USA Residents - I need somewhere to move to

Ok, so it would appear the days of my current job are numbered and I don't want to be left holding the preverbal "bag". I would honestly expect my current job to disappear within 6 months or less (most likely, probably less).

Anyways, I am in the IT sector and looking for a job in this field.

So, any state recommendations? Or better yet, specific cities?

Along with that, how is the housing and general expense and cost of living in the area that you would suggest?


I was thinking going out west, as the farthest I have been is probably Indiana. I was thinking maybe AZ, TX, CA, maybe Washington State.

Ideas? Suggestions?

Help a brotha out!


Basically I don't want to move anywhere with a shit job market, as I could just stay here and have that.

Come to KNOXVILLE!! Live in my dorm!! Bring me a supergun!!

Seriously don't come here...that's my only recommendation, there isn't a very big job market, most people commute to Alcoa or Oak Ridge.

Move to Maine. People are friendly and the weather is nice, and it is a much slower pace compared to Mass or New York. I'm sure you could find a job in Portland.

http://www.portland.com

What's your job experience like?


Alot of places in Sacramento, CA are hiring so I've heard and it's cheaper than LA. It's about 850 for a nice apt. Housing isn't too terrible, but expect to pay at least 300k for a nice home.

CA is great for IT work, but it is expensive to live here. If you want a house, expect to find nothing but shit under $500,000 and even at 500K, we are talking HUD Home like. Rent varies, from the west side of LA $1200 a month for a one bedroom, to downtown Korea Town Area... $700 or so a month. If you are aiming out here, add 15K-20K to your salary and you will be fine.

AZ is OK... Technology is really picking up in Phoenix/Chandler area. The temperature is make or break though, I recommend visiting there in the summer and spending some time before you commit to it... not terrible, but... OK I think it is terrible Cost of living is vary fair there. Housing is relatively inexpensive, apartments are fair.

WA is nice, beautiful state, Cost of living is on the rise... jobs are on the wane. WA is a nice state, and one ups CA in just sheer beauty. However, it is hard to live there, the weather is depressing (gloomy and rainy a lot) and a lot of people tell me they just HAVE TO GET OUT! However, it isn't a bad place to live.

I would say California, not just because I moved there in a similar situation as you, but it also is just one of the nicest places to live (when you aren't on fire!) Honestly, it is a great state, it is just a shame everything costs so much. As long as you add a nice 15-20K on your salary you will be fine though...

-Nick

You want the I.T sector in your face, come to the Washington D.C metropolitan area, VA, MD, or DC. For a more specific area in the region, move in to the fairfax county area, where we have companies like:

Oracle, Siebel, TRW, Microsoft, Accenture, Deloitte & Touche, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Ernest & Young, KPMG, Booz Allen, BAE Systems, Computer Associates, AOL, Novell, Nortell, Symantec, MITRE, SRA, PEC, AMS, Northrop Grumman, Road Runner, Sprint, Cable & Wireless, Boeing, a plethora of dot com survivors, and a wealth more of companies I can't think of off the top of my head.

Living expenses are high, especially in the fairfax county area, but the nearby county, loudon, has a lower living expense based on the price of homes

Deyer said:

What's your job experience like?

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I have been working for just about the last 3 years for Marathon Oil Company at their IT Service Desk. We handle everything from our remote VPN clients, to some Telecommunications issues, to server and SAP support and beyond. I could write pages about the stuff we support (including custom in house applications).

nruva said:

CA is great for IT work, but it is expensive to live here. If you want a house, expect to find nothing but shit under $500,000 and even at 500K, we are talking HUD Home like. Rent varies, from the west side of LA $1200 a month for a one bedroom, to downtown Korea Town Area... $700 or so a month. If you are aiming out here, add 15K-20K to your salary and you will be fine.

AZ is OK... Technology is really picking up in Phoenix/Chandler area. The temperature is make or break though, I recommend visiting there in the summer and spending some time before you commit to it... not terrible, but... OK I think it is terrible Cost of living is vary fair there. Housing is relatively inexpensive, apartments are fair.


I would say California, not just because I moved there in a similar situation as you, but it also is just one of the nicest places to live (when you aren't on fire!) Honestly, it is a great state, it is just a shame everything costs so much. As long as you add a nice 15-20K on your salary you will be fine though...

