Hi, I'm an 18 year old male that just graduated from high school in Yankton, SD. I am accepted to the University of South Dakota, where I plan(ned?) to attend for the next 4 years of my life before making the move to New Hampshire. However, I want to move NOW. I'm sick of South Dakota (especially my family's attitude toward my new libertarian viewpoint and also their controlling nature) and I want to live with and work for a liberty minded society. Moving now would be taking a huge leap forward, one that would look downright stupid and insane to my family. I'm not really concerned with what they would think about it, but rather the possibility that their worries are legitimate. I don't want to screw up my life. :P
I have about $800 right now. The plane ticket is about $480. I need a place to live and a job, and I have no idea where to start.
I would like to attend college, but I am definitely not paying out of state tuition. The main reason I would stay at USD would be the cost; it's only about $11,000 for the full cost of the 2007 school year here, tuition and fees. It's pretty cheap compared to every other college I've looked at. If I move to NH I would either stay out of school a year and gain residency (if you can even do that in NH for in state tuition, I know you can't do that for the University of Nebraska) or attend some community college or tech school. Tech schools interest me because I like technology, but I don't know. Right now I look at college as an opportunity to gain knowledge rather than preparation for a career. That would likely have to change if I move to NH.
Should I move to New Hampshire? I have everything set up here in South Dakota, I just need to wait for classes to start. However, I could throw all that out the window, and hop on a plane to the east coast to start a new life "with nothing but the shirt on my back".
Where would I go? What would I do? How could I live? These are all things that I would have to struggle with if I move to NH, but not if I stay in SD. I realize, however, that I will have these same concerns 4 years from now when I graduate, but with thousands of dollars in debt instead of $320 in cash.
I have no idea what to do. I know what I want to do, but I don't know if it's a very realistic or reasonable thing to do at this point in my life.
If I move to NH this year, it's going to be before Porcfest, so I need to make this decision very soon.
Welcome to liberty!
I guess to advise you, my first question would be what is it that you want to do?
And $480 is absolutely nuts for a one-way plane ticket. Shop around; you can almost certainly find something cheaper.
Quote from: error on June 09, 2007, 12:39 AM NHFT
Welcome to liberty!
I guess to advise you, my first question would be what is it that you want to do?
And $480 is absolutely nuts for a one-way plane ticket. Shop around; you can almost certainly find something cheaper.
Ok, I just found one for $213.30. That helps a little bit, I guess. :)
I
want to get the hell out of South Dakota. I
want to move to New Hampshire. I
want to work in the Free State Project. However, I don't want to screw up my life. I
want to go to college, and I'm set to go to a relatively inexpensive college right here in South Dakota.
I don't feel like I'm ready to dive into the "real world" so soon, but maybe that would change quickly if I just plugged my nose and jumped in. It's scary up here on the high dive, but maybe the water's not so bad after all.
Ditto on the welcome, and ditto on the advice.
As for plane tickets: they're expensive when the plane is almost full, and dirt cheap if there are empty seats while it sits on the tarmac. I just paid $124 one-way from DFW to Atlanta for my daughter, about two weeks out. That price would continue to go up, reaching its peak the day before the flight, and would plummet at the last minute. It pays to have your bags packed, and be surfing for prices at the airport.
Another hint: look for an incomplete flight. Our son just booked a round trip from Las Vegas to Texarkana. It would cost him$150 more to get off the very same plane in DFW, with us having to drive 6-8 hours round trip to pick him up. Instead, he'll save that money by getting off the major flight, collecting his baggage, and re-checking his baggage to a regional airport 15 minutes from our house. Go figure.
Now, as the father of college-age offspring, and having been in your position 26 years ago, let me say that I suggest following your heart. Moving to NH now, even if it means working for $7-9/hr. while you wait for college, will give you some great memories for the best years of your life. Plus, you'll gain real life experience. Having been a corporate manager, and being a small business owner right now, I can tell you that I don't give a flip about degrees and certifications, despite having my share of them. I only care that an employee will show up when scheduled, will do the work required, and won't steal my money or stuff. An employee who goes above that minimum and asks, "Hey, is there anything I could be doing right now?" goes to the head of the line when it comes to raises and bonuses.
