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If you're talking about the kind of job a drifter would take, something that doesn't require a degree or extensive work history, there are jobs like that in TX and you don't have to be a long-term resident or know someone to get a job.
My sister's boyfriend looked for a job for nearly a year in San Diego. He wasn't particular, applied at all the fast food restaurants, every job he could think of...he even tried to sell Kirby vacuums for a day or two, he was that desperate for a job. He finally found a part time job at a fast food place, and he only gets four hours a week most weeks. Our family can't understand this, it's hard to believe he's not just lazy. Because we're all used to Texas and here he would have found something full time within a month or two, at the very most. But I've heard from other people that they had the same experience in California.
I also don't know anyone who won't talk to people who've just moved here...maybe it's because there are so many military families in San Antonio so we're used to people coming and going, but we love to meet new people and hear about where they're from and what brought them here.
I am third gen Texan and I think what has been said is truth. Austin used to be a really lovely place but now is overcrowded and traffic is horrible. Too many Yankees and " transplanted hippies". Also, I remember when Plano, Frisco, The Colony, Little Elm were just country towns. Not anymore. The place that has the jobs is the Permian Basin. It is just amazing what Pecos- Odessa- Midland look like now. Of course, we all know that area is known for boom and bust.
Just moving to Texas, I get what the OP is saying. We moved from the East Coast for hubby's job. In the Dallas Forum for City Data there are daily threads started about wanting to relocate here and 'how fast can I get a job'. Within the thread a person talks about not being employed for X amount of time, heard that Dallas is booming and want to move her. They have no savings, no prospects and know no one.
That mentality blows me away. The cost of living in Texas is somewhat less expensive than the East, but not by much. The housing prices are crazy for a zero lot. I found it much easier to meet people out east because people actually went OUT of their houses! Here it is so hot, everyone is indoors. It is definitely different, not as diverse and surprisingly not as friendly.
That said, after a year we are finally putting down some roots and getting to know more people. With hubby traveling, and I work from home we have no social network whatsoever!
My friend moved out there and found a job almost immediately. From what she told me, it's a decent job. (she moved out there for other reasons besides getting a job)
For awhile, San Antonio and Austin had significantly lower unemployment rates than Houston and Dallas. They're all at or close to full employment now. San Antonio does have companies recruiting out-of-state for IT jobs. I agree that people shouldn't move to a state without a job. A couple of years ago, the San Antonio Food Bank was overburdened with transplants who didn't have jobs lined up. Even if they are able to land a low-paying job, they might still have to seek assistance.
Just moving to Texas, I get what the OP is saying. We moved from the East Coast for hubby's job. In the Dallas Forum for City Data there are daily threads started about wanting to relocate here and 'how fast can I get a job'. Within the thread a person talks about not being employed for X amount of time, heard that Dallas is booming and want to move her. They have no savings, no prospects and know no one.
Yes, this is the kind of person that my husband and I no longer want to help out. We've let a few people stay in our house until they could find a job. It usually took them six months to a year. Then after working for a year, they wanted to move back to where they came from. And wanted help moving. And wanted their "friends" (that they've known for only a year or two) to throw them a going-away party. It seems they have poor decision-making abilities and an exploitive mentality.
So from now on we just say NO. I can't help anyone move, I've got a bad back. If they want a going-away party, they should throw their own; invite some people to a bar after work for one last get-together.
These particular people I know would have found a job in ANY big city eventually. Their problem was living in very rural areas where there were no jobs.
it seems that a majority of the people that grew up in Texas, dallas or HOuston try to shun out the outsider tryna make somthing new in texas. the allure, atleast for me and my family, is the cheaper housing coming from california. for what i can get in texas, i would have to pay 400-450k and thats starting in a somewhat decent neighborhood with less than ok schools. im thinkin of relocating with no job but i get SSI of $2500 a month and have a family of 5. i could survive, barely, here in california so i know i could survive in texas while looking for employment. it jus seems like texans turn their backs on folks that are not from there. its not always possible to look for work and get hired before moving, depending what kind of work you want to do. but if you have a nest egg and can live off that for a few months, get some crap job to have a little more income all while lookin for THAT job, then so be it. everyone situation is diff...
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