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Old 11-07-2011, 08:37 AM
 
Location: US
188 posts, read 213,689 times
Reputation: 217

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A little backround: I'm under 30, single, grew up in SW LA. I spent a year in south FL, then the past 6 years in Lafayette working in the oilfield. Lafayette was my favorite place overall. About 6 months ago I took a job in Houston strictly for higher compensation. It's been tough out here as I miss my old life just about every day. My current (corporate office job) work situation isn't what I had hoped, it's really wearing me down at this point. The areas in houston inside the loop that I do like are sky high expensive, so the higher pay is pretty much a wash in the short term.

Recently, I was offered 3 similar jobs back home. (One in downtown NOLA, one in south lake charles, and my previous role + higher pay in lafayette which I enjoyed) I am leaning towards heading back to Lafayette.

Any thoughts or advice? Anyone done the LA to TX and back thing? I've read it takes 2 years to acclimate in a new state, but it's not getting better at all.
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Old 11-07-2011, 09:15 AM
 
Location: Louisiana to Houston to Denver to NOVA
16,508 posts, read 26,312,844 times
Reputation: 13293
I can't wait to move back to LA. I don't dislike Houston but it's just not home.
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Old 11-07-2011, 09:50 AM
 
270 posts, read 587,446 times
Reputation: 155
Yes I agree. I have done that scenario a few times and Louisiana is where it's at. There is nothing wrong with Texas, unless you send your kids to a private school in Texas, which is way too expensive. But the culture of Louisiana is way better than Texas.
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Old 11-07-2011, 12:54 PM
 
Location: New Orleans
1,554 posts, read 3,034,738 times
Reputation: 1960
The oil/petrochemical industry sent a good chunk of my family from Abbeville/New Iberia to the Golden Triangle. They certainly consider themselves acclimated but still different "CoonTexAss"! Not to say that Texas still isn't a powerhouse economically or that Louisiana is doing so well, but there is more opportunity here than there was a few decades ago, I feel. Lafayette learned its mistakes from stacking all its chips into just one industry, and its economy is a little more diverse now. At the very least, if you decide to come back you can say you tried something else and now you appreciate Louisiana more.
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Old 11-07-2011, 01:00 PM
 
Location: Louisiana to Houston to Denver to NOVA
16,508 posts, read 26,312,844 times
Reputation: 13293
Quote:
Originally Posted by aab7855 View Post
The oil/petrochemical industry sent a good chunk of my family from Abbeville/New Iberia to the Golden Triangle. They certainly consider themselves acclimated but still different "CoonTexAss"! Not to say that Texas still isn't a powerhouse economically or that Louisiana is doing so well, but there is more opportunity here than there was a few decades ago, I feel. Lafayette learned its mistakes from stacking all its chips into just one industry, and its economy is a little more diverse now. At the very least, if you decide to come back you can say you tried something else and now you appreciate Louisiana more.
I know I do. It's like the air tastes better, I can't wait to cross over the MS and see that little skyline that is Baton Rouge, can't wait to see LSU and Saints stickers, the towering capital building, and passing through the swamps.

Vivre sur Louisiane !
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Old 11-07-2011, 02:23 PM
 
Location: Lafayette, La
2,057 posts, read 5,326,525 times
Reputation: 1515
Louisiana doesnt have the best schools. It is not the safest place, or the cleanest. It doesnt have all the amenities or huge booming megacities or super clean suburbs. What Louisiana does have, is character and grit. It has intangibles that no other state can fulfill. It is a truly special state that is unlike anywhere else. Not just in the US, but in the world. It is absolutely unique. For some of us, nothing else will ever come close to replacing where we call home.
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Old 11-07-2011, 03:54 PM
 
9 posts, read 23,565 times
Reputation: 16
I haven't quite made it to Texas, since I'm currently in Lake Charles, but I sure do miss it further east in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

The cost of living in Lake Charles is low. The drive anywhere from here on I-10, however, is long.

The cost of living in New Orleans is not so low, and it's not one but two hours away from Lafayette.

I would recommend going back to Lafayette. Moving to Lake Charles or New Orleans might be a way of "settling" and not what you truly want after all.
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Old 11-07-2011, 07:36 PM
 
Location: Youngsville, LA
432 posts, read 1,085,895 times
Reputation: 223
I was recently informed by my employer that I may be transferred from Lafayette to Houston, so this thread is timely for me. I love where I live and have turned down some nice job offers elsewhere just to remain here. I just never anticipated a transfer.

I realize the many pros of living in Houston, but the homer in me will always want to be here. My parents are aging and most of my siblings and their families have returned, plus I'm a huge Cajuns and Saints fan, not to mention that I am hopelessly ADDICTED TO THE FOOD! LOL

Sigh.....
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Old 11-07-2011, 07:52 PM
 
Location: Louisiana to Houston to Denver to NOVA
16,508 posts, read 26,312,844 times
Reputation: 13293
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimLFT View Post
I was recently informed by my employer that I may be transferred from Lafayette to Houston, so this thread is timely for me. I love where I live and have turned down some nice job offers elsewhere just to remain here. I just never anticipated a transfer.

I realize the many pros of living in Houston, but the homer in me will always want to be here. My parents are aging and most of my siblings and their families have returned, plus I'm a huge Cajuns and Saints fan, not to mention that I am hopelessly ADDICTED TO THE FOOD! LOL

Sigh.....
Don't do it! I'm glad I experienced it, but I want to go back to tha BOOT!

I never thought I would miss the small things.
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Old 11-07-2011, 10:18 PM
 
Location: US
188 posts, read 213,689 times
Reputation: 217
Good input here from all. I really appreciate the kind words.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Innotech View Post
Louisiana doesnt have the best schools. It is not the safest place, or the cleanest. It doesnt have all the amenities or huge booming megacities or super clean suburbs. What Louisiana does have, is character and grit. It has intangibles that no other state can fulfill. It is a truly special state that is unlike anywhere else. Not just in the US, but in the world. It is absolutely unique. For some of us, nothing else will ever come close to replacing where we call home.
this! I just feel comfy, safe, and right at home there.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimLFT View Post
I was recently informed by my employer that I may be transferred from Lafayette to Houston, so this thread is timely for me. I love where I live and have turned down some nice job offers elsewhere just to remain here. I just never anticipated a transfer.

I realize the many pros of living in Houston, but the homer in me will always want to be here. My parents are aging and most of my siblings and their families have returned, plus I'm a huge Cajuns and Saints fan, not to mention that I am hopelessly ADDICTED TO THE FOOD! LOL

Sigh.....
I think a lot depends on each individual person's interests and goals. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it out. If I absolutely loved my new job here, I would give it a lot longer shot no doubt. If I had to do it again I wouldn't move for less than double my salary, but again everyone is different.

You can ask ten native houstonians if they'd ever move to LA and nine of them will look at you like you're nuts.

Last edited by Gray Rider; 11-07-2011 at 10:28 PM..
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