Thanks for coming out of the lurker closet. ;) I hope you'll stick around, and I hope to meet you in NH soon!
Kevin
Quote from: Shakezula on June 09, 2007, 01:20 AM NHFT
I want to get the hell out of South Dakota.
Do us a favor: kidnap Tracy (http://newhampshireunderground.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=106) on your way out of the state, and bring him with you.
QuoteI don't feel like I'm ready to dive into the "real world" so soon, but maybe that would change quickly if I just plugged my nose and jumped in. It's scary up here on the high dive, but maybe the water's not so bad after all.
The older and more "established" you get, the higher and scarier that jump becomes. Twenty-five years ago I'd have tossed all my belongings into my car and started driving. Twenty-five years later, with wife, kids, pets, bills, mortgages, careers, obligations, "stuff" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Place_for_My_Stuff)... we're still coming, but it's a lot more complicated.
My opinion - you should only move when you're ready to take care of yourself.
You should definitely move while you're young, but, as Kat said, you're going to need to have some cash accumulated before you make the jump. I just turned 24 and am finishing up college before I move. I'm looking at working for another year so I can save up enough money to put a deposit on an apartment and related utilities, pay moving expenses, and support myself while doing job interviews. It's a pain, but it's a necessary step to ensure your financial independence.
I assume your parents are willing to pay for you going to the local university. Could you work something out with them to go to school in NH? I don't think the residency requirements are much more than a rent receipt.
The costs would be more as you wouldn't be living at home, but, you wouldn't be the first student to have to get a job.
Or, since you probably couldn't get into UNH for September, perhaps you could get some sort of stipend (from your parents) to move to NH, get a job and a place to live, establishing your self in NH, and, then start school in a semester, or, two.
I would try to work out a compromise with the parents.
I think you're thinking of the residency requirements for voting, not for in-state tuition.
You might be correct. There might be a difference. In any case if he changes schools there is a semester, or, two worth of time for him to get to NH, acclimate and gain the res time.
Bus ticket might be even cheaper, giving you more reserves. Just boring and long.
One way baby! Be here or be square!
Most people here will help you get settled and get a job.
I'll never forget the young man at the first PorcFest who took a statement like that as "We have a job and a place to live for you." He showed up with no money, no place to live, no job, no way home. I found him in tears at PorcFest because he had no idea what he was going to do, once he realized the real situation - we might be able to help some, but aren't going to provide these things. The poor guy was a total mess. We finally managed to get him on a bus to some relatives. It was really sad.
If you take the opportunity now, that your parents are providing you with, to go to college until you graduate at 22, that is still young enough to pick up and move when you're done school....Trust me when I say that we will still be here working towards liberty at that time and there are many things that you can do to help from anywhere in the country. For example, you could start a liberty activist group at the school you are going to, you can hold Ron Paul signs anywhere, you can write letters to the editor, etc.
I would encourage you to take time to carefully consider all of your options. You may even consider staring school as you have planned in the fall and working on transferring to a school in NH for next year or the year after...
We have debated here at nhfree.com whether or not college is important, but that is a personal choice you have to make.
I agree with Kat that you should only move to NH when you are ready and able to provide for yourself...
Good Luck with the decisions and though I know it is difficult when you want something so badly -- please try to think long term.
~Kate
Quote from: Rosie the Riveter on June 09, 2007, 12:24 PM NHFT
If you take the opportunity now, that your parents are providing you with, to go to college until you graduate at 22, that is still young enough to pick up and move when you're done school....Trust me when I say that we will still be here working towards liberty at that time and there are many things that you can do to help from anywhere in the country.
Dittos on what Rosie said.
First, trust me, life will be a
lot less constrained when you finally move out of the house and start attending college. College is expensive, and if your parents are going to help pay, it's wise to take them up on it.
Second, there is a LOT you can do from out-of-state -- help promote the NH liberty movement on the web. Take up web programming like PHP, MySQL, and Drupal, we always need more webmasters!
Third, study something
economically useful in college. Engineering, teaching, nursing (yes, nursing -- nurses make a hell of a good wage and are always in demand). If you're planning on studying English lit. or sociology, you're better off not spending the time and money in school.
