Time to move and looking at Washington area (Seattle, Vancouver: fit in, home)

[Bolder]

Hi all,

Me and my fiancee are moving from Texas and are looking for places to move to sometime around july/august. She has a mathematics degree and is k-8 math certified with an ESL certification. I have an M.S in Library Science, A school library certification, two B.A's and a 4-8 teacher certification with several years experience. We are both avid sci-fi/fantasy, anime, literary fans. Washington to be honest is more our fit in regards to both entertainment and educational environments.

What is the job outlook like for educators and anything else that might fit? Also looking at areas to move to and live at, we have two pets so anywhere we head needs to allow pets of some sort.

Thank you all for your help

[Hemlock140]

That is yet to be determined. Our state budget is suffering from the reduced tax revenue from the recession, and though there have not been many layoffs the last 2 years, this recent federal sequester cut will have a significant effect on schools, with likely staffing cuts, increased class size, reduction in programs, and less spending on books. This is not exclusive to WA, but will happen all over the country. The staff at the school where my wife works are worried that layoffs could come before the end of this current school year, but expect notices to be sent out in May for next fall layoffs.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Bolder

Hi all,

Me and my fiancee are moving from Texas and are looking for places to move to sometime around july/august. She has a mathematics degree and is k-8 math certified with an ESL certification. I have an M.S in Library Science, A school library certification, two B.A's and a 4-8 teacher certification with several years experience. We are both avid sci-fi/fantasy, anime, literary fans. Washington to be honest is more our fit in regards to both entertainment and educational environments.

What is the job outlook like for educators and anything else that might fit? Also looking at areas to move to and live at, we have two pets so anywhere we head needs to allow pets of some sort.

Thank you all for your help

I usually recommend WY or AK for teachers, but if you want WA, I would look to Vancouver / Camas area, as you can work in WA (tax free as is TX) and socialize in Portland (10 min away). As well as utilize / get University employment for Library in one of ~ 20 nearby colleges. Lewis and Clark, U f Port, and Reed would be a good place to apply. You will need to pay 9% income on your OR employment, or find work in WA.

Plenty of outdoor and indoor activity in the region, unless you are and avid lap swimmer. (Portland / Beaverton has pools, but not Vancouver (except 'play' pools, or you need to join a club).

You might want to keep a place in TX to get dried out and have a chance to see sun in winter,. SWA flies out of Portland and you can get to sun in one hr by air or land. My frequent getaways are to CA, TX, NM, AZ and Colorado.

[Bolder]

Thank you both; Stealthrabbit and Hemlock 140 for responding so far.

Stealthrabbit, to be honest for what we like to do there are only a few areas in the country we are looking at. Part of the reason we are leaving Texas is the same reason we wouldnt like being in Alaska or Wyoming, also alaska is a bit way too cold for us. I've spent 30 some years in Texas and just want a general change of pace.

I didnt realize that there were so many colleges in that area, but what you have told me is a bit reassuring in that regards thank you. Another post I saw said that there were a lot of call centers? Sadly me and my loved one spent time working for Redcats, which runs lane Bryant, chadwicks of boston etc so thats not unusual for us either.

Any other advice or suggestions so far?

[StealthRabbit]

yes. Lots of call centers in Beaverton / Hillsboro, OR. Teaching is NOT a career to pursue in OR, They have really poor funding for schools and somewhat dysfunctional State Gov process.

Camas and Hockinson and certain schools in Evergreen district of Clark County (Vancouver area) have good reputation and pretty decent kids too (interested in learning).

I just bought a home in Hill Country of TX so I can get a 'change of pace'. I will be there LOTS during the 285 days of rain / overcast in PNW. I came to PNW ~ 30 yrs ago, after ~30 yrs in Colo, so... I need a dose of sun rather frequently.

YMMV. Good luck, come on out and visit. Early May is extraordinarily pretty (Rhodies). Portland Parks & Recreation :: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

1.2 hrs west north oregon coast - Google Search
20 minutes east columbia gorge national scenic area - Google Search

[cdelena]

We left Texas looking for a place that has no hard winters and no hard summers so it comes to the west coast. If you want to minimize taxes it leaves Washington and if you need a major airport you need to be close to PDX or SEATAC. We looked at both areas and decided the greater traffic and prices made Seattle less attractive for us and we settled in the Vancouver area.

At the time I was working national contracts so location for a job was not that important. When the economy took a dive in 2008 we found it is harder to find work here and wound up retiring. Still happy with the location.

[Bolder]

Cdlena-
Thank you for that post, that's part of what we are considering as well for the move, weather. Hearing as much as I have about the Vancouver area I need to start looking into that more. I thank you all again for your posts and any other thoughts you may have please keep throwing them out.