here is the current points test - click on each link under Eligibility requirements for information on how points are allocated to each category:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-s鈥?/a>
Assuming you can get a work visa, with your qualifications you can expect to earn $50k+ and that will be enough to live comfortably if you don't spend too much on accommodation - sharing would be a good idea, at least at first until you're established.
For the type of lifestyle you enjoy, you would do well in any of our state capitals with the best being Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne - Adelaide is pretty small and Perth is very isolated over on the west coast. Brisbane is in the subtropics and has a better climate than the other two cities (spend a winter in Brisbane and you'll never leave); Sydney is an exciting and beautiful city, but accommodation is very expensive; Melbourne has the best mix of what you're looking for though the weather isn't as good as in the other two cities but it's still much warmer than anywhere in PA.
Australia has it's share of crime and criminals, but our cities are much safer than similar size US cities. We have very strict gun control - most people here have never even seen a gun much less been threatened by one and our ordinary crims don't carry them so if you disturb a burglar, you're most unlikely to be shot. Most people here will never come across violenc of any kind as long as they use normal commonsense about who they hang around with and where they go. People are very laid back and generally pretty cheerful and there's an air of optimism about the place that I haven't seen in the USA for several years.
Please don't worry about the supposed dangerous critters here. We certainly do have venomous spiders and snakes, but I've never even seen a nasty spider and most Australians have never seen a snake outside of a zoo. Our big spiders can be pretty big, but they're harmless and are at least as scared of you as you are of them. We have no more sharks than the USA - you hear about them here because we have such a huge coastline and such good weather that there are always people in the sea, but again, I've never seen a shark or had to leave the water because one was around. Crocodiles and dangerous jellyfish only occur in the far north which is over 1000km from Brisbane, the northernmost of the east coast capitals. We have no dangerous mammals - no bears, our only cats are the domestic kind, no wolves and importantly, no rabies. Don't mess with bats (they can carry some nasty diseases), but all you risk with any other kind of furry creature is a painful bite.
I've already addressed the city question, but check out this video of Melbourne - it's a marvellous city:
http://www.streetfilms.org/melbourne/
We have a few redneck types here but stay away from the lower socioeconomic areas of the outer suburbs and you'll probably never meet one.
The current conversion rate is getting close to parity with the AUD strengthening against the USD over the last few months. At present, the official exchange rate is about AUD$1.07 to USD$1.00 but you won't do as well as that - count on $ for $ and you won't go too far wrong.
Last but not least, why don't you get yourself a 12 month Work and Holiday visa and come down to see for yourself? You're definitely eligible (no points test or occupation requirements) and your W%26amp;HV allows you to work and travel here with the only restriction being that you can only work for each employer for up to 6 months. Stay in one place (a waste of a W%26amp;HV IMO) or backpack around our amazing country and get to know us. There's plenty of casual work around if you're flexible and a fantastic array of hostels and camping grounds to keep your accommodation costs to the minimum:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-鈥?/a>
http://www.bugaustralia.com/essentials/|||There ya go! haha sorry i cant really help as i live in america, but one day i wish to travel to australia. hopefully you will get some good answers! Good Luck with everything!!|||The points system is a way that we ensure that we have qualified mid level people coming over to Australia. We dont want new university graduates, or people without sufficient experience. If you completed your degree when you were 19 and then have 4 years experience in one of the areas that is listed on the CSL then you have a chance - but if that 4 years is working p/t I dont think it qualified. Also communication - unless it is as an telecommunications engineer (working telephone poles etc) there is no listing for this, and it is unlikely there will be. Australia is only allowing skilled people like midwives, plumbers, doctors, maths teachers etc to qualify for migration.
There is also a push, which has already happened with regards to the medical professions, to limit migrants to living and working in the bush/rural areas for a period before being permitted to move to a city. Doctors from the US are not given leave to work in a city for 10 years after they arrive- they have to live and work in the bush for that time.
EDIT: The retiree visa is only valid for 5 years with no guarentee or renewal. you have to have an income of over 60K per year for an indivual and 500K in assets. you have to have health insurance and be of good character. That is one of the good things about Australia - being an island, we are able to moniter who comes to live.|||im a 15 year old girl, i cant help you with the job side of it. but i live in sydney, its great and im a proud aussie. i dont have any problems with americans and i love your accents :) i dont think anyone does unless some personal background to them....
melbourne sounds best for you. cheaper, its got great night life and stuff to do! its not too busy and not to quiet. there are many spiders and critters, sharks etc. but you get used to avoiding them. like there are spider webs in my yard, dont walk into them. and i have to check my shoes for spiders if i leave them outside. and sharks arent too common in melbourne but there are several attacks round sydney. just dont go out far in the water! its all about common sense :) hope this helps|||I'll address your biggest concern;the dangerous critters,in my 40 years i've only seen 1 snake in my back garden (which i belted the living daylights out of with a golf club) and yes every year i get one or two spiders,which suck up nicely with a leaf blower on suction,a vaccuum cleaner would be just as good.Sharks i've never encountered.
You really need not worry,besides,they don't eat much.
Your education will serve you well if you are migrating,this link should help you.
http://www.immi.gov.au/
Just don't come in via the back door,apply through the proper channels and you'll be right mate :)|||Living in australia is the easoest country to live in, completely different to america, yes you can come here and get work visa and stay, welfare system is completely different to america, anyone is elegible at any time so long they dont work, payments are three times asmuch as what youd imagine in america would be, jobs are not rare, housing is affordable and the lifestyle is something youd never turn your back on, i wish the one person i adore would come live in australia with me|||Sounds like you would love Melbourne. It's very cosmopolitan and is the entertainment and sport capital of the country. I'm from Brisbane which is a little more laid back and quiet- but with the most beautiful beaches in world an hour either side of the city.
To be honest it will be extremely difficult to get a visa for Australia. We have masses of graduates coming out of our own universities that can't get jobs in the field of communication. (My boyfriend is one of them). I suggest going through a Migration Agent to assist you with your visa. The MARA website is by far the best place to start your research into the big move. Choose one that is based in the city you choose.
I know a lot of Americans as I'm currently living abroad and working with an American company. Regarding cultural differences there are some, but generally it's not anything to worry to much about. I have a lot of American and Canadian friends that I will keep for life, and openly welcome them to my country :) Some Australians don't like Americans due to people living up to the American stereotype, but as you explain you're open to new things, aren't racist and seem keen to explore other parts of the world I'm sure you'll be fine. Australians are a proud people and we love to share our country with people who appreciate it. But as the saying goes 'love it or leave it' :)
The current exchange rate is $1 AUD = 93c US. It jumps around a little but not too much. All the capital cities are expensive to live in, it just depends on your life style.
I have always lived on a large block of land surrounded by trees and am used to spiders etc, however it is rare to get them in the house. you might see one or two a year, be weary of where they like to live and you'll be fine. I can guarantee they are more scared of you then you are of them and will run away. As for sharks, unless you swim out past the breaks you won't have an issue. Always swim at a patrolled beach where the life savers are there to patrol the waters for things like this. I don't think creepy crawlies or sharks should factor into your decision to move or not. In the U.S you have tornadoes and bears lol!
Hope that helps.|||FIRSTLY I'LL address your question re our nasty critters by pasting an answer I gave to another person asking , AFTER that I'll address your other points ( in other words it's going to be a long post ~~ sorry)
CRITTERS :
in the USA you have the following animals...
Mountain Lions
Bears
Coyotes
Rattle Snakes
Corn Snakes
Alligators
Bob-cats
Wolves ....
I'd consider those animals pretty dangerous ( hoping I got it right with the corn snake.. could be the one that LOOKS like the corn snake)... and more of those are likely to eat you.
Yes we have some of the world's most poisonous critters...but in most cases we our hospitals have quick access to anti-venom...
Sharks aren't an issue for me because I don't swim in the sea.. and they are not likely to come onto the land and get me...
Crocodiles .. well aren't they a bit like alligators .. so it's not like you aren't aware of what can happen in the US....
I think I'd rather take my chances with the animals we have in AU .. than those you have in the US .... and YOU also have RABIES.. we DON'T have rabies here...
AND THE REST...
Well from what you have written... I think Melbourne would be better for you than Sydney... it's busy but has an absolutely great atmosphere, quite laid back but has everything you seem to want,
IT is though NOT that much cheaper than Sydney....
We have our share of violence... seems to be a trend at the moment.. but look .. in australia wide last year .. we had LESS than 300 murders ( in fact I think it was only just above 200).
