Another Decision Thread -- Should I stay or should I go?

If you don't mind me asking, what is your profession, or what kind of jobs are you hoping to get in each of these cities?

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Rockets need power forward. Mo near now. Go near Mo.

You can Run from the bet, you can Rave at the bet...but you just can't hide.

 

Vengeance I personally don't know what you should do as far as where you live, but I can answer one of your questions...

I am so excited about the Rockets, I don't want to miss any games. Can I get all of them with some sort of Cable/Dish solution?

Yes, you can. With Direct TV you can get the "NBA Package" I'm not sure what it's actually called, but basically it's just a package that shows you not just the Rockets, but every single NBA game of the year. There is also the NBA.com TV channel that comes with the package. That channel is just NBA stuff all day with a lot of vintage NBA games and other neat stuff...so if you do decide to leave Houston you could get a dish with the NBA package. Also, there are MLB and NFL packages as well...I'm not sure about other sports. Hope this helps. Good Luck with whatever it is you do decide to do.

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http://www.cld9.com/chris/nbau.html

 

Dallas isn't all that much different than Houston once you get to know the city well enough to find the things you like. The relentless Cowboys talk can be annoying, but you learn to tune it out after awhile.

If the jobs in your field are really more plentiful in Dallas, I don't see any reason to avoid the place.

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Why not visit MovieForums.com?
Or FilmDallas.com?

 

You should stay in Houston just because of the Rockets.

Interesting situation. It seems that you prefer Houston over the rest of the cities. Therefore, I say, stay in Houston. It's basicly a win/win situation for you. You love it here, your parents want you here, etc, etc. The only problem is, of course, finding a job. If you can find a well-paying job that you will enjoy, then it's a no brainer. Definitely stay in Houston. However, if you have to settle for a low-paying, unenjoyable job, it's definitely not worth staying here just because of your love for the city, IMHO. Happiness in your job should be a VERY high priority. After all, you'll be in there a fourth of the damn day! As for not having many friends here, you'll make some. New friends always come along. (Damn that sounds like a segment from Barney. )

Now, of course if you can't find a job here, I think your next consideration should go to Dallas. You seem to really want to room with your buddy. So, if you find a good job up there, I think you should head up there.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but whatever. Just make sure you will be happy before you make a move. Happiness should be your top priority, of course.

Also, I can fill you in on some information about Austin because I have a bunch a family up there, and I visit frequently. Basicly, Austin is sorta a mini Houston. Traffic is horrible. People are nice though, unlike houston. Really hilly. I don't live there, so you can ask the people who actually live in Austin and get some better info.


[This message has been edited by New Kid On The Block (edited July 10, 2001).]

 

Vengeance,

If you're coming to Dallas, the traffic here on some freeways can be as bad if not worse than Houston. Also, unless you're lucky, it seems every drive to work is about 25 miles. lol. I just moved to be within 1 block of my new job. I mention this if driving distance or gas mileage mean anything to you.

The weather here is hotter, but not as humid as in Houston, but don't think there's no humidity. The heat index here reaches into the 100's regularly. We're about to hit a string of 100-degree days here.

The people in Dallas that I've run into are some of the nicer people I've run into anywhere. The women here are snooty and even the backwoods ones try to act "high society". The Cowboys talk will drive you nuts, but that's about to change as the Cowboys will suck and most fans here are fickle. But then they've discovered they actually have a basketball team lately, so that's the next annoying bandwagon everyone appears to be jumping on (as well as the Stars).

As for jobs, aren't you in MIS or something? The telecom/Internet boom here has cooled off with the market downturn, but there are all sorts of other companies to work for out here. My suggestion is that you should try to find a job first and foremost; there's no point in being picky and choosy about which city to live in when you have no money to spend there to begin with. I think you'd do well with any of the cities you mentioned. Dallas and Houston are similar in many ways, yet have differences that you may find to your (dis)advantage as well.