Fourth, be very aware: you can do a hell of a lot more effective fighting for freedom if you are able to care for yourself. Be able to pay rent, pay for groceries, and other suchlike things before even
considering taking on more lofty goals.
Greyhound from Vermillion to Manchester is $72, and "two days and one hour."
You can pick up Amtrak's California Zephyr in Omaha, then switch to the Lakeshore Limited in Chicago which will get you in to Boston, and there's bus service up to Manchester from there.
Quote from: d_goddard on June 09, 2007, 12:31 PM NHFT
nursing (yes, nursing -- nurses make a hell of a good wage and are always in demand).
Thank you for that plug. :) I've never been happier since I changed careers and went into nursing. Pay *is* excellent (except in Florida for some strange reason), there is a terrible shortage and it's getting worse which means you'll never lack for work, and the work is meaningful. Since I started nursing, I've gone home every single day and said to myself, "I made a difference to someone today." That's a good feeling.
On the downside, nursing and the medical field in general is getting more and more regulated every day. I can forsee a day when the paperwork and the bureaucratic requirements could become intolerable. Hopefully free market forces will take over before then and just let doctors and nurses care for patients.
Whatever you decide, be sure to stay in touch.
Rosie Quote: "We have debated here at nhfree.com whether or not college is important, but that is a personal choice you have to make."
Yes, I should have added "End The Degree Tyranny!"
If I were maybe 10 years younger and if it is true about students in their 50's I would look into nursing.
Quote from: Lloyd Danforth on June 09, 2007, 06:48 PM NHFT
Rosie Quote: "We have debated here at nhfree.com whether or not college is important, but that is a personal choice you have to make."
Yes, I should have added "End The Degree Tyranny!"
Based on the insight that I gleaned from our past debates. I did decide NOT to go to grad. school... I have finally realized that anything I need or want to learn -- I can read in a book, find via google or through a mentor.
Thank you Lloyd, and everyone on the board, for always speaking your mind. It helps me to see things more clearly.
I like the idea of you starting school and maybe transferring. However, the bottom line is that you MUST be able to support yourself financially. If you can't do that then you should stay where you are until you have acquired the skill sets necessary to do so.
When I was in my early 20s I didn't do that and ended up homeless for a while. It was not a pleasant experience but it made me realize that I had to grow up and accept responsibility for supporting myself. Relying on other people for that is never a good idea.
Having said all that, I look forward to when you do arrive in New Hampshire. The state isn't going anywhere and neither are we. So take your time and prepare yourself, you will be welcome regardless of when you arrive. :)
Thank you all so much for your replies. You've helped me a lot, believe me.
I've decided to stay in South Dakota for college. I can move after I graduate. It's only four years away, and I'm sure I'll love it here when I'm in college.
This post in particular made me realize that moving now could be a total disaster:
Quote from: Kat Kanning on June 09, 2007, 12:00 PM NHFT
I'll never forget the young man at the first PorcFest who took a statement like that as "We have a job and a place to live for you." He showed up with no money, no place to live, no job, no way home. I found him in tears at PorcFest because he had no idea what he was going to do, once he realized the real situation - we might be able to help some, but aren't going to provide these things. The poor guy was a total mess. We finally managed to get him on a bus to some relatives. It was really sad.
That really sucks, and that could happen to me too. $800 is not much more than nothing if you're talking about housing and things like that. I would be biting off more than I could chew if I move now.
To finish my stupid little diving metaphor: maybe I should learn how to swim before I dive into the deep end.
Transferring is an option. I'll keep that in mind.
EDIT:
My parents can't afford to pay for college for me (part of me wants to pay my own way anyway), but they said that they will help out whenever I need it.
Today I told my parents that I'm thinking about going to New Hampshire for Porcfest. They told me that I should stay here and make money for college. They don't know what Porcfest is all about and they don't seem to care, but they're right. I need to start supporting myself financially rather than spending money right now. I'll try to make it next year.
Quote from: Shakezula on June 10, 2007, 12:28 AM NHFT
...I've decided to stay in South Dakota for college...