I have never been a victim of violence myself
Aussies and Americans.. well .. so long as you don't come here and start up boasting how much better the USA is ( I don't think you would from how you write) ... YOU WILL BE FINE.. Aussies love to pull americans legs... and we can give such a straight face while spinning you a tale...that you WILL fall for some of the stories you're told.. lol.
We need teachers and nurses here.. ( and a few other things) if you are qualified in those areas.. because you're young .. it SHOULDN'T be that hard for you.
Here are some links that you might find helpful :
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-鈥?/a>
http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/
http://www.study.vic.gov.au/OthrIntPro/I鈥?/a> %26lt;-- this one has people who you can email and actually ask them if you can be employed as a teacher... and what is involved.
http://www.plexusrecruitment.com/
ok I hope all those links help.. GOOD LUCK ..
I am considering moving from the U.S. to Australia. What's it like to live there?
I currently live in a small town in Pennsylvania about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh. I will have my Bachelor's degree in communication from The University of Pittsburgh in June and am seriously considering moving to Australia. I am single and do not have kids so now is the best time to move if that's what I decide to do. I am obsessed with beach, I love hot, sunny weather, and like being surrounded by people of all races/ethnicities/backgrounds. I am a cultured, educated, amiable and motivated young woman. I make friends easily and yearn for more adventure and excitement in my life. I have been doing a lot of research and have heard extremes of both the good and the bad and everything in between. I have some questions and I would greatly appreciate some more insight please!
I will have my Bachelor's degree, as I mentioned, and have about 4 years of work experience. What can I expect to make? Again, I am single and will not have any help with income (until I meet a wonderful Aussie man, of course ;) so I need to make sure I would be able to comfortably live! (I would consider a roommate, I suppose)
I am young and enjoy the nightlife, as well as culture. What city would have the best scene for other twenty-somethings? I.E, theaters, museums, comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, etc.
What are the crime rates like? Are the people of Australia more optimistic and imaginative than the general population of the U.S? Everyone is so cynical and jaded here!
One of, if not THE biggest concern I have, is from what I've heard about all the dangerous critters that reside on the continent. I keep hearing horror stories of giant, aggressive spiders, thousands of species of venomous snakes, sharks, etc. Is the wildlife there really as bad as people make it sound? I am not naive and I understand each country has it stereotypes, but is the premise of this ghost story based in enough truth? My biggest fear is of spiders, eek!
What is the cost of living there like? I have heard Sydney is very expensive, so I am leaning more towards Melbourne.
Speaking of cities, what would be the best city for me to live in? I plan on being there for 2 or 3 years (maybe longer if I fall in love with it!). I like busy cities (meaning there's a lot to do) with a laid-back feel (the hustle and bustle of an NYC type city might stress me out too much). I enjoy diversity and despise the uneducated, "red-neck" attitude.
Now I know a big stereotype with Europe is that they do not like Americans (b/c of the American stereotype?), but how do Aussies feel about Americans? No ill blood there right? I don't want to feel like the odd-woman out all the time! :P
Also, I know it changes a lot, but what is the current conversion rate?
That's all I can think of at the moment. But if you can think of any other pertinent info please let me know. I have travelled within the U.S. and to the caribbean before and I guess I just want to make sure that if I did make the move I'd enjoy it, and be financially and socially sound after I did. It's exciting thinking about it, but I want to make sure I don't have a naive, too high of hopes about the whole thing.
I guess I just need to know what lifestyle changes I would need to make; all the major differences and adjustments, you know?
Thank you for your input!!
~SarahI am considering moving from the U.S. to Australia. What's it like to live there?
Sounds like you have thought it through long and hard. You should go for it and see how you like it! You will never know otherwise. I come from Scotland and live in Tasmania now but lived in northern NSW before that. Probably the biggest difference for you are cultural things. Although Australia is a multicultural society, it's heritage is British so there are many things which for me are similar but for an American would be different. (Sense of humour being one!) Having said that, goods and services are pretty similar and most things you can get in America you can also get here. The Aussie dollar is very strong right now against the US $ (about $0.92 today) so things will seem more expensive for you than they would have, say 2 years ago when it was as low as $0.64. One other thing I found was that certain things like internet access and mobile phone deals were more expensive here as the competition is way less than in the USA or UK where multiple companies are fighting for the business of millions. Here there is much less competition so costs are higher -a small price to pay to live in such a great place! Melbourne would be ideal for you I think - a lovely city with all you could need but feels not too big.
I think Aussies are very welcoming and friendly, laid back generally but of course like everywhere there are all types of people - you don;t sound like a 'stereotypical american'!
Sounds awesome! You should try putting this question in the travel: other-Australia section; you will get more answers! :DI am considering moving from the U.S. to Australia. What's it like to live there?
very warm, poisonous things, lots of shrimp throwing onto various barbys
I'm a native Californian, a state which is sinking into the Pacific under the weight of its own debt.
I'll take the Aussie outback any day over living in San Francisco.
If I were young as you, I'd give it a try.
you can't just move to australia they are very tight on immigration at the moment if you do not qualify by their points system you do not get in , you can qualify in the essential jobs category but that includes hairdressers and bricklayers of which there is apparently a shortage in australia
Ohh, im from Australia :) dont worry, were nothing like the stereotype of our country haha. weell, i reckon the best place is either Sydney or Melbourne. Sydneys greaat ! its got like heaps of cities and shops and stuff and the beaches are really nice :] And Melbourne is really good too! Its hugee haha. I also think that Adelaide is nice, its really pretty, and peaceful. :) but if your looking for like the main state, it would be Sydney. Also, if your looking for amusement parks then go to Queensland, the gold coast. :D And when you come here you'll proberly notice, that our accents are nothing like the stereotype! and that we dont ride kangaroos to school. lol. anyway, australias a beautiful place to be in :) hope you have fun !
couldnt be bothered reading it all but if i was you id move to NY, im from melbourne and i wanna go there, melbourne was like 3rd best place to live couple years ago, but now violence w/in cbd has risen greatly, become getting stabbed robbed and worse especially towards minorities. exchanges rates like 1 aus = .91
go on EX conversion
peace
Sarah you'll love Australia but make sure you get a jo because we're very serious on immigration now as Australia is very multicultural. The city you'll like best and is right for you is Melbourne, you'll love Melbourne as it's Australia's biggest city with five million people living there and it's very multicultural with different races all over the city, so you'll be surprised.
There are night clubs, museaum, theatres, restuarants and many other eventful and things that you'll like.
Now you won't have to worry about venomous snakes, spiders and shark is Melbourne, although there is an occasional spider sighting throughout the metropolitan area their little and you won't see snakes in Melbourne unless you go in the country or the outter suburbs during summer.
Sarah Melbourne sounds like the place for you, and there are beaches right near Melbourne so you can joy the beautiful south westerly winds during summer after a scorching day.
I bet you want to know Melbournes climate now, the city itself and the metropolitan area is unpredictable and weather can change in seconds in Melbourne from sunny to cloudy, to hot to cold so very unpredictable. You'll love summer where it's mostly sunny with an occasional thunderstorms but it gets humid at times and temperatures can pass 45C (113F) so be prepared to experience some scorching hot weather in summer but the beach is much more pleasant for 40C+ days where it's always cool in the water. Autumn is a pleasant month but it can get wild at times but it's mostly sunny with mild temperatures and it's a transition to winter and temperatures are not as bad as North America, it rarely snows in Melbourne, sometimes in the outter suburbs but temperatures are usually 11C (52F) but it's very windy in winter so it will feel colder than it actually is. Spring comes and it's pleasant this is when we see warmer weather and go into a transition between winter and summer.
Now like I said before all seasons can experience four seasons and it's all likely to be one day known as four season's in one day. Sarah be prepared for anything in Melbourne concerned with the weather.
So I hope you choose to pick Melbourne because you won't regret it, you will feel very welcomed and Melbournians love Americans plus this is a very multicultural city so you won't have any problems.
You get more money for your dollar.
You can't have long baths because we have a drought going on.
Don't live in Adelaide, we'll murder you in a fashion that will ENSURE you stay in the newspapers for many years.
We love Amercians. Really.
I don't know anything about Australia. But you sound like you have curved yourself in the right direction. You seem like a very high class educated woman. You are going to do big things.
