Wachovia? (Charlotte: 2010, lease, house)

[MountainBiker]

I'm in the process of interviewing for a contract IT position with Wachovia there in Charlotte. The thing that I do is kind of niche, and they did say that it's being carried over into Wells, and that this position is considered a 'long term' sort situation.

I'm pretty reticent to take a contract (and move) to work for really any bank, but it does seem like a pretty good gig - can anybody comment on any rumblings about the stability of the jobs there?

Where would be the best place to live for a reasonable commute - the most important thing for me would be quality schools, I have elementary school aged children.

Thanks.

[Hoagie58]

Which complex would you be working in? Wachovia had some cuts shortly after the merger,but they've slowed now. Not sure that there wont be more, but bear in mind that WF has to maintain adequate infrastructure for what is essentially another division; that is, all of Wachovia's customers cannot be served by WF current staff, so there will be alot of redundency.

[Whytewulf]

For a contract job, if you have to move you could ask for a guaranteed time frame? I.E. if I up and move for this job, can I make sure I get at least 3 months/6 mo. etc, or you pay for my move. It's dangerous because they could say, never mind, we'll find someone else. But I did that on my last contract job, made sure it was at least a 6 month contract.

As far as job stablity, who knows. If you don't have to sell a house or pay much to move though you never know. If you had to sell a house, move kids, etc and have a job where you are at.. I wouldn't do it.

[MountainBiker]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

Which complex would you be working in? Wachovia had some cuts shortly after the merger,but they've slowed now. Not sure that there wont be more, but bear in mind that WF has to maintain adequate infrastructure for what is essentially another division; that is, all of Wachovia's customers cannot be served by WF current staff, so there will be alot of redundency.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that the job would be at complex on the north side of Charlotte.

[MountainBiker]

Originally Posted by Whytewulf

For a contract job, if you have to move you could ask for a guaranteed time frame? I.E. if I up and move for this job, can I make sure I get at least 3 months/6 mo. etc, or you pay for my move. It's dangerous because they could say, never mind, we'll find someone else. But I did that on my last contract job, made sure it was at least a 6 month contract.

As far as job stablity, who knows. If you don't have to sell a house or pay much to move though you never know. If you had to sell a house, move kids, etc and have a job where you are at.. I wouldn't do it.

It's a 6 month contract, but the position is considered permenant - not project oriented. The timing is really ... interesting. I'm currently living in Texas, and renting a place. The owners of the house have been re-assigned back here and have offered us a buy out on the lease. We don't have to take the deal, but we are certainly thinking about it, and this coming up is just too coincidental.

[Antlered Chamataka]

Originally Posted by MountainBiker

It's a 6 month contract, but the position is considered permenant - not project oriented. The timing is really ... interesting. I'm currently living in Texas, and renting a place. The owners of the house have been re-assigned back here and have offered us a buy out on the lease. We don't have to take the deal, but we are certainly thinking about it, and this coming up is just too coincidental.

If it's a better deal, go for it

I got kicked out of BofA last year. Technically, I ejected myself off on a chute, before my jet was gonna crash "for sure".

Since then, Wachovia and TIAA have been calling me to get back to Charlotte, but I don't want to yet and have been having a better job over here.

When your contract ends in six months, the market's gonnabe slightly better. 2010 will flag the start for recovery. Recovery will be complete by 2012. It's my gut feeling that the road to recovery will be long.

But if you have a permanent, longer than six months job in Texas now, don't move.

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by MountainBiker

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that the job would be at complex on the north side of Charlotte.

You'd be fine in most any area immediately adjacent to the CIC (your complex). If you were looking at a map of Charlotte, I'd advise you to focus on places in the area between Sugar Creek and I-85, north,with no boundary. All of the schools in that area are good to excellent. Your commute time would be 15 minutes or less, generally.

[Whytewulf]

Originally Posted by MountainBiker

It's a 6 month contract, but the position is considered permenant - not project oriented. The timing is really ... interesting. I'm currently living in Texas, and renting a place. The owners of the house have been re-assigned back here and have offered us a buy out on the lease. We don't have to take the deal, but we are certainly thinking about it, and this coming up is just too coincidental.

Wierd, kind of sounds like my situation. I was working a 6 month contract in Texas though. I left there and came here. if it's a 6 month contract, you are renting, no lease issues, why not. Do you have a job in Texas though? Texas is one of the most stable places to live right now (well other than Houston), so I wouldn't be quick to leave if you have something stable. NC is a bit cooky right now, I really like it out here and there will be jobs at both Banks for a long time to come, how many and in what capacity is a different story. If you wanted to come out here though, ie. want to live in the Charlotte area, sounds like a good time to do it.

If you are going to be in the complex off WT Harris, some good apts right there. I used to live 5 minutes from it and have friends over there.

[MountainBiker]

Originally Posted by Whytewulf

Wierd, kind of sounds like my situation. I was working a 6 month contract in Texas though. I left there and came here. if it's a 6 month contract, you are renting, no lease issues, why not. Do you have a job in Texas though? Texas is one of the most stable places to live right now (well other than Houston), so I wouldn't be quick to leave if you have something stable. NC is a bit cooky right now, I really like it out here and there will be jobs at both Banks for a long time to come, how many and in what capacity is a different story. If you wanted to come out here though, ie. want to live in the Charlotte area, sounds like a good time to do it.

If you are going to be in the complex off WT Harris, some good apts right there. I used to live 5 minutes from it and have friends over there.

Yeah I have a job here. I'm a DoD contractor in San Antonio. It's generally pretty stable -- However, there is a mandate out requiring security certifications. Depending on your job and level of access dictates what certification is required. For me it's a certication called CISSP, and I have until November to get it. That particular certification is not insignificant - and not in any way related my particular specilaization. The way I see it, I have until November to find something else.

[Whytewulf]

Ahh, well good luck and welcome to Charlotte.. We are here to help.