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[MISC] How is the job market in Seattle?
Godmeat
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Looks like my wife might be getting laid off, and my job is terrible.
How is the job market up that way?
How are rents?
How is the job market up that way?
How are rents?
Godmeat on
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I work at a telecommunications company who's still hiring despite the economy, so I know there's places around the area that are looking still... but, like most places these days though, it's pretty competitive no matter where you go.
Searching for an apartment myself, the renting prices are a little cheaper than they used to be, but they are still really high from most people's point of view. $700 for a 1 bedroom is pretty common in the outskirts... in the city though, I'm not to sure.
My wife has been doing HR for the past few years, and I have a lot of admin and database-type experience.
Rent is a bit high - it's above average, but not as high as California cities or the big East Coast locales. Cost of living is moderately high, though I'm not the best to ask about that because I live a weird life (eating all fresh local food, for example, means I spend a whole lot of my income on food and not much on things like eating out and similar). The gal and I lucked into our place; it's a smallish 2-1 downstairs unit in a duplex in a nice neighborhood (off Phinney, near Green Lake if you're looking around), and we pay just under a grand a month plus utilities. You'll pay a lot more closer in to downtown, and you'd have to either get someplace pretty small/crappy, or go pretty far away from town, to pay much less (I think - correct me if I'm wrong, people).
The job market is mixed; there's a lot of so-called "creative economy" here, so if you're a PC jockey or an artistic type, you'll probably do okay. There's a lot of science, too, thanks to the UW, especially medical research. Finance and retail are down just like everywhere else, though not so bad as some other cities. When we moved up here two years ago, I had to look for work for a couple months, but she found some right away.
I love it here, but it is dark and wet for a lot of the year, so if you think that'll get you down, well, be aware. The summers are glorious, though.
Don't plan on an automobile commute if you can help it - live on a transit route. It'll save you money in the long run and the traffic situation here is pretty bad. Transit is pretty good and it's getting better as the new light rail goes in.
I don't know - some people say they couldn't stand it here, but by and large they've never lived here. I think it's a pretty good place!
Yeah... I'm pretty much in the same boat. 24, not really sure what I really want to do either, but I found a place I'm happy with for the time being at any rate... and the money's pretty good.
I'm sure you guys would find something. Maybe not like here where I get paid to be bored essentially, but still
Still have no idea how some of those dudes can handle that shit, it is crazy.
Seriously... and they live off of four hours of sleep for however long they're out there too... I couldn't imagine even trying to function at my regular job like that, nevermind the grueling conditions they have to work under... I can't imagine many first world jobs that are worse than that one.
@dovirstrgn
You're right that you pretty much have to stay out of downtown to avoid the terrible rent, but in regards to people with SAD, you can get lights that replicate the effects of sun on serotonin production for a couple hundred bucks. I got one and it works wonders in my mind, or the placebo effect is very strong in this one.
Two hundred bucks beats relocating in my books but, hey, different strokes. I like this city though. Makes going to PAX pretty convenient too ^^.
Cost of living is pretty high, but not unlivable. Rent in a nice neighborhood is good if you have a roommate, not so good if you're alone.
All things considered though, Seattle is the greatest city on the planet, so it's all worth it!
A lot of people are looking for tech jobs in Seattle right now. Might have more luck with HR. Be sure to check outlying areas - Everett, Marysville Woodinville, Bainbridge/Bremerton, or south toward Tacoma.
Not everyone's screwed lol. But, you're right. I didn't think about the adjustment that's going to take place with tuition increases and the such...
But, if people weren't so scared, I don't think we would be even close to as screwed as we are. Even if 10% of the population is unemployed, that leaves 90% who are... and a lot of people seem to forget that. Sure, the economy would still suck, but if that 90%'s spending was unaffected by emotion, the economy could recover itself at a faster pace.
I think that our system is fundamentally broken in the sense that it doesn't take into account the human condition when things go bad... much in the same way that Communism doesn't take into account the human condition at all.
Just my opinion though
Anyway, my hunch is that there will still be jobs open in research, especially around the University. Sure, we're going to get a lot of cuts, but turnover is always high as students and postdocs come and go.
Be prepared to pound pavement for several weeks, even a couple months in this climate.
Cost of living compared to the bulk of the nation is high, but coming from Sacramento you probably won't see too big of a difference.
On the subject of 'darkness' and SAD, people who complain about weather are pussies. Which brings me to my dilemma, as PAX forumer, I'm bound to try to help you, but as a 3rd gen native, I have a duty to oppose the immigration of all Californians... not sure I know how to reconcile that...
Sorry, gotta plug my home town. It's close to Seattle, too. Though then that would mean Visa's, etc. It is a gorgeous city though.
glutenfreegamer.blogspot.com
Well, as a 3rd generation native, you grew up here... so the weather wouldn't bother you. I agree that it's not as big of a deal as people make it out to be though. I just enjoy anything that helps me focus
That's where I plan on moving eventually.
UBC, yo!
And if my father moves back home to Canada...
I don't have to worry about visas!
I exclaimed "Khoo is my Sensei!"
So if memes make great shirts,
And Pod Six is Jerks,
Then Moe, Khoo and I had our day.
Well, both of us love the winter. This California sun BS is too much. Wind and rain year round? Sounds good.
But yeah, Californians as a whole are pretty abrasive - I'm surprised they let us into Nevada at all.
HR and PR seem to be doing fairly well up here, and so does DB. One of my friends who does DB just got laid off from Microsoft and within about a week was hired at another tech company.
lol, San Bernar-ghetto. I live in Cali too, but in the mountains near San B. so its not like the stereotype that you hear about cali... we get rain and snow and everything too, just only in the winter :P I hate how hot it gets off the mountain tho...
I was laid off from my software test job in December, but quickly landed a year long contract within 2 weeks (that actually pays better & still has benefits)... so there is work out here if you know where to look.
I do have a buddy who did a lot of administration type work who's been out of work for about two months now looking though... so it's rough.