Is a recession coming?

[wade_word]

I'd be afraid to tell you this, but yes, it looks like it's on its way.

[elliott]

Thanks for all the opinions. I have to say that they are all similar to what we have been thinking anyway. It would be nice to have a job lined up already, but I think that would be very difficult without having an interview and having to compete with many americans that will have USA experience. How do you think companies in Austin will view employing a foreigner over a "local"? (Personally, I would go with the guy who has US experience.)

[S6Sputnik]

Originally Posted by wade_word

I'd be afraid to tell you this, but yes, it looks like it's on its way.

I for one do not agree with that, and here is why:

I am a retailer of medium to higher priced goods (want not need goods) and our sales were greater in both December 07 and January 08 than the previous year.

So I say we are not in a recession! We may not have the over all growth as we did 2 years ago, but we are far from recession. I came from Michigan, I have seen recession!

[VickyTexas]

Gosh - we're in a recession. News to me. I must have missed the memo...or maybe there is a reason I don't read the newspapers or watch the nasty news on TV...the media has a way of sendin us all into a tizzy. Can you say "self-fulfilling prophesy"? The sky is falling...only if you believe it. I just bought two rental homes from those same folks who felt they needed to run screaming away from home ownership and had them both rented before escrow closed. There are two sides to every situation - actually there are an infinite number of options. Look for the opportunity! If the media started saying, "The economy appears to be rebounding" then I think the same lemings would breathe a sigh of relief and make it so. Come on folks we must have some control over our circumstances. Don't let the media tell you what the future holds.

[IC_deLight]

Is a bullfrog waterproof?
Does a dog have fleas?

[jimmyjack]

Hey Sput and Vicki. Yall might want to get on the horn to the National Bureau of Economic Research. It is just this type of anecdotal data they need to be convinced in calling off this recession.

[S6Sputnik]

Originally Posted by jimmyjack

Hey Sput and Vicki. Yall might want to get on the horn to the National Bureau of Economic Research. It is just this type of anecdotal data they need to be convinced in calling off this recession.

I send the the government data and taxes all the time

[jclAustin]

Whether we are in a recession or not it's risky to relocate without a job lined up. You can start working with a recruiter and line up interviews ahead of time. Then come out for a whirlwind tour for a week or two. If you make it known that you're footing the bill for travel and relocation companies should be more receptive.
Another thought is to find a job with a large multinational with a presence in Austin. Then work on an internal transfer.

As to the recession, It's really academic. I don't think anyone questions that growth has slowed, buthas it started to contract? I was in the Tampa, FL area not long ago. The neighborhoods that I went through had 2-3 houses per street for sale, many of them empty. I'd say they were in a recession there. While the economic slow down may not have made it to Austin yet, I think it's a little too optimistic to say it won't.

[jread]

Austin seems to be going strong in my opinion, but that could always change. The post 9-11 crash hit us very hard and I'm surprised at how well we've recovered. Still, I'm not going to let go of my nice government job anytime soon