This sounds foolishly conservative to me!
Quote from: Shakezula on June 10, 2007, 12:28 AM NHFT
This post in particular made me realize that moving now could be a total disaster:
Quote from: Kat Kanning on June 09, 2007, 12:00 PM NHFT
...He showed up with no money, no place to live, no job, no way home...
That really sucks, and that could happen to me too. $800 is not much more than nothing if you're talking about housing and things like that. I would be biting off more than I could chew if I move now.
Even with $600 left after travelling, it sounds like you'd be phat with cash to make it. Remember the guy above had NO money. One fellow here landed in town and went straight to work through Labor Ready and has kept busy with basic jobs while he works his way up to better things. We've got about the lowest unemployment rate in the country, so you can easily be working within a week.
Quote from: Shakezula on June 10, 2007, 12:28 AM NHFT
To finish my stupid little diving metaphor: maybe I should learn how to swim before I dive into the deep end.
Transferring is an option. I'll keep that in mind.
EDIT:
My parents can't afford to pay for college for me (part of me wants to pay my own way anyway), but they said that they will help out whenever I need it.
Today I told my parents that I'm thinking about going to New Hampshire for Porcfest. They told me that I should stay here and make money for college. They don't know what Porcfest is all about and they don't seem to care, but they're right. I need to start supporting myself financially rather than spending money right now. I'll try to make it next year.
I hope you'll splurge for the bus fare to come here for PorcFest. I'm sure someone can arrange to pick you up at the bus station in Manchester and get you up to Gunstock. I'll scholarship you into my campsite so you'll have a place to stay. Think it over.
I recommend that you stay in South Dakota for just a bit longer. Graduating with a good degree from a university with in state tuition will really set you up for success in the long run when you move: you'll have a job lined up for you, no (or not as much!) student debt. These things are important.
I know it's hard to stay in a place where most people don't believe in liberty or anything like that, but it's much much harder to move to NH and realize you can't afford to stay and have to move back home.
Just wait a few more years, work hard, save (you need more of a cushion in case it takes you a while to find a job!), and then move.
In the meantime, be a thorn in the side of everyone else in South Dakota :)
The nice thing about asking Libertarians for advice is they always suggest that you do the thing that you really want to do. The down side is that they also suggest that you do the thing you really do not want to do. The entertaining thing is some of them frequently suggest doing something that would look
really
funny if it were caught on video. :o
That said, I feel your pain. I'm between jobs, with a bit more cash, trying to decide whether to work first, to move to NH and get a job, to move to NH and buy a lawnmower and a snow shovel, or what have you. Hmmmmm .....
Quote from: cxxguy on June 11, 2007, 06:20 PM NHFT
The nice thing about asking Libertarians for advice is they always suggest that you do the thing that you really want to do. The down side is that they also suggest that you do the thing you really do not want to do. The entertaining thing is some of them frequently suggest doing something that would look really
funny if it were caught on video. :o
That said, I feel your pain. I'm between jobs, with a bit more cash, trying to decide whether to work first, to move to NH and get a job, to move to NH and buy a lawnmower and a snow shovel, or what have you. Hmmmmm .....
Making a decision makes life easier than the agony of indecision...
Once you have made the decision and you are here, then you just face whatever is next. If you need money, you go look for a job. If you need a place to live, just call me or someone else who has rooms to rent. But at least you don't have to face the agony of indecision anymore.
Just keep in mind its way easier to make a move like this when your younger and less tied down,
I have to sell a house and 2000 sq.ft worth of crap before I leave not to mention my wife and child's considerations.
I say go for it, but it's your choice.
E-ville
After I signed the statement of intent, I waited a year before I moved. Now that I'm here, I wish I'd moved sooner. But the previous year, I really didn't have the money to do it.
Quote from: E-ville on June 11, 2007, 10:51 PM NHFT
Just keep in mind its way easier to make a move like this when your younger and less tied down,
I have to sell a house and 2000 sq.ft worth of crap before I leave not to mention my wife and child's considerations.
I say go for it, but it's your choice.
