I got a job offer today! (Cary: apartments, renting, condos)

[christinabean]

Hi there,

I needed to share-I am so excited!
I have only posted a few times, mostly just asking about things to do outdoors etc. in the area. A week and a half ago, a company flew me out for an interview (and my husband came along!). The whole experience was wonderful, and it afforded us another opportunity to see the area where we will be living (initially the Weston Lakeside apartments-while we look for a house).
Today I got a job offer! We are so excited-it's finally going to happen. Ok, so there was a little freak out moment when we started negotiating salary. It looks like my salary may end up being only 60% of what I get here in the bay area....working on that. They did offer a signing bonus to help offset moving costs though.

We will be moving the last week in September, with the cats (not looking forward to the drive-done that before!). My husband wants to make it into a sight-seeing trip...somehow I am thinkin' that the cats won't really appreciate that....


Anyhow-soon to be a Cary, North Carolina resident

Cheers,
Christina

[suncat]

Congratulations!

[jfre81]

Congrats on the job.

Whatever the cats are going in, pet taxi or whichever (I've used a mid-sized dog carrier to put my two cats in the car - it's space consuming but they are more comfortable with some more space than the little bitty cat carrier things) - cover with a blanket or something so they can't see. The less they see, the better. They won't freak out at traffic or anything else outside the windows if they don't see it. Check on them from time to time, drop a few kitty treats and they'll do fine. Especially if they've done this before...it's never going to be easy though. Best of luck.

[bull136]

Just bought a 2000 sqft split for 180 put 10k into it. We than got it appraised for $220,000 a month later 30 k not bad cary is very nice you can find a nice house for a good price in scottish hills .

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by christinabean

Today I got a job offer! We are so excited-it's finally going to happen. Ok, so there was a little freak out moment when we started negotiating salary. It looks like my salary may end up being only 60% of what I get here in the bay area....working on that. They did offer a signing bonus to help offset moving costs though.

Congrats on the job offer! Unfortunately, a lower salary is something you will have to expect coming to a lower cost of living area, unless you are receiving some kind of promotion. Why should they pay someone more just because they were coming from a more expensive area when they could probably find someone already in the state willing to accept that salary? I know, it's not fair when you're used to making more, but that is how they rationalize it sometimes. My boyfriend took a pay cut on his job here, many others on this board have as well. I came here on a promotion, but honestly with state income taxes, I'm not really taking home much more. I am, however, more "qualified" now to keep moving upward. At least you got a signing bonus to help with the move!

[Indigoblue]

Congratulations! I still remember how exciting (and also kind of panic-inducing) it was when my hubby got the job offer he accepted

[jkmeca11]

Congrats and good luck!!

[Dire Wolf]

I work for a company based in Silicon Valley. We've had at least one Engineer move from HQ, and he did have to take a pay cut (but I think it was only like 10%). The California-based employers have certainly helped salaries in this area. They are used to paying a certain range for to compete for talent out there, and even when they adjust for Cost-of-living, it still is pretty good for here.

Renting right now is probably a great idea for a newcomer. Get to know the area, for one. Perhaps more important, give this whole national subprime thing a chance to shake out. Lake Crabtree is such a pretty lake. Do these apartments have views of the lake? I've always wanted them to build an upscale highrise (I'm envisioning something that looks like the Wynn in Vegas) overlooking the lake with luxury apartments/condos.

[Redrover]

The subject of moving with cats pops up here often and holds great interest for me. A good friend is moving from Houston to Portland with her two and we have been discussing this at length (it will be my turn in two years). I have been wondering if it would be a feasible idea to put harnesses on them, put their carriers on the back seat, food/water in one footwell, litter box in the other and allow them out of the carriers securly attached to the harnesses. Any thoughts anyone?

[Dire Wolf]

You could just strap them to the roof like Romney did his dog.