Here's the story: been unemployed for a little over a year, and have been applying for everything science/lab related that looks like I can meet the minimum qualifications, had a couple of interviews that didn't work out. In the meantime, I also applied to local retailers - movie theater, sporting goods stores, big box retailers, and heard nothing. I signed up with an employment agency who haven't gotten me anything, not even temp office work. After working overseas, I came back home to live with mom, which wasn't a big deal and allowed my savings to last longer. She wants to retire soon and doesn't like being alone. I probably talked myself out of a job in one interview when I calculated that the salary wouldn't cover the rent to where I would have needed to move. This new situation is similar. I'm not concerned about the job duties, I'm confident I can handle all of that.
I got a job offer that requires moving to Kodiak, Alaska. The cost of living is high enough that I would need to borrow money just to relocate. I can barely afford the first/last month rent and security deposit as it is now, and there is no housing assistance. Add in airfare (and luggage fees) from CA and outfitting an unfurnished apartment with the bare necessities and I'd be in trouble. This is even before considering getting a car, as I've been informed that Kodiak has no public transportation (bike riding in cold rain isn't fun for long). That last job was in Bermuda, another very expensive place to live, but because the institution provided discounted housing, they were willing to spread those initial costs out over several months to ease the financial burden.
The problem is strictly financial. The job term is one year, and I was told that it is extremely unlikely to be extended beyond that, so mom can hopefully handle being alone again for a while (maybe we'll get her a dog). One year doesn't sound so bad, and I'm sure that I could be a homebody for the first few months until the bank account gets bigger. I'm considering turning it down and trying to find anything (even temp/minimum wage) just to be able to build up the bank account to be able to handle a move, should another career-track job come along. I've never carried a balance on my credit card and really don't want to start. Should I say no thanks and hope something else comes along?
I got a job offer that requires moving to Kodiak, Alaska. The cost of living is high enough that I would need to borrow money just to relocate. I can barely afford the first/last month rent and security deposit as it is now, and there is no housing assistance. Add in airfare (and luggage fees) from CA and outfitting an unfurnished apartment with the bare necessities and I'd be in trouble. This is even before considering getting a car, as I've been informed that Kodiak has no public transportation (bike riding in cold rain isn't fun for long). That last job was in Bermuda, another very expensive place to live, but because the institution provided discounted housing, they were willing to spread those initial costs out over several months to ease the financial burden.
The problem is strictly financial. The job term is one year, and I was told that it is extremely unlikely to be extended beyond that, so mom can hopefully handle being alone again for a while (maybe we'll get her a dog). One year doesn't sound so bad, and I'm sure that I could be a homebody for the first few months until the bank account gets bigger. I'm considering turning it down and trying to find anything (even temp/minimum wage) just to be able to build up the bank account to be able to handle a move, should another career-track job come along. I've never carried a balance on my credit card and really don't want to start. Should I say no thanks and hope something else comes along?