Are people moving to Texas randomly and capriciously? (Austin, Justin: apartments, unemployment)

[Lakewooder]

Yeah I let my lease expire as I was looking for a house in Houston and the rent went up $75 the first month and $50 the next -- nothing to sneeze at in 1981-82! So I got out of there fast and bought a house. Which might have been a mistake!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Melissa78703

Does anyone sense as though people may be moving to Texas simply because we're touted as the state that's fared best during the ongoing recession?

I dunno, I've been reading some threads, and it seems like a lot of out-of-staters plan to move here without a job lined up. They don't even know where they want to move, in fact. That sounds like a really bad idea to me. In fact, it sounds like a terrible idea to relocate anywhere without a job, unless you have to move back in with family/friends because there aren't any options.

Texas might be doing better than other states insofar that we don't have quite as many unemployed people. But we're in no way within the realm of normal, and it's still a competitive job market out there. I still know people here in Austin–professionals–who've been looking for a job for well over a year after they were laid off.

Thoughts?

I agree, I have seen a lot of the "I thought it would be easy to find a job in Dallas" mentality.

[NC to Austin]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

I've wondered the same thing about this randomness and capriciousness. I have long wondered how there are so many people that say "We are moving to Texas but can't decide on which one of the big cities." It's as if there are a lot of Texas-bound rich people who can move on a whim to wherever they want. If I want to move, (well first I have to ok it with the real boss of the household ) but then we would have to check our savings, find openings which are limited to begin with, apply for these limited openings and cross fingers, etc. It's a LONG process. Moving, relocating, and starting over costs $$$. I can't just say "I want to move so what is a good place for me." So either these folks are well-off, or they are just throwing caution to the wind (most likely) and it has become Texas or bust.

This is exactly what we plan on doing. We will be moving without jobs simply because we have decided we want to experience living Texas style. We are well funded, so we are not overly concerned about employment. We did the same thing when we moved to North Carolina. It worked out great. Life is about experiences and enjoyment. Make the most of it while you can.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by NC to Austin

This is exactly what we plan on doing. We will be moving without jobs simply because we have decided we want to experience living Texas style. We are well funded, so we are not overly concerned about employment. We did the same thing when we moved to North Carolina. It worked out great. Life is about experiences and enjoyment. Make the most of it while you can.

And therein lies the difference in experiences. Money makes all the difference in the world.

[NC to Austin]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

And therein lies the difference in experiences. Money makes all the difference in the world.

Yes, but in every state forum people say the same thing. In the NC forum, particularly the Raleigh forum, people keep saying don't move here without a job. Go to Texas instead. They have a great employment picture.

Everyone's situation is different. Even without excess funds someone can take a gamble if their life situation permits. No kids and no debt can make things easier. Too many people are too scared to take a risk and enjoy life. Sometimes others think the grass is greener. Us? We just like having fun and going on new adventures. What else is the point of life?

[Cathy4017]

Us? We just like having fun and going on new adventures. What else is the point of life?

Would you feel the same way if money were an issue?

I have taken far greater chances when I have money socked away than I would have if the opposite were true.

[NC to Austin]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Us? We just like having fun and going on new adventures. What else is the point of life?

Would you feel the same way if money were an issue?

Absolutely. There is no point to living if you are not going to live. Now if we had people depending on us, like children, then the plans would change a bit.

[Melissa78703]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Would you feel the same way if money were an issue?

I have taken far greater chances when I have money socked away than I would have if the opposite were true.

If money weren't an issue at all, I'd relocate to NYC in a heartbeat. But, being that money is an issue, that's not going to happen anytime soon unless I win the lottery or inherit a bundle from a long-lost relative.

It just frightens me when people who are not well-situated and who don't know their future situation up and move just because they want to live someplace, or because they think that a state (e.g., Texas) will be the answer. Even within the state, certain cities are a better bet for employment than others, as are certain regions. People with specific skill sets will find it easier than others to find employment. For example, I can't see a doctor or R.N. having any problem making things work here in Texas--or anywhere, for that matter.

I'm a freelance (technical) writer. I would work anywhere in the U.S. or the world. But, I still have to weigh the cost of living against income. Writers aren't rich by any stretch of the imagination.

People who come here without a good skill set worry me. I don't think they know what they're in for.

[Pontificator]

[SIDE NOTE] - Melissa, I reckon you're gonna create more influx if people learn that Texans know words like "capriciously."

[Cathy4017]

People who come here without a good skill set worry me. I don't think they know what they're in for.

Exactly. I agree. Texas may not be the promised land that many believe. While we are far better off than some other states, it's still no Utopia. We are also affected by the current economy, and always will be.

Having said that, Texas will probably always be in better shape than many other states simply because of the politics. If we could get rid of the enormous drain that illegal immigration sucks from this great state, we'd be even better off.