So I got a job offer. (Cleveland, Broadview Heights: salon, rent, house)

[neflihim]

Hey everyone,


Usually people will post this in the city that they are going to, but I want some input from people from the Cleveland area.

I recently got a job offer in New Orleans. It's more than double what I make now, and could be great for my career. Only problem...it's New Orleans. My cousin is actually the one offering me the job, so I will know at least him and his wife down there. This compnay is a medium size company that is a Govenment Contractor.

Right now I work for a Major IT company... so there is room for advancement where I'm at, but it will come down the road since I am fairly new there (1.5yrs). It might be 5 years before I make 2x what I make now or more. I live in Broadview Heights and just bought my home recently. It's a great place and needs work, but the upside potential is huge, also I have free gas as I'm on a gas well.

I know N.O. is not somewhere I want to raise a family, at least from what I've heard about the place it's not. Anyone with more info feel free to give opinions on the place. My wife and I have been married for 2 years now and have been thinking about having kids soon. Basically I think we are in the perfect place for raising a family.

Just looking for some opinions on whether to take the job or not. I really like it here, but would I be stupid not to take the job making 2x what I make now?

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by neflihim

Hey everyone,


Usually people will post this in the city that they are going to, but I want some input from people from the Cleveland area.

I recently got a job offer in New Orleans. It's more than double what I make now, and could be great for my career. Only problem...it's New Orleans. My cousin is actually the one offering me the job, so I will know at least him and his wife down there. This compnay is a medium size company that is a Govenment Contractor.

Right now I work for a Major IT company... so there is room for advancement where I'm at, but it will come down the road since I am fairly new there (1.5yrs). It might be 5 years before I make 2x what I make now or more. I live in Broadview Heights and just bought my home recently. It's a great place and needs work, but the upside potential is huge, also I have free gas as I'm on a gas well.

I know N.O. is not somewhere I want to raise a family, at least from what I've heard about the place it's not. Anyone with more info feel free to give opinions on the place. My wife and I have been married for 2 years now and have been thinking about having kids soon. Basically I think we are in the perfect place for raising a family.

Just looking for some opinions on whether to take the job or not. I really like it here, but would I be stupid not to take the job making 2x what I make now?

How stable would the job in New Orleans be? For instance, is the government contract going to be renewed for the foreseeable future? Or in two years are you going to be looking for another job again? Also, is there room for advancement?

Honestly, if you're talking about a long-term, stable job, I think you have to strongly consider moving to New Orleans. The city isn't that bad, and if it is, I'm sure they must have some nice suburbs. And the cost of living shouldn't be that much different, either.

I see you mention that you just bought a house in around here. Now that could make things more difficult for you to just pull up and leave. Also, what about your wife's employment situation? Does she have a job here? Would she be able to find something in her line of work down there that pays comparably?

[Peregrine]

My niece lived in the area for a few years. She lived on the north side of Lake Ponchatrain. It's a very rural area and not in the slightest a bad or dangerous area. She was 30 minutes from NO. She only left because of Katrina, otherwise she would have stayed.

[Cleveland_Collector]

2x? Well, I guess it depends on what the "x" amount is. If you can increase your $$$ from $75K to $150K, it would be hard not to bite. Two things, N.O. is REALLY hot in the summer and very humid and don't go without at least a 2 year contractual guarantee. It would really suck to have them decide they don't need you 6 months into the job.

[neflihim]

Ok, well my wife works in a spa/salon so she can find a job pretty much anywhere really. Also about the house situation, we could easily rent it, also technically it is not in our name, it's my wifes dad's. We talked to him and he was cool with the whole idea of us moving, and could figure something out to do with the house. So that obstacle wouldn't be too bad.

I make around 29k now, and this job is 65-70k, so it's really more than 2x's. It is a pretty stable job imo, my cousin has been there for years. I don't see the contract expiring in the next few years really, and if it did, I would have the "X" amount of yrs expdoing something in Database admin/peoplesoft, which I don't have now. I'm just a field service tech now...hardware break/fix environment.

[Sunnydee]

It sounds like an opportunity that would be hard to pass up.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by neflihim

Ok, well my wife works in a spa/salon so she can find a job pretty much anywhere really. Also about the house situation, we could easily rent it, also technically it is not in our name, it's my wifes dad's. We talked to him and he was cool with the whole idea of us moving, and could figure something out to do with the house. So that obstacle wouldn't be too bad.

I make around 29k now, and this job is 65-70k, so it's really more than 2x's. It is a pretty stable job imo, my cousin has been there for years. I don't see the contract expiring in the next few years really, and if it did, I would have the "X" amount of yrs expdoing something in Database admin/peoplesoft, which I don't have now. I'm just a field service tech now...hardware break/fix environment.

I think you should take the job and approach the move with an open mind. Sounds like the only thing really holding you back would be your apprehension about New Orleans. I don't think N.O. is a bad city, and I'm sure you can find a part of the city that suits your tastes, even some that are safe with good schools. And you have a great resource in having your cousin down there who probably knows the area pretty well and can give you suggestions.

By the way, I did a little research and the cost of living in New Orleans is slightly higher, but the difference is negligible. With your income doubling, you'll still see a definite increase in your quality of life there as it relates to costs.

[The Cactus Leaguer]

I would live in N.O. in a second, given your situation. It is an amazing city, truly unique in the United States. Not sure I'd want to raise a family there long term compared to Cleveland, but you'll have time to figure that out for yourself.

[Peregrine]

Agreed. Heck I might even move to Detroit if my salary were to double.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Agreed. Heck I might even move to Detroit if my salary were to double.

Not to turn this into a debate, but I don't think this is a fair comment. Greater Detroit has some really nice areas. I don't think it's right for us to complain about people bashing Cleveland without knowing much about it and then turn around and do the same thing to a town like Detroit.