If you could choose almost anywhere for a temp assignment, where would you go so in part, you could shop?
Portland - If you are referring to Oregon, I know that the MSC's I use have shops there... However, you may not see the sun the entire time you are there. (Short days and continuous light rain and gray clouds.)
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Depends on the time of year. Dallas rather than Austin (more to do, fewer traffic hassles). Phoenix in the winter. Portland in the Spring. I guess it depends on what you want to do. DC is an interesting place as is NYC. If it was me, though, I'd probably go soak up the sun in San Diego.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
Go to Washington, D.C., that's a no-brainer! I once had the opportunity to go the Washington, D.C. on assignment with NASA for several months. I loved it. There are so many free activities there. Metro is cheap and fun to ride. I did not have a car, and I did not need one. I doubt there would be much in the way of mystery shopping inside the beltway, but if someone else is paying the way, go the D.C.
Vegas has tons of shops that pay nicely.....for fun I'd choose New Orleans, for work Vegas.
Live consciously....
A lot will depend on what type of shops you like to do. I've shopped most of these areas so my opinion:
Orlando - Lots of shops. LOTS OF TRAFFIC. Great weather if you're going in the winter.
Memphis - Not the safest city in the world. The joke in the mid south is they check you for guns when you enter the city and if you don't have one they issue you one. Not a ton of shops either. Although if you time it right you could get some good bonuses.
Austin - Decent amount of shops, perhaps my favorite city in the US. Would probably be my choice from this list
Las Vegas - If you have an NV work card maybe, if you don't, no.
Portland - I've only been here once but some decent shopping. Personally wouldn't go in the winter
Minneapolis - The only place on the list I've never been
Tucson - Interesting area but doesn't seem to be as many shops as other areas.
New Orleans - Shopping wasteland. Actual wasteland outside of the Quarter.
Orlando - Lots of shops. LOTS OF TRAFFIC. Great weather if you're going in the winter.
Memphis - Not the safest city in the world. The joke in the mid south is they check you for guns when you enter the city and if you don't have one they issue you one. Not a ton of shops either. Although if you time it right you could get some good bonuses.
Austin - Decent amount of shops, perhaps my favorite city in the US. Would probably be my choice from this list
Las Vegas - If you have an NV work card maybe, if you don't, no.
Portland - I've only been here once but some decent shopping. Personally wouldn't go in the winter
Minneapolis - The only place on the list I've never been
Tucson - Interesting area but doesn't seem to be as many shops as other areas.
New Orleans - Shopping wasteland. Actual wasteland outside of the Quarter.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Phoenix $100 a day in shops easy all year long. Tucson approx 2 hours away has a good amount itself.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
If you are looking to supplement your per diem with free/cheap meals whether on shops or not, Vegas would probably fit your needs. Same with inexpensive lodging if necessary on the weekends if you stay off Strip. However, I don't know about the work card situation and how hard it is to get one.
There is more to the city than the Strip. Lots of deals at the locals casinos off the strip for inexpensive meals.
Not sure of your age, but Austin has a very varied night life with Sixth Street being the center of it all. It also has a rich musical culture. It's the center of "Texas Country" and many upstart bands. Lake Travis and the surrounding Hill Country are beautiful. It isn't an inexpensive place to live but I'm not sure about cost of living if your company is paying for many of your expenses.
Things in Austin are spread out so you might have to make mini routes to do your shops there. You could pick up Fuzzy's, Wingstop, Smashburger, Cowboy Chicken, Pappasittos/Pappadeaux, Sonic, Sonny Bryan BBQ, BJs Brewhouse for food shops with various MSCs.
Also, consider the Texas Shopping Network as an MSC if you go there. Sentry is also in Dallas and has more Texas shops than elsewhere I believe.
There is more to the city than the Strip. Lots of deals at the locals casinos off the strip for inexpensive meals.
Not sure of your age, but Austin has a very varied night life with Sixth Street being the center of it all. It also has a rich musical culture. It's the center of "Texas Country" and many upstart bands. Lake Travis and the surrounding Hill Country are beautiful. It isn't an inexpensive place to live but I'm not sure about cost of living if your company is paying for many of your expenses.
Things in Austin are spread out so you might have to make mini routes to do your shops there. You could pick up Fuzzy's, Wingstop, Smashburger, Cowboy Chicken, Pappasittos/Pappadeaux, Sonic, Sonny Bryan BBQ, BJs Brewhouse for food shops with various MSCs.
Also, consider the Texas Shopping Network as an MSC if you go there. Sentry is also in Dallas and has more Texas shops than elsewhere I believe.
Thanks all...appreciate it. I have been to most of the locations mentioned already, it's just I know that shopping them can be a different situation than just touristing them. It occurs to me that the best areas for MSing have to be places where there are lots of chains instead of independent businesses - so probably cities with newer commercial developments. Vegas and Orlando come to mind....I can second the comment about traffic in Orlando... I probably should consider Atlanta as well. I have so many friends in that city.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2017 11:48AM by BarefootBliss.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2017 11:48AM by BarefootBliss.
If you have a chance to do Washington, DC you will find a ton of shops plus lots of free or low cost entertainment on weekends and holidays. Budget dining is also great here.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2017 03:27PM by walesmaven.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2017 03:27PM by walesmaven.
Atlanta is a great shoppong area as well, although I tend to only work from 9am to 3pm there because of the traffic.
Also you can eat at The Vortex.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2017 02:10PM by bgriffin.
Also you can eat at The Vortex.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2017 02:10PM by bgriffin.
I would choose Las Vegas. I'd get an M Life Card, pick any of the MGM properties and make sure your M Life # is on the hotel folio. It doesn't matter who pays the bill, you'll get credit for the stay.
You can get to work in Las Vegas in a few hours. You can work with the temp card. There is no shortage of work there. There is no reimbursement only work in Las Vegas. It's not legal to make you work for reimbursement only.
You can get to work in Las Vegas in a few hours. You can work with the temp card. There is no shortage of work there. There is no reimbursement only work in Las Vegas. It's not legal to make you work for reimbursement only.
Without a doubt, if you can't transfer to Hawaii, I would highly recommend Vegas. DC sounds awesome also but for the weather.
I'm thinking Harry Potter World (the entire park) or Disneyworld.....
One question. How much freedom will you have/how far can you venture from your temporary lodgings?
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
evenings, weekends, occasional days off
I'd cross Memphis off if I were you. We spent the night there once and I haven't heard the end of it since. We won't be going back. I just came back from New Orleans and don't know about shops but I would love to be able to spend some more time there. It was a fun place. Along with DC. BUT I think you should pick Atlanta and visit your friends!! That makes the trip that much better. (I think Orlando would be too busy for me.)
I'm thinking a nice resort, Bahama's or such, then flying home, stopover in Chicago to visit my daughter.
I do love D.C after visiting once, but more for playing, not working, so much to do, great city. I remember when there visiting museums and seeing Liz Taylor;s jewelry (famous diamond). I always love the wine country, (Sonoma) and getting Mustards restaurant if it's still shopped. Many places, hard to choose....
I do love D.C after visiting once, but more for playing, not working, so much to do, great city. I remember when there visiting museums and seeing Liz Taylor;s jewelry (famous diamond). I always love the wine country, (Sonoma) and getting Mustards restaurant if it's still shopped. Many places, hard to choose....
Live consciously....
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