I will have my Bachelor's degree, as I mentioned, and have about 4 years of work experience. What can I expect to make? Again, I am single and will not have any help with income (until I meet a wonderful Aussie man, of course ;) so I need to make sure I would be able to comfortably live! (I would consider a roommate, I suppose)
I am young and enjoy the nightlife, as well as culture. What city would have the best scene for other twenty-somethings? I.E, theaters, museums, comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, etc.
What are the crime rates like? Are the people of Australia more optimistic and imaginative than the general population of the U.S? Everyone is so cynical and jaded here!
One of, if not THE biggest concern I have, is from what I've heard about all the dangerous critters that reside on the continent. I keep hearing horror stories of giant, aggressive spiders, thousands of species of venomous snakes, sharks, etc. Is the wildlife there really as bad as people make it sound? I am not naive and I understand each country has it stereotypes, but is the premise of this ghost story based in enough truth? My biggest fear is of spiders, eek!
What is the cost of living there like? I have heard Sydney is very expensive, so I am leaning more towards Melbourne.
Speaking of cities, what would be the best city for me to live in? I plan on being there for 2 or 3 years (maybe longer if I fall in love with it!). I like busy cities (meaning there's a lot to do) with a laid-back feel (the hustle and bustle of an NYC type city might stress me out too much). I enjoy diversity and despise the uneducated, "red-neck" attitude.
Now I know a big stereotype with Europe is that they do not like Americans (b/c of the American stereotype?), but how do Aussies feel about Americans? No ill blood there right? I don't want to feel like the odd-woman out all the time! :P
Also, I know it changes a lot, but what is the current conversion rate?
That's all I can think of at the moment. But if you can think of any other pertinent info please let me know. I have travelled within the U.S. and to the caribbean before and I guess I just want to make sure that if I did make the move I'd enjoy it, and be financially and socially sound after I did. It's exciting thinking about it, but I want to make sure I don't have a naive, too high of hopes about the whole thing.
I guess I just need to know what lifestyle changes I would need to make; all the major differences and adjustments, you know?
Thank you for your input!!
~SarahI am considering moving from the U.S. to Australia. What's it like to live there?
Sounds like you have thought it through long and hard. You should go for it and see how you like it! You will never know otherwise. I come from Scotland and live in Tasmania now but lived in northern NSW before that. Probably the biggest difference for you are cultural things. Although Australia is a multicultural society, it's heritage is British so there are many things which for me are similar but for an American would be different. (Sense of humour being one!) Having said that, goods and services are pretty similar and most things you can get in America you can also get here. The Aussie dollar is very strong right now against the US $ (about $0.92 today) so things will seem more expensive for you than they would have, say 2 years ago when it was as low as $0.64. One other thing I found was that certain things like internet access and mobile phone deals were more expensive here as the competition is way less than in the USA or UK where multiple companies are fighting for the business of millions. Here there is much less competition so costs are higher -a small price to pay to live in such a great place! Melbourne would be ideal for you I think - a lovely city with all you could need but feels not too big.
I think Aussies are very welcoming and friendly, laid back generally but of course like everywhere there are all types of people - you don;t sound like a 'stereotypical american'!
Sounds awesome! You should try putting this question in the travel: other-Australia section; you will get more answers! :DI am considering moving from the U.S. to Australia. What's it like to live there?
very warm, poisonous things, lots of shrimp throwing onto various barbys
I'm a native Californian, a state which is sinking into the Pacific under the weight of its own debt.
I'll take the Aussie outback any day over living in San Francisco.
If I were young as you, I'd give it a try.
you can't just move to australia they are very tight on immigration at the moment if you do not qualify by their points system you do not get in , you can qualify in the essential jobs category but that includes hairdressers and bricklayers of which there is apparently a shortage in australia
Ohh, im from Australia :) dont worry, were nothing like the stereotype of our country haha. weell, i reckon the best place is either Sydney or Melbourne. Sydneys greaat ! its got like heaps of cities and shops and stuff and the beaches are really nice :] And Melbourne is really good too! Its hugee haha. I also think that Adelaide is nice, its really pretty, and peaceful. :) but if your looking for like the main state, it would be Sydney. Also, if your looking for amusement parks then go to Queensland, the gold coast. :D And when you come here you'll proberly notice, that our accents are nothing like the stereotype! and that we dont ride kangaroos to school. lol. anyway, australias a beautiful place to be in :) hope you have fun !
couldnt be bothered reading it all but if i was you id move to NY, im from melbourne and i wanna go there, melbourne was like 3rd best place to live couple years ago, but now violence w/in cbd has risen greatly, become getting stabbed robbed and worse especially towards minorities. exchanges rates like 1 aus = .91
go on EX conversion
peace
Sarah you'll love Australia but make sure you get a jo because we're very serious on immigration now as Australia is very multicultural. The city you'll like best and is right for you is Melbourne, you'll love Melbourne as it's Australia's biggest city with five million people living there and it's very multicultural with different races all over the city, so you'll be surprised.
There are night clubs, museaum, theatres, restuarants and many other eventful and things that you'll like.
Now you won't have to worry about venomous snakes, spiders and shark is Melbourne, although there is an occasional spider sighting throughout the metropolitan area their little and you won't see snakes in Melbourne unless you go in the country or the outter suburbs during summer.
Sarah Melbourne sounds like the place for you, and there are beaches right near Melbourne so you can joy the beautiful south westerly winds during summer after a scorching day.
I bet you want to know Melbournes climate now, the city itself and the metropolitan area is unpredictable and weather can change in seconds in Melbourne from sunny to cloudy, to hot to cold so very unpredictable. You'll love summer where it's mostly sunny with an occasional thunderstorms but it gets humid at times and temperatures can pass 45C (113F) so be prepared to experience some scorching hot weather in summer but the beach is much more pleasant for 40C+ days where it's always cool in the water. Autumn is a pleasant month but it can get wild at times but it's mostly sunny with mild temperatures and it's a transition to winter and temperatures are not as bad as North America, it rarely snows in Melbourne, sometimes in the outter suburbs but temperatures are usually 11C (52F) but it's very windy in winter so it will feel colder than it actually is. Spring comes and it's pleasant this is when we see warmer weather and go into a transition between winter and summer.
Now like I said before all seasons can experience four seasons and it's all likely to be one day known as four season's in one day. Sarah be prepared for anything in Melbourne concerned with the weather.
So I hope you choose to pick Melbourne because you won't regret it, you will feel very welcomed and Melbournians love Americans plus this is a very multicultural city so you won't have any problems.
You get more money for your dollar.
You can't have long baths because we have a drought going on.
Don't live in Adelaide, we'll murder you in a fashion that will ENSURE you stay in the newspapers for many years.
We love Amercians. Really.
I don't know anything about Australia. But you sound like you have curved yourself in the right direction. You seem like a very high class educated woman. You are going to do big things.
Which job would you take and why?
Job 1 - $50k salary in downtown Pittsburgh, where I currently live. I have family here who I like but not many friends. I would like the subject matter of this job a whole lot and I could see myself getting very passionate about it. No idea what I would earn in the second year, but possibly 50k again. I would not feel like I had my own business, which is important to me.
Job 2 - Possibly $78k the first year and $55k the second year (don't ask, it's very complicated). This amount would not require more work than the first job. This would be an hour south of Pittsburgh in a VERY small town. I'd have to commute everyday at least for a few months. It would not be an employee position but an independent contractor position. I would not like the subject matter as much, but I would feel like I had my own business. I have no family or friends in this area and would eventually have to move to a small town near this place. I could still see family though, because it wouldn't be that far away. It's important to me to be able to go to nice restaurants and cultural and sporting events every once in a while.
What do would you do?Which job would you take and why?
To me the answer is simple and obvious, and I think it is clear to you as well, based on how you presented the options. In short, the most important thing is to spend your time doing something you are passionate about. If you are, it will show in your work, you will become in demand and the money will come like you never thought about.
I like to think that there are 3 eight hour sections to the day (approx) - the first is spent sleeping, the second is spent doing laundry, shopping and having fun. The third and most alert part of your day is spent at work. Make sure that THAT part of the day is spent doing something that stimulates your mind.
Good Luck!Which job would you take and why?
Liking what you do is #1
If not many friends ~ maybe new location would find more
Also moving out on your own might help you grow independent
but first and foremost~~ is liking your job
which one do you think you would like better!! regardless of pay???
that is the job you should take
Job 2 - Possibly $78k the first year and $55k the second year (don't ask, it's very complicated). This amount would not require more work than the first job. This would be an hour south of Pittsburgh in a VERY small town. I'd have to commute everyday at least for a few months. It would not be an employee position but an independent contractor position. I would not like the subject matter as much, but I would feel like I had my own business. I have no family or friends in this area and would eventually have to move to a small town near this place. I could still see family though, because it wouldn't be that far away. It's important to me to be able to go to nice restaurants and cultural and sporting events every once in a while.
