Help, Tips and Considerations for Relocating to Austin (Houston, Round Rock: 2014, how much)

[XTREEMMAK]

Hi there,

I've been a long time browser of this forum and never knew I didn't have an account XD.

Anyways, I'm native to Florida and have been considering a few places for relocation. I presently work in the technology field (presently as an assistant to a Systems Admin where I do some QA and Automated Testing, but also have some Front End development experience, got my B.S. December 2016, etc.) and hear that Austin has a great market for Tech in comparison to Florida. However, I've never been to Texas. Well after crunching some numbers, I figured out a way that I might be able to take a 3 day trip to Austin next week.

I'd like to get a feel for the city and city culture to see if I...really like weird Austin lol. Me being a huge beach guy, I know I'm going to miss being on the beach, but hey, I would still have family in Florida that I can always come back to for that ^_^.

The hard part I'm facing right now is actually finding a job in a different state; I've never done it before. What I'm wondering is if there is an efficient way I could possibly do job hunting while I'm there for that short 3 day weekend? I know a setup with a potential employer prior to my trip would be the most efficient, granted, I don't know what's really out there yet x_X.

Lastly, one other piece of info I'd like some more info about is if Austin's diversity "problem" is getting better? Me being an African American, some articles I've read does concern me a little, but I'd rather hear it from some people first hand if possible.

Thank you!

[ashbeeigh]

Come and visit in July. That will give you a fee for Austin. Also the search function is a fabulous tool.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by XTREEMMAK

Hi there,

I've been a long time browser of this forum and never knew I didn't have an account XD.

Anyways, I'm native to Florida and have been considering a few places for relocation. I presently work in the technology field (presently as an assistant to a Systems Admin where I do some QA and Automated Testing, but also have some Front End development experience, got my B.S. December 2016, etc.) and hear that Austin has a great market for Tech in comparison to Florida. However, I've never been to Texas. Well after crunching some numbers, I figured out a way that I might be able to take a 3 day trip to Austin next week.

I'd like to get a feel for the city and city culture to see if I...really like weird Austin lol. Me being a huge beach guy, I know I'm going to miss being on the beach, but hey, I would still have family in Florida that I can always come back to for that ^_^.

The hard part I'm facing right now is actually finding a job in a different state; I've never done it before. What I'm wondering is if there is an efficient way I could possibly do job hunting while I'm there for that short 3 day weekend? I know a setup with a potential employer prior to my trip would be the most efficient, granted, I don't know what's really out there yet x_X.

Lastly, one other piece of info I'd like some more info about is if Austin's diversity "problem" is getting better? Me being an African American, some articles I've read does concern me a little, but I'd rather hear it from some people first hand if possible.

Thank you!

Austin is mostly white people so you definitely will stand out. On the plus side it means employers are competing to improve their diversity quota. Personally if I was African American I doubt I would want to live in austin unless I was already married. Dating will be much harder than places with more african americans.

[eirenecat]

I work for a Fortune 500 company that is doing a great job of attracting diverse hires. I work in tech and we have several African Americans on our team--my closest friend at work is an African American woman on my team. We have been recruiting like crazy at NSBE and places like that so if you've got tech skills you won't lack for job opportunities here.

Austin has less African Americans than other Texas cities like Houston but I think you would like it here.

Also, if I were you I would begin looking for a helpful Austin-based recruiter who will market you, along with using indeed.com to apply for any Austin jobs that looked appealing.

[riaelise]

You will not stand out as an African American here in Austin. Statistically, Hispanics are the largest "minority" here but there's enough Black people to make you not look like a unicorn. Thinking about it - even if Blacks comprise 6% of the population, that's still a lot of people. Pflugerville (a suburb right outside of Austin) is 13% AA. Round Rock is maybe 8-9%. Even in places that are less than that doesn't mean that you'd stand out. Just come on down and see if you like the city in general and don't worry about your race.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by riaelise

You will not stand out as an African American here in Austin. Statistically, Hispanics are the largest "minority" here but there's enough Black people to make you not look like a unicorn. Thinking about it - even if Blacks comprise 6% of the population, that's still a lot of people. Pflugerville (a suburb right outside of Austin) is 13% AA. Round Rock is maybe 8-9%. Even in places that are less than that doesn't mean that you'd stand out. Just come on down and see if you like the city in general and don't worry about your race.

He is in tech, he will 100% be a unicorn, which can be good and bad. Averages in the population dont tell the story of what he is likely be around. He will definitely stand out.

Tech is dominated by white and asian men and austin is even more so than many other places (like atlanta, DC, or even houston).

The black male friends I have had here have said 1) it is really hard to date 2) there are no good hip hop music clubs.

The ones that like it here are married and dont go to clubs and obviously dont need to date.

[eirenecat]

Austin97, I think whether he is a unicorn in tech depends on the company he chooses to work for and how much that company values diversity and what they are doing to aggressively hire for diversity. (I would have agreed with your statements 5 years ago, when I worked at a smaller startup.)

If he's choosy about the place he lands, he won't be a unicorn. We have more African Americans in tech where I am right now than I have ever seen in this industry because we made it a priority. Our company has stated they want 40% of qualified applicants to be diversity hires (diversity of all flavors of minority, women, LGBTQ, etc.) And OP, if you want to message me privately I will be happy to tell you where I work.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Austin is mostly white people so you definitely will stand out. On the plus side it means employers are competing to improve their diversity quota. Personally if I was African American I doubt I would want to live in austin unless I was already married. Dating will be much harder than places with more african americans.

Um, why will dating be much harder? Are you assuming this person isn't willing to date someone outside his/her race? What? Is it 1950?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

Um, why will dating be much harder? Are you assuming this person isn't willing to date someone outside his/her race? What? Is it 1950?

No need to be outraged. The reality is that most people dont.

https://theblog.okcupid.com/race-and...4-107dcbb4f060

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Austin97

No need to be outraged. The reality is that most people dont.

https://theblog.okcupid.com/race-and...4-107dcbb4f060

I am not sure where you got "Outraged" from. I was just questioning your assumption. Just because 'most people don't' doesn't mean that the OP wouldn't and it's a little presumptuous for your to decide for him/her.