Well, I'm moving back...

[RoJoHen]

Some of you remember about 6 months ago I made the decision to move to the Chicago suburbs for a new job. Well, the job sucks, and I am quickly going broke. In addition, all of my friends keep bugging me to move back. I have visited several times since moving, and every time I leave I end up getting really depressed.

So I've made the decision to move back to the Quad Cities where I was. I grew up Chicagoland, and I had been wondering about moving back for a while, but now that I'm here I'm realizing that it just isn't my home anymore.

It probably won't happen for several more months, but it's definitely happening.

 

[Kestra]

I was looking forward to doing a Chicago meet-up!

 

[RoJoHen]

Looks like you're gonna have to find someone else to buy your townhouse.

 

[Kestra]

Eh that won't be a problem, we can move to the city before we put our place on the market. So while it'll be nice to have it sell soon, it won't be as stressful. Plus my brother just got engaged tonight and I'm wondering if I can convince him that he needs to buy a townhouse for him and his future bride.

But anyway, I was thinking about how awesome a Chicago meet-up would be. I'll go make a thread eventually. I'd make you egg roll hot dogs and everything! It sucks that things didn't work out for you in the suburbs, but at least you'll be happy to be back around your friends.

 

[RoJoHen]

The suburbs are just too big and crowded? The Quad Cities has pretty much everything the suburbs do except spread out over a much smaller area. Plus the bars are open 2 hours later!

 

[TheSeeker]

So does this mean you're quitting the new job? Are you going back to bartending?

 

[John Picard]

So does this mean you're quitting the new job? Are you going back to bartending?

$20 says he becomes a high dollar gigolo.

 

[RoJoHen]

So does this mean you're quitting the new job? Are you going back to bartending?

I'm going to explore different options. The new job is definitely going to be done as soon as I move, but I think I am going to try and go the self-employed route for personal training rather than trying to work for a big gym. I like the work, but I don't think I want to make a full-time career out of it. However, I did develop a decent relationship with my gym's owner out there (who is also a personal trainer), and I think I might be able to work something out with him.

And honestly, I love bartending. I miss bartending. So yeah, I will be going back to bartending for at least a little while until I get my finances back in order.

The truth is that I really rushed my move out here for this training job. I should have been a lot more careful and done more research. The good thing is that, now that I've decided to move back, I have time to actually figure out the details before I do. Live and learn.

 

[Holdfast]

I wondered whether you'd move back eventually; your various posts over the months have come across as a bit fed up at times. It's important to be in a place you enjoy living; quality of life matters.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Sorry it didn't work out the way you had planned. The good thing is you're going back to a place that you like. I think some people (myself included) could benefit from stepping out of their comfort zones to try different things.

 

[TheBrew]

You gave it a shot, which more than most can say.

Proud of you, dude (or at least as proud as I can be of someone I've never actually met).

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

I envy you. You're doing something I've been trying to do for about 2 1/2 years, but I'm mired because I don't have any job prospects.

 

[opali]

So does this mean you're quitting the new job? Are you going back to bartending?

I'm going to explore different options. The new job is definitely going to be done as soon as I move, but I think I am going to try and go the self-employed route for personal training rather than trying to work for a big gym. I like the work, but I don't think I want to make a full-time career out of it. However, I did develop a decent relationship with my gym's owner out there (who is also a personal trainer), and I think I might be able to work something out with him.

And honestly, I love bartending. I miss bartending. So yeah, I will be going back to bartending for at least a little while until I get my finances back in order.

The truth is that I really rushed my move out here for this training job. I should have been a lot more careful and done more research. The good thing is that, now that I've decided to move back, I have time to actually figure out the details before I do. Live and learn.

I'm really glad for you, RoJoHen; you sound really happy. I hope the move back goes smoothly.

I just left a gym, a big one, and you are smart to stay out of them. You can build your own clientele and don't have to put up with the bullshit, and the bigger the gym the bigger the bullshit.

Just do me a favor and no more opening your hand while you open a bottle, okay?

 

[Mallory]

Sorry it didn't work out for you RoJoHen, but at least you gave it a shot. Good luck back in the Quad Cities.

 

[Koinek]

Hmm sorry to hear that. Although have you considered inviting a friend to move to Chicago to join you?

I started grad school here last fall and a college friend of mine moved in with me to get his fresh start. It reduced his cost of living some and he's now got a job as a restaurant cook. We live in the city in an apartment. He's ruing the social situation some (like you) but having me around is helping keep him sane until he's able to make some more friends at work and other such. He's actually making a decent living too so it is possible.

Well either way, good luck with your future endeavors.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Sorry the experiment didn't work out for you man, and good luck on the move.

 

[RoJoHen]

Hmm sorry to hear that. Although have you considered inviting a friend to move to Chicago to join you?

One friend would not make up for the fact that I still have dozens more still living far away. Plus, I'm really learning that I don't even like the area anymore. Too many people. Chicago is fun to visit, but I don't want to live here.


I'm actually rather excited to move back. The cost of living in the Quad Cities is so much less than Chicago. I'm tired of apartment life, so I'm going to try and rent a house. It will end up costing me less to rent a 3 bedroom house out there than it costs me now to rent a 1 bedroom apartment.

 

[RoJoHen]

So, who wants to help me plan my life?

I will be starting at an Irish pub next week, where I will hopefully be able to save up some money over the next few months to make moving a little less stressful. I am thinking of breaking my current lease a few months early and moving back around May or June (instead of waiting all the way until October). I'm thinking of applying to some park district jobs in the Quad Cities so I can start making some solid money during the summer, in addition to working a day or two at TGI Fridays.

I keep seeing houses for rent that I want.

 

[Franklin]

So, who wants to help me plan my life?

I will be starting at an Irish pub next week, where I will hopefully be able to save up some money over the next few months to make moving a little less stressful. I am thinking of breaking my current lease a few months early and moving back around May or June (instead of waiting all the way until October). I'm thinking of applying to some park district jobs in the Quad Cities so I can start making some solid money during the summer, in addition to working a day or two at TGI Fridays.

I keep seeing houses for rent that I want.

Live in Bettendorf. Then go around and tell everyone you live in the Quint Cities.

 

[RoJoHen]

I actually am thinking of trying out the Iowa side this time around. I've lived in both Rock Island and Moline over the last few years, and I'm up for something a little different. Most of the houses I'm finding are in Bettendorf.