Why do some Texans hate California? (business, work, history)

[Gamewiz]

Wow thanks for all that info! Yeah, COL in SD in rather insane despite how fickle my family tries to live... my wife and I don't have health insurance (my work offers it but it's so expensive they'd be sending me a bill as opposed to giving me a paycheck), kids are covered though, we don't have TV (only internet), no land line phone, cars are both old and paid off, we rarely go out to eat or go on vacations (we only go on one tent camping trip a year) and despite being as fickle with money as we can we are barely making the bills with a combined income of around $60k/yr... that's just stupid.

I guess I'll need to pay some more attention to San Antonio when it comes time for the job hunt... to be honest it wasn't even really on my radar. Thank you!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Gamewiz

Wow thanks for all that info! Yeah, COL in SD in rather insane despite how fickle my family tries to live... my wife and I don't have health insurance (my work offers it but it's so expensive they'd be sending me a bill as opposed to giving me a paycheck), kids are covered though, we don't have TV (only internet), no land line phone, cars are both old and paid off, we rarely go out to eat or go on vacations (we only go on one tent camping trip a year) and despite being as fickle with money as we can we are barely making the bills with a combined income of around $60k/yr... that's just stupid.

I guess I'll need to pay some more attention to San Antonio when it comes time for the job hunt... to be honest it wasn't even really on my radar. Thank you!

If you're wanting to live large on a small budget, it should definitely be on your radar. Dallas has gotten quite a bit more spendy. It's harder to be frugal here, especially if you're paying over $100/month per person in tolls just to get to work every day.

[ZonaZoo]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

But they're young and dumb and enjoying the hell out of it, as they should. If there's ever a phase in life where you can justify the insane premium of life in southern California, it's in your 20s when you still have the youthful energy...and swimsuit body...to enjoy what the area has to offer. It'd be a total waste for me to live there; as much as I like visiting the beach when I'm on the coast, I doubt I'd ever go if I lived there.

I'm a business major at the University of Arizona, and I'll be graduating next spring. After doing some online research, it seems as though there are more entry-level positions for business majors in Orange County, CA than in both AZ and FL combined! Haha!

For quite some time, I've considered moving to CA, specifically OC and SD, but the very high COL out there scares me, especially since I'm a relatively frugal to being with. That being said, it seems like there's a better salary-to-COL ratio in OC than in FL, which is where I used to live and go to school.

I've also considered moving to TX; specifically Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio; but I'm thinking I should hold off on TX until I plan on settling down. I'm also a little apprehensive about moving to TX because, other than Houston, most of the major cities in the state are very far from the ocean. Being close to the ocean is important to me; I don't care how much it costs.

What do you think? Do you think it would be better to live and work in southern CA during my 20's and then look into TX when it comes time to buy a home and start a family, or do you think it would be wiser just to head straight for TX after graduation? I keep hearing that it's better to spend your 20's in southern CA than in TX, and you just reinforced that for me in the above-captioned quote.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by ZonaZoo

I'm a business major at the University of Arizona, and I'll be graduating next spring. After doing some online research, it seems as though there are more entry-level positions for business majors in Orange County, CA than in both AZ and FL combined! Haha!

For quite some time, I've considered moving to CA, specifically OC and SD, but the very high COL out there scares me, especially since I'm a relatively frugal to being with. That being said, it seems like there's a better salary-to-COL ratio in OC than in FL, which is where I used to live and go to school.

I've also considered moving to TX; specifically Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio; but I'm thinking I should hold off on TX until I plan on settling down. I'm also a little apprehensive about moving to TX because, other than Houston, most of the major cities in the state are very far from the ocean. Being close to the ocean is important to me; I don't care how much it costs.

What do you think? Do you think it would be better to live and work in southern CA during my 20's and then look into TX when it comes time to buy a home and start a family, or do you think it would be wiser just to head straight for TX after graduation? I keep hearing that it's better to spend your 20's in southern CA than in TX, and you just reinforced that for me in the above-captioned quote.

I can't answer that question for you but if being close to the ocean is important to you, most major cities in Texas are out. Houston is closest to beaches, but those beaches aren't very nice. And Texas's nice beaches aren't major employment centers, unless you count service-oriented jobs in tourism.

[Gamewiz]

Originally Posted by ZonaZoo

I'm a business major at the University of Arizona, and I'll be graduating next spring. After doing some online research, it seems as though there are more entry-level positions for business majors in Orange County, CA than in both AZ and FL combined! Haha!

