Is the economy and job market really so much better in Texas? (Houston: apartment, house)

[LostSoul83]

I just saw a news piece says the economy is much better in Texas than other parts where I am living now unemployment is at around 10-11% I can not find work and what work my wife can find is minimum wage that doesn't help much. A 3 bedroom apt is 600$ a month here. I have a class b cdl where in Texas should I look to get a job? What sites do yall use for jobs?

[WillysB]

There are four main interstates in Texas, three of which are 10, 35 and 45 and form a triangle. That's the central business district. Look there.

[txtoal]

I wouldn't believe everything you hear or see in the media. TX is doing ok but it doesn't mean that we don't have our share of issues with the economy either. It is hard to find a job here because everyone else is competing for those jobs too and if you live out of state trying to secure a job in TX, imo that it makes it even harder.

[coolchic200]

I have a friend that lives in Houston and he says it's much better over there. A website I saw said that San Antonio and Houston are doing the best over all for job prospects. I've been thinking about moving back too since I live in L.A. and it's nearly impossible to land a really good job here now. I've resigned myself to just do house cleaning and other part time jobs to make ends meet. I have a BBA, by the way.
And now you have to apply "online" and you don't even know if they received your resume or not. I'm constantly looking for work. It's tough out here. REally bad. Don't move to Cali.

[Poltracker]

TX has a lower unemployment rate than others at the moment. That does not mean companies are hiring with any speed. It does mean that they are not laying off as much as other areas. There are jobs out there, but there is a huge amount of competition not only from TX residents but from folks like yourself that are hearing that TX is in good shape.

On a side note, keep in mind that in any of the major cities, you will looking at 1000+ for a 3 BR apartment that is not a dump. So if you head this way without a job, you better have some cash reserves. Electric utilities are also quite a bit more expensive than in other areas.

[LostSoul83]

Thanks for the helpful information. It seems like the midwest is the least hit areas. Last I heard and saw the Dakota's and Nebraska had the lowest unemployment rates I guess throw Texas in there now as well. I will look around see what I can find.

[coolchic200]

Thanks Poltracker for your info. I'm a native Texan and could move back in with my mom for a while although she's in a small town a long way away from the metroplex of Dallas/Fort Worth. Think I'll stay in Cali and stick it out. No luck on a job yet though. Doing odd jobs at the moment and I have a BBA. It's tough out there.

[Poltracker]

For what its worth...paper article today said that Kohls was hiring 1000 people in the San Antonio area.
Good luck to both of you and welcome (back) to Texas if you make it here.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

For what its worth...paper article today said that Kohls was hiring 1000 people in the San Antonio area.
Good luck to both of you and welcome (back) to Texas if you make it here.

Most of the jobs will be call center-related with average pay of $14 an hour. San Antonio is still expanding with businesses moving to San Antonio. The military presence is also expanding here due to BRAC increases in the medical training and cyber security fields.

[texasdiver]

The four major urban areas in Texas in order of size are Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.

Of the four, Austin probably has the weakest economy and would be the toughest place to find work as it is something of a lifestyle mecca that draws lots of young people from around the country. Austin just has so many people who want to live there and are willing to take whatever job they can find just to be living in Austin. That's not nearly so much the case in Dallas and Houston.

I don't exactly know what a Class B CDL is. What type of jobs would you be looking for? Is that delivery type work or trucking? Both the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the Houston area are so massive that you won't possibly be able to cover them in a job search. More likely just one region of one of those major cities.