Hey! I'm thinking of heading to the US this summer alone. None of my friends are interested in spending the entire summer away so I figured I'd be brave and go it alone. I'm a 21 year old female from Cork. Anyone have any advise for me? I've heard San Francisco is pretty expensive, so I'm considering other cities. I have a few friends state side so I'm hoping to find a job before I head over, but my main worry is accommodation. I have no interest in frat houses or anything like that, so I'm hoping to apartment share instead. Any advise will be very welcome. Thanks!
Hey, me and a friend (2 girls. Both 19) are also thinking of heading to somewhere in the east of the US frat houses or mad partying all summer. You can do that in Ireland. I have heard San Fran is really expensive and you have to share rooms with a whole bunch of people which put me off it a bit. Even people living there all the time have to share. Maybe finding somewhere to work that helps with accommodation or has free accommodation would help.
Me and my friend are considering Seattle or Portland but are wary of it because since not many j1 people go there jobs may be hard to find.
ye bar job would be sweet alright only problem its youll be working social hours am hoping to get lifeguarding in a waterpark over there itd be the handiest for me because i work as one here aswell have good experience and would be savge workin and getting a tan at the same time! if any of yous know the name of any of the waterparks around SF it would be very helpful....thanks
San Fran has the highest minimum wage - $9.70 an hour. New York is only like $5.90 or something crazy low. I did San Fran on my own for a summer when I was 19, I'm now 21 and going back for the 3rd year in a row. I love it, it's such an amazing city. Also, about seattle or Portland, the less j1ers the more jobs actually. Americans don't do summer jobs because colleges don't finish til the end of June and go back in mid August so any tourist district looks for part timers outside of the college goers.
Outside San Fran, about 50 mins on BART is www.waterworldcalifornia.com water park. buy a season pass and go often, it's pretty cool.
Going to San Francisco or Berkeley on your J1??? Contact the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center (IIPC) a non-profit organization assisting Irish Immigrants in the bay area. We will help you find employment, accommodation and get help you get on your feet when you arrive. This year we will be hosting 4 J1 Orientations to allow J1ers a chance to meet one another and also get the scoop on work, accommodation and other useful info and advice. Free snacks and goodie bag for all who attend. The IIPC also hosts a FREE J1 BBQ at the end of June to welcome all J1ers to San Francisco and officially kick off the summer. It’s going to be a good one For info and advice email: admin@sfiipc.org Like us on Face book - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irish-Immigration-Pastoral-Center-San-Francisco/59584209409
Hey, I'm also thinking of braving the states alone! I haven't got anything sorted yet!I'm also 21.. I'm also hoping for a job before I get out there as I'm flying solo and the pressure will be on! The information I've gathered so far is that frat houses are a big no, unless you're up for bedroom/bathroom sharing with females and males, parties for the most part of every week and mess! LOTS OF MESS. As great as party party party sounds, it's unrealistic.... SO I've been advised by pass J1-ers to stay in a hostel for the entire summer, as it actually works out cheaper and much american accommodation doesn't come furnished! Which means yes you'll be sleeping on mattresses etc. As for jobs, I was advised street-view shops and stuff on different streets in San Francisco and then Google the shop, get their email address, ask if they will be hiring on the dates you'll be there, and you can send your CV and arrange skype interviews!! :) Hope my little amount of info was in anyway helpful!
i'm heading over on my own as well. i'm not interested in the frat houses either. looking forward to living in the city. i'm heading over on 27th may. The Irish Immigration Pastoral Center that posted above have J1 orientations at the start of the summer. the first one is on 30th may. they say on their facebook that employers will be at it looking for j1ers for the summer. they also have a j1 handbook which they will email u if u ask them to
Hi guys, I'm also heading to states alone. Thinking about Chicago although it's bloody massive. I've head the west coast is desperate hard to get jobs but I'd love to head to Seattle or San Fran. If anyone wants to share a place in Chicago or recommends anywhere else my email is rosadowning@hotmail.co.uk
In 2010 I rented, sharing with other j1ers I met on this forum, and we paid around $300 (you can expect to pay up to $600) a month each. Last year I lived in hostels and it worked out at more than $200 a WEEK each. Be careful not to take everything you hear to heart. I agree, I wouldn't live in Berkeley, but keep an eye out for places in the city. Plus, hostels often have a max stay of 21 nights over there because of certain laws in the city. Do some more research on it before you resign to living in hostels all summer - it makes life quite a bit harder than having somewhere to even leave your suitcase if you wanna get out of town for a night or two.
Hey guys, we are two 20 year old girls heading out end of june with jobs already secured but no luck with accomodation yet!! looking for others to share an apartment with perhaps?? get in touch! :) x