-Nick

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Hmm AZ and CA would probably be my choices. How hot is the weather in CA on average during the summer? I am use to West Virginia weather where during the summer it gets in the high 80's and mid 90's and during the winter you more or less freeze your ass off with below freezing temps.

forget DC. The cost of living here is a fucking joke.

broken said:

Ok, so it would appear the days of my current job are numbered and I don't want to be left holding the preverbal "bag". I would honestly expect my current job to disappear within 6 months or less (most likely, probably less).

Anyways, I am in the IT sector and looking for a job in this field.

So, any state recommendations? Or better yet, specific cities?

Along with that, how is the housing and general expense and cost of living in the area that you would suggest?


I was thinking going out west, as the farthest I have been is probably Indiana. I was thinking maybe AZ, TX, CA, maybe Washington State.

Ideas? Suggestions?

Help a brotha out!


Basically I don't want to move anywhere with a shit job market, as I could just stay here and have that.

Click to expand...

I think if you look at the career postings pages for pncbank.com and mellon.com

Thinking that if you want to move, Pittsburgh is a good choice to move to. Cheap to live in, but good for getting a job, and they have a respectable sports scene.

I live in AZ and work in the I.T Sector as well. Arizona is booming in the that field and the cost of living is very good. Average apartment in the Phoenix Area is around $450.00 to $600.00 depending on your needs. Houses are very ncie as well and quite affordable compared to most states. The first summer you come here, it's hot but with almost no humidity compared to back east states.

Depending on your experience, the average IT job pays around $35K and up.

Re: Re: USA Residents - I need somewhere to move to

EvilWasabi said:

forget DC. The cost of living here is a fucking joke.

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Ain't that the truth.

Depends where your at in CA one thing for sure it's not as humid as West VA. Just about anywhere that's not near the coast or up in the mountains will be about 95-102 during the summer. The winters are nice It wont be insanely cold like the south/east coast there. Usually about 38 and above and it varys on rain.

Hmmm VPN and Telecom eh? If you move around the west coast you might want to try SBC (used to be pacbell) They treat there employes really well. I plan to apply there when I get out of the military.

Highlander67 said:

I live in AZ and work in the I.T Sector as well. Arizona is booming in the that field and the cost of living is very good. Average apartment in the Phoenix Area is around $450.00 to $600.00 depending on your needs. Houses are very ncie as well and quite affordable compared to most states. The first summer you come here, it's hot but with almost no humidity compared to back east states.

Depending on your experience, the average IT job pays around $35K and up.

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The one thing about AZ that kinda spooks me is Scorpions. The idea of waking up with one sitting on my chest just scares the shit out of me.

$450 to $600 average rent would be great! Hell, its that much or more around here.

broken said:

The one thing about AZ that kinda spooks me is Scorpions. The idea of waking up with one sitting on my chest just scares the shit out of me.

$450 to $600 average rent would be great! Hell, its that much or more around here.

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I have lived in AZ for 19 years and have only seen about 6 scorpions and 4 of those were in the desert areas. The other 2 were in houses that were closer to the desert area.

I work for CSC that does most of Raytheon's IT. They are almost always hiring. Cost of living here is cheap and the winter is nice. The only bitch is the summer. Sometimes it gets to 118.

MilkManX said:

I have lived in AZ for 19 years and have only seen about 6 scorpions and 4 of those were in the desert areas. The other 2 were in houses that were closer to the desert area.

I work for CSC that does most of Raytheon's IT. They are almost always hiring. Cost of living here is cheap and the winter is nice. The only bitch is the summer. Sometimes it gets to 118.

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Well, thats a relief. I wasn't sure if they were something you should expect to see or not.

Hows the crime out in AZ? I would hate to move somewhere with high crime rates.

broken said:

I have been working for just about the last 3 years for Marathon Oil Company at their IT Service Desk. We handle everything from our remote VPN clients, to some Telecommunications issues, to server and SAP support and beyond. I could write pages about the stuff we support (including custom in house applications).




Hmm AZ and CA would probably be my choices. How hot is the weather in CA on average during the summer? I am use to West Virginia weather where during the summer it gets in the high 80's and mid 90's and during the winter you more or less freeze your ass off with below freezing temps.

