Anyone move from PNW or Portland to the Triangle? (Charlotte: 2015, chapel)

[harrishawke]

Frustrated with the economic situation in Portland (under-employed), my wife and I are thinking about a job relocation to Raleigh for greater employment opportunities. Does anyone know how the economy compares? I know Portland has very little jobs, typically lower pay, and large volume of applicants. While Seattle, has more job openings, better pay, but intense competition (over 68% of the population has a bachelors degree or better) and steep qualifications. For comparison, in Southern California, we made good wages, but had a bad quality of life (traffic, expensive housing, overpopulation). It's likely only one of us will be able to get relocated with a job at a time; so someone is going to have to job search when we get there.

We also have family in the South East, and in the Greensboro and Charlotte areas.

[poppydog]

What are your fields?

The Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) is also highly educated. Depending on what list you go by Seattle is the 6th most educated city in the country and Raleigh is the 10th.

https://wallethub.com/edu/most-and-l...d-cities/6656/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/citi...p-cities-2015/

Durham and Chapel Hill have an even higher number of advanced degree holders (Masters & PhDs) than Raleigh or Seattle.

The Triangle is a hotspot for tech, biotech in particular, pharma, medicine and healthcare, but there are many other jobs here, too . Hard to say what your prospects are w/o knowing what you're looking for.

[harrishawke]

I have a Bachelors in Business, minor in Computer Science, and a Masters in Computer Information Systems. Although most of my experience is in QA Engineering, Data Analysis, or Application Management and scripting. Wife has a BS in Computer Science and works as a Semiconductorr Engineering Technician. We've only been able to secure work by "knowing someone", and networking. I was not able to secure a career level job by applying direct or through a recruiting house (was not a problem in LA).

[poppydog]

Well it seems like this area would suit your skills well. Have you applied to any jobs here? The general advice is don't move unless you've got a job lined up. Folks do it anyway, but sometimes it's a while before they land something.

[harrishawke]

Spouse would get paid relocation due to unique set of skills. However, my skills could likely be locally sourced and would have to try to seek employment before I get there.

[BullCityEric]

This Triangle area matches your skill set. Also, in my opinion, Durham and Carrboro (on a smaller scale) will be the areas closest in nature to Portland.

[RoaminRebel]

While the job opportunities do match your skill set, industry cutbacks have been nationwide and the Triangle isn't immune. There is a lot of competition in the area as well.. Better get a reality check before committing.

If you did well in the LA area, you may consider returning.

[luv4horses]

Just FYI, there are probably as many Triangle folk wanting to move to PNW as there are PNW folks wanting to move to the Triangle, and for the same reasons you cite. The scenery may change, but some of the same issues are everywhere.

[zitsky]

This can be a good area. I moved here in 2009 with my partner who had a job. It took me six months to find something. It was with a contract firm out of Florida but the job was good.