wanting to move...

**william273** · 07-09-2011, 05:35 PM

i'm 58 and have been driving a truck for the last 20 years and it's time for a change. i'm considering moving to atlanta and would like to work with animals as that's something i've always wanted to do.

i was in atlanta during the 4th and talked with someone at an animal hospital and she said they may have some opening in a couple of months but the pay starts at $10.00 an hour...much less than i am making driving. i did see a few apartments for $500.00 a month and with just the basics like cable, phone and electricity i wanted to see if anyone thinks that might be doable.

they do have benefits after 6 months and i suppose some raises would come too.

i haven't decided if i should go for this or wait around and find a better paying job that i wouldn't have the same passion for.

any thoughts?

william

**MaryCarney** · 07-09-2011, 06:57 PM

If it were me - a move and not having $$ like I'm used to would suck. Big time.

Is Atlanta somewhere you have family or other contacts? If so, could you get a local driving job there, volunteer or do something in the animal world part-time? Could you work on a vet tech degree somewhere?

Just some ideas......

**Debbie-cat** · 07-09-2011, 09:15 PM

Welcome to frugal village! Sounds like you are looking for an adventure. I would check into the cost of living first and then make sure you have a good emergency fund set up and no outstanding bills. Good luck!

**MTS04** · 07-10-2011, 02:54 AM

A word of advice. Working with animals is tough.

Be prepared to bend, pick up, wrangle, and move 70+ pounds on a regular basis. You'll constantly be transitioning from standing to kneeling and kneeling to standing. Is this something that your back/knees/hips etc. will be able to handle on a daily basis?

I'm not saying that you can't or shouldn't do it, but after working as a vet tech it's something I always thought of. My friends and I would have conversations, questioning if we would want to do this sort of thing into our older years. It's really physical work when you break it down.

**william273** · 07-10-2011, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

If it were me - a move and not having $$ like I'm used to would suck. Big time.

Is Atlanta somewhere you have family or other contacts? If so, could you get a local driving job there, volunteer or do something in the animal world part-time? Could you work on a vet tech degree somewhere?

Just some ideas......

no family in atlanta but i can do with less money as long as the bills get paid. driving is pretty much out of the question specially in atlanta. it has taken alot out of me and i find it to be unhealthy overall so i'm looking for something else.

thanks for the suggestions mary.

**william273** · 07-10-2011, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by MTS04

A word of advice. Working with animals is tough.

Be prepared to bend, pick up, wrangle, and move 70+ pounds on a regular basis. You'll constantly be transitioning from standing to kneeling and kneeling to standing. Is this something that your back/knees/hips etc. will be able to handle on a daily basis?

I'm not saying that you can't or shouldn't do it, but after working as a vet tech it's something I always thought of. My friends and I would have conversations, questioning if we would want to do this sort of thing into our older years. It's really physical work when you break it down.

i had a job like you mentioned along time ago and you are right...it can take a toll on a person...i'll keep that in mind and thanks!

**william273** · 07-10-2011, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

Welcome to frugal village! Sounds like you are looking for an adventure. I would check into the cost of living first and then make sure you have a good emergency fund set up and no outstanding bills. Good luck!

thanks debbie and will do.

**frugal-fannie** · 07-10-2011, 11:20 AM

I agree with Debbie. You need to have a large emergency fund. Especially in this economy. Good luck

**pollypurebred39** · 07-10-2011, 01:36 PM

William I can't add anything other than this piece of advice;

The first step to happiness is deciding what you want, the second step is doing whatever it takes to get it and the last step is enjoying every minute of it.

Good luck on your journey. I look forward to hearing about it each step of the way.

**frugalfranny** · 07-10-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by william273

i haven't decided if i should go for this or wait around and find a better paying job that i wouldn't have the same passion for.

any thoughts?

william

Just a thought.........you said it was time for a change......and if you "wait around" when will that time come? How do you know if you
"wait around" if you will find a better paying job?

Guess it comes down to...........WHEN you want to do this........and can you afford it.............can you live on less?

**shoiji** · 07-11-2011, 04:54 PM

Try and figure out what your income would be on $10 an hour minus taxes. Then see if you can pay for rent, utilites, gasoline, car insurance. I would think electric would be higher because of ac.

I understand wanting to get out of the trucking industry. Another option is to work a part-time job driving a smaller truck for store deliveries while working the animal job.

If you have good savings already and know you can live on very little and want to make a complete change and work with animals then do it. So very few people acutally do what they love as a job.

**Missourimom** · 07-11-2011, 09:20 PM

I was thinking the same thing. If you have 20 years experience driving OTR, why not drive locally if you can? I can understand though if you're just suffering from burnout. I'm sure that $10.00 an hour is a big change in what you're used to....I'd really think long and hard on it. Good luck.

**william273** · 07-12-2011, 04:45 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

William

**shoiji** · 07-12-2011, 09:32 AM

Also, when you say you want to work with animals, what do you actually mean? There are many different ways your can work with animals. Even volunteering just to walk dogs at a shelter.

Maybe you could find a part-time job with good pay and then be able to spend time in some capacity working with animals. The most important thing is to be sure you know how much money you need to be able to live the way you want to.