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CA in the summer time varies depending on where you are. Inland Empire, that is East East LA , is in the 100s, but with low humidity. Near the coast it is always 75-80, no matter what time of year it is San Diego is 80s in the summer 70s in the winter... Santa Monica is 70s in the summer, high 60s in the winter. San Fran is a bit cooler, but not bad overall... you do see more climate changes, like frost and sometimes snow in the winter up there, but never in SoCal.

AZ is about 120 in the summer, and unbelievably unrelentless sun. However, in the winter it is beautiful, around 60s-70s.

Really, I didn't think weather would matter that much until I came to CA. The weather is just amazing everyday.

-Nick

broken said:

Well, thats a relief. I wasn't sure if they were something you should expect to see or not.

Hows the crime out in AZ? I would hate to move somewhere with high crime rates.

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Phoenix is getting worse and worse for crime, much more so than LA thanks to Mexican gangs that are moving into the area. It still isn't horrible, I felt quite safe when I went out and about, but there are deffinetly bad areas of town you wouldn't want to be stuck in. I guess the same could be said for anywhere though. I considered, and really considered, going to Phoenix, but the heat was just WAY to much for me. And the thought of de-snaking my dogs... not that they could go out in that heat anyway, but still... Snakes... not my style... and Coyotes... not my style

Still, I dig AZ, I go there atleast 3-4 times a year to visit friends...

-Nick

I just moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and it' not too bad. They have a few oil companies out here, casinos, and shipyards that Im sure anyone with IT experience could get into.

Costs of living is around $400 to 650 and alot of hotties.

nruva said:

Phoenix is getting worse and worse for crime, much more so than LA thanks to Mexican gangs that are moving into the area. It still isn't horrible, I felt quite safe when I went out and about, but there are deffinetly bad areas of town you wouldn't want to be stuck in. I guess the same could be said for anywhere though. I considered, and really considered, going to Phoenix, but the heat was just WAY to much for me. And the thought of de-snaking my dogs... not that they could go out in that heat anyway, but still... Snakes... not my style... and Coyotes... not my style

Still, I dig AZ, I go there atleast 3-4 times a year to visit friends...

-Nick

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Um the crime in AZ is like it in any state. Granted, the Auto theft rate is up but the state of Arizona is a fantastic place to live in. As for the temp in the Summer, the average temp is around 110 not 118. Plus also remember with that temp, there is next to no humidity until the Monsoon season hits which is only about a month.

As for Scorpians, I have seen 3 in the 12 years I have been here. Not really a problem at all.

Also, snakes and coyotes are not really a concern in the city. It's not like you go outside, pick up your morning paper and see a coyote looking right at you.

Highlander67 said:

Um the crime in AZ is like it in any state. Granted, the Auto theft rate is up but the state of Arizona is a fantastic place to live in. As for the temp in the Summer, the average temp is around 110 not 118. Plus also remember with that temp, there is next to no humidity until the Monsoon season hits which is only about a month.

As for Scorpians, I have seen 3 in the 12 years I have been here. Not really a problem at all.

Also, snakes and coyotes are not really a concern in the city. It's not like you go outside, pick up your morning paper and see a coyote looking right at you.

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Damn near no humidity would be sweet as hell. Its not abnormal to have humidity in WV around 70 or 80% or more during the summer. Hell, its over 40% right now and its almost November!


AZ is looking more and more like somewhere I would want to live.

Highlander67 said:

Um the crime in AZ is like it in any state. Granted, the Auto theft rate is up but the state of Arizona is a fantastic place to live in. As for the temp in the Summer, the average temp is around 110 not 118. Plus also remember with that temp, there is next to no humidity until the Monsoon season hits which is only about a month.

As for Scorpians, I have seen 3 in the 12 years I have been here. Not really a problem at all.

Also, snakes and coyotes are not really a concern in the city. It's not like you go outside, pick up your morning paper and see a coyote looking right at you.

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Actually, no... I think that is incorrect. Now true, my friends live in Scottsdale, but there are Coyotes EVERY NIGHT walking around the neighborhood. And, as I said above, the crime is like every other city, and it is also on the rise. Look, I don't live there and I don't have first hand experience, but my friends have been there for 5 years now and I hear all the stories. Plus I spend about a month there every year (a week at a time, about 4 times a year).

