How do you start over in a new state and how do you decide where to go?

I lost my mom to cancer and my husband wants a divorce. I do not have any kids. Just me and my dog. I have great friends where I live but I just want to get away. I am from the east coast and living in the midwest. There is really no reason for me to stay here, even though I have lived here longer than I have ever lived anywhere. My work history includes clerical and emergency 911 dispatch. I just don't know how to start over by myself. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

Find a place that you would like to live, look for a job there and then find a place to live. Everything should fall into place once you get those things established first.

I know exactly how you feel. I just relocated to another state following the end of a relationship and a job that required me to find another position within the company within three months or consider myself fired.
I went on the Internet and logged onto a site called: Find My Spot.com
Well, here I am, 3 months later in another state. I can't tell yet whether or not I'm better off. The weather is better. The 6% cheaper cost of living than most other states in the nation must have referred to something I haven't discovered yet.
I have a job in the same profession that pay $10K less and I work a heck of a lot harder and more hours!
I say just stay put for a while. You have your friends and your dog. You are going through a trauma (a couple of them) and that is no time to make any major decisions. Wait until you have stablized emotionally. Sure, you can make the move and you can find work; but you may find yourself more isolated and lonely than you feel now. I have.
Now I'm out the thousands of dollars it cost to relocate and I really don't know if I'm better off. The weather is better, but other than that, I spend so much time working I don't know what the new city is really like and I don't have time to make new friends.
Stay put for awhile. Never make major decisions when you are grieving.

START BY MEETING NEW FRIENDS AT YOUR NEW JOB IN YOUR NEW STATE AND HOW ABOUT FINDING A GUY FRIEND

Hi, obviously you have access to the net, start there. Do you have any idea where u want to go, start with simple things hot, cold, north, or south, once u start that process think about the economy of those places you have picked out yanno pay, housing, transportation etc....do u love four seasons, or 2 seasons things like that....

Start by looking for jobs and homes in another state. Even though I've never done that before that is where I would start and check out how good the area (city) is and if it is affordable to live there. The internet is a great way to start.

Decide where you want to move to, take a vacation there and check out the jobs, housing, etc.

You have had 2 major events happen to you. You really should not make any major decisions right now. Give yourself some time to heal. In the meantime be checking out places you have always had an interest in. What kind of weather do you like? How is the cost of living there? Will you buy or rent? Check with the local police about the area you are interested in. They will tell you what kind of crime rate they have. Whatever you do take your time. If you are working keep at it a while. Save up some cash. Hasty decisions can really turn and bite you. Good luck. m

I did this, but a bit messier than yours... left a cheating husband, moved out of state with my three dogs... First year was hard, as I had few (one) friends here. But joined some volunteer organizations, a church (even tho I'm not even close to being traditional christian) bought symphony tickets, and answered as well as put up an ad in Yahoo, and Match.com.... Been here almost 3 years, have a lovely boyfriend, and everything is fine.... some times were lonely, but was so busy working, fixing up a house, yadadada,,, that all the things I set out to do the first year got done.
1. Keep a diary for a year
2. Read four non-fiction books I know nothing about
3. join a gym and get back in shape
4. Start to find a great guy

In your case, get a job, and if you are college material, go back to school--even if it is at night, and get into a better, higher paying job...

Good luck, hon.
(And one of those lovely dogs died night before last,..... not nice, but she lived 14 years --- a long full life for a dobie....just tough -- have always been used to waking to three, not just two.....)

You'll be fine...

A few other things too, and in two years I was very comfortable here, and had accomplished by goals.... at times not so sure keeping the diary was good... hadn't been alone since I was 19....

You do not mention how old you are but if you are willing to start all over and have a few dollars, you can just pack your stuff and head west. Remember that some places might not welcome your dog, so think about bringing him/her along. Sorry. Make sure you have a few dollars to get you through the first days and come prepared to provide someone with references because when you apply for jobs they will want to know where you have been and what you have been doing. When you decide to settle, maybe find a cheap motel for a few days, then start making lots of phone calls, get busy and make the most of the day. Apply at different jobs and find a place to live immediately. Employers want an address. Let them know you have just moved and are eager to work. I wish you well.

you can do this 2 was the conservative way or my way(i've done it a few times) the conservative way is to get on the internet look up different places you'd like to go,, when u figure that out find a house/apartment that you like and then find a job,,and your on your way to a new life,,,or my way is get the map out blindly point at a spot on the map and go for it,,,find a hotel room,, look for a job and go from there,,,not precisely the common sense thing to do but i've had some pretty outrageous adventures that way good luck to you