Is Houston Suffering Badly from the Loss of NASA Jobs? (Pasadena: apartment, rent)

[Jesse69]

I lost my Jacobs ESCG / NASA job way back in Aug 2008, 7 months unemployed in Houston - I couldn't get a job. I aced interviews but there were hiring freezes. So I moved back to Chicago to live in my Parent's house rent free. Seems like 2009 was a dead year for jobs with many companies laying off people. So ever since moving to Chicago Feb 2009 I've missed Houston. I love Houston's groceries, shopping, and fast food. But now Chicago groceries are just as good. But I miss fast food places like Jack in the Box and Waffle House.

But anyway, do you know of former NASA engineers / workers and how did they fare in the layoffs? How is the Clearlake area doing now? There is a 60 Minutes Special on laid off Nasa people in FL, check it out on the web.

I tried switching to Oil & Gas work but they didn't hire me before I moved.

How has Houston been since I moved?

[piyf]

It is where my wife works.

[DanielWayne]

I was with Lockheed (supported the station) and luckily found another job in 2011 before I was escorted out. I got several hints that my time was up. My old group was trimmed, and after talking to my old boss in December, they still don't know what exactly they will be working on. Clear Lake seems to be doing ok, however. If you were into software, it seems to me that jobs in that area have picked up in other industries since you left Houston. I am just judging this by people I know that have landed new jobs.

[Jesse69]

While I was working at Jacobs I was saving my money to buy a BMW 330ci and a condo. Good thing I waited as I was unexpectedly laid off in 2 months. I would have been screwed if I bought these two things. During my previous weekly Friday Designer Group meetings there was a lot of talk about future projects, and I thought there was a lot of work that would keep me employed until 2020.

I talk to some former employees at Jacobs and they said a lot of people were laid off. This was the best job I ever had, and I miss it.

[timtemtym]

My family has been in the CLC since it was built in the 60's space rush. There hasn't been much of an effect in the overall Clear Lake area, although! Strangely enough, my parents' property appraisal dropped about 15k this year.

What are you missing in Houston? Currently it's the Californiazation that's hitting Texas since we seem to have the last growing economy in the nation. We're getting In N Outs (Currently only in DFW area, but planned to move south), Carl's JR is expanding across Houston, Del Taco just opened. Trader Joe's has three locations opening soon (woodlands, montrose, inner memorial area). I think those are the only developments in fast food you're missing. Grocery stores are the same except for the addition of trader Joe's

Greater Clear Lake is still growing, adding tons of new neighborhoods in League City, Seabrook, Kemah, Pasadena. Last year, according to census figures, the Houston metro added 140,000 new people. Life trudges on. i don't know why you'd want to come back here. I've been here most of my life and am finally getting out in July (secured a job in california).

[Jesse69]

I'm not missing the hot weather of Houston, though, and the expensive electricity. Before 2009 Chicago didn't have SuperWalmarts with grocery shopping and Food4Less [which is Kroger]. So I missed these kinds of groceries when I came to Chicago. I also miss HEB and there was a grocery store for rich people - I forgot it's name but I liked the cookies, brownies, and some pastries there. I miss visiting the shopping mall, Filipiniana [restaurant], and Houston thrift stores. Nowadays in 2011 great grocery shopping came to Chicago, and it's just lacking better fast food variety. But I love Culver's in Chicago's suburbs.

I would love to visit Houston once it has In N Out and Carl's Jr. I think Whataburger wasn't any good though.

My problem is my felony hasn't been expunged yet so it would be hard for me to get an apartment in Houston.

[Supermac34]

NASA jobs are such a tiny percentage of the jobs in Houston that on the large scale "big picture" for Houston, there has been little to no effect.

I'm sure there has been localized effects in the smaller areas that supported NASA however.

[Johnhw2]

I have helped several engineers from NASA land jobs. Oil and gas is a good place to try but they are picky on type engineer and experience they want. If you are still looking I recommend try North Dakota oil and gas, shortage of engineers up there and booming economy. Downside is no place to live and not much to do I hear. But its a way to get into oil and gas then move to another location after proving yourself and getting 18 months or so experience in oil and gas.

[Shark01]

I was in the "Vader" building myself, and saw the writing on the wall in 1994. The NASA of the 60s that my Dad worked with had disappeared.

Was rough going into something else because of the difference in job skills needed. After 7 months, found my way into an O&G service company. This is your best bet.

And I like the guy who suggested going where most people won't (ND, Wyoming, New Mexico).

[HoustonRonnie]

No. All of NASA could go away (god forbid) and Houston would not be "suffering badly".

Ronnie