This summer I worked for a camp in Orchard Park.  The job was a pitstop on my way to something bigger and better.  You see, since February of 2007 things have been steadily declining.  I’ve lived and worked in the city of Buffalo for 8 years.  Prior to that I spent 2 years in Rochester.  Sometimes I wish that we would have made Rochester work rather than running “home” at the first sign of trouble job-wise.

As one of my friends interjected (when I was explaining to one of the unit counselours why I can’t find a job in Buffalo) “She loves Buffalo but Buffalo just doesn’t love her”.  So true.  I have been looking for a job in the city of Buffalo for nearly 2 years.  Everything from bank teller to barista to web developer and back.  Nobody wants to hire me.  Sometimes I get the feeling that it has to do with my age and status.  You see - I’m at that in between stage.  I’m not in my twenties anymore and I haven’t reached my forties.  I’m at the standstill stage for careers.  The writer is lucky that he is a teacher.  That career is good for any age.

The other factor is status.  Colleagues that I knew from GBSB had little to no problem finding a new job.  Mostly due to the people that they know and their networking skills.  I never felt that networking was important for me, but now I know that it was a vital trait that I should have honed while at the bank.

So - having said these things the next step is to finish school.  Once I complete my degree the writer and I will most likely jump the Buffalo ship.  Off to a new city with new jobs, a new living situation and new people.  Buffalo is too young for us now so we’ll be searching for a great location that has a wider network of 30-somethings.  Where is this place I speak of?  Good question!  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! (Blue States only please.)

Peace - Chantale (aka hippiegrrl)

Appropriate links:

Best Places to Live 2009 from Money.com