Want to move to Texas

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eatont9999 said:
I am in MA right now Sure I could move to another state up here, but I HATE the cold weather. I have to wear a jacket 9/12 months of the year!

You wear a jacket 9.5 months out of the year in MA??? Well, then... I must be doing wrong down here in the frozen tundra of central Connecticut, which is a whopping 50-60 miles away. I haven't worn a jacket (other than a thin nylon one, but only in the rain and definitely NOT because it was cold) since April and very most likely won't until after September...even with this unseasonably cold summer.
 
I have an Associate's Degree in Computer Science.

The temps in TX can fluctuate a lot. At least it heats up later in the day in most cases. Here in MA, it stays cold and gets colder for months. Day or night, it doesn't matter. The summer here is usually hot and muggy.

I won't miss driving in the snow and ice all winter, either.
 
The Woodlands is outside of Houston, nice place to live, some tech oriented companies around here. You got Lake Conroe all of 15 minutes away, and there's still some country living to be had north/east of here.
 
Last I remember, The Woodlands was EXPENSIVE!
That depends on the area of the Woodlands, just like anywhere else. But you get what you pay for. If I wanted to live in suburbia it would either be the Woodlands or Katy. But I live in BFE out of town and I dove hunt in the hay field behind my house. :neener:
 
Another one with dreams of moving to Texas here. I grew up there years ago, and once I get my Paramedic next year, I'll be looking to relocate down there..
 
One thing... no state income tax! The several states in the union with no income tax have generally done better in this recession than the national average. Texas is one example.

As has been pointed out already, people are flocking to these states. Unfortunately, many of them bring their big government ideals with them, and pretty soon they end up killing the goose that laid the golden egg. It might start with a little "compassion" or "care for the environment," but within a few decades you've got a lot more laws, much higher taxes, and far more restrictions on your liberty.

But, I digress. I would like to live in a state with more freedom, rather than the People's Republic of Minnesota. I do like the north though, because I hate insects with a passion. We have plenty of them up here of course, but not to the extent they exist down south. Our winters thin the herd considerably and prevent many species from flourishing here.
 
ijosef - move west - we are a bit more conservative over here in ND - plus I bet we'v got less skeeters
 
I remember as a kid seeing spiders as big as a man's hand just hanging out in their webs. I used to shoot them with my BB gun and watch them ooze goo.
 
I'll tell you right now that Fort Worth offers the best quality of life of any large city in Texas. Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have all outgrown their infrastructure. Folks are friendly here, the pace is laid-back, there' work for them that are willing to make the effort and the women are as beautiful as the sunsets. It's a short drive (an hour is short by Texas standards) to wide open country. It ain't cheap but it'll cost you a damn site less than a Hill Country spread. Check out something in the Palo Pinto Mountains, West of FW. Just about as pretty as anything the Hill Country has to offer.

Having said all that, if I could relocate anywhere in the state, I'd be looking at Fort Davis/Alpine area. But I don't know what you'll find for IT there.
 
I love Texas and was fortunate to be able to move back home this past December after I lost my job in depressed Nevada. I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I still remember the words my dad told, "Get your education, they can never take it away".

Well pardner, you're competing with college grads and post grads with IT experience up the wahzoo. They're certified, degreed, and experienced. Unfortunately a willingness to work and do whatever is necessary ain't gonna make it in this market today.
 
I understand that. The problem is I can't afford to go back to school. I could afford community college and that is it. I tried a semester at state school, but I just wrote a $1000 check to the school and I still have 4K left in student loans and now they want money too. I was hoping to get a better job that would be remotely interested in helping me with tuition. I know it is unpopular to invest in your employees these days, but some still do. My current employer would not spend $20 on a how-to book for a project they want done, never mind a semester of tuition.

I don't know what to do. With no job to go to in TX, I have no income. I can stay there for a while and rent with what money I do have, but it won't last forever. I also really do not want to spend another winter up here. I hate living here; always have.
 
I remember as a kid seeing spiders as big as a man's hand just hanging out in their webs. I used to shoot them with my BB gun and watch them ooze goo.

A banana spider will make you un-a$$ a four wheeler no matter what speed you are going. The love to set up across trails.

I have learned to leave em alone. I hate spiders, but I hate mosquitoes more.
 
A few things to try.