What do would you do?Which job would you take and why?
To me the answer is simple and obvious, and I think it is clear to you as well, based on how you presented the options. In short, the most important thing is to spend your time doing something you are passionate about. If you are, it will show in your work, you will become in demand and the money will come like you never thought about.
I like to think that there are 3 eight hour sections to the day (approx) - the first is spent sleeping, the second is spent doing laundry, shopping and having fun. The third and most alert part of your day is spent at work. Make sure that THAT part of the day is spent doing something that stimulates your mind.
Good Luck!Which job would you take and why?
Liking what you do is #1
If not many friends ~ maybe new location would find more
Also moving out on your own might help you grow independent
but first and foremost~~ is liking your job
which one do you think you would like better!! regardless of pay???
that is the job you should take
Need advice on vacation?
me and my boyfriend want to spend our(hopefully not last, but eh...) time together during the summer before i transfer to a four-year college. i would still like to visit Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), but we might go within the state, preferably NYC.
i don't now how much he will have, but i will probably have about $500 to spend for this trip.
any places around NYC that we could visit? any beaches around there? hotel? restaurants? i already know my way around in Manhattan, so any good places in Brooklyn =D? Pittsburgh?
i'd want it to be like an over night tripNeed advice on vacation?
Bucharest, Romania
i don't now how much he will have, but i will probably have about $500 to spend for this trip.
any places around NYC that we could visit? any beaches around there? hotel? restaurants? i already know my way around in Manhattan, so any good places in Brooklyn =D? Pittsburgh?
i'd want it to be like an over night tripNeed advice on vacation?
Bucharest, Romania
Do you like where you live? What do you like most about it.?
Lovin' Pittsburgh after finding yet another awesome restaurant. Really, this is just a good place to live...good schools, good hospitals, good museums, good cost of living, and amazingly, lower unemployment that many other cities (odd to say that for the Rust Belt).Do you like where you live? What do you like most about it.?
I live in Northeast Texas and I love it. The only thing I'd change is that I'd move my family out of the suburbs and onto a plot of land in the country.
I just love Texas :)
Definitely love where i live... I grew up here; it's a small town with a close community. Everybody knows me and my family -- it's not anonymous here like it is in big cities. I can't stand how cold and unemotional big cities seem to be. Love how diverse they are and love to go there for trips or to stay for a week or so...but i'd hate to live there long term. I'm just not a big city person. I also love the fact that i can go out practically every night and see the stars...we don't have city lights drowning them out. And the fact that you can walk practically everywhere.
Unfortunately, we're moving down south for my fiance's med school this summer. We're not actually going to be living in the city; just right outside of it. It's another relatively small town. But i'm still extremely anxious about venturing into parts unknown. I've never lived outside of Iowa before.Do you like where you live? What do you like most about it.?
I love the area I live in....hate the state.
I am still out in the country, even after the developers turned the 100 acres of oat field behind me into houses. I have four seasons, and can see the snow on the mountains, but dont have to shovel it.:o)
I love the rolling hills and the green fields in the winter.
The state, however, is full of idiots who deliberately tax themselves to death and drive away business, so the unemployment rate is sky-high.
I used to like where i lived, it was a great estate in western australia that was real family friendly off in its own little spot among bushland with a population of about 20,000 with schools shops lots of parks and water playgrounds. Quiet with a low crime rate and walking distance of everything.
Then my money hungry landlord did not re-new my lease for a bullsh!t reason, out of spite because we would not tell him where our old neighbour and good friend lived now (he owed him money and the units are all owned by the same landlord)
Now i live with my mum in what could be described as the freakin ghetto, was only here a week and had my back fence jumped (live on an ally way) and my smokes and weed taken out of my backyard off the table while i was home!
Cant wait to get the money together to get back into a house where i call home.
I am ok with the area we live in. I love that we are by the ocean so during the summer we can go to the beach. Also the winters arent usually too cold. we're in va.
I dont like that its heavily military populated just because many of my friends keep moving around because the military moves them. the schools are ok, prices ok.. its ok.. lol
Mostly. The winters can be long and dangerous to navigate and the summers are hot and humid but I love having 4 distinct seasons. It's a very small town with a bigger one not far and Indy is an hour/Chicago is 3 hrs so not bad travel for big city. People are religious by and large, friendly, suspicious of newcomers but welcoming once you put yourself out there.
I really liked Pittsburgh too, MT...except for the seemingly endless days of clouds after clouds. I really enjoyed seeing the sun once I was back in Richmond. I like it here. I have always lived within 15 minutes of where I live now. It is still a little southern...but, sadly it is losing its southern-ness. I like the weather. I like being less than 2 hours from the beach and the mountains, (well, VA mountains) and DC.
Love it and hate it.
Love the history and all the water.
Hate the taxes, traffic and plethora of idiotic lawmakers.
Love it.
I live on the land that my great grandfather bought. I have live other places and I keep coming back. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I drug my husband here from the city and he loves it here too.
Love and hate.
Love living near Chicago. Easy access to everything.
Hate the fact that this is a democratic state. And other things too. (No offense to the democrats)
Love it.
Really can't complain when I'm surrounded by country, sunshine, warmth, barbeque, and cowboys :)suzuki samurai government auctions
I live in Northeast Texas and I love it. The only thing I'd change is that I'd move my family out of the suburbs and onto a plot of land in the country.
I just love Texas :)
Definitely love where i live... I grew up here; it's a small town with a close community. Everybody knows me and my family -- it's not anonymous here like it is in big cities. I can't stand how cold and unemotional big cities seem to be. Love how diverse they are and love to go there for trips or to stay for a week or so...but i'd hate to live there long term. I'm just not a big city person. I also love the fact that i can go out practically every night and see the stars...we don't have city lights drowning them out. And the fact that you can walk practically everywhere.
Unfortunately, we're moving down south for my fiance's med school this summer. We're not actually going to be living in the city; just right outside of it. It's another relatively small town. But i'm still extremely anxious about venturing into parts unknown. I've never lived outside of Iowa before.Do you like where you live? What do you like most about it.?
I love the area I live in....hate the state.
I am still out in the country, even after the developers turned the 100 acres of oat field behind me into houses. I have four seasons, and can see the snow on the mountains, but dont have to shovel it.:o)
I love the rolling hills and the green fields in the winter.
The state, however, is full of idiots who deliberately tax themselves to death and drive away business, so the unemployment rate is sky-high.
I used to like where i lived, it was a great estate in western australia that was real family friendly off in its own little spot among bushland with a population of about 20,000 with schools shops lots of parks and water playgrounds. Quiet with a low crime rate and walking distance of everything.
Then my money hungry landlord did not re-new my lease for a bullsh!t reason, out of spite because we would not tell him where our old neighbour and good friend lived now (he owed him money and the units are all owned by the same landlord)
Now i live with my mum in what could be described as the freakin ghetto, was only here a week and had my back fence jumped (live on an ally way) and my smokes and weed taken out of my backyard off the table while i was home!
Cant wait to get the money together to get back into a house where i call home.
I am ok with the area we live in. I love that we are by the ocean so during the summer we can go to the beach. Also the winters arent usually too cold. we're in va.
I dont like that its heavily military populated just because many of my friends keep moving around because the military moves them. the schools are ok, prices ok.. its ok.. lol
Mostly. The winters can be long and dangerous to navigate and the summers are hot and humid but I love having 4 distinct seasons. It's a very small town with a bigger one not far and Indy is an hour/Chicago is 3 hrs so not bad travel for big city. People are religious by and large, friendly, suspicious of newcomers but welcoming once you put yourself out there.
I really liked Pittsburgh too, MT...except for the seemingly endless days of clouds after clouds. I really enjoyed seeing the sun once I was back in Richmond. I like it here. I have always lived within 15 minutes of where I live now. It is still a little southern...but, sadly it is losing its southern-ness. I like the weather. I like being less than 2 hours from the beach and the mountains, (well, VA mountains) and DC.
Love it and hate it.
Love the history and all the water.
Hate the taxes, traffic and plethora of idiotic lawmakers.
Love it.
I live on the land that my great grandfather bought. I have live other places and I keep coming back. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I drug my husband here from the city and he loves it here too.
Love and hate.
Love living near Chicago. Easy access to everything.