So... no, it isn't horrible, but it is hot, and animals want to eat you there

-Nick

broken said:

Damn near no humidity would be sweet as hell. Its not abnormal to have humidity in WV around 70 or 80% or more during the summer. Hell, its over 40% right now and its almost November!


AZ is looking more and more like somewhere I would want to live.

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As I said in my original post man, it's a really cool place. Pheonix/Chandler area has tons of tech jobs, and the price is right. However, take some time there in the summer or you may be in for a shock come July/August... when you can't go outside unless you want to melt (haha, my friend told me about this time he walked outside barefoot not thinking about it right after he moved there.... he burned his feet so bad he could hardly walk for about a month!).

Now, the thing I love about Phoenix is swimming at night in the summer. Man, pool water is like 90+ degrees at midnight... AMAZING... I loved that... I swam everyday I was there... God damn it was nice. And AZ has great women, and you are only 6-7 hours drive from the West side of LA if you want to go to events or E3 or something... NOT BADLY LOCATED AT ALL.

Anyway,

-Nick

CHICAGO

nruva said:

Actually, no... I think that is incorrect. Now true, my friends live in Scottsdale, but there are Coyotes EVERY NIGHT walking around the neighborhood. And, as I said above, the crime is like every other city, and it is also on the rise. Look, I don't live there and I don't have first hand experience, but my friends have been there for 5 years now and I hear all the stories. Plus I spend about a month there every year (a week at a time, about 4 times a year).

So... no, it isn't horrible, but it is hot, and animals want to eat you there

-Nick

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Um dude, I live here. If your friends live in Scottsdale, then they live way out in the middle of no where area inwhich it may be possible to see coyotes. Unless you live in the Mountains or out in the rural areas of the desert, Coyotes are not a factor. My Sister in law has 2 houses in Scottsdale and has yet to see a Coyote yet.

Compared to most places to live, AZ is a awesome place to live. Plus, if you ever get out here Broken, we can game anytime.

Or you -could- screw the desk job and come to Las Vegas. The job market's a bit slow, but hell you can be making up to $100,000 a year dealing cards in a casino. (No I'm not making that up... mainly because I work in the casino that pays that amount. ) Obscene, isn't it?

I'll see what the market's like for the IT jobs though.

Climate-wise we're similar to Phoenix: average of 113 during the summer with less than 10% humidity, the autumn and winter are the definition of perfection, and I haven't seen a scorpion since I moved here 3 years ago.

The Crime rate's roughly normal for a city this size, though there's been alot of media attention surrounding these wannabe suburbanite gangstas called the 311 Boyz. It's laughable at best since this is what the news is like down here.

Plus the Neo Geo influence is spreading out here. Sadly, we're deviod of what made my hometown of Houston great: culture and places to buy anime.

Time for me to chime in.

I don't think there's a nicer city to live than Phoenix.

Reasons FOR Phoenix?

1. Cleanest city in the USA. PROMISE. Driving into this city after a road trip through california was like taking a shower.

2. The weather. Granted, the summer is murder...but you're typically going to be spending most of your time indoors anyways. If you want exercise, just wait till it gets dark and hit the gym/track/roads...whatever. I exercise a lot, and the summer doesn't stop me. Besides, between Oct-Feb, it's a gorgeous 70-75 degrees all day...really man, what else do you WANT?

3. Women. Jesus christ, please trust me on this one.

4. Location. Want to see some snow? Head north 2 hours and hit up snowbowl for some snowboarding/skiing. Forests are your deal? That's all northern AZ is about. Giant meteor craters? Grand Canyons? Amazing landscapes? Right here champ.

5. Commuting. Traffic really isn't bad in Phoenix [yet], and it's a REALLY easy city to navigate. No one should have ayn trouble getting used to it.

6. All the best members of the forums live in AZ. Loopz, Buro, Highlander, Milkman, Franco Bash, ME...christ, what more could you want?


Reasons AGAINST Phoenix?

1. The double edged sword...weather. A few days ago it was still 100 degrees....and that's OCTOBER. Thankfully, things have cooled down the past few days alone. But, by midsummer, you'll probly be losing your mind.