Should I move back? Please HELP (San Antonio, Portland: house, find a job, buying)

[MirrorSaw1]

Hey, I once lived in SA but left because I couldn't find any work. I am contemplating Portland Oregon but I am not sure. I haven't lived there for a year. How is employment doing?

I love San Antonio but I also need a friggin job. Portland is too cold but too pretty at the same time lol. So my fellow SAers what has changed since 2010?

I am willing to do any kind of work that pays until I find something better.

[majormadmax]

I think you'd have a better chance of finding a job in SA than Portland, as of October the unemployment rate for this area was 7.9% whereas in Portland it was 9.1%. While the median income for a household in Portland is $40,146 versus $36,214 in SA, I would contend our lower cost of living means that lower amount actual equates to greater buying power. And, oddly enough, we have a higher median family income ($53,100 vs. $50,271).

While Portland and the whole northwest part of the country is beautiful, I for one would not be a big fan of the cold, wet winters. It is much easier to deal with the hot, dry summers of SA. We lived here for three years before moving to Belgium, and one of the things I missed most was the weather (especially driven home to me one morning when I was scraping several inches of snow and ice off my car to go to work!).

As you know the service industry is big in San Antonio, so there are a lot of opportunities there. If anything, at least it's an income while you're looking for bigger and better paying jobs. You didn't mention what field you work in, but I've always contended that anyone who really wants to work will do whatever they can to have a job. Plus, I've learned from experience that it is much easier to find a better job when you are already working than to try when you are unemployed.

Good luck with your decision either way, but if it were me I would be heading to San Antonio!

Cheers! M2

[Buffyfan]

According to news sources...SA's economy is in fine shape.

[Paka]

I see help wanted signs driving around...you might not get the job you want without special qualifications, but jobs are out there to the point they are advertising for help.

[BroadStreet/PattisonAve]

Originally Posted by MirrorSaw1

Hey, I once lived in SA but left because I couldn't find any work. I am contemplating Portland Oregon but I am not sure. I haven't lived there for a year. How is employment doing?

I love San Antonio but I also need a friggin job. Portland is too cold but too pretty at the same time lol. So my fellow SAers what has changed since 2010?

I am willing to do any kind of work that pays until I find something better.

Yes. Move back. I'm sure you will find a job. And if you don't habla, don't worry. You don't need to.

[Rasero]

We're moving back to San Antonio next month and I CAN'T WAIT. Have been in OK City for the past year. Not a big fan of the weather or the fact that there's not much to do around here. Can't go riding my bike because it's too cold and windy. I miss the warmer weather and a bunch of other stuff such as the newly extended hike & bike trails (our house is close to the Leon Creek Greenbelt) and our gym and Sea World and the River Walk and La Cantera Shops etc. etc. etc.!!!