I usually bring my lunch, but it’s those rare times when I forget or a coworker needs a ride that we can run into trouble. There aren’t very many shops that will do delivery to our area.

Thank you. I know it doesn’t make sense but sometimes I feel kind of bad about it because I had a much better upbringing than my parents did and that not wanting to be in that environment makes me weak. But on the other hand, at least I can choose to work in a different place...

3 hours doesn’t actually sound so bad, and it’s great that you can see your family really often!

Thanks. I’m definitely going to ramp up my job search now. Fingers crossed that I can find something soon.

Thanks... I feel like the fear of not being able to find another job at all was holding me back, but at this point it’s probably true that I don’t have much to lose now.

An update on my job situation:

It’s true that there are things more important than money. What’s making me apprehensive about leaving is that I still feel like I’m lucky to have this job in the first place. It’s my first job and I’ve always heard that full-time work in my field is pretty hard to find, though admittedly I never actually checked to…

True... My original plan since a while ago was to network in another field I’m more passionate about until I have enough contacts to potentially go into it full time. Unfortunately, the job I’m in now barely leaves me time for that, and before I knew it years had passed by without much progress at all on that front.…

Thanks :D

Thanks! I think I can hold out for the next couple of weeks at least. The field I’m working in is mostly centered in other cities, but I’ve kept in touch with former coworkers who can hopefully give advice if I want to move. I’ve kicked my savings plan into high gear, been building up some freelance work in my spare…

Yeah, the neighborhood we’re moving into has one of the highest crime rates in the city. And while there are volunteers doing a lot of outreach, there was also a random murder last week down the block from the office..

The company’s offering a shuttle service but it’s only to and from the old building, meaning I’d still have to travel about an hour before getting on it, and it will only run for about an hour so I would have to alter my work schedule (we have flex hours, and I’m the only person who takes advantage of it to come in…

Ooh that’s a great idea! I’ll give it a shot, thanks. A while ago I did get an email from a recruiter out of the blue, which got me started on this whole train of thought. One issue though is that I had to sign a non-compete when I first got hired, which states that I can’t work for an industry competitor or client…

I see... That really sucks. I’m glad you moved somewhere with much better transportation services, and I hope you find that dream job soon. :)

Yeah... the one thing I loved about my job was that my coworkers are awesome people and we all get along so well, and when I first started some years ago it was so fun every day. But because of the new move (as well as other things going on) some of them have left and some are probably going to leave really soon.

LOL thanks! Sorry, after rereading I realize the sentence comes across as really flippant. I’d like to elaborate that the pay being okay meant that it’s low compared to related jobs in other cities, but the insurance and living rent-free with family cancels it out.

We haven’t even fully moved into the new building yet, so it’s possible I might be hasty and just working myself into a panic about it. I’ll have to see in the next few weeks, but I know that many of my coworkers are looking for an out because of the new neighborhood.

Thanks! I haven’t thought of looking into crime statistics for the area, but I should do that. The news coverage is pretty bad (mostly things about drug abuse), but it’s good to get the full picture with actual reports. I’m glad that things were okay for you and that your house wasn’t broken into. Yeah I don’t want to…

I see I see... yeah, commutes are really annoying. I’ve grown used to my 1 hr commute, but mostly because I can take a nap or read on the train, whereas now I have to start driving. This is my first big job with benefits, and I personally don’t experience that much pressure, so that’s really why I’m so apprehensive…

So... I’m starting to think I should quit my job.