Moving from New York to Texas.. Need some info about housing assistance and jobs. (Austin: fit in, attorneys)

[sdarling12078]

My fiance, my 1 month old son and I currently live in New York with my parents. We need to move out of their house in the next 3 months. We have decided to move to Texas to be closer to my fiances family and in hopes of finding work, we cannot stay with family though as I am "not welcome". We have been searching for jobs for well over a year and have found nothing, our only income is $336 a month..
Are there any programs or anything in Texas that will help us with shelter and food until we are bringing in a weekly check?
Is there a WIC program?
How hard is it to find a job?

We plan on moving to the Austin area, but do not want to live in the city.

Any other information we might need is appreciated too

[Nomadic9460678748]

Honey, things are tough all over.

There isn't much in the way of work here, either. Don't be fooled.

I think it's sad that no one even took the time to try and answer you. I guess no one here knows what it's like to actually be down on your luck. Good for them, but I hope they're never in a similar situation and find themselves greeted by such indifference.

Best of luck to you.

[Mrs.JT]

There is a WIC program in Texas as well as Medicaid and foodstamps.

Texas Department of State Health Services, Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)

As far as shelter, I'm not sure what's available. There's a Salvation Army shelter downtown, but I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.

Good luck with your situation.

[TexasHorseLady]

Sorry, I only saw this just now.

What kind of work are you looking for?

[hound 109]

Might as well bring the Statue of Liberty down here (with it's motto). Will it fit in your trunk?

Looks like we're going to have to open up an Austin's version of "Ellis Island" with all the Internet (Yahoo, etc.) propoganda & the "Come on down....plenty of jobs!" hooey i'm reading.

[centralaustinite]

the sad fact is that Texas is thriving in part because it is a low tax, low service state. And there are some hard policies in place that make access social services hard, you may have less access to the help you need here, particularly in comparison to NY.

[Modification Specialist]

My $00.02 -

I have traveled across America visiting 41 states, driven cross country six times, each time taken a different route. I truly believe Austin is in one of top ten city's in America.

I have lived here in Long Island for the last 20yrs. Planning a weekend trip to Austin at the end of June.

The people in Texas think they have traffic problems...lol!!! People are everywhere up here.....

Because of the large population (1.9 million in NYC), high taxes, high gas prices ($.40 per gallon higher), bad roads, cold winters, high humidity during the summer, the weather changing every hour, people are rude - its the price your have to compare for opportunity and convenience vs the low key way of life Texas is known for.

I grew up there in the 70's and 80's. Have been back twice. I know it doesn't break any records - back then I lived in Pfluggerville, driving to a company in South Austin. 45 miles one way - for three years. One of the reasons I left Texas it was the few and far between for jobs.

If you can't make it here in New York, you will have problems in Texas....

I'm currently working for two attorneys, have my own LLC, plus I am going to school four mornings a week. Also I fix computers on the weekends and give an hour to my Church on Sundays. Looking at my 9 days a week schedule, you can do the same thing.

My advice to you is to schedule yourself, make short term and long term goals.

I realize your parents of a young baby (full time job), you want to take advantage of any training or eduction you can capitalize on later. I was once in your shoes, now have two daughters 23 and 24, and a 14 yr old son that thinks he's a rock star....lol

What you do today will affect who you become tomorrow. You should discuss with your husband - about how you are managing your lives now, what needs to be changed, and work on a solution.

Living here in New York - jobs are everywhere, depending on what type of work you are looking for. If you can't find a job, you need to network, reinvent yourself or it's time to start your own business.



Good Luck...

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

the sad fact is that Texas is thriving in part because it is a low tax, low service state. And there are some hard policies in place that make access social services hard, you may have less access to the help you need here, particularly in comparison to NY.

Centralaustinite is right. If you need a safety net of social services right now, Texas might not be a good choice. The Texas safety net has lots of holes.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Nomadic9460678748

Honey, things are tough all over.

There isn't much in the way of work here, either. Don't be fooled.

I think it's sad that no one even took the time to try and answer you. I guess no one here knows what it's like to actually be down on your luck. Good for them, but I hope they're never in a similar situation and find themselves greeted by such indifference.

Best of luck to you.

I am just seeing this post for the first time. Perhaps the poeple that saw in when it first went up didn't feel they had anything meaningful to share or maybe they thought the person wasn't making a wise move and didn't want to burst her bubble.

So here's my advice:
If your future in-laws consider you unwelcome, don't pick yourself up and move here. The first couple of years with a child can be a very isolating experience and it sounds like you have more of a support network up there.

[Exiled Texan]

As a former NYCer, I do think NYC offers more assistance to those who need it, at least from the state and city. Moving is expensive and gamble. Sorry you are in this situation. Wish you the best.