I need help! (Dallas, Austin, Industry: jobs, sick, housing)

[HaleyRenee]

So, I am 23 and my husband and I are considering a move to either Austin or Dallas. Here is my info:
I have a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising with a Minor in English and have decided I would like to be a teacher... English, Special Ed. or possibly Art. I am not certified yet, and wonder if I should just stay here in Lafayette, LA... get certified... and then move and just take the Texas exams to teach in Texas? ...or move soon and get a job while I earn my certification in either city?
My husband has a Degree Business with a concentration in Finance in Marketing. He's worried about finding a 'good' job (decent pay and no weekends, etc)... but mostly because he doesn't know where to look. He's been working in a bank for a little less than a year. We've applied in places in Dallas, but not having a local address, many won't even consider it.

I just would like some people's opinions on which place would better suit us. We have no kids... and won't for 5 or 6 years, so don't need to worry about that. We don't mind the heat and are used to the bugs. We figure we're both really into music so Austin? But have been to Dallas more, so somewhat partial to the city.

I'm SICK of these hurricanes! I want out!

Any help would be nice! Thanks!!

[csstxex]

I don't know how much help I can be, but I have lived in both Dallas and Austin. I lived in Dallas all my life until I was about 26. Then, I moved to Austin for a job. I lived in Austin for about eighteen years. My family is still in Dallas, so we visit there often.

I would say that I prefer Austin - both as a professional single person and as a professional wife/mother of two children. Austin is much prettier and being in the hill country it has more options for outside activities. There is more Texas history to explore. I find the arts to be more diverse and the music scene is much better. I find the people in the community to be much more open and diverse in culture and character. I like that for myself and for raising a family.

But on the other hand, I was not unhappy in Dallas and found lots to do there as a young twenty-something roaming the "single scene". At that time, I think people in the north Dallas (where I was raised) were more pretentious and very into material things. I guess you can find that in Austin, too.

It's probably best to focus on the things you and your husband like to do and research both cities to see what they have to offer. If music is your thing - Austin probably tops Dallas in that arena.

I worked as a teacher for 10 years and in the state government for 10 years. My athought is that if you plan to teach in Texas - get certified in Texas. There are many options for alternative certification - especially in special education - which was my field. You will have many more job opportunities in special education as it is a high-need field.

[MJinAustin]

I don't know much about how hard it is to get a teaching cert here - I don't think it's too too hard. I can recommend that your husband go to a good finance placement agency...I have PM'd a contact.

[austin-steve]

Igonring which city you would most enjoy living in, your education and backgrounds would find more job demand in Dallas. Lots of Fashion Industry, Banking and good schools. Housing is cheaper there than in Austin too.

But Austin is a great place to live and a decent job market at present, though it's slowed somewhat.

Finally, your comment about the hurricanes is something I've wondered about a lot. Mainly, while watching the weather last night, I thought out loud "why would anyone put up with that sort of life variable, year in and year out?"

I wouldn't want to pack up and head out of town with 2 or 3 days notice unless perhaps if I was retired and had family within 4 hours drive inland who had a permenant guest room waiting. I wonder at what point coastal areas will start seeing population declines.

Good luck!

[HaleyRenee]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

yeah, the hurricane thing... my family all lives in Houma which got hammered this time. It was the first time we've all evacuated... and everyone now is even MORE determined to just ride it out next time than go through evacuating. Now with Ike on the way, everyone just seems so exhausted and depressed.
I think everyone stays for the culture and the oil field jobs. Oh and the food, for sure.