Relocating to HOUSTON: No Lined up Job/Few $Thousands in my Pocket (Dallas: rent, job market)

[ABQ1]

Full disclosure:I posted this in he Dallas section as well.

Thanks in advance for your insight on my questions.

First, is it a risk worth taking to relocate to Houston WITHOUT a job lined up, with a few thousand $dollars in the pocket?

- Work experience area is in financial analysis in healthcare (about 8 years experience)

- BS accounting & Master degrees (not MBA though).

- Been out of a fulltime job for 12 months (have done 2 short term contract jobs within the 12 months).

- A family of 4 (wife nursing 6 months old baby & currently not working)

- Made $95k last fulltime job but willing to take 20 - 30% lower, if I have to.

- One child in 2nd grade so, school consideration is important.

- Will take temporary/contract immediately while I hunt for fulltime job.

- Of course, we'll rent at first.

[Glossa]

Please get a job first. The reports you read about the job market in this city are a little exaggerated. I know people who live here who haven't found jobs yet. Please don't come here without a job lined up.

[dejamiller]

Originally Posted by glossa

please get a job first. The reports you read about the job market in this city are a little exaggerated. I know people who live here who haven't found jobs yet. Please don't come here without a job lined up.

This!!!

[Oildog]

Originally Posted by Glossa

Please get a job first. The reports you read about the job market in this city are a little exaggerated. I know people who live here who haven't found jobs yet. Please don't come here without a job lined up.

I agree whole heartedly.

[Failed Engineer]

I am an accountant by degree (not by trade), and have my own consulting firm specializing in healthcare, so I feel like I can comment.

If your experience is solely in healthcare, you need to find a job before you move. Other industries won't look at your healthcare experience as beneficial, and the healthcare finance/accounting sector is a little slow right now.

Your willingness to take lower pay won't necessarily endear you to employers, even though you might think it does.

A few thousand in the bank account is not much. Take a job where ever you can get one and move there.

[Cbink]

Originally Posted by ABQ1

Full disclosure:I posted this in he Dallas section as well.

Thanks in advance for your insight on my questions.

First, is it a risk worth taking to relocate to Houston WITHOUT a job lined up, with a few thousand $dollars in the pocket?

- Work experience area is in financial analysis in healthcare (about 8 years experience)

- BS accounting & Master degrees (not MBA though).

- Been out of a fulltime job for 12 months (have done 2 short term contract jobs within the 12 months).

- A family of 4 (wife nursing 6 months old baby & currently not working)

- Made $95k last fulltime job but willing to take 20 - 30% lower, if I have to.

- One child in 2nd grade so, school consideration is important.

- Will take temporary/contract immediately while I hunt for fulltime job.

- Of course, we'll rent at first.

Is it a risk?! YES, a HUGE one! I agree with the others, don't do it. Look for a job first.

[David Dollar]

That salary is probably a little high even at 20%-30% less for most jobs.

[Failed Engineer]

Originally Posted by David Dollar

That salary is probably a little high even at 20%-30% less for most jobs.

Not really. If he has any experience in a managerial role (which I might expect with 8 years) he should be able to slot in around where he last was. The problem is healthcare is not hot right now so it will be difficult to find the right position, especially since he's not local.

[ABQ1]

Originally Posted by Failed Engineer

Not really. If he has any experience in a managerial role (which I might expect with 8 years) he should be able to slot in around where he last was. The problem is healthcare is not hot right now so it will be difficult to find the right position, especially since he's not local.

Engineer, thank you so much for your sincere and blunt opinion. I really appreciate honesty than sugar-coated feel good suggestion. Here's my question though, I have always known that Houston is an energy hub but also thought that it's big on healthcare as well, with the many hospitals and medical schools. So healthcare finance jobs are not as well as energy finance jobs in Houston? Ok.

I have interviewed by phone a few times with MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann and a few others but I do notice their reluctance for me being out of state. This is despite that I tell them upfront that I will relocate myself and even come on my own for a F2F interview. So, I figured being closer might ease that reluctance.

I used to pick up and move but with family now and exhausted savings after 18 monhs unemployed, my risk tolerance is not what it used to be. But I will come on alone for now and explore before family joining.

[ABQ1]

Originally Posted by Failed Engineer

I am an accountant by degree (not by trade), and have my own consulting firm specializing in healthcare, so I feel like I can comment.

If your experience is solely in healthcare, you need to find a job before you move. Other industries won't look at your healthcare experience as beneficial, and the healthcare finance/accounting sector is a little slow right now.

Your willingness to take lower pay won't necessarily endear you to employers, even though you might think it does.

A few thousand in the bank account is not much. Take a job where ever you can get one and move there.

Engineer and others, my other question is this: Is there a general reluctance with Texas employers with candidates whose educational/work background is from the Eastcoast (NE)? Something like a regional perception of Northeasters in Texas?