Help: decision in the next 2 weeks will affect my life

[blondandfun]

My lease runs out end of November, and I'm faced with some options that will affect my life in the immediate and long-term future.

Let me tell you my story. I'm a single 31 year old male. I was educated as a civil engineer and picked up videography/filmmaking as a hobby. I really hated being a civil engineer because I was surrounded by people with no personality and it was isolating and never had a good manager who wasn't arrogant. In addition to my career I really hated with all my heart where I live which is Atlanta, GA. I hate this place with a passion. I travel all over the U.S. and my experience is that people are more friendly and just better overall. I am certainly not an outgoing person, and I do acknowledge faults, but I was initially drawn to moving to Seattle. My family though did not approve of me moving to another city without a job lined up (civil engineering is a pitiful career choice and you rarely can get a job in another state). I gave up basically, I gave in to my fears. Now, it's been 4-5 years and I'm at a point where in 2 weeks I can either stay in Atlanta and let me get to another part of the story... I'm very good, it turns out, in filmmaking, and videography. My business is growing and Atlanta seems to have a pretty large market for this service. I'm faced with a sad dilema of moving to where I think is a city that I would enjoy more (which is... Denver, CO) or staying here in Atlanta.

To be honest though, moving to a city that I would be happy in has been on my mind for much longer than the videography business. I'm just worried about my decision here, I know that Denver is going to be a slower paced city than Atlanta and the overall economy isn't as large there, but on the upside the quality of life is high there... but I'm not some yuppie with a lot of savings, I'm a real person, a normal person who has to have an income and I'm certainly not going to move there like some kid just for the skiing and hiking.

But you see I've gotten myself deep into the Indian wedding videography market and that's ANOTHER part of the puzzle. I'm one of the top Indian wedding videographers in Atlanta and I know there isn't much of an international presence in Denver. Although I hate the city of Atlanta, I do love some things about it like hows it's fast paced and there are opportunities and business attitudes. But I want to be in Denver because Iwant to be closer to nature... It's not even necessarily the people (but it is some), it's really the urban planning of the city and the biking and outdoors activities that they have that Atlanta doesn't. Atlanta's river are all full of trash and pollution whereas Denver's populace actually cares about things. Also, Atlanta is very pretentious, people care a lot about appearances.

I"m faced with many choices. Should I leave a city and a possibly good market as a businessman and start over in another city that I know that I will love more? Indians easily spend $50-$100k on their weddings, and they spend a lot on video, they really appreciate my service, moreso than western wedding clients.

Let's ignore how much money I have saved right now... I know that comes up in this discussion (I've spend 100+ hours reading about moving to new cities online), but I want to focus more on my personal story.

Should I stay or should I go now???

[blondandfun]

oh, and the decision is made 10x more scary since everyone in america has the luxury of worrying about thanksgiving while I'm instead busy having to worry about what I'm going to do to affect my livelihood in the next week or two... I don't have THAT luxury, unlike everyone else.

[stevebrule]

Have you spent a significant amount of time in Denver? I worry that you have an idealized view of the city. There is no perfect place to live, and you are guaranteed to find things you dislike about Denver.

With that said, you already know that you don't like Atlanta. And I don't recommend living in a place you hate.

Is living outside of Atlanta, but still within Georgia, an option? There is some beautiful country in Georgia, and plenty of nature to enjoy.

If I were you, I would try to strike a balance. There is no point going to Denver if you won't have work.

But you shouldn't stay in Atlanta if you hate it.

I would try to move somewhere in commuting distance of Atlanta. That way you can escape the worst parts of the city, still enjoy good business, and get to enjoy fast-paced city life at your leisure.

[CroMagna]

I thinnk steve b gave good advice. How can you be sure you'll like living in Denver if you've
never been there?
Also, I don't quite get why you don't like being a civil engineer.
It sounds like a marvelous career path.
You say you're introverted yourself.

[ChristsLight]

It seems wiser not to make an impulse decision to move with two weeks time. i would stay in Atlanta, then weigh your options, look at what you can do in Denver, and take your time with that decision. One thing at a time; stay where you are first.

[lifetimelearner]

sounds like you would be happy in Denver

[zeloc]

Why is the choice between Denver and Atlanta? If Indian videography is one of the pieces and you say there isn't that much in Denver there must be other cities that meet your requirements and have Indian videography.

[blondandfun]

I researched places and spent a week there last month. Moving far out in suburbs or country is not an option, because that would make me feel more lonely and isolated and cause problems socially (remember I am single). Denver seems to strike a good balance between city/outdoors/social.

I forgot to mention that I have not given up on civil engineering, but I was laid off back in 2009 and have been doing videography full time since then, so if you look at the dates you can imagine that the business COULD be at a point of taking off and is improving, but nothing certainly. But if I moved to Denver I would still look for civil engineer employment on top of video because I can make $70k/year in CE and that is much more than I am capable of making currently in video production. It's a rewarding career, but there seems to be a lot of dissatisfaction because of the working conditions. It's a career plagued with high turnover and cubicle-type offices that can really run you down.

I already made a decision 1-2 months ago about the move, but I'm having doubts about whethere it's the right decision.

I read previously in an article in the denver post that it is common in this economy for people to move to places they love, because no matter where you move the economy might be slow for several years, you might as well live somewhere you like.

But I do agree that even if you're in the best city for you, it's no fun when you are twiddling your thumbs because you have nothing to do, and spending time in bars or walking around the town probably gets old fast...

[Lioness]

I say go for it! What's the absolute worst that can happen? I doubt you will wind up homeless on the street. If things don't go well you can always return to Atlanta, can't you?

You're free and single, now's the time to take risks. I'd say rent a cheap studio apartment, or even just a room, start doing the nature things you love, join hiking, biking or other activity groups and network, network, network. Even if there are no civil engineering jobs, you can parlay your education and experience into something else.

Offer your video services cheaper than the going rate until you get established.