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"Yes, it's true. Kelvin Cato DOES have plenty of heart. I think the downside of Hakeem's six weeks absence is the upside of Kelvin Cato's emergence as a power in the NBA." jscmedia - 12/2/99 7:13pm : the off-season is truly a great time to reflect.

 

If you're really THIS much on the bubble that you can't decide which of these cities to live in, why don't you let the job decide?

You're going to spend most of your waking hours during the week at this job, so it's crucial to your overall happiness that it's a job you love.

If you live in Houston now, use that as your home base, and pursue jobs in your field in each of these cities. Pick the job that you love the most, and then move to that city. Each of these four cities has good points and bad points.

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stop posting my damn signature

 

Vengeance,

This is just a suggestion on the job search. But a few of my friends who were in the job market and found great jobs started their search through Temporary Agencies.

Now hear me out.

You can register with an agency (or several) and target the industry that you are interested in. Let the agencies know what you are interested in and what your goals are. They can assign you to temp jobs for either short or long term assignments. This will give you the opportunity to see several different companies and give you an idea if you would be interested in working for them full time.

Another advantage is that it gives you an inside shot at any openings within those companies. Especially if you show that you are a good worker.

Plus there is the perk of actually working while you pursue your dream job.

Well, that's all for now! Good Luck my man!


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Everything you do, effects everything that is.

 

Stay away from Austin. There's nothing here. Everybody who got laid off from Dell, Motorola, dotcom companies, start ups, etc, are all out looking for jobs here.

www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/monday/news_1.html


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Ni ai chou mei!

 

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I was in the same situation a year ago; I had a job opportunity in ATL and took it. I don't necessarily regret my decision, but I'm moving back to Houston in a few months. The people and their lifestyles, basically Georgia in general is just a** backwards and not the place for me. That and their pro teams blow and all anyone can talk about is the Georgia Bulldogs. It's pathetic.

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the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

 

Vengeance,

Take it from me - don't worry about where you have to go, especially if you're single and don't really have many responsibilities. When you start out, you're looking to gain experience so you can put something on your resume. If it means you have to go to Muleshoe, Texas to work, then sacrifice if you have to and can find no other alternative. I didn't want to leave Houston, but I did just so I can gain more experience. I got that experience and can command more than double the salary that I could had I stayed at the company I was working for in Houston.

Like Pole and I said, quit worrying about the where so much. Just get a job; that's more important. You're in the midst of a downturn in the market that's causing companies to lay people off. That means there are thousands of people out there with experience looking for jobs that you're trying to get. The ass-kicker is they have that experience already.

This may be sacrilege, but stop thinking about the Rockets, and if you can watch their games for a second and start thinking about where you want to be in life 20 years from now and make your decisions according to that. Down the road, your experience that you gained in whatever city doing a job you hopefully enjoy(ed) will allow you to pick and select where to work possibly (instead of the other way around).

Anywho, good luck!

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"Yes, it's true. Kelvin Cato DOES have plenty of heart. I think the downside of Hakeem's six weeks absence is the upside of Kelvin Cato's emergence as a power in the NBA." jscmedia - 12/2/99 7:13pm : the off-season is truly a great time to reflect.

 

Vengeance,
Dude, where do I start? Lived in Houston for almost 20 yrs. been STUCK in D/FW for the past 2.5 yrs. What I wouldn't give to go back to Houston. Also, I have lived in several other places around US. I travel for my job in & around the metroplex here & the traffic here sucks when compared to H-town. Not enough entrances/exits to frwys, slim on service roads & if you miss an exit forget about it you may have to drive 10 miles out of your way to get back to your orginal destination. Not to mention their whole freeway system sucks, I-35 splits in Dallas & FW so which I-35 are you on, Hwy 121 is also Loop 820, Hwy 183 & 114 it all depends on which way your going. But thats a whole other story I can tell you if you choose D/FW (Diffrent F**king World).

Yes, the jobs may be plentiful here, but there is a very high turnover rate in employees. I don't care what industry you may be in, that's just the way it is, your companyis always looking to hire more help w/ the constant fluctuation. It means your always having to train a newbie for their position.