For quite some time, I've considered moving to CA, specifically OC and SD, but the very high COL out there scares me, especially since I'm a relatively frugal to being with. That being said, it seems like there's a better salary-to-COL ratio in OC than in FL, which is where I used to live and go to school.

I've also considered moving to TX; specifically Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio; but I'm thinking I should hold off on TX until I plan on settling down. I'm also a little apprehensive about moving to TX because, other than Houston, most of the major cities in the state are very far from the ocean. Being close to the ocean is important to me; I don't care how much it costs.

What do you think? Do you think it would be better to live and work in southern CA during my 20's and then look into TX when it comes time to buy a home and start a family, or do you think it would be wiser just to head straight for TX after graduation? I keep hearing that it's better to spend your 20's in southern CA than in TX, and you just reinforced that for me in the above-captioned quote.

If you want good beaches, San Diego is the way to go. I'm not going to lie... it's expensive to live here. But the best time to do it is either a) when you are young without family commitments so you can live on less or b) if you have a six-figure paying job lined up out here. Otherwise things are going to be very tight. Now "comfort" is relative, but if you want a nice house, all bills paid on time, go out to dinner occasionally, vacations, afford to go to the various attractions here, etc... you're going to need a very good paying job.

Single people out here can be ok on $40k, comfort probably around $50-60k. If you are married with a family you want a combined income of at least $80k. My wife and I make a combined income of $60-65k before taxes, but she is a hair dresser so her business expenses plus tax on small business (which is what she is) kills the majority of her profits. Realistically we take home (after taxes and her business expenses) about $43k and we have to make a LOT of sacrifices.

[EzPeterson]

Originally Posted by ZonaZoo

I'm a business major at the University of Arizona, and I'll be graduating next spring. After doing some online research, it seems as though there are more entry-level positions for business majors in Orange County, CA than in both AZ and FL combined! Haha!

For quite some time, I've considered moving to CA, specifically OC and SD, but the very high COL out there scares me, especially since I'm a relatively frugal to being with. That being said, it seems like there's a better salary-to-COL ratio in OC than in FL, which is where I used to live and go to school.

I've also considered moving to TX; specifically Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio; but I'm thinking I should hold off on TX until I plan on settling down. I'm also a little apprehensive about moving to TX because, other than Houston, most of the major cities in the state are very far from the ocean. Being close to the ocean is important to me; I don't care how much it costs.

What do you think? Do you think it would be better to live and work in southern CA during my 20's and then look into TX when it comes time to buy a home and start a family, or do you think it would be wiser just to head straight for TX after graduation? I keep hearing that it's better to spend your 20's in southern CA than in TX, and you just reinforced that for me in the above-captioned quote.

THis is going to seem very odd, but don't rule out the gulf coast (FL/AL/MS/LA). Part of my territory encompasses this area and it's got some growing industry, REALLY low COL and better beaches than anywhere (outside of maybe the Outer Banks, and parts of NC). Jobs area tougher to find, however, if you can find a good gig, it's a pretty sweet setup.

[ZonaZoo]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

THis is going to seem very odd, but don't rule out the gulf coast (FL/AL/MS/LA). Part of my territory encompasses this area and it's got some growing industry, REALLY low COL and better beaches than anywhere (outside of maybe the Outer Banks, and parts of NC). Jobs area tougher to find, however, if you can find a good gig, it's a pretty sweet setup.

My favorite place in the U.S. is Naples, FL.

IMO, the best beaches and best sunsets in the U.S. can be found on the Gulf Coast of FL. I love warm weather, the beach, boating, and fishing. Those are the reasons why AZ doesn't work for me. Sometimes, I can be a real birdbrain...

AL, MS, and LA have never been on my radar, although I do know a family in Spanish Fort, AL who really enjoy living there.

However, if I'm headed for the Gulf Coast, I'm going for the gold: Tampa to Naples. That being said, I will settle for Houston, if all else fails.

[ScoPro]

ZonaZoo, check out the casino employment possibilities in Biloxi.

[ZonaZoo]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

ZonaZoo, check out the casino employment possibilities in Biloxi.

Haha, good one, bro!

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by ZonaZoo

Haha, good one, bro!

Hey, they employ business majors...and there are a few beaches around.