Don't want to give up on Michigan but after 4 months I've got to do what I have to do. I work in graphic design/print and web production for ad agencies over the last 15 + years.

I'm thinking LA but I hear things are tough all over...

Where do you guys think would be best in the US?

Good luck with that, I hope you are able to find a new job in another state. I wouldn't come to Ohio, this state is practically dead, and in dire need of CPR or something to get it revived.

I want to move to an area I like so much better, but I'm afraid of losing my job, which I live near anyways.

psychodelicide said:

Thx, I think Ohio and Michigan have more in common than one cares to admit. I will have to move after I lose everything trying to hang-on. It's a real "let's wait and see" type atmosphere in the job market right now. While I wait I want to have a back-up plan in place. The good thing is I've been poor before so...

Wow, two responses. I guess that says it all now doesn't it.

It's definitely tough here in Michigan. My bf was thinking of moving to NC for work, which would've sucked balls for me It's tough for everyone though. I work in healthcare, which you would think is a recession proof field, but I was laid off in November. I've been fortunate enough to find a new job that's better than any one that I've had before...more money and more freedom. It can happen. It actually seems like things are starting to look up a bit. My bf started a new job on monday, but hated it, and was hired some place better on thursday.

Plus, you know they are building that new movie studio in Allen Park. Not sure if your field would benefit from that, but it's going to bring so much money and opportunities here when it opens. You could wait for that, but I know the feeling of bills needing to be paid right now

If not, my bff is in NC and she says things are really decent there. You could try looking in that area


Smooches;)

The market in NYC is tough. I have close friends who own their own graphic design firm (they had 3 f/t employees & 2 interns in addition to themselves); they had to terminate 2 of them, and the 3rd they cut to 3 days/week. I don't think they have any interns. They were using 2 free lancers to fill the gaps, but now I think they are down to just one free lancer.

What about Chicago?

Good luck!

Hi Slave. It's tough out there, especially from the Agency side - no national budgets coming in; that's where my bread and butter lies too. My biz turned 27 this year, but I've been struggling over the past month with whether or not I should start thinking about dissolving (a freakin job in itelf). Oh yeah, I have gone thru this before...and waited it out...but something tells me this time, it's not going to blow over anytime soon.

I'm sure Michigan, being so auto driven is taking a bad beating - but it appears to be just as bad here. I'm not sure that moving to a bigger city is the solution. Mad competition in LA and NY with everyone fighting over the same piece of pie and you must start from scratch again in getting yourself out there. With a computer, these days it almost doesn't REALLY matter where you are pulling in business from. It's a numbers game. Knock Knock Knock. For every 10 - doors, one might open. Have you been working with one agency or are you a free agent? I'd say, create some promotion on your business and keep on knockin.

Texas is great. Comparatively we haven't been hit as hard by the recession or real estate crash. We got hit, but not as hard and we're already rebounding cuz home sales were up for the last 2 months. Dallas or Houston might be good options, lots of companies and a low cost of living. I'm thinking that Austin may have more opportunities for a graphic designer BUT the cost of living is higher and traffic is kinda bad. Also, you MUST have a car in Texas cuz there's little to no real public transit. It's growing but not there yet. Good luck.

I've heard of people moving to Texas lately, but I just don't know if it is the design/print industry.

The unemployment rate almost hit 10% here in Palm Beach County, South Florida for the month of March.
[Edited 4/19/09 14:43pm]

sacramento area is so-so.....i wouldn't move here right now....but my parents are moving to san antonio texas and say things aren't as bad there as they are here.

kimrachell said:

San Antonio is definitely a nice area. It's more of a small city compared to Dallas or Houston and a lot slower. But I've heard that employment is pretty easy to find. I'm actually in SA right now for the playoffs.

Thanks everyone! Your feedback is priceless!

Ouch. I dunno. We'll miss you here in MI, but good luck wherever your search takes you.

You'd probably find something here in the Bay Area (San Francisco) based on your experience but the cost of living here KILLS!

Slave2daGroove said:

It's good to have a back-up plan, just in case.

org note 4 U

yeah, there was a big article today on the yahoo news feed (if that says anything ) that said that Texas was experiencing the biggest economic growth in the country, with Austin being the #1 city.

Now THAT is kinda cool, because Austin is a cool city for someone like you!

Raleigh, NC also had very high marks, which is probably a decent place, being a college town.

but weren't you thinking of San Francisco?

Los Angeles is tough right now. A lot of cut backs on jobs and salaries. State workers took a pay cut too. Times are tough.

heartbeatocean said:

North Carolina is super duper country though.

Austin is really progressive and artsy/fartsy BUT the cost of living of higher and salaries are lower than most Texas cities mostly due to the 100,000 or so college students that inhabit the city and don't take their asses home in during the summer or when they graduate. So you have a highly educated population, many of whom will work for cheap to stay in the city.

Slave2daGroove said:

Don't get discouraged. Austin and that area have not been hit by the economic downturn because of the oil and gas industry there, from what I was reading. Furthermore, While looking myself for a new place to live last year I was checking that area's real estate market. Housing is reasonbly priced, and the overall pay is strong. So people have a little money to spend on things they'd like to do or have done. Lots of culture there in that area as well.

Slave2daGroove said:

I'd hate to see you lose everything. Not fun. Not good. I don't know if you have family / kids or not but don't get down so far that you don't have room/funds to make a move.

If it's possible for you to take a trip and set something up in a new place that's economically sound, then send for family, I think would be wise.

Just a suggestion, I don't know your situation.

I don't think Michigan will come back economically for awhile. Not to be a nay-sayer ... but I think it will tough there for a few years at least.

Best of luck to you.

heartbeatocean said:

Been thinking of wherever I can be best utilized for the income that I've had for 11 years. The state offers $10k to return to school for a two year degree so now I'm thinking how long can I last on the money I have...paid for education is something I can't pass up.

It's day to day trying to come up with a plan...but I see I have Orgnotes so let me get back to you...

Lotus2unfld said:

Thx! The reason I picked LA is because I have family there.

I think it's time to get a couple of ideas together and see how long I can make it. The thing people don't understand is that it's not like the people of the area aren't hard workers. There's a work force that's idle right now and these people will all start doing whatever it takes to get back to work. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Slave2daGroove said:

Would be superfantasticawesomeamazing to have you in LA but it's very tough here. For example, where I work there is a hiring freeze. Not sure how long that will last. I have zero connections to the work that you do so not even sure who to survey. I hope you find a place that will maximize slaves potential!

Slave2daGroove said:

Good luck! The more I hear about other people's situations right now, the more blessed I feel. I'm thriving with job satisfaction and the highest income I've ever had! (which isn't actually saying much )