So, thats great you got a job. However, it will costyou more to live in this LA-wannabe metroplex when compared to H-town. Housing (this includes apts.)is about 20% higher, along with gas, food, utilities etc. Yes, the pay maybe higher but not enough to offset it's cost of living here.

As for being able to watch Rockets games, this is no problem w/DirecTV. It cost $129 for all NBA games.

I cant tell you anything about Austin & the real deal there, but if you have any questions about D/FW I will be more than happy to answer any w/o sugarcoating the truth by saying such things as a city is a city & the job is the most important thing no matter where you live. What a bunch a garbage. Just remember if your not happy w/the surroundings you will be miserable. "Take a look dad, I was much happier when I was miserable".

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A HOUSTONIAN lost in dallas

 

Why are you so hooked on Texas?

First off, ignore your parents - especially mom. Unless of course you are a financial burden on them and they need you to get a job.

Second, set your sites outside of Texas. Heck, outside the U.S.,if necessary. I was on a flight coming back to the U.S. with a guy last month in your field telling me how they are desparate for people in Ireland. Kind of shocked me too. But it turns out that Dublin is sort of a European techni hub.

Point is you are 20 and if you are ever going to do anything adventurous, now is the time.

The jobs are there. This is a down turn not the depression. So, IMO, don't trap yourself in some small town just to get "experience." That's a trap that is tougher to get out of than you think. People escape those places and don't return.

Stir the pot before it cooks too long.


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I let the dogs out.

 

lol... man, that was a rant. We can tell how happy you are with where you live.

Is this one of those "do as I say, not as I do" things?

BTW, the way you blast Dallas is kind of corny. "The freeways have multiple names". Oh dear Lord, of course that never happens in any other city. Errr... or does it? :

I-45 is also the North Freeway going north of downtown, but it's also the Gulf Freeway going south of downtown.

59 North of downtown is the Eastex Freeway, but south of downtown is the Southwest Freeway.

I-10 east of downtown magically becomes the East Freeway, but don't dare cross over to the other side lest you suffer an aneurism as it magically becomes the Katy Freeway (notice, it's not logically the West Freeway).

How about some major streets that change names in some of the busiest areas of town?

Bellaire magically changes to Holcome at Buffalo Speedway.

Montrose goes from being Studemont to being Studewood.

Hillcroft goes from being Voss to Bingle.

According to Datamasters a salary of $50k in Houston is equivalent to $51981 in Dallas.

According to homefair.com, a $50k salary in Houston is equivalent to $50,662 in Dallas.

I think rimbaud had the best argument in favor of Houston when he said Houston is more culturally diverse than Dallas. I agree with that. All this other garbage about streets changing and whatnot is pointless as all large cities have this "problem".

All of this depends on where you live. In Fort Worth, you can get housing much cheaper than you can in Dallas or Houston, for example. The cost of living between Dallas and Houston is not that different, with Dallas maybe being slightly more expensive.

Ultimately let your interests and your well-being be the guide. Some people let financial security in later life outweigh sacrifices early in life and there's nothing wrong with that. Others outweigh ultimate happiness during youth versus worrying about the future because it's so far away. If you don't get carried away with that and lose sight of reality, there's nothing wrong with that either.

It's up to you, the individual.

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"Yes, it's true. Kelvin Cato DOES have plenty of heart. I think the downside of Hakeem's six weeks absence is the upside of Kelvin Cato's emergence as a power in the NBA." jscmedia - 12/2/99 7:13pm : the off-season is truly a great time to reflect.

 

get out of tx.


go somewhere that you are not familiar with.
\move to new york


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fitter, happier more productive
comfortable
not drinking too much eating well (no more microwave dinners and saturated fats)
sleeping well (no bad dreams)
no paranoia
fitter, healthier and more productive
a pig
in a cage
on antibiotics

 

City of Houston
Computer Operator

http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/jobs/84456.pdf

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Dude, go to New Zealand. They got too many IS job openings over there. The only requirement is that you can get over there. (and you can understand their kiwi accent)

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I'M COOKING WITH GAS...