Any tips on moving to a new city before finding a job?
Asked by Ms. C *
My husband and I are moving to Portland, OR in May of this year. We are both professionals but have not found jobs as of yet and may not before actually moving. Has anyone done this? If so do you have any pointers on how to find a place to rent before finding a job? Any other useful information would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer:
I don't have any specific information about Portland unfortunately, but I also did end up moving to a new city before finding a job. If you haven't already done so, I would recommend contacting the local chamber of commerce. Let them know about your backgrounds, and they can get back to you with companies or organizations that might fit. You can then contact them and ask if there are any openings available. It would also be a great help if you know anyone in Portland that can give you some recommendations (or perhaps a place to crash for a few weeks while you rent an apartment. Other than that, I cheap motel might be your best bet if you can find one for under $50 a night. You might also start contacting a job placement center if Portland has one. I found that my prospects were limited before I moved because I didn't have the networking resources long-distance. After I moved, I was able to scan the local newspapers and get in touch with the local community, and they were able to give me some good suggestions that let to openings and interviews. I began my job search in mid-August, moved in early-November, and secured my current job in late-January. I moved in with my girlfriend, so I didn't have to worry about a place to stay. Keep your head up and get involved in the community; one way to do this is by volunteering while you're not out looking for work. Plugging yourself into the local networking pipeline is always a bonus, and most people I've found have been willing to help.