Relocating from Pittsburgh to Austin (Cleveland: apartment, rent, neighborhoods)

[PittsburghTOaustin]

My boyfriend and I are looking to relocate to Austin. We are both in our "late" 20s and we currently have no children or pets. We live near Pittsburgh but we are finding it hard to find lasting good paying jobs. Neither of us have a degree but we have extensive experience in our fields.
Does anyone have any suggestions of companies that are willing to hire people relocating to the area? We are coming down in this month to check out some neighborhoods (any suggestions?) And hopefully make some connections that can lead to job opportunities.
We are just trying to start a better life for ourselves so we can feel comfortable having a family that we can support. If you have any suggestions please drop me a line. I am willing to try whatever it takes to make a better life for us. We both are tired of working 2 jobs each just to make ends meet.

[10scoachrick]

Gonna depend a lot on the "fields" . Lots of folks here working two jobs to keep 'living the dream' that is Austin.

[ClaraC]

It might depend on what your "fields" are. If you are able to be hired by Apple or Amazon or Facebook, because you have extensive tech experience, and are extremely creative, this might be the place for you.

Otherwise, Austin has one of the highest costs of living in the country. If you don't have marketable skills for the area, you probably should look to a place with a lower cost of living to make a fresh start.

Best wishes.

[PittsburghAustin]

I moved from Pittsburgh to Austin 7 years ago, Back then when you looked it up Austin was about the same as Pittsburgh or Cleveland as far as cost of living goes. It has gone up a lot, with housing and rent leading the way. You will not get any kind of decent apartment with out a current job, even if you offer to pay the whole year in advance.

[Aquitaine]

Otherwise, Austin has one of the highest costs of living in the country.

It has one of the highest costs of living in the state. California, New York, and parts of Colorado have us beat nationally, and the configuration in Austin is also different with the high property tax but no income tax.

Most lists I've seen put us in the 30s or thereabouts in city rankings by COL.

[dbsteel]

I did the opposite- Austin for 13 years, then to Pittsburgh. It really depends on what your fields are. The cost of living in Pittsburgh is much cheaper as far as housing and rent goes, and the salaries are about the same. But there is no state tax in Texas, and the gas is a lot cheaper.


Apple, Amazon, Google- those companies are in Pittsburgh too.

[Lafemmenikita1]

You could work in one of Homeaway's call centers. Starting pay is $14 and after 6 months of working the phones, you can apply for internal positions. The benefits are great. They even offer 12 weeks of paternity leave since they are now owned by expedia.
I wouldn't move here without having family to stay with to help you get your bearings. You can't get an apartment without providing proof of income or a cosigner.
Why Austin?
It would be better to go somewhere with a cheaper cost of living. Unfortunately, nowhere comes to mind. :/
Good luck!

[cBach]

Most yinzers wouldn't last 3 summers here...

[CT_ATX]

Yeah, I'd think Pittsburgh would be a lot better place to live with a lower cost of living. There's that pesky winter thing though.

[ashbeeigh]

Why Austin? Please come and visit and then decide. Also have jobs before moving. And choose where you're living based on job due to traffic. Or suffer the 1-2 hour commute.