Is Texas ready for an exodus of 3 million displaced Michigan workers? be honest! (Houston: taxes, living)

[SweethomeSanAntonio]

Originally Posted by Kofi713

Where did this list come from? You have a source?

Anyway, found these:

Best Cities For Young Professionals - Forbes.com (Houston only city in Texas in the top 5)

Best Cities For Jobs In 2008 - Forbes.com

Best Cities For Recent College Grads - Forbes.com (Houston, DFW, and Austin top the list; SA not on there unfortunately)

San Antonio makes those lists as well. Maybe not that one, but there is always a list every other week.

This is a top list for most job searches, so it's more fact than a opinion made by a Forbes columinst.


look at very bottom.
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=An8ce3EyohlbtDCulkLyfmt3SKIX (broken link)

[mackinac81]

Well, I'm a michigander, and can tell you that a lot of people aren't leaving because they want to, but because they they have to. And it's very common for people to announce their intention to stay put and ride it out.

I'm one of those people. I've lived here my whole life, went to college for teaching, and graduated a year and a half ago.I subbed for a year, and went back to school this summer to get certified in english. I taught myself spanish and track coaching. And still I've had not a single interview in that entire time.Last week, after being turned down for the umteenth time, I decided that if I don't get a job this fall, I'll leave.

I don't want to go. Michigan is my home. My family and friends are here. The great lakes and cool forests are beyond description. And don't get me started on fall and winter...simply gorgeous. Winter has its own quiet beauty...But I'm 27. I'll be 28 in April, and I have to get my life started. I want to teach. I want to pay off my student loans. I want to get married and begin a family. And I can't do that spinning my wheels up here.

And then I hear about Texas, as if it's "The Promised Land" where jobs can be found, and a future can be made. That's probably exaggerated somewhat, but from what I've heard, Texas is still a world different from Michigan. I think I now have some idea how an immigrant feels. Not an illegal, poor immigrant, but someone who has to uproot himself and make his way in a different place. I'm looking at Texas.

Michigan's economy isn't horrible, but for a generation of young people, there isn't much of a future right now. It's very sad. Maybe, God willing, I could return. But then, maybe not.

[S6Sputnik]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Well, I'm a michigander, and can tell you that a lot of people aren't leaving because they want to, but because they they have to. And it's very common for people to announce their intention to stay put and ride it out.

I'm one of those people. I've lived here my whole life, went to college for teaching, and graduated a year and a half ago.I subbed for a year, and went back to school this summer to get certified in english. I taught myself spanish and track coaching. And still I've had not a single interview in that entire time.Last week, after being turned down for the umteenth time, I decided that if I don't get a job this fall, I'll leave.

I don't want to go. Michigan is my home. My family and friends are here. The great lakes and cool forests are beyond description. And don't get me started on fall and winter...simply gorgeous. Winter has its own quiet beauty...But I'm 27. I'll be 28 in April, and I have to get my life started. I want to teach. I want to pay off my student loans. I want to get married and begin a family. And I can't do that spinning my wheels up here.

And then I hear about Texas, as if it's "The Promised Land" where jobs can be found, and a future can be made. That's probably exaggerated somewhat, but from what I've heard, Texas is still a world different from Michigan. I think I now have some idea how an immigrant feels. Not an illegal, poor immigrant, but someone who has to uproot himself and make his way in a different place. I'm looking at Texas.

Michigan's economy isn't horrible, but for a generation of young people, there isn't much of a future right now. It's very sad. Maybe, God willing, I could return. But then, maybe not.

You have a bright future! Well said.

[gold dust]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Well, I'm a michigander, and can tell you that a lot of people aren't leaving because they want to, but because they they have to. And it's very common for people to announce their intention to stay put and ride it out.

I'm one of those people. I've lived here my whole life, went to college for teaching, and graduated a year and a half ago.I subbed for a year, and went back to school this summer to get certified in english. I taught myself spanish and track coaching. And still I've had not a single interview in that entire time.Last week, after being turned down for the umteenth time, I decided that if I don't get a job this fall, I'll leave.

