I've got a dilemma and could really use an outside prospective on. Being that everyone here is so friendly, I thought I'd ask for your uncensored opinions....

I currently live in Chicago, Illinois. Born & raised here; I know the city & burbs like the back of my hand. I am ready to get my real estate license & jump full-force into the industry. I really want to leave the city and move to Washington State. I believe I have a very strong business plan and feel confident that it will allow me to succeed wherever I live/work.

I want to move to Washington (I lived there for a brief, but amazing 4 months before). The quality of life, surrounding nature and it's beauty are calling me there. I have rec'd my distance learning to pass the Washington exam & am planning on moving there this summer. I have researched the market, neighborhoods, farming areas and everything that I possibly can. I have a very firm idea on what it will take for me to succeed there.

But could this be a mistake? I tend to believe that staying in Chicago is "easier". It is comfortable & does not present me with any challenges. I have little chance of failure here & plenty to fall back on. But Washington is where I want to be. Given the risk involved in moving & starting a business in a new place, is it bad timing to make a move like this?

So, what would you do?

1. Stay in Chicago where it is easier, but not where you want to be?

2. Move to Washington, where you want to be, but face even more challenges than the average person starting real estate?

3. Start in Chicago, get established, learn the business, and then move to Washington? (thus losing any and all exposure/marketing done until I go)

Come on folks, inspire me!

got to do what makes you happy

Go where you want to be. Regardless of where you are, your going to be just starting. Even with all your knowledge of your current area, your still going to have to get business going - which just knowing the area does not guarantee.

I am a big believer in taking the longer view in stuff like this. Life is to short to not go for the things you believe will make your overall life better for you.

Getting your business humming in Chicago then going is a bad idea. Once your business has some momentum, you will just have another excuse to put of going where you really want to be.

I think you've already answered this question for yourself - your looking for a nudge or someone to nod their head and say "go". Screw that, you don't need us!

Here is lesson number one on your path to success, listen to yourself. ;-)

Now... Washington. I have no idea where you are looking to go in Washington. About a year and a half ago, I too was looking into moving to Washington. A real estate agent I had a whole lot of respect for picked up and left his very successful practice of real estate in the Santa Cruz area of CA for this little town in Washington called Sequim. For those looking on a map, its between Port Angeles and Port Townsend right across the sound from Canada.

So, I took a few business trips up there and talked with brokers and looked at homes. It is quite simply amazing up there. Now my wife and I were very excited about the idea of moving up there. However, her business was really doing well, so we decided we would stay in the silicon valley area so she could stay close to her main client (Cisco) for about a year or so, then we would move up to Sequim. Well, we moved away from the beach and closer to Cisco so that for those times she had to go in to the office, she would not have to deal with the insane traffic over the 17 freeway (locals will know what I mean). Anyway, now we are in a house my wife loves and she cannot tear herself away from this area. The longer you stay somewhere, the more reasons you'll get to stay.

Do the move.

Thats my .02 cents anyway.

Either way you go, your going to need money saved up if you plan to jump full time into RE. If not, you at least need a way to live while not making money. Your career will take off depending on the time and effort you put into it, not how well you know the area.

If i were you, i would try to slowly move into RE while relocating. Both of these big steps together just beggs for financial disaster. Moving expenses, Realtor Expenses, cost of living increase/decrease, plus all your normal expenses? You'd be suprised how fast you can eat away at savings when you dont have income.

My honest advice would be to move and get a quick full time job that you can support yourself with. After a few months, once your settled in, you can dive head first in to RE, just dont hit your head

I agree, dont start a long term career in a short term location. Just doesnt make much business sense. All that advertising and fighting to get your name out will all be wasted when you move, unless you plan to attract buyers to Washington?

Rebel Broker, its 0.03 cents now, haven't you heard, we got a raise!

Thanks for your candid responses. I've got 2-3 years salary saved & my spouse will get a full time job.

So technically I've got the money, but I am not looking forward to watching the balance of that savings account go down!

Thanks again.

I agree that either way you go, you're going to need some money! In my opinion, do what you think will make you happy. There's no point and doingone thing when you will eventually either be unhappy or have to quit in order to try the other!

maybe ill see you up there, i am making a run for congress in 2012. Pencil me in to show me some homes, I will probably give up being a broker at that point.

I say, if this is where you want to be, MOVE! The quallity of life IS amazing! I wouldn't have any other way. I've only lived here a little over two years and loving it... There so many things to do out here... You want the rain, snow, beach, lakes.. it's all here! ( Rebelbroker: Isn't Sequim one that hardly sees any rain, almost like living out in the desert?, (please correct me if I'm wrong ). My parents are trying to get us to move to FL, no thank you.. as much as I would like to... there's definitely something about Washington that makes me want to stay put! I just refi'd our house to a fifteen year.. my husband comment was, "guess we're staying here!" We have no family out here and don't know a whole lot of people. When you get here, I suggest getting involve with your community. Join the Chamber of commerce or some organizations that may be of interest to you. Right now, as a stay at home mom, I'm looking into joining a few of them to get my name out and letting people I am pursuing the RE industry. For mothers out there, I would look into national organizations such as MOMS club (Mothers Offering Mothers Support). That may be a start... Either way, IMO, I think you and your wife need to sit down and write down the pros and cons of both side. Good luck to you and always stay positive...

Jeanne

Mike,

I am the king of follow-up. You can be that you'll be getting an email from me in 2011!!

ha, sounds good to me. im sure i will still be reading this board then anyway