E-ville
I don't know about a guy who would sell his wife and child's considerations ;D
I waited until I had enough money saved for six months rent on a place and money for food, and I moved with NO JOB. My loving wife (who stays home with our son) made the move with me and supported the decision. We came up here (from NY) several times looking for a place to stay, rented a place and moved as soon as we could.
I think Alec has some rooms for rent in Manchester for ~$300/month, and groceries are $50/week
So, if you think you won't be able to find a job for 2 months bring $1000, 4 months $2000 and so on.
Your three options are A)Come to PorcFest, meet the people, see what happens... Maybe run out of cash
B)Get a job over the summer and work your ass off to save up some money to come here in a few months, and have significantly more breathing room money wise.
C)Go to school in SD and put up with your parents until you graduate, and then have to go through options A and B all over again.
And a degree is worth something, even though some people here don't think it means much.
I hope you don't regret anything. And would your family help you get in school, if you failed here first?
PS ATHF U=Mic Rula! Old Schoola?
Quote from: Shakezula on June 10, 2007, 12:28 AM NHFT
My parents can't afford to pay for college for me (part of me wants to pay my own way anyway), but they said that they will help out whenever I need it.
If you are going to be paying for college yourself then you might as well go to college in NH. You will be in debt either way so there is no advantage to staying in SD.
There is a big difference between you and the kid with no money. He didn't ask for advice and just showed up
expecting others to take care of him. You obviously are not as careless and do not have such an expectation.
My advice is the following: Unless your parents are willing to finance 4 years of college you have no business (doesn't make financial sense) staying in SD.
For $800 you can visit NH for 1 week which will be enough to find *some* job that will pay you enough to cover living and food expenses at which point you can start looking for a better job and go from there. Then once you have met the residency requirement and you still want to go to college you can apply for a loan and apply to college. Worst case is that you just go back home, take some crap from parents, and try again some other time. Just make sure you have enough money left for a ticket back but you sound like a responsible individual so I'm sure that won't be a problem.
You are in a much better position without a kid, wife, mortgage and a house full of posessions than many others who have migrated to New Hampshire.
I'm 24 years old, I moved to NH last year from Morris, IL with a wife, 6 month old daughter, a cat, two dogs, a horse, two cars and a moving truck. We move *before* we sold our house which ment that I would be paying mortgage on the house in Illinois while at the same time paying rent in NH (i don't make a lot of money so this was going to *really* stretch us thin). At the time of the move I thought we had completely lost our minds. A combination of luck and a lot of support from family and friends helped us through the whole thing. Granted I didn't have to look for a job because I telecommute to work, so that was definitely a huge plus for us.
But I don't doubt that if you just visit NH for one week on your $800 you will find a job, at least a temporary job while you look for a better one. Also, don't come during porcfest. Do it before or after porcfest since porcfest is just going to be a distraction to what you really need to be doing (looking for a place to stay, getting a job, getting situated, etc). In other words, get all the necessities of life out of the way before you go party ;)
As several others have said, it's not going to be easier later on. That's the honest truth. So, don't look at it as a matter of the move being hard, look at it in terms of pros and cons for you personally. Make a list of reasons why you should stay and make a list of reasons why you want to move, then after you have internalized the list throw it out and do what your heart tells you! ;D
Move now, go Greyhound to save extra money.
College is overrated for most professions, and you can always go here in New Hampshire if you want to.
Quote from: sandm000 on June 12, 2007, 10:22 AM NHFT
And would your family help you get in school, if you failed here first?
They would want to, but I don't think that they would be able to do much. They can't help me that much right now, and in a few years my little brother will be going to college too. They would help as much as they could, I know that much for sure.
Quote from: sandm000 on June 12, 2007, 10:22 AM NHFT
PS ATHF U=Mic Rula! Old Schoola?
You wanna trip? I'll bring it to ya. ;)
Quote from: Lex Berezhny on June 12, 2007, 12:01 PM NHFT
Quote from: Shakezula on June 10, 2007, 12:28 AM NHFT
My parents can't afford to pay for college for me (part of me wants to pay my own way anyway), but they said that they will help out whenever I need it.