Hate the fact that this is a democratic state. And other things too. (No offense to the democrats)
Love it.
Really can't complain when I'm surrounded by country, sunshine, warmth, barbeque, and cowboys :)
Questions about moving to Seattle, Washington?
1. Are there better job opportunities in Seattle than in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? (We are moving close to the city)
2. Should we job hunt BEFORE we move or when we get there? (Some say that job hunting before might put off a lot of employers because we wouldn't be able to fill the position immediately but I still want opinions on it)
3. We plan to drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Seattle, WA (yes, very far...however, it's the only option we have at this point) my fiance has a 2-door 2002 Ford Focus ZX3....when he bought it (which it's still not fully paid off yet), there was 64,000 some odd miles were already on it. Right now, there is almost 100,000 miles on it. I haven't told this to him but....I don't feel safe traveling in that tiny car again...the first time was fine because it was my first time traveling and I was too excited to notice that the car sucks. We can't afford another one but how can I make my fears of us crashing disappear? I don't want to freak out during this road trip but I have severe anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Is there a way I can fix this without drugs?
4. Is it cheaper or more expensive to live in Seattle? In Pittsburgh (and I've lived in Pittsburgh nearly my whole life), it's fairly cheap if you don't live in the nicest areas but if it's going to be really expensive in Seattle, we may have to rethink going. How expensive is it? (i.e. smokes, gas, car repairs if needed, restaurants, etc.)
5. How do we break the news to our families? My mom crushes almost every dream I have of ever moving forward in life. Every idea I have to better my future, she says that its bullcrap and that I'll never be able to accomplish something like that. She calls me a failure to my face. My fiance and I, we aren't romantic lovers, we are just best friends. My fiance's mother can't accept the fact that he's gay and my mom crushes almost every dream that I have. My aunt wants us to live in an environment that supports our lifestyle and I want to go so badly. I want to start over but...I'm a daddy's girl. I love my father more than life itself. I feel like I could never leave him but going to Seattle (in my opinion) is the best option. It'll give us a chance to start over and from what I hear, there are more job opportunities and it's located in a community who accepts gays and lesbians for who they are. It's also an artsy type place with musicians and artists, singers, theater fanatics, etc. I want to be a musician/author and my fiance wants to become a dancer/actor. This place would be perfect for us. We just don't know how to break the news to our families without pi$$ing them off.
If anyone knows any answers to these questions, please PLEASE let me know.
Thank you!!!Questions about moving to Seattle, Washington?
Let me guess, you鈥檙e young, no more than 22 years old and not college educated.
I don鈥檛 want to be like your mom and crush your dreams, but sweetheart, that twinkle in your young eye and that hopeful smile on your lips are going to be smacked with the cold, hard hand of reality.
Seattle is painfully expensive, competitive and unforgiving to the na茂ve. I wouldn鈥檛 recommend traveling 30 miles away from home, let alone 3,000 if you don鈥檛 have a college education, good credit and at least $10,000 in the bank. The job market is extremely competitive. Housing is extremely expensive and it鈥檚 hard to get your foot in the door of either.
Sounds to me like you and your best friend / fianc茅e have bigger issues than where you live. Moving across the country isn鈥檛 going to empower you to stand up to your mother or develop a healthy respect for normal boundries and relationships. Seattle is artsy-musical-gay-friendly but it鈥檚 not going to welcome you with open arms. While I appreciate your youthful-optimism, Seattle isn鈥檛 right for you. You would be better served staying in an area you know with the emotional support of your father rather than throwing all of your resources away on a move you can鈥檛 afford.
I agree with what the other two people said above me. I would also like to add, i noticed you asked how much smokes were. I assume you mean cigarettes. In washington, there is a law that you may not smoke in a public building, or within 25 feet of the front door of a building. We are not a smoke friendly state. In fact, smoking is so uncommon here now, that cigarettes are really expensive I've heard with a smaller market for them and a lot of tax (i don't smoke, i only know 2 people out of all the people i know who do, and they don't live in seattle).
Also, the other's above are right. Jobs here are really hard to come by right now. It's a big city just like new york or la, and work is just as hard to find if not more for out-of-staters. It's mostly tech jobs, too. If you have at least a four year college degree, are already a famous artist, or can contribute to the banking, computer programming, and or large retail sales market, then you've come to the right place. Maybe, marine biology. Otherwise, good luck. Everything else already has a waiting list of excellant applicants a mile long (full of people already living in the city). Dancing/Art jobs are not very common especially.Questions about moving to Seattle, Washington?
I have to pile on.
First thing you have to understand: Seattle is not a bohemian paradise. It's very expensive in Seattle. It's a big city and no one really cares is you are sensitive and artistic. Seattle is much more "geek than freak" If you have technical skills such as computer programming, web design or graphic design, please pack your things and come to Seattle.
Otherwise, if you just have some vague romantic notion of what it really takes to live on your own and don't have any money; Don't come to Seattle. We have plenty of young idealistic artistic kids in Seattle; we call them "homeless".
You really need to save a minimum of $10,000 each to come here. 20K would be enough to survive for six months while you scour the want ads for jobs. Don't waste you time trying to get hired long distance. I worked as a hiring manager at a high tech firm. We would put the out of state applications in the circular file (trashcan).
Get a skill; get some experience, get a degree, then move to Seattle
2. Should we job hunt BEFORE we move or when we get there? (Some say that job hunting before might put off a lot of employers because we wouldn't be able to fill the position immediately but I still want opinions on it)
3. We plan to drive from Pittsburgh, PA to Seattle, WA (yes, very far...however, it's the only option we have at this point) my fiance has a 2-door 2002 Ford Focus ZX3....when he bought it (which it's still not fully paid off yet), there was 64,000 some odd miles were already on it. Right now, there is almost 100,000 miles on it. I haven't told this to him but....I don't feel safe traveling in that tiny car again...the first time was fine because it was my first time traveling and I was too excited to notice that the car sucks. We can't afford another one but how can I make my fears of us crashing disappear? I don't want to freak out during this road trip but I have severe anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Is there a way I can fix this without drugs?
4. Is it cheaper or more expensive to live in Seattle? In Pittsburgh (and I've lived in Pittsburgh nearly my whole life), it's fairly cheap if you don't live in the nicest areas but if it's going to be really expensive in Seattle, we may have to rethink going. How expensive is it? (i.e. smokes, gas, car repairs if needed, restaurants, etc.)
5. How do we break the news to our families? My mom crushes almost every dream I have of ever moving forward in life. Every idea I have to better my future, she says that its bullcrap and that I'll never be able to accomplish something like that. She calls me a failure to my face. My fiance and I, we aren't romantic lovers, we are just best friends. My fiance's mother can't accept the fact that he's gay and my mom crushes almost every dream that I have. My aunt wants us to live in an environment that supports our lifestyle and I want to go so badly. I want to start over but...I'm a daddy's girl. I love my father more than life itself. I feel like I could never leave him but going to Seattle (in my opinion) is the best option. It'll give us a chance to start over and from what I hear, there are more job opportunities and it's located in a community who accepts gays and lesbians for who they are. It's also an artsy type place with musicians and artists, singers, theater fanatics, etc. I want to be a musician/author and my fiance wants to become a dancer/actor. This place would be perfect for us. We just don't know how to break the news to our families without pi$$ing them off.
If anyone knows any answers to these questions, please PLEASE let me know.
Thank you!!!Questions about moving to Seattle, Washington?
Let me guess, you鈥檙e young, no more than 22 years old and not college educated.
I don鈥檛 want to be like your mom and crush your dreams, but sweetheart, that twinkle in your young eye and that hopeful smile on your lips are going to be smacked with the cold, hard hand of reality.
Seattle is painfully expensive, competitive and unforgiving to the na茂ve. I wouldn鈥檛 recommend traveling 30 miles away from home, let alone 3,000 if you don鈥檛 have a college education, good credit and at least $10,000 in the bank. The job market is extremely competitive. Housing is extremely expensive and it鈥檚 hard to get your foot in the door of either.
Sounds to me like you and your best friend / fianc茅e have bigger issues than where you live. Moving across the country isn鈥檛 going to empower you to stand up to your mother or develop a healthy respect for normal boundries and relationships. Seattle is artsy-musical-gay-friendly but it鈥檚 not going to welcome you with open arms. While I appreciate your youthful-optimism, Seattle isn鈥檛 right for you. You would be better served staying in an area you know with the emotional support of your father rather than throwing all of your resources away on a move you can鈥檛 afford.
