DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been trying to move out of my city all year to avoid the coronavirus. I have heart problems and have been locked away in my home for nearly 12 months. I have been truly scared to leave my home for fear of getting sick. I have been following the market to find a new place to rent in the suburbs or rural areas with more space. But the vetting process for rentals is cutthroat and happens quickly. By the time I get a realtor to return my email or call to an ad for a home, they have selected an applicant already. I’ve glued myself to rental apps trying to get notifications as soon as they post to just have a chance at being the first to apply, but I keep striking out. Any advice for how I can quickly and safely move out of the city? Do you fear for city residents, or am I overreacting? -- Move Me

DEAR MOVE ME: It may be time to expand your search. Consider looking in neighborhoods that are not popular or are off the beaten track. Look in more rural areas than suburban neighborhoods. Look in places that do not have public transportation. You will likely need to have a car in order to expand far enough out to find the right place for you, but do not give up.

While you are in your big city, remain vigilant. When you go outside, always wear your mask and keep your distance. I now double-mask, just to be extra cautious. My doctor suggested that I do my daily walk in the park early in the morning when fewer people are outside. Figure out ways to stay away from people as you try to get outside a bit while you remain in the city.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I are pregnant with our first child and ready to get married. My boyfriend has had trouble with the law growing up and has a record that affects his ability to get a job and to be approved for housing. Most of the time I have to apply for a home on my own and leave him off of the application, but when the landlord finds out that my boyfriend will be living there, they require that he be screened to get on the lease. When they find out his background, we are back to square one.

I am hopeful that we will figure things out, but the stress and rejection are taking a toll on him. Now he’s telling me that he can’t be a father because no one is going to give him a fair chance to take care of his child. I can tell he’s losing faith, and I don’t know what else I can say to encourage him. How do I help him? -- Give Him Strength

DEAR GIVE HIM STRENGTH: You two need a strategy. Your boyfriend should look for programs that welcome ex-cons. One excellent program I know of trains formerly incarcerated people to be fitness trainers. They have been very successful. Check out asecondufoundation.org. Here is more information on programs for ex-felons by state: helpforfelons.org/reentry-programs-ex-offenders-state.

You may need to be on the rental lease solo for now so that you can secure a home. In time, your boyfriend may be able to co-sign with you. Stay positive. There are jobs out there for people trying to start over. Your boyfriend cannot give up hope. Your family is growing. You have to stay positive and actively on the search for your future.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My company is opening a new headquarters in a different state, and I have been promoted to run this new office. As a young professional, I will have to pick up and move my life to a new city where I know no one and am not familiar with the area. I have been researching places to live and the surrounding locations, but even after finding an area that is great for me, what can I do to get familiar and integrated into the community that I will be living in once I have moved? I want to know about things that go on in my area and possibly meet people and have friends near me. What do you suggest? -- New Job, New Me

DEAR NEW JOB, NEW ME: Congratulations on your promotion! This is an exciting time. It’s smart that you want to figure out how to acclimate best in your new home. Because people are not going out very much these days, getting to know your neighbors and community will be an even bigger challenge than normal. But the ways in which you connect to people are still pretty much the same. Look up organizations in your industry, and become a member. Attend virtual events that they plan so that you can meet people. Look up the local chamber of commerce to discover events in your area. Some socially distanced activities may be planned, as well as virtual ones. Be sure to join in. What are your extracurricular interests? Look them up. Find out what is happening in your area that is of particular interest to you. Over time, you will find your people and your interests.

DEAR HARRIETTE: It has been a hard year for everyone living in this pandemic. The tenants who live in the accessory apartment in our home have been unable to pay their rent for the majority of this year. I don’t know their situation, but they tell me each month that they are unable to make payment. They are both still working, and their young daughter goes to school and day care. I know that much, but even after months of nonpayment, new laws enacted during the pandemic won’t allow me to evict them. I’ve resorted to other things like locking the driveway and discontinuing the included cable and Wi-Fi package, but they remain here comfortably.

I am retired and depend on the income to sustain myself and own a home. Without it, I am unable to pay my own bills. I’ve had to dip into my savings just to get by without the income. What should I do next? -- No Income at Home

DEAR NO INCOME AT HOME: Request a meeting with your tenants. Appeal to their humanity. Point out that everyone is suffering now, including you. While you understand that this pandemic has affected this family, point out that you know they are both working and paying for child care. Ask them to offer something monthly toward their rent.

Check to see if there is any tax abatement offered in your town for landlords. This will provide a credit to your property tax bill -- at least some relief.

You may also want to hire a lawyer to determine what you can do legally to protect yourself. When the time comes that the rent freeze is over, you want to be ready to evict them. Meanwhile, here’s hoping that your personal humanitarian appeal will have an impact on your tenants.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just started a new job about two months ago, but I hate it. I took it because I was out of work and a friend recommended it to me, but it’s not what I imagined. My work-life balance is completely off. I work overnight; I am working my body in ways that are painful, like it's deteriorating day by day. I feel like I need to get out now to get my life and sense of mind back. But I really don't have a good enough reason to leave this job, and I am scared about what to say to my manager. I have never quit a job before without a plan. When I have resigned in the past, it was because I had a better job, but right now I have nothing. I can't just lie, either. How do I properly leave the job with no reason at all? -- Hate My Job

DEAR HATE MY JOB: I think you should slow down and do nothing for a moment. I’m sorry that you do not like your job. But I want to say that we don’t always love our work or the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Especially now, during this pandemic, it might be wise to reconsider how you look at your job. Can you approach it differently so that you can make it work? It sounds like you have had to make a lot of adjustments, especially regarding time. Two months may not be long enough to establish a rhythm for your body that works. Examine your situation very carefully before giving up. If the time truly doesn’t work, do you think you could request a shift change? Would it be better if you worked during the day? Don’t give up until you consider all the options.

Finally, if you truly cannot stay, make a plan and start looking for a new job. It would be best to walk toward another job than to be unemployed again, if you can manage to stay short-term.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A young lady I do not know reached out to me, based on a referral from a friend of mine, asking if I would donate to her college fund campaign. I empathize with her, but I can’t afford to contribute to her right now. Honestly, I do not appreciate that my friend made this referral without asking me first. I have been struggling to put food on the table and keep my kids in school. I am a generous person, but I simply cannot afford to fund this girl. I don’t like being put in this awkward position either. I want to tell my friend. Should I? -- Awkward Position

DEAR AWKWARD POSITION: So many people are suffering now and unable to fulfill their dreams, at least at this moment. It doesn’t help when friends to not keep this in mind when they ask for favors. You should speak to your friend and tell them how uncomfortable this makes you. Explain that you wish you could help, but you truly cannot right now. Suggest to your friend that they check in with potential donors before connecting people. This will save everyone unnecessary discomfort and potential rejection.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)