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Go where you can get a job. Everyone thinks their skills are transferable but in some places (like where I live) IT folks are a dime a dozen (not to say there aren't jobs, but there's lot of competition). Also, the pay in certain places is more than adjusted for COL - nurses make very little money where I live - way less than LI, not just a little less.
Start thinking about places you've been that you like. Or what kind of atmosphere/weather/vibe you like. Lurk on some forums here on CD.
Good luck.
Good advice. No place is going to look good if the OP is unemployed. Money magazine often does surveys of best places to live in the U.S., but I'm not sure how accurate they are. I'm sure there's plenty of information on the web on employment and living conditions around the country. The OP has to do a comprehensive search.
We know a couple with kids who moved to Virginia from Suffolk County (husband was a transferred government worker) and found the schools to be much better and more modern, and the taxes much lower. They were able to buy a bigger house and save more money for their kids' college educations. But they're now not sure if the atmosphere is what they expected. The oldest now wants to skip college and go to beauty school. It's not a bad profession, but it's also not what the parents hoped for. Other parts of the country sound good, but I wonder sometimes if the competitive, fast-paced New York environment isn't more of a motivator for kids to do better and become more successful. I have no proof of this. I think, though, that if you're surrounded by a diverse group of high achievers, some of that has to rub off.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I believe I got a much better education and learned much more here in the NY area -- both inside and outside the classroom -- than if I had grown up in Gooberville. Perhaps some of my NY snobbery is showing.
If you (not both of you combined) are not making $200k or a civil servant with tier IV or below pension, why would you (or anyone) stay on Long Island?
Good advice. No place is going to look good if the OP is unemployed. Money magazine often does surveys of best places to live in the U.S., but I'm not sure how accurate they are. I'm sure there's plenty of information on the web on employment and living conditions around the country. The OP has to do a comprehensive search.
We know a couple with kids who moved to Virginia from Suffolk County (husband was a transferred government worker) and found the schools to be much better and more modern, and the taxes much lower. They were able to buy a bigger house and save more money for their kids' college educations. But they're now not sure if the atmosphere is what they expected. The oldest now wants to skip college and go to beauty school. It's not a bad profession, but it's also not what the parents hoped for. Other parts of the country sound good, but I wonder sometimes if the competitive, fast-paced New York environment isn't more of a motivator for kids to do better and become more successful. I have no proof of this. I think, though, that if you're surrounded by a diverse group of high achievers, some of that has to rub off.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I believe I got a much better education and learned much more here in the NY area -- both inside and outside the classroom -- than if I had grown up in Gooberville. Perhaps some of my NY snobbery is showing.
Nope.. just the kid. The high schools I visited in Chesterfield Co. were extremely competitive and rank high nationally.
In the big scheme of things, one has to love what they do.......
I find it odd that the schools are better but they feel that they kids have been led down the non-college path by their peers. That makes no sense.
I happen to be of the mind that people should do what makes them happy in life, not chase some "let's impress everyone" occupation - regardless of how much money it's going to make them. Probably why I didn't feel like I fit in as a NYer, although born and raised there. I also don't buy into the "everyone should go to college" theory that is rampant nowadays. In 30 years when there's no plumber or HVAC guys but thousands of unemployed lawyers (oh, wait we are already seeing that happen) people will be wondering why.
I'll also say that there's probably way less pressure outside major metro areas like NYC to feel that you can't pursue a trade because you can actually live on that salary. People comfortably buy houses at a much younger age and with what you'd consider low level jobs here. Personally, I think that's a good thing. I don't think your attitude is necessarily NY snobbery - maybe more of an ingrained mentality. You probably don't know many people who make in the $30ks who can afford a nice house in a good safe area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by longislander2
Good advice. No place is going to look good if the OP is unemployed. Money magazine often does surveys of best places to live in the U.S., but I'm not sure how accurate they are. I'm sure there's plenty of information on the web on employment and living conditions around the country. The OP has to do a comprehensive search.
We know a couple with kids who moved to Virginia from Suffolk County (husband was a transferred government worker) and found the schools to be much better and more modern, and the taxes much lower. They were able to buy a bigger house and save more money for their kids' college educations. But they're now not sure if the atmosphere is what they expected. The oldest now wants to skip college and go to beauty school. It's not a bad profession, but it's also not what the parents hoped for. Other parts of the country sound good, but I wonder sometimes if the competitive, fast-paced New York environment isn't more of a motivator for kids to do better and become more successful. I have no proof of this. I think, though, that if you're surrounded by a diverse group of high achievers, some of that has to rub off.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I believe I got a much better education and learned much more here in the NY area -- both inside and outside the classroom -- than if I had grown up in Gooberville. Perhaps some of my NY snobbery is showing.
With the jobs that you both have, much of the country is a possible choice. This site is a great resource for learning about different states and cities. Decide what kind of weather, culture, geography and cost of living would appeal to you. My son and his fiance moved to Denver a year ago and like it so far. Both were hired for full time teaching positions after they moved there. Once you zero in on a few areas, take some trips and check them out. Good luck!
I am not married to the idea of staying in New York myself. I grew up on Long Island, lived in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for a little bit and saw that there are other places out there. The boyfriend on the other hand has only known Long Island and is only child and his whole family is here. House hunting on this island is just frustrating. I feel like we're looking at the bottom of the barrel sometimes with these places and for these taxes, what are we getting? We are a middle class couple (he works in IT and I work in marketing) and we feel like we have nothing to show for it at times.
We're looking to hopefully build equity in a house here and move in maybe 10 years, when hopefully our careers are more advanced and we can get a decent quality of life somewhere else.
We're looking to hopefully build equity in a house here and move in maybe 10 years, when hopefully our careers are more advanced and we can get a decent quality of life somewhere else.
While we're fond of the thought that this could be the house where we live until we're old and gray, I've toyed with the idea you mention as well. In 10 years we'll still be relatively young and could have $100k in equity (or more, depending on the market), plus any savings we've managed to set aside in that time. That kind of money (which is far more than we have right now) may not go very far in NY, but could be more than adequate in other parts of the country.
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- maybe more of an ingrained mentality. You probably don't know many people who make in the $30ks who can afford a nice house in a good safe area. 
