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Old 12-28-2010, 10:29 AM
 
2 posts, read 3,045 times
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My company is allowing me to escape Virginia and relo to Texas. My wife and I are expecting our second child and our budget (ok, what I'm willing to spend is less than 200k). We've been approved for way more but I have no interest in a big ol' mortgage payment. I've seen some good properties for less than 200k in both Round Rock and the suburbs of Dallas. And for now, the lower we go and stay in a good area the better, as the wife is going to stay home with the kids for a few years.

I've been to Dallas, never been to Austin. I know I'd personally love Austin as it has way more to do with regards to outdoor activities. Trail running, mountain biking, etc. But the move isn't just about me. I know both places are good for families, schools. Taxes/Real estate are higher in Austin?

I think the one hold-up I personally have is the size of the job market compared to the Dallas area. Is this a valid concern to have?
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Old 12-28-2010, 10:40 AM
 
247 posts, read 558,838 times
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What field?
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Old 12-28-2010, 10:42 AM
 
2 posts, read 3,045 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drshdw View Post
What field?
Accounting/Finance
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Old 12-28-2010, 11:01 AM
 
247 posts, read 558,838 times
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I think PWC, E&Y, etc etc all have offices here.
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Old 12-28-2010, 12:00 PM
 
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
1,601 posts, read 2,983,153 times
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Honestly, I think you'll be fine in either. As a native Texan who grew up and went to undergrad just outside Dallas (Dallas was our playground; my best friend still lives in West Plano) and who now lives in Austin, I don't see a lot of difference between the two. Dallas has professional sports; Austin doesn't. They both have nice parks and trails. Austin is in closer proximity to San Antonio, the beach, South Texas, the rest of the Hill Country; Dallas is closer to the awesome Arkansas lakes and Shreveport/Bossier City's casinos. Shopping will be about the same in both - with the exception of HEB (grocery store) in Austin. They're awesome! You'll see more weirdness in downtown Austin than in Dallas, but we live about 15 miles north of downtown in Cedar Park and it feels just like a suburb of Dallas. Our taxes are killer (2.45% - have to write those checks this week!) but since I didn't own a home in a Dallas suburb, I can't compare. I'm in State Government management so obviously I have more job opportunities in Austin, but I can't imagine that the cities would be much different in accounting/finance. The school districts north of Austin are all supposed to be good. Of course, they vary somewhat in the DFW metroplex, but I would say the suburbian school districts are comparable to the suburb ones of Austin.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Good luck with the move!
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Old 12-28-2010, 12:41 PM
 
10,130 posts, read 19,879,750 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by not_yet_tx View Post
I think the one hold-up I personally have is the size of the job market compared to the Dallas area. Is this a valid concern to have?
It's a valid concern. DFW has many, many more fortune 500 companies and obviously the 6 million people provides for a very diverse and self-sustaining job market. You might have to drive 40 miles to your job if it changes, and competition will always be a factor, but you never have to worry about a lack of jobs existing there (in any field).

Of course, you can do fine in Austin too. Unemployment rate is low and it's a great place to live. Competition will be higher for a lower # of jobs, but the area is growing.
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