I agree with what the other two people said above me. I would also like to add, i noticed you asked how much smokes were. I assume you mean cigarettes. In washington, there is a law that you may not smoke in a public building, or within 25 feet of the front door of a building. We are not a smoke friendly state. In fact, smoking is so uncommon here now, that cigarettes are really expensive I've heard with a smaller market for them and a lot of tax (i don't smoke, i only know 2 people out of all the people i know who do, and they don't live in seattle).
Also, the other's above are right. Jobs here are really hard to come by right now. It's a big city just like new york or la, and work is just as hard to find if not more for out-of-staters. It's mostly tech jobs, too. If you have at least a four year college degree, are already a famous artist, or can contribute to the banking, computer programming, and or large retail sales market, then you've come to the right place. Maybe, marine biology. Otherwise, good luck. Everything else already has a waiting list of excellant applicants a mile long (full of people already living in the city). Dancing/Art jobs are not very common especially.Questions about moving to Seattle, Washington?
I have to pile on.
First thing you have to understand: Seattle is not a bohemian paradise. It's very expensive in Seattle. It's a big city and no one really cares is you are sensitive and artistic. Seattle is much more "geek than freak" If you have technical skills such as computer programming, web design or graphic design, please pack your things and come to Seattle.
Otherwise, if you just have some vague romantic notion of what it really takes to live on your own and don't have any money; Don't come to Seattle. We have plenty of young idealistic artistic kids in Seattle; we call them "homeless".
You really need to save a minimum of $10,000 each to come here. 20K would be enough to survive for six months while you scour the want ads for jobs. Don't waste you time trying to get hired long distance. I worked as a hiring manager at a high tech firm. We would put the out of state applications in the circular file (trashcan).
Get a skill; get some experience, get a degree, then move to Seattle
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day in Columbus?
Had anyone seen any episodes of Food Networks Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a Day or Roker on the Road, or any of their shows where a host goes to the best of the best in certain cites where they go to restaurants in Columbus, Ohio? I'm going to be traveling there this week and was interested in going to some places featured on either of those shows. I know they find the best, like the Primanti Bros. in Pittsburgh!
So, and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day meals/restaurants in Columbus, Ohio?
Please and thank you!Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day in Columbus?
Any places on those shows are paying to be included and are best avoided (they're all tourist traps).
I wouldn't trust the recommendation of Al Roker (he had stomach stapling...not like he's eating much), Rachel Ray (not exactly an experimentive culinary pallette), and Guy Fieri (complete tool and a total pr**k off-camera who knows less about food than a gerbil). They all visit the same bunch of places that don't mind paying to be on tv.
You're better off looking at local, city-based food blogs; a good jumping off point is egullet or chowhound.
Better yet...ask locals where they eat.Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day in Columbus?
I have not seen those shows feature Cols. restaurants but a show on the Travel Channel did a feature on the Thurman Cafe. If you haven't tried Thurman...they have GREAT burgers that are huge.
So, and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day meals/restaurants in Columbus, Ohio?
Please and thank you!Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day in Columbus?
Any places on those shows are paying to be included and are best avoided (they're all tourist traps).
I wouldn't trust the recommendation of Al Roker (he had stomach stapling...not like he's eating much), Rachel Ray (not exactly an experimentive culinary pallette), and Guy Fieri (complete tool and a total pr**k off-camera who knows less about food than a gerbil). They all visit the same bunch of places that don't mind paying to be on tv.
You're better off looking at local, city-based food blogs; a good jumping off point is egullet or chowhound.
Better yet...ask locals where they eat.Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives or $40 a day in Columbus?
I have not seen those shows feature Cols. restaurants but a show on the Travel Channel did a feature on the Thurman Cafe. If you haven't tried Thurman...they have GREAT burgers that are huge.
The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
Most: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Amarillo, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, Raleigh-Durham, Columbia, SC, Honolulu, Sioux Falls, Fargo, Madison, WI
Least: Louisville, Lexington, New York, Newark, Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, OH, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, San Diego, Sacramento, Denver, Phoenix, Kansas City, St. Louis, Miami, Orlando
As you can tell, I've been around (lol).
Most welcoming entails friendly people at the terminal booths, in restaurants, hotels, and just in the city altogether. Least friendly obviously entails the opposite.The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
I agree with most of your list actually, and I've been to all the cities above for work travel - and I'm NOT at all proud of that - actually, pretty pissed! Here's my additions:
Most Welcoming: Kauai, Hawaii, San Diego, CA, and Minneapolis, MN.
Least Welcoming: Washington, DC, New Orleans, LA, and San Francisco, CA.
Most welcoming = Seattle
Least welcoming =PittsburghThe most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
yep Texas cities are very welcoming! I live in Texas of Course! I'm proud to be a Texan! I know its cheesy i'm just playing around but i do live in Texas.
Austin was the friendliest place I have been to in my life while my city near Los Angeles is the most unfriendliest in the world.....we are snobs
I think that anywhere in the Southeast is pretty friendly as long as you don't laugh at our yalls and as long as it's not a big city in Florida. Mississippi is a great state. I've also had some great experiences in Denver, except for the airport. Even if you say they are cruel, I think they're really nice. It does help to have a tour guide though, like a relative.
Least: Louisville, Lexington, New York, Newark, Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, OH, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, San Diego, Sacramento, Denver, Phoenix, Kansas City, St. Louis, Miami, Orlando
As you can tell, I've been around (lol).
Most welcoming entails friendly people at the terminal booths, in restaurants, hotels, and just in the city altogether. Least friendly obviously entails the opposite.The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
I agree with most of your list actually, and I've been to all the cities above for work travel - and I'm NOT at all proud of that - actually, pretty pissed! Here's my additions:
Most Welcoming: Kauai, Hawaii, San Diego, CA, and Minneapolis, MN.
Least Welcoming: Washington, DC, New Orleans, LA, and San Francisco, CA.
Most welcoming = Seattle
Least welcoming =PittsburghThe most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
yep Texas cities are very welcoming! I live in Texas of Course! I'm proud to be a Texan! I know its cheesy i'm just playing around but i do live in Texas.
Austin was the friendliest place I have been to in my life while my city near Los Angeles is the most unfriendliest in the world.....we are snobs
I think that anywhere in the Southeast is pretty friendly as long as you don't laugh at our yalls and as long as it's not a big city in Florida. Mississippi is a great state. I've also had some great experiences in Denver, except for the airport. Even if you say they are cruel, I think they're really nice. It does help to have a tour guide though, like a relative.
Gift suggestions for the anniversary dance?
We are doing an anniversary dance at our wedding, which is when all of the married couples get up to dance and then are supposed to sit down as the DJ announces if you've been married for 5 years or less, 10 years or less, etc. until the couple that's been married the longest is the last still on the dance floor. Usually the bride gives her bouquet as the gift to the couple who has been married the longest, but I want to throw mine and so we're going to do a gift instead. Any suggestions? We're limited as far as gift certificates to nice restaurants because my family is in NJ and his is from Pittsburgh, so we want to be sure that whoever gets it can use it. But we're OK with anything sentimental, practical, etc. around $20-30. Thanks!!!Gift suggestions for the anniversary dance?
a visa gift card and a bouquet of flowers.
a visa gift card and a potted plant... to keep growing as they continue to grow together
a bottle of your favorite wine, 2 glasses in a pretty basket and chocolates
a picture frame
A nice bottle of wine or champagne they can drink on their actual anniversary would probaby go alright! You could even make your own label to put on it.Gift suggestions for the anniversary dance?
national store that is located across america, Sears
a visa gift card and a bouquet of flowers.
a visa gift card and a potted plant... to keep growing as they continue to grow together
a bottle of your favorite wine, 2 glasses in a pretty basket and chocolates
a picture frame
A nice bottle of wine or champagne they can drink on their actual anniversary would probaby go alright! You could even make your own label to put on it.Gift suggestions for the anniversary dance?
national store that is located across america, Sears
The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
Most: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Amarillo, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, Raleigh-Durham, Columbia, SC, Honolulu, Sioux Falls, Fargo, Madison, WI
Least: Louisville, Lexington, New York, Newark, Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, OH, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, San Diego, Sacramento, Denver, Phoenix, Kansas City, St. Louis, Miami, Orlando
As you can tell, I've been around (lol).
