I’M MOVING

A few months ago, I was about to graduate with a Masters in Health Informatics and didn’t have any idea what I was going to do. I applied to so many jobs and got rejected as much as I applied, but that didn’t stop me from applying although sometimes it made me doubt my ability and value. I kept on applying and eventually I got job offers, some of the pays were quite disappointing, which made me doubt myself even more. I eventually got an offer from a renowned company, to do what I’ve always wanted to do. The pay was really good but I felt like it could be better, so I renegotiated my salary. This was the first time I’ve ever done this so I had no clue what to do. I asked for help from an employer relations coordinator at my school and I was able to write a good salary negotiation letter. I eventually accepted the job offer which meant I had so much more on my plate.

First of all, I had to find someone to take over my lease and sell all my furniture. I also had to find an apartment in Minnesota which is where I would be relocating to, and drive 10 hours to somewhere I know nothing about. I had to figure out student loans repayment as well. Michigan has always been my home since I immigrated to the U.S, so this would be a whole new experience for me.

It’s Tuesday and I am suppose to leave on Thursday but I haven’t started packing, because I went from a throat infection to an ear infection. If you have ever had an ear infection, you know how painful it can be, I am unable to eat and have literally been taking Advil every 6hours for the pain. This experience gave me better insight as to how people get addicted to opioids, because I would do anything to for my pain to go away right now.

I posted my apartment on craigslist, Zillow and facebook and eventually found someone to takeover my lease. I found Zillow to be the best when It comes to subletting/lease takeovers. The real struggle has been selling my furniture, I’ve sold some on facebook but I still have more than half of it. I’ve learned that big pieces and expensive furniture don’t resell well, so If you are moving somewhere where you don’t plan to stay permanently, don’t go overboard with the furniture.

Living in Minnesota is as expensive as living in Ann Arbor, especially when you are living in the most expensive city to rent in Minnesota (Eden Prairie). I was shook at the housing prices. I have never had to deal with setting up water in an apartment throughout my stay in Ann Arbor but most of the apartments I found in Eden Prairie don’t come with any utilities. I eventually found a place which has most of what I need and I’m excited and nervous. This would be the first time I would be living on my own and my first full time Job. I still have fears of “am I going to be able to apply what I learned in school and be productive at this job”, “How would I survive in a city with barely any people of color”, “What is my work environment going to be like”, “Would I find a community of people whom I can relate to/be friends with” Adulting is hard and as a black woman you have a whole new set of challenges.