If you are going to be paying for college yourself then you might as well go to college in NH. You will be in debt either way so there is no advantage to staying in SD.
If I go to college in SD, then I will have less debt than if I go to college in NH. That's the advantage.
Quote from: Lex Berezhny on June 12, 2007, 12:01 PM NHFT
There is a big difference between you and the kid with no money. He didn't ask for advice and just showed up expecting others to take care of him. You obviously are not as careless and do not have such an expectation.
The difference is only $800. You're right about me not being as careless as he is, though. That's why I'm deciding to stay here until I'm ready and able to go. Call it a conservative choice if you will (because it is), but I've decided that it's the best choice I can make for myself.
Quote from: Lex Berezhny on June 12, 2007, 12:01 PM NHFT
As several others have said, it's not going to be easier later on. That's the honest truth. So, don't look at it as a matter of the move being hard, look at it in terms of pros and cons for you personally. Make a list of reasons why you should stay and make a list of reasons why you want to move, then after you have internalized the list throw it out and do what your heart tells you! ;D
My heart has made it pretty clear that it wants to move to New Hampshire. I typically make decisions with my head, though. My head has a much better track record than my heart does, so I don't think it would be wise to trust my heart with a monumental decision like this one. I'm going to give in to my heart eventually, but I need to be ready for it! :)
Quote from: Rochelle on June 10, 2007, 04:50 AM NHFT
I recommend that you stay in South Dakota for just a bit longer. Graduating with a good degree from a university with in state tuition will really set you up for success in the long run when you move: you'll have a job lined up for you, no (or not as much!) student debt. These things are important.
I know it's hard to stay in a place where most people don't believe in liberty or anything like that, but it's much much harder to move to NH and realize you can't afford to stay and have to move back home.
Just wait a few more years, work hard, save (you need more of a cushion in case it takes you a while to find a job!), and then move.
In the meantime, be a thorn in the side of everyone else in South Dakota :)
Alright, so I'll graduate and then move to New Hampshire, or I'll start school in South Dakota and transfer to a college in New Hampshire. As for the thorn thing: I'm already becoming that thorn; hopefully the wound gets infected! ;D
Quote from: jaqeboy on June 10, 2007, 01:17 AM NHFT
I hope you'll splurge for the bus fare to come here for PorcFest. I'm sure someone can arrange to pick you up at the bus station in Manchester and get you up to Gunstock. I'll scholarship you into my campsite so you'll have a place to stay. Think it over.
I'm still thinking about it. I may have ruled out the possibility of moving this year, but I'm still interested in Porcfest! I'll come up with a decision very soon... it starts in 3 days. :P
Quote from: JellyFish on June 09, 2007, 07:43 PM NHFT
I like the idea of you starting school and maybe transferring. However, the bottom line is that you MUST be able to support yourself financially. If you can't do that then you should stay where you are until you have acquired the skill sets necessary to do so.
When I was in my early 20s I didn't do that and ended up homeless for a while. It was not a pleasant experience but it made me realize that I had to grow up and accept responsibility for supporting myself. Relying on other people for that is never a good idea.
Having said all that, I look forward to when you do arrive in New Hampshire. The state isn't going anywhere and neither are we. So take your time and prepare yourself, you will be welcome regardless of when you arrive. :)
Whoa, that's heavy, man. Thank you for the advice. I'll definitely look into transferring to a NH college. I'm looking forward to moving to New Hampshire, whenever it happens!
Actually, I just might end up moving! ;D
I just got done talking with my mom about how I'm going to pay for college. I'm going to have to borrow a lot of money, either from the Federal Stafford Loan, in which the government pays the interest for me, or from some other student loan, in which I have to pay my own interest. There is NO WAY I'm taking the Federal Stafford loan because I'm too principled (I'm not eligible anyway because they don't have me in their selective service database), and I don't know how I could handle the interest rates from a regular loan. I asked her about staying out of school for a year and working rather than going off to college and getting crushed by interest rates, and she said that would be fine. She suggested that I should go up to Minneapolis to live with my uncle, and I said that I want to go to New Hampshire.