Most welcoming entails friendly people at the terminal booths, in restaurants, hotels, and just in the city altogether. Least friendly obviously entails the opposite.The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
In my experience, San Antonio is definitely the most welcoming. It's the friendliest place I've ever been. Here are my top 5:
1. San Antonio
2. Indianapolis
3. Nashville
4. Birmingham
5. Winchester, VA
Dallas is by far the least welcoming place I've ever been. I hate Dallas and I will NEVER be back. Here are my top 5:
1. Dallas
2. Tampa
3. Seattle
4. St. Louis
5. New York
Interesting i guess it's the southern hospitality an small town mentality unlike LA where everyone trying to be a star and NYC people are cautious..The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
I've been to Boston last year and i fell in love with it.
Florida... I was there since i was 9 yrs old.
Tennessee.. when i was in High School, so i was about 17 or 18 yrs old.
So i liked those states very much.
As for New York ( even though i live here)...
I am not to crazy about it at all.
athens, charleston, savannah nashville. san angelo
Least: Louisville, Lexington, New York, Newark, Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, OH, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, San Diego, Sacramento, Denver, Phoenix, Kansas City, St. Louis, Miami, Orlando
As you can tell, I've been around (lol).
Most welcoming entails friendly people at the terminal booths, in restaurants, hotels, and just in the city altogether. Least friendly obviously entails the opposite.The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
In my experience, San Antonio is definitely the most welcoming. It's the friendliest place I've ever been. Here are my top 5:
1. San Antonio
2. Indianapolis
3. Nashville
4. Birmingham
5. Winchester, VA
Dallas is by far the least welcoming place I've ever been. I hate Dallas and I will NEVER be back. Here are my top 5:
1. Dallas
2. Tampa
3. Seattle
4. St. Louis
5. New York
Interesting i guess it's the southern hospitality an small town mentality unlike LA where everyone trying to be a star and NYC people are cautious..The most welcoming U.S. cities? Least welcoming?
I've been to Boston last year and i fell in love with it.
Florida... I was there since i was 9 yrs old.
Tennessee.. when i was in High School, so i was about 17 or 18 yrs old.
So i liked those states very much.
As for New York ( even though i live here)...
I am not to crazy about it at all.
athens, charleston, savannah nashville. san angelo
I'm going to Washington D.C. this Christmas any places you recommend I see?
Any landmarks, nice restaurants, any must see item during my stay. Please list a few things to see there, this is my first time going there.(I've been to NYC,Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester etc)I'm going to Washington D.C. this Christmas any places you recommend I see?
Make sure you have dinner at one of our many Ethiopian restaurants. We have the biggest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia itself. The food is delicious and very fun to eat--- no utensils; everything comes on a communal plate with spongy "napkin bread" underneath, just tear off a bit of bread and scoop up your dinner. I recommend Dukem on 11th and U NW because they have a dinner show; have dinner and watch traditional Ethiopian dance and music too.
The Holocaust Museum is a must-see. It is a haunting, disturbing place but should not be missed. It will probably take you several hours to get through it and don't plan much afterwards as you will probably want some quiet time after.
The Air and Space Museum is kind of tired these days; I'd miss that and go see the Museum of the American Indian instead.
The Vietnam Memorial is haunting and beautiful, especially at night.
Don't miss the U Street-Cardozo Neighborhood for nightlife, jazz, funk, and great dining. Try Sala Thai on 13th and U NW for inexpensive, tasty Thai. Avoid Adams Morgan on weekend nights; if you want to take in the big dance clubs, go on a Thursday instead of Friday or Saturday and you'll have tons of other folks out dancing and partying but not the mob scene of a Friday.
Great tours: Monuments by Moonlight (although it might be a bit chilly for that now) because DC is gorgeous at night, and any of the self-guided Heritage Trail walking tours (although U Street or Adams Morgan will have the best mix of historic, cultural and dining/dancing/clubbing)
the white house!I'm going to Washington D.C. this Christmas any places you recommend I see?
Washington is home to just about every museum you can possible think of! My favorites are the Native American Museum and the Holocaust Remembrance Museum - both are free.
The usual stuff; museums, monuments, etc. Eat at Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th %26amp; G. Mei n' Yu in Georgetown on M St. is pricey, but the food is fabulous and you have to check out the decor. Actually, Georgetown has been hoppin' this past year, so if you just troll around M and Wisconsin, you should find someplace to hang out and eat/drink.
The festival of lights at Watkins Park, in Largo-Kettering.
and if you can get a copy of the weekend section from the washington post, right about now, you will probably get the heads up on entertainment-shows- happening in the city.
I went last year, and will go again, this year. I did a couple of clubs in maryland (boring). but the Festival of Lights, was cool.
everywhere has a festival of lights, it's always mentioned in the paper.
Georgetown, U Street, and Ethiopian food in Adams Morgan is always a good thing too.
visit the national tree downtown near the white house.
there're alot of places to see, things to do. u should see the monument, the lincoln memorial, the white house, the capitol, the list goes on and on. u should definitely ride the train there. there're alot of nice restuarants. if u are a party goer, you'll definitely need to go to ADAM'S MORGAN. if you go t google's website and look up washhington, dc., it'll help u alot. u're going to have so much fun. be sure to visit the waterfront.
The best place to start is on the National Mall where you will find the major monuments, a majority of the Smithsonian Museums, and major public buildings. The tourmobile, a rented bike, or rented segway is the best bet to see these, along with everyone else.
As far as eating, you can't do any better for the DC feel as The Old Ebbit Grill located a block away from the white house. You will also find a great selections of premium steak houses like The Palm, Ruth's Chris, and Mortons. If you want great cheap eats, find a 5 guys. You won鈥檛 be disappointed.
The National Arboretum is unknown to many locals. It has a great bonsai garden, large Koi ponds, and acres of others gardens and forested areas. It is up NY Ave across from the Washington Times Building.
Museums not on the Mall but still worth seeing are:
The Spy Museum (very cool).
National Building Museum
Air and Space Campus at Dulles
Arguably the most beautiful building in town is The National Cathedral. It is awesome inside and out. The Bishop's garden adjacent is pretty cool too.
If you want to check out the monuments that not everyone sees, look up the following:
The Awakening at Hains Point
Albert Einstein
The Air Force Memorial (it's new)
The Titanic Memorial
Bartholdi Fountain (Statue of Liberty Sculptor)
Navy Memorial
TR Memorial at Roosevelt Island
Great Falls Maryland is very cool too.
There is more of course.
One of my favorite holiday activities in Washington is to go to dinner at old Ebbitt Grill and then go see A Christmas Carol at Fords Theatre where Abe was shot. Its an amazing show and it always puts me in the Hoilday mood!
Check out the Downtown Holiday Market . It will be located on the sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 8th in front of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture from December 11 to December 22.
Check out Mie N Yu restaurant in the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington, DC. I have eaten there twice, and I consider it one of the best restaurants in DC for its decor, ambiance, and customer service. It features flavours from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean.
If the weather is somewhat mild during your visit, walk along the C%26amp;O Canal Towpath in the Georgetown neighbourhood. You will see a rich collection of historic factories, paper mills, and industrial buildings of the 19th century that have been converted for modern office use.
The best shopping in Washington, DC is in Georgetown. The European style of this neighbourhood is unmatched, and it is nice to be able to discover boutique stores art galleries, all while you enjoy the sounds and the hustle and bustle of pedestrians walking on the street. Don't miss it.
Check out the Adams Morgan neighbourhood. It is considered to be the most densely populated, culturally diverse, and developed neighbourhood in Washington. Adams Morgan has a vibrant nightlife with many dance clubs, bars, and restaurants.
Outside of the White House and Capitol, we 'always' make sure we go to the Smithsonian, Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum. Take good walking shoes. But, they are closed on Christmas!
you should definitely go to the national american indian museum, the washington monument and go to georgetown (thats my favorite place to go)
Make sure you have dinner at one of our many Ethiopian restaurants. We have the biggest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia itself. The food is delicious and very fun to eat--- no utensils; everything comes on a communal plate with spongy "napkin bread" underneath, just tear off a bit of bread and scoop up your dinner. I recommend Dukem on 11th and U NW because they have a dinner show; have dinner and watch traditional Ethiopian dance and music too.
The Holocaust Museum is a must-see. It is a haunting, disturbing place but should not be missed. It will probably take you several hours to get through it and don't plan much afterwards as you will probably want some quiet time after.
The Air and Space Museum is kind of tired these days; I'd miss that and go see the Museum of the American Indian instead.
The Vietnam Memorial is haunting and beautiful, especially at night.