First, are you working with a Recruiter who specializes in your field of study? If not, find one, two, or three. Bear in mind that there is a difference between an Executive Recruiter, who specializes in finding jobs for seasoned professionals, and Staffing Services, who frequently offer "temporary" or "contract" positions; nothing wrong with either.

If I were in your shoes, I'd find a few of each. Their job is to find jobs for people. The Recruiting industry is north of, what, $20 billion per year, so they have something going right.

You may also want to consider a two-stage process. Think about this: in DFW we have so many IT guys that their pay is being forced down; Austin is probably worse since it's an IT hub.

However, if you look at East Texas you'll find cities you've probably never heard of w/ metro populations of nearly 100,000: Texarkana, Tyler, Longview, etc. Not only are jobs still holding their value, so you'll get paid what you're worth, there aren't as many IT professionals in those areas. They are there, but just not with the numbers like Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antone, etc.

If you can land a job or contract position in East Texas you're at the very least here. You could then spend time identifying where you really want to live.

Another advantage to East Texas is a lower cost of living, no traffic to speak of, houses where you can stand on your porch and shoot your rifle, and a "big city" is only a couple of hours away.

So, try to get here first, then concentrate on getting to where you really want to be once you're here. You have a skill set that is in demand somewhere in this state, so find out where that somewhere is: Recruiters will help you with that.

I hope this makes sense. You can do it, just keep on trying.

Good luck,
DFW1911

PS: Higher education is available just about anywhere you decide to live.
 
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DFW1911,

You hit the nail on the head. I am doing a lot of what you mentioned already. I have spoken to recruiters, but they rarely call back. Do you have any in mind? I am trying for East TX for the most part. I have sent out applications in Tyler for sure. I will also try some of the other town mentioned in this thread. I would prefer to live in a small town if possible.

If anyone knows of any recruiters in these areas, please let me know. I do not have much experience in that area since I usually get jobs by word of mouth or direct applications.

Thanks.
 
One thing to consider is the cost of living in San Antonio is much, much lower than places like Austin, Houston or Dallas.

Our last townhouse apartment in a nice area was $610/month, including water & sewage. Electricity was another $60 (which is good for a place that hits 100+ on a regular basis).

San Antonio's electrical utility is still municipally owned, so we have some of the lowest residential rates in TX - $0.063/kWh. Compare that with up to $0.12/kWh in places like Dallas & Houston.

Basically, you get all the benefits of living in a big, spread-out city without having to pay for it; I know plenty of people that make around $15/hr. and can support a wife & kid on it without having to live on top ramen & tap water.

It's also a very laid back city with plenty to do. Plus, the traffic isn't bad at all, comparatively speaking.
 
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I just moved to Texas from California... been a week so far and other than gun laws being better...

People drive BAD and slow as hell
My car got broken into
registering your vehicle and transfering your license is a nightmare
traffic sucks in San Antonio
Thunder storm caught me off guard and flooded my car
San Antonio is surprisingly hard to find a place to shoot a freaking gun.... found a cool shop but expensive as all hell and you can only use their ammo and membership is outrageous.
Humid as hell
property taxes are 3 freaking percent

Shocked to say, i miss California.... Was thinking about buying a home out here but Probably going to reconsider that one.

my .02c

JOe
 
Wow, that sucks. Maybe you are just in the wrong area. I don't remember most of that stuff happening. When I lived in TX, people had gun racks in the back windows of their trucks and they were usually full of rifles. You could basically shoot whenever and whatever you wanted and no one would care the less. That was in the rural area, though. Maybe things suck a lot more in the cities. I do not want to live in the city at all. I hate cities and do not want to see my neighbor's house. I am a good neighbor, but a long walk and a good fence make the best of neighbors. I can see over 20 houses just by looking out my window. I hate that.
 
I HATE the cold weather.
I have to wear a jacket 9/12 months of the year!
It stays cold and gets colder for months.
I also really do not want to spend another winter up here.
I hate that.
I won't miss driving in the snow and ice all winter, either.
I hate being cold
did I mention I hated being cold yet?
I hate it when it gets to -10 or -15 here.
The summer here is usually hot and muggy.
It looks like I am going to have to commute into a city for work.
I do not want to live in the city at all.

Sorry to say you may find it hard to find a job or be happy anywhere with an outlook like that.

Tinpig
 
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