I don't want to go. Michigan is my home. My family and friends are here. The great lakes and cool forests are beyond description. And don't get me started on fall and winter...simply gorgeous. Winter has its own quiet beauty...But I'm 27. I'll be 28 in April, and I have to get my life started. I want to teach. I want to pay off my student loans. I want to get married and begin a family. And I can't do that spinning my wheels up here.

And then I hear about Texas, as if it's "The Promised Land" where jobs can be found, and a future can be made. That's probably exaggerated somewhat, but from what I've heard, Texas is still a world different from Michigan. I think I now have some idea how an immigrant feels. Not an illegal, poor immigrant, but someone who has to uproot himself and make his way in a different place. I'm looking at Texas.

Michigan's economy isn't horrible, but for a generation of young people, there isn't much of a future right now. It's very sad. Maybe, God willing, I could return. But then, maybe not.

I wish you all the best. What a beautiful and heartfelt post. So true.

[reese7]

I understand what you are saying. We are are from Michigan and we never wanted to leave. It was our home and all our famiily and friends are still there. Like many we lost our home and my husband got a job in Virgina and we are living in North Carolina. I feel like I'm in a strange land and nothing seems the same. Many people from Michigan had to leave. When we moved and I crossed the line from Michigan to Ohio I cried.Many people from Michigan moved to the Carolinas and Wyoming I heard. I hope that things get better in Michigan it is a great state and to all the states who welcome Michigan people .. thank you. I remember many years ago people came to Michigan for work. In Michigan the saying is the last one in Michigan turn the lights out.

[WillysB]

I remember the rust belt migration of the eighties. At that time I thought that the Michiganders adapted to living in Texas more readily than those from any other region. They were welcomed then, you'll be welcomed today.

Texas continues to expand its cities and its markets. The migration continues from all points. Welcome home.

[mackinac81]

I understand what you are saying. We are are from Michigan and we never wanted to leave. It was our home and all our famiily and friends are still there. Like many we lost our home and my husband got a job in Virgina and we are living in North Carolina. I feel like I'm in a strange land and nothing seems the same. Many people from Michigan had to leave. When we moved and I crossed the line from Michigan to Ohio I cried.Many people from Michigan moved to the Carolinas and Wyoming I heard. I hope that things get better in Michigan it is a great state and to all the states who welcome Michigan people .. thank you. I remember many years ago people came to Michigan for work. In Michigan the saying is the last one in Michigan turn the lights out.

I am so sorry to hear about your story. Things will get better in MI someday (they can't get much worse!), and hopefully you'll get to return. I hope I do too.

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

If they're looking for automotive jobs in Texas, then think again as GM is cutting back production at its Suburban plant near Fort Worth. Even Toyota (in San Antonio) is cutting back production, AND they're not union.

Yea and no damn unions also!

[tmlynn]

My husband and I will be relocating to Houston in about two weeks. My husband is a native Michigander. I know a lot of people love Michigan but moving here from another state seven years ago I saw the writing on the wall fast. Moving to Michigan was the worst move financially I have ever made. Now we are going to have to go to drastic measures to get rid of our house in order to move-but we don't care. And that's a shame-we just want to leave. I never thought I would see the day where my husband wishes he could jump into the car tomorrow and just drive away from his hometown.

I really feel sorry for all the people who have lost their well paying jobs here. But that way of life is no longer possible and I don't know what they are going to do. My mother in law, now retired, was making over $80,000 a year working in sanitation at GM-sorry but that was a ridiculous salary for just housekeeping. But things like that are part of what drove these companies into the ground. I keep hearing people say give it four or five years-no.....more like ten. I expect we will be running into a lot of Michiganders in TX.

[JMadison]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

I definitely will welcome Michigan workers to Texas. People mention surviving the Mexican invasion and we'll survive this too. What about the Katrina invasion? I'm not sure we'll ever recover from that.

Why would an "invasion" from Detroit be any different than one from New Orleans?