FreshStart

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About FreshStart

Inspiration

The inspiration behind FreshStart came from me wanting to help people like my brother who was forced to move away from his home of 27 years in New Port Richey, FL to find new opportunities in a lower cost of living area. As housing costs drastically increase, more and more people are going to need to consider relocating to a lower cost of living area. The goal of our app was to help people like my brother find stable employment in lower cost of living areas. To do this, we have prototyped a webtool that stores data and recommends data on low cost of living areas and allows them to search for job postings specifically in those areas. Additionally, it provides a very detailed cost comparison between their current city and their prospective city from their job searches. By doing this, we hope to empower those experiencing extreme hardship to make informed decisions on where to relocate their families and lives.

What We Learned

Throughout the development process, we learned about:

Integrating various technologies (JavaScript, Express.js, CockroachDB, Node.js, React.js, and SCSS/MUI) to create a cohesive webtool
The importance of user experience and accessibility in reaching a broader audience
The power of community and social support in helping people transition to new locations

How We Built FreshStart

We built FreshStart using a combination of technologies:

Frontend: React.js, SCSS/MUI for a responsive and accessible user interface
Backend: Express.js and Node.js for handling user requests and data processing
Database: CockroachDB for storing user data and extensive location cost information

Accomplishments We're Proud Of

Developing a user-friendly webtool that caters to a diverse range of users
Implementing personalized job recommendations and relocation resources
Providing valuable information on cost of living comparisons and job market analysis
Creating a platform that fosters community and peer support
Creating a webtool with the ability to drastically improve people's lives

Challenges We Faced

Integrating multiple technologies and ensuring seamless communication between frontend and backend components
Finding reliable data sources for cost of living, job market trends, and relocation resources
Ensuring accessibility and a positive user experience for individuals with different needs and abilities
Balancing the development of innovative features with the time constraints of a hackathon

What's Next for FreshStart

Moving forward, we plan to:

Expand our database with more comprehensive job listings and location data
Enhance our machine learning algorithms for improved personalization
Develop a mobile app to complement the webtool, allowing users to access FreshStart on the go
Collaborate with local organizations and service providers to offer additional support and resources for users transitioning to new locations
More job APIs are able to be added in the future for broader search functionality