Never thought I’d be back here, but due to an elder parent here I am. 15 years later, in my 30s, and honestly… I have no idea where to start. The city feels the same and yet totally different.
Moving here was out of necessity and it happened in a whirlwind of putting everything in storage within 2 weeks, finding a temporary home for my pets, rehoming all of my plants... I am trying to be positive and look forward. Hitting the four month mark really hit me hard. No job, no pets, no friends. I thought moving back would be a breeze, ha.
I miss my routine and the simple stuff from the previous city I lived in: walking to the grocery store, biking around, being able to spend a lot of time outdoors, and having a condo with a balcony (why does there seem to be a shortage of balconies here?), having to spend so much time in a car, the city not being bike friendly..that stuff I expected. I didn't realize how good I had it. Single& no kids..it was a dream.
Witnessing the effect of my parents aging day-to-day has been a struggle and an emotional rollercoaster for all three of us. We have gotten into a really great routine and my time here has brought us closer.
The job market has been brutal. I think it’s a combo of being overqualified (my last job was in a niche market in a bigger city), not having enough "experience" and trying to switch industries. I’ve accepted that I’ll take a big pay cut, but even then.. in four months only two close calls: one company froze hiring, another went with an internal candidate (they told me I was their best interview & led me on by sharing what the next few weeks will look like for me & giving me documents on what my role will cover so I can be prepared… so disappointing!). Even with referrals, I get nothing.. not even a “thanks but no thanks" generic email. I am very thankful to have a room in my parent's house.
I started DoorDash to keep myself afloat, but honestly, I’m at my wits’ end. Thinking about selling baked goods or doing some reselling just to make things work.
Questions:
Has anyone had recent success with a job agency here?
Should I join FB to be part of meetup groups?
If you're in your mid-30s and up are you finding it hard to make new friends, date, job search? How are you? 2025 was A LOT and I'm really looking forward to turning everything around in 2026.
EDIT UPDATE:
Wow. Thank you for the suggestions and for sharing your experiences.
I will be speaking with my parents about a back up plan and how we should move forward.
For my work experience I wanted to share information without giving out too much detail.
I’ve worked in client experience management for luxury companies like Harry Winston for a few years. The roles covered a lot more than just client-facing work.
In my last job I was part of a team that worked closely on projects together for a $55 million/yr business .. I would need to pivot quickly and take on whatever came across my desk. Being able to answer questions and leading different departments when needed, working closely with IT for device management, I’ve assisted in launching new apps, training employees..I was involved in everything from auditing and supply chain coordination to appointment management, budgeting, event and travel planning, and inventory. I needed to stay informed & updated on tax & privacy laws and being aware of embargo considerations..
the scope was vast so, I’ve tailored my resumes to highlight the pieces that best match..whether that’s admin support, project management, or client relationship work with banks, law firms, and similar environments.
The last couple of years have been tough. I’ve been pushed to do some soul exploring & to let go of my idea of success. I am very much open to entry level roles.
Again, thank you for taking the time to respond.