Relocate to Dallas vs FL? (Houston, Austin: real estate, homeowners insurance, home)

[mlarivie]

I'm from a quiet suburb about an hour from Boston, MA. Looking to relocate to Somewhere, Texas. I'd like to retain quiet living so if Dallas/Austin are anything like Boston during the day it's probably not for me. I've recently visited Brevard County in Florida and would like to find a similar county in Texas close to the big three. I've never visited, but an online job search says thats where the jobs are and it has it's benefits of twisty roads and rolling hills right outside of the city. I'm planning on hitting the road and setting up in a intown suite until I land a job. Being 27 and single and job hunting for IT work what counties should I check out?

[loves2read]

DFW is a major urban area--
while I don't think it is as bad or good as Boston in some ways it is busy, noisy, congested--even in suburbs
You can live outside the metro areas in more rustic areas but unless you work from home you would have longer commute and likely heavy traffic
You won't find the ocean or the weather the same in TX as in FL

[skids929]

Originally Posted by mlarivie

I'm from a quiet suburb about an hour from Boston, MA. Looking to relocate to Somewhere, Texas. I'd like to retain quiet living so if Dallas/Austin are anything like Boston during the day it's probably not for me. I've recently visited Brevard County in Florida and would like to find a similar county in Texas close to the big three. I've never visited, but an online job search says thats where the jobs are and it has it's benefits of twisty roads and rolling hills right outside of the city. I'm planning on hitting the road and setting up in a intown suite until I land a job. Being 27 and single and job hunting for IT work what counties should I check out?

I might be able to help you here a little since I have view (albeit limited primarily to Ma.) from both angles. I visit Dallas quite a bit to see family, will be there in May actually, from Ma. all my life. Been to Fla enough to say Dallas Texas absolutely reigns supreme for relocation by comparison.

With that said, the market isn't all people from the NE think it is from casual conversations with people that relocated there etc. There are some important things to note, and take seriously.

Believe it or not traffic is terrible compared to Boston, due to the fact there are 6.5 million people in the area but also things are very spread out.

It's hotter than Haitis there. Take this seriously if you have ANY reservation about heat.

Dallas has more jobs than Austin. If you want to carve out a career, particularly in IT, DFW is the better choice over Austin.

Not sure if you will buy Real Estate, it is cheap(er) overall, but property taxes are very high. And quite honestly, by the time you are done with increased homeowners insurance, increased energy bills etc you don't realize the gains that much. Might be a wash for some..Although I would take taxing at the local level over the state level any day.

Where you work is very dependent on where you would live. Most of the local folk here will be able shed some light on that better than me. They will also tell you it's nuts to move there without a job first, thats debatable really depends on your financial picture. These local folk will be here soon, and are usually very helpful. : )

Overall the lifestyle IMO is much better, more family oriented, and the economy seems more stable. Not necessarily better, but more stable. You really should visit and take some time to drive around the spots that are inside 635 to get an idea for the city. If you want suburbs, Plano has lots of Telecom jobs, and is very centrally located.

People are super nice, helpful, patient and well mannered compared to people in the Northeast as well. Overall, being a MA native with a desire to relocate, I think you will agree once you visit, Texas is a very nice place to settle down and have a career-particularly Dallas.

[skids929]

BTW, which suburb are you in? I am about an hour outside of Boston as well.

[mlarivie]

Shrewsbury, a sub of Worcester

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by mlarivie

I'm from a quiet suburb about an hour from Boston, MA. Looking to relocate to Somewhere, Texas. I'd like to retain quiet living so if Dallas/Austin are anything like Boston during the day it's probably not for me. I've recently visited Brevard County in Florida and would like to find a similar county in Texas close to the big three. I've never visited, but an online job search says thats where the jobs are and it has it's benefits of twisty roads and rolling hills right outside of the city. I'm planning on hitting the road and setting up in a intown suite until I land a job. Being 27 and single and job hunting for IT work what counties should I check out?

What precisely do you do?

IT means a lot of things.

For example there are infinite help desk guys looking for work or happy to have any job in an IT shop around here.

My wife/her company have been hiring a lot, maybe 10, of young MBA types for new project managements positions over the last year. She's the CIO of an oil company.


As mentioned above the IT markets in Houston and especially Dallas are a long way ahead of Austin, that's been the case for many years.

Best of luck.

[mlarivie]

Windows server engineer, MCP/MCSE/EMCPP, VMware. All the good stuff!

[skids929]

Originally Posted by mlarivie

Shrewsbury, a sub of Worcester

Haha, I am in Whitinsville, south of Worcester..Hello neighbor.

[mlarivie]

That's the best place to live around here IMO! Used to consult at the bank a few years ago.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by mlarivie

Windows server engineer, MCP/MCSE/EMCPP, VMware. All the good stuff!

OK that IS IT. My guess is you are one of the few who could move here and then look for a job and not be taking a massive risk in doing so.

If you come this way, anywhere around DFW, DT me or PM me or whatever it's called here and I can forward your res. to my wife. She's very well wired into the IT scene around here.