Leaving the Nest

To leave or not to leave? That is the question. Even if you went to school out of state, leaving for the corporate world is a whole different animal to prepare for. The most outgoing individuals can fall into a rut.

From birth to graduating from Michigan State University, Michigan has been my ball and chain. Upon graduation, I was accepted into a rotational program that had me living in four different states in one year. I eventually planted my flag in Seattle, Washington. You can imagine how my mother felt when she found out I was moving to one of the furthest states from home. This post lays out the major struggles of my transition into a corporate vagabond and how to overcome its obstacles.

The Housing Dilemma

Moving is already a stressful and exhausting process as it is, but what if you have a tight deadline to find a living space in an unknown area? The first step: breathe. You are going to be ok. Establish your budget and needs that you will not compromise. As a strapping young lad, I established I needed a nightlife, walkability, and to live with a roommate.

Where do you go to search for housing? I suggest using as many resources as you can. My favorite tools were walkscore.com and Craigslist. You can use the Walk Score for a detailed report on nearby restaurants, crime rates, schools, and other important facts. I then go to Craigslist’s platform to find the apartment or house I am looking for. Although they get a bad rap, I have had nothing but great experiences with Craigslist. Make sure you do your research and trust your gut. Don’t check out an apartment without pictures, illegible text, or  unrealistic descriptions.

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

The next step is to understand the parameters of your commute to and from work. Ask yourself questions like will I need a car or will public transit work? Will parking in tight spaces or busy downtown streets come into play? Will I take my car in the mountains or tow a boat around? Both cars that I have owned have been mid-sized sedans. I commute from the city to my office which is located in a very commercial location. I also enjoy being able to take advantage of Seattle’s great outdoors!

Doctor Who?

Yes, your mid-twenties should be a time of peak physical shape. I know I am turning out to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, just waiting for my casting callback for the “Jingle All The Way” sequel. However, that doesn’t mean we should not research and find doctors to make sure everything is good. Your benefits/healthcare may even pay for annual visits. I have found all of my doctors through co-worker referrals and follow-up research. At the end of the day, all we have is our health. Take care of yourself!

Finding Love In A Hopeless Place

I am by no means an expert in love, but I do understand how awkward an actual date can be after the college scene. It’s like a job interview, but under no circumstances will you make money. Below are my opinions on the options out there to meet your special someone.

Bar Dating: Having a group of same-gender friends may be the most important dating advice I can provide. Not everyone moving to a new city has the luxury, but it makes the dating world seem less daunting. While some of you may be bar stars others will find more success in groups. Haven’t been on the Grouper app, but I imagine it is a very effective alternative to bar hopping by yourself.

Online Dating: Whether you have only seen four pictures, a bio, or their Instagram it is hard to know what you are getting into. While others boast that Tinder and Bumble are hookup apps, I have gone on dates with women I actually had an interest in dating. The hard part is making sure both parties understand each other’s intentions.

Yes, New Friends

This is by far the most mind-blowing of them all in a post-college era. We leave an environment where everyone is open to friendship and enter the real world. Everyone is at different stages in their life and have different tolerances for people.

The key here is to put yourself out there consistently, start or join a meetup group involving one of your passions, and continue to try new things. I’ve joined a Hot Yoga session completely unaware of what I was getting into. At the very least you know whether or not you want to do it again.

Not everyone is into sports, but adult league sports are a great way to meet people. I am in the Puget Sound Basketball League and the Greater Seattle Soccer League and have met some of the coolest people. This is a win-win because it forces you to be active and possibly outdoors.

Coordinating Holidays 

Warning! Holidays are no longer just a family gathering where you have to purchase a few gifts here and there. You have to purchase a flight, coordinate who gets the family cars, and schedule out to a tee where to distribute your time. Between family and friends, you can easily be torn in 50 different directions. Make sure you have someone in your friend group that is a master scheduler, or it may not feel like a holiday or vacation.

As always, let me know if you agree or disagree with my suggestions. If you have recently relocated or are about to, I am available to talk or answer questions on twitter @evbtuesdays.

Keep it casual until next Tuesday!

EVB