Decisions...NBR

minervacullen · March 2014

At this point this is just hypothetical.

DH is a manufacturing engineer, he's been an engineer for 12 years. At his current job he is a project manager. He loves his job, but not the management (small business owners are very stingy and kind of think they're better than everyone), so he's been browsing. He hasn't gotten a raise, no one has, in years. He makes waaaayyyyy less than he would make elsewhere, but he really enjoys his work so he's just dealt with it. We need more money, it would be awesome to not constantly stress. To top it off they just increased the insurance and now we will be out another $20 a week.
He has a former coworker/friend who moved to Texas and contacted DH to let him know this amazing, global, treats and pays their employees well, company he works for is looking for 3 new engineers. The pay would be at least 50% more and the cost of living is less. All of his family is here, my dad and two of my four siblings are, but we don't see them often. My other sisters live in Illinois, my mom in FL... DS is only in 1st grade so I'm fairly sure he'd be ok, eventually.

Would you apply? His friend seems sure he'd get the job. What would you do?

ExcitedAunt2b · March 2014

What's the worst that can happen? I would apply in a heartbeat!!!

MrsBigTime · March 2014

I would apply! We almost moved to Alaska though, so we may be crazy.

minervacullen · March 2014

ExcitedAunt2b said:
What's the worst that can happen? I would apply in a heartbeat!!!

Change!
:-SS

minervacullen · March 2014

j3nnyb said:
If it's a safe area in Texas, then I wouldn't even think twice.

I think so. San Antonio.

SingleMom31 · March 2014

Oh, a high of 81... I'd be there in a heartbeat today.

LittleFish1 · March 2014

Would make sure differences in health benefits does not cost more than the salary increase. Generally, lower COL means lower salary, however if he isn't being paid a wage that is equitable to his experience, could make up the difference.

How much cheaper are flights to FL compared to your current location? Would you be working there?

Would probably encourage him to apply & he could mention to his boss that the wife is liking the idea of being closer to mom (because the current employer will probably find out that he has applied).

JessAnnJ · March 2014

I would apply. Being close to family is nice, but you have to do what is best for your smaller family. More money also means more money to travel back to see the family. Just make a commitment to come back and visit.

Jackiemxoxo · March 2014

I would do it. I've never been to Texas but I heard you can get a lot of land at a good price.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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brachysira · March 2014

Ack...this is almost my exact situation except DH currently works for a university and the location of prospective job is Houston, and he does computers. Although we would love the raise, he did not apply for these reasons; 1) Houston is a much larger city than our current one--his commute would likely be over an hour if we lived where we could afford and had space and right now he can walk to work in 40 minutes or drive in 10 minutes; 2) he has 1 friend there. We do not have family or a great support system very nearby here, but 1 old friend and no one else anywhere near is scary; 3) we just bought a house here last year and we like it; 4) although we hate the depressing cold north, we are worried about hurricanes, long term flooding with climate change, constant use of air