Did You Have a Job Before You Moved to Austin? (Houston: homes, find a job)

[AustinTexan]

I'm curious as to what people are thinking, in terms of what they're hearing when contemplating a move to Austin. From reading a lot of posts, it sounds like a lot of people are just moving here first, and then trying to find a job. That sounds so crazy to me because most people move somewhere because of their job (transfer, higher paying, etc.). I didn't know that people would move across the country to live somewhere because of what they "heard about a city" and then try to find a job. Are things really that bad out there to where people are now moving to Austin/Texas in hopes of finding a job? I would NEVER move anywhere unless I damn well had a job first. I know a lot of people from California are cashing out and selling their homes for a lot of money and can then afford to make that kind of move, but still, I don't think everyone has that option and it's not like they're just handing out jobs like candy here. That seems like a huge risk but I'd like to know if some of you think it was worth it?

[readymade]

I moved from Boston to LA without a job. I found that no one got back to me until I had a California address. I sent out hundreds of resumes and didn't hear back from anyone. As soon as I moved, I got responses to all of them. I was only jobless for a week or so. I'm now moving to Austin without a job... sort of. I run a small business that makes very little money. I hope to find freelancing web design jobs after I move.

I don't think they're handing out jobs like candy ANYwhere, actually. So, what does it matter if you're jobless in Austin, Boston, or LA. Actually, it would better to be jobless in Austin than the other two places due to cost of living.

[brattpowered]

I moved to Austin without a job at age 23. It was the most spontaneous, stupid and absolutely exciting thing I've ever done. I don't think I would do it now though.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by AustinTexan

I'm curious as to what people are thinking, in terms of what they're hearing when contemplating a move to Austin. From reading a lot of posts, it sounds like a lot of people are just moving here first, and then trying to find a job. That sounds so crazy to me because most people move somewhere because of their job (transfer, higher paying, etc.). I didn't know that people would move across the country to live somewhere because of what they "heard about a city" and then try to find a job. Are things really that bad out there to where people are now moving to Austin/Texas in hopes of finding a job? I would NEVER move anywhere unless I damn well had a job first. I know a lot of people from California are cashing out and selling their homes for a lot of money and can then afford to make that kind of move, but still, I don't think everyone has that option and it's not like they're just handing out jobs like candy here. That seems like a huge risk but I'd like to know if some of you think it was worth it?

Well, If they are coming from any of the below cities:

CLEVELAND
YOUNGSTOWN
FLINT
MUNCIE
FT. MYERS
NEW ORLEANS
LOUISVILLE
LITTLE ROCK
DETROIT
AKRON
KALAMAZOO
DAYTON
MILWAUKEE
GRAND RAPIDS

then, they have accomplished much just by leaving those places, and would be better off driving a pedicab on 6th, than looking for jobs in those ghost towns. Think "Grapes of Wrath". Remember when Jeb would migrate from workcamp to workcamp so he could pick lettuce for a buck a day? Austin provides those same opportunities, and no police or workcamp hooligans to bust the heads of those who want more than a buck a day. No unions either! Austin is the last opportunity in this outsourced country for those poor folks from the rust belt, whose steel mills closed years ago, and for those californians who were priced out of the ponzi scheme home appreciation, coming here to live on equity, and, as you say, hoping they land a job as the equity lasts, perhaps a year or so......yes, this is truly the inverse of GOW, though now the Californians and the desperate are crowding the distant shores of the south again, not much farther south than the red river area from whence they came in the 30's.....folks, they are just Okies coming back home again. Remember that next time the Sooners play UT, and give em that rebel yell, and an extra loud clap when you sing Deep in the Heart of Texas!



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[achtungpv]

I worked with a guy that after college literally threw a dart at a US map and moved where the dart landed (Austin). He'd never been to TX and didn't do a bit of research. Only took 1 throw and within one week loaded his car and left.

[Slappy san]

Believe it or not a lot of employers will not hire someone from across the country. So you move.

[Exiled Texan]

Depends on level, career, job prospects, age, commitments, dependents, savings, and family network......I would assume.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

I worked with a guy that after college literally threw a dart at a US map and moved where the dart landed (Austin). He'd never been to TX and didn't do a bit of research. Only took 1 throw and within one week loaded his car and left.

Didn't they do that in "Dr. Doolitle" too? Also, the Bay City Rollers did that when they came up with their name(another city I should have tossed in that list)

[jenkirk]

My parents saved up their money and moved to Houston from Youngstown, Ohio in the early 80's. When they got here they found not so great jobs (we ate lots of pb&j sandwiches), but continued to look and got awesome jobs. Now at the ages of 54 they are both retiring. All of their friends and family who did not move are still struggling.

I would never be able to do that type of move with two kids in tow, but I guess it matters on how determined you are to make it happen. If you have an excellent skill set and are a hard worker, you can make it anywhere.

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by scongress1234

Didn't they do that in "Dr. Doolitle" too? Also, the Bay City Rollers did that when they came up with their name(another city I should have tossed in that list)

Really? I have no idea, luckily I haven't seen it. He picked his college that way too. That's how he ended up at Cal State Chico.