Of course, she's worried about me being able to find a place to live and a job and being able to afford things. I told her about the unemployment rate and the low taxes of New Hampshire. I showed her parts of the 101 Reasons To Move to New Hampshire on freestateproject.com. She asked how I'm going to get around without a car. I said I don't need a car to move around; I can use a bus or walk. Crime rates? One of the lowest in the nation, I think. "But you don't know anyone there!" I played a segment of the 5/26/07 episode of Free Talk Live (love the show, Ian ;)), when they were talking about the helpfulness of the people in the Free State Project and I mentioned how helpful the people of this forum are. She walked away after that, but she's thinking about it.
This might actually happen!
I expect we'll be seeing you here soon! :)
Quote from: Shakezula on June 15, 2007, 09:23 PM NHFT
Actually, I just might end up moving! ;D
I just got done talking with my mom about how I'm going to pay for college. I'm going to have to borrow a lot of money, either from the Federal Stafford Loan, in which the government pays the interest for me, or from some other student loan, in which I have to pay my own interest. There is NO WAY I'm taking the Federal Stafford loan because I'm too principled (I'm not eligible anyway because they don't have me in their selective service database), and I don't know how I could handle the interest rates from a regular loan. I asked her about staying out of school for a year and working rather than going off to college and getting crushed by interest rates, and she said that would be fine. She suggested that I should go up to Minneapolis to live with my uncle, and I said that I want to go to New Hampshire.
Of course, she's worried about me being able to find a place to live and a job and being able to afford things. I told her about the unemployment rate and the low taxes of New Hampshire. I showed her parts of the 101 Reasons To Move to New Hampshire on freestateproject.com. She asked how I'm going to get around without a car. I said I don't need a car to move around; I can use a bus or walk. Crime rates? One of the lowest in the nation, I think. "But you don't know anyone there!" I played a segment of the 5/26/07 episode of Free Talk Live (love the show, Ian ;)), when they were talking about the helpfulness of the people in the Free State Project and I mentioned how helpful the people of this forum are. She walked away after that, but she's thinking about it.
This might actually happen!
I am so glad that you are taking the time to think it through and talking to your mom about it. It is very important when making big decisions to consider everything and it is so much better when you have the support of your parents. You can check out jobs and places to live in Manchester at http://www.unionleader.com/ in the online classifieds-- you can get a good idea of what is available so that you can make an educated decision.
FYI -- About the car -- Manchester is a small enough city to get around on a bike -- there is also a bus system.
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Does anyone know if Alec has any rooms available at 412?
Quote from: Rosie the Riveter on June 16, 2007, 07:48 AM NHFT
Does anyone know if Alec has any rooms available at 412?
Not at the moment. It's quite crowded here.
Quote from: Shakezula on June 15, 2007, 04:34 PM NHFT
If I go to college in SD, then I will have less debt than if I go to college in NH. That's the advantage.
Debt is relative. It depends on many factors. If you go to school in SD and then move to NH you will have some degree, debt and little knowledge of your new environment. If you go to school in NH then you will still have a degree and more debt (have you determined for a fact that schools in NH are more expensive than SD?) but you would have already developed a network of friends and a resume of NH based jobs. When you finish school you will not be starting from scratch, you would have already created an identify for yourself in NH with a resume, network of friends, etc. so I think that you will have a significantly larger success rate of finding a higher paying job than if you finished school in SD and then moved here to a new environment. So the amount of debt is relative and depends on how much you will make to pay it off and your interest rate. If by going to school in NH you make enough contacts to find a really nice job you have already offset the possibly more expensive debt. So, I guess the size of the debt isn't as important as what you do with it :-)
Also, another very important consideration is that if you go to school in NH you will make a lot of life long friends many of whome are from NH and will stay in NH after graduating. In SD you would be leaving most of your newely made friends (other than those you convinced to join the FSP of course).
Definitely check the school costs before you make up your mind that it would cost more to go to school in NH.
Quote from: Shakezula on June 15, 2007, 09:23 PM NHFT...they were talking about the helpfulness of the people in the Free State Project and I mentioned how helpful the people of this forum are.
Speaking of which, we can help reduce your expenses a little bit: free cookware (http://newhampshireunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=9349.0).
Joe