Don't miss the U Street-Cardozo Neighborhood for nightlife, jazz, funk, and great dining. Try Sala Thai on 13th and U NW for inexpensive, tasty Thai. Avoid Adams Morgan on weekend nights; if you want to take in the big dance clubs, go on a Thursday instead of Friday or Saturday and you'll have tons of other folks out dancing and partying but not the mob scene of a Friday.
Great tours: Monuments by Moonlight (although it might be a bit chilly for that now) because DC is gorgeous at night, and any of the self-guided Heritage Trail walking tours (although U Street or Adams Morgan will have the best mix of historic, cultural and dining/dancing/clubbing)
the white house!I'm going to Washington D.C. this Christmas any places you recommend I see?
Washington is home to just about every museum you can possible think of! My favorites are the Native American Museum and the Holocaust Remembrance Museum - both are free.
The usual stuff; museums, monuments, etc. Eat at Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th %26amp; G. Mei n' Yu in Georgetown on M St. is pricey, but the food is fabulous and you have to check out the decor. Actually, Georgetown has been hoppin' this past year, so if you just troll around M and Wisconsin, you should find someplace to hang out and eat/drink.
The festival of lights at Watkins Park, in Largo-Kettering.
and if you can get a copy of the weekend section from the washington post, right about now, you will probably get the heads up on entertainment-shows- happening in the city.
I went last year, and will go again, this year. I did a couple of clubs in maryland (boring). but the Festival of Lights, was cool.
everywhere has a festival of lights, it's always mentioned in the paper.
Georgetown, U Street, and Ethiopian food in Adams Morgan is always a good thing too.
visit the national tree downtown near the white house.
there're alot of places to see, things to do. u should see the monument, the lincoln memorial, the white house, the capitol, the list goes on and on. u should definitely ride the train there. there're alot of nice restuarants. if u are a party goer, you'll definitely need to go to ADAM'S MORGAN. if you go t google's website and look up washhington, dc., it'll help u alot. u're going to have so much fun. be sure to visit the waterfront.
The best place to start is on the National Mall where you will find the major monuments, a majority of the Smithsonian Museums, and major public buildings. The tourmobile, a rented bike, or rented segway is the best bet to see these, along with everyone else.
As far as eating, you can't do any better for the DC feel as The Old Ebbit Grill located a block away from the white house. You will also find a great selections of premium steak houses like The Palm, Ruth's Chris, and Mortons. If you want great cheap eats, find a 5 guys. You won鈥檛 be disappointed.
The National Arboretum is unknown to many locals. It has a great bonsai garden, large Koi ponds, and acres of others gardens and forested areas. It is up NY Ave across from the Washington Times Building.
Museums not on the Mall but still worth seeing are:
The Spy Museum (very cool).
National Building Museum
Air and Space Campus at Dulles
Arguably the most beautiful building in town is The National Cathedral. It is awesome inside and out. The Bishop's garden adjacent is pretty cool too.
If you want to check out the monuments that not everyone sees, look up the following:
The Awakening at Hains Point
Albert Einstein
The Air Force Memorial (it's new)
The Titanic Memorial
Bartholdi Fountain (Statue of Liberty Sculptor)
Navy Memorial
TR Memorial at Roosevelt Island
Great Falls Maryland is very cool too.
There is more of course.
One of my favorite holiday activities in Washington is to go to dinner at old Ebbitt Grill and then go see A Christmas Carol at Fords Theatre where Abe was shot. Its an amazing show and it always puts me in the Hoilday mood!
Check out the Downtown Holiday Market . It will be located on the sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 8th in front of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture from December 11 to December 22.
Check out Mie N Yu restaurant in the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington, DC. I have eaten there twice, and I consider it one of the best restaurants in DC for its decor, ambiance, and customer service. It features flavours from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean.
If the weather is somewhat mild during your visit, walk along the C%26amp;O Canal Towpath in the Georgetown neighbourhood. You will see a rich collection of historic factories, paper mills, and industrial buildings of the 19th century that have been converted for modern office use.
The best shopping in Washington, DC is in Georgetown. The European style of this neighbourhood is unmatched, and it is nice to be able to discover boutique stores art galleries, all while you enjoy the sounds and the hustle and bustle of pedestrians walking on the street. Don't miss it.
Check out the Adams Morgan neighbourhood. It is considered to be the most densely populated, culturally diverse, and developed neighbourhood in Washington. Adams Morgan has a vibrant nightlife with many dance clubs, bars, and restaurants.
Outside of the White House and Capitol, we 'always' make sure we go to the Smithsonian, Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum. Take good walking shoes. But, they are closed on Christmas!
you should definitely go to the national american indian museum, the washington monument and go to georgetown (thats my favorite place to go)
Shopping center in Pennsylvania?
A year or so ago I was at a shopping center in PA, Pittsburgh I think. I remember a steak restaurant that had 6 or 7 very large smoke stacks, and there was a nice looking movie theater there, and either a borders or barnes %26amp; noble bookstore along with many other stores. It was in somewhat of a valley? Does anyone know that name of this place?
Shopping center in Pennsylvania?
It's The Waterfront.
Most malls are not all that memorable, so since this one stands out for you, I will guess it was Station Square, a converted freight terminal for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad. It sits in a valley not far from the Monongahela River. Could this be it? See link.Shopping center in Pennsylvania?
valley forge??
Shopping center in Pennsylvania?
It's The Waterfront.
Most malls are not all that memorable, so since this one stands out for you, I will guess it was Station Square, a converted freight terminal for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad. It sits in a valley not far from the Monongahela River. Could this be it? See link.Shopping center in Pennsylvania?
valley forge??
Waiter job information please?
Okay, so I currently have a job as a cook in the morning and a warehouse manager at night. The warehouse is awesome and I make great money but does anyone have any idea where I could get a job as a server for another restaurant during the day in which I'd make good money? I have no previous experience serving, however I've been a cook for over 2 years. Keep in mind that I'm not available for nights or weekends, only morning availability. Thanks!!
By the way, I'm in Pittsburgh PA.Waiter job information please?
I would try a chain place like Denny's or iHop. They'll have more morning shifts and they'll be more lenient when it comes to experience.
Dear Best Suggestion for youTry this web and solve your problem
http://bizsolbiz.com
i hope that resolve your problem. i have also experienced this web on answers.yahoo.comWaiter job information please?
Well, i'm not from PA so I don't know what restaurants are around,
But i was a server for about two years. my suggestion to to look for a restaurant that is 24 hours. they are more willing to work with your schedule. usually the small town ones are more willing. normal lunch shifts would be around 11 to 4, sometimes 5. If you are in a college town, plenty of day shifts should be available because most of their servers would want to work evening because Of school.
By the way, I'm in Pittsburgh PA.Waiter job information please?
I would try a chain place like Denny's or iHop. They'll have more morning shifts and they'll be more lenient when it comes to experience.
Dear Best Suggestion for youTry this web and solve your problem
http://bizsolbiz.com
i hope that resolve your problem. i have also experienced this web on answers.yahoo.comWaiter job information please?
Well, i'm not from PA so I don't know what restaurants are around,
But i was a server for about two years. my suggestion to to look for a restaurant that is 24 hours. they are more willing to work with your schedule. usually the small town ones are more willing. normal lunch shifts would be around 11 to 4, sometimes 5. If you are in a college town, plenty of day shifts should be available because most of their servers would want to work evening because Of school.
What exactly is there to do in...?
Pittsburgh if you have a full day to kill?? Are there any really good restaurants??What exactly is there to do in...?
Grand Concourse for dinner. Can't be beat. Check out the theatre offerings, they have more night life per square mile than any major city in the U.S. Hines Hall usually has something nice. Enjoy!
idk, go to phillyWhat exactly is there to do in...?
errrr...I have no clue...sorry hun
how fast can you make it to NY?:):):)
No idea. But I'd show you around Detroit and not manage to get shot/killed!! :)
you might be able to visit all the steel mills that are out of business. make it a tour?
go to philly and get a cheesesteak!!monroe muffler bento
Grand Concourse for dinner. Can't be beat. Check out the theatre offerings, they have more night life per square mile than any major city in the U.S. Hines Hall usually has something nice. Enjoy!
idk, go to phillyWhat exactly is there to do in...?
errrr...I have no clue...sorry hun
how fast can you make it to NY?:):):)
No idea. But I'd show you around Detroit and not manage to get shot/killed!! :)
you might be able to visit all the steel mills that are out of business. make it a tour?
go to philly and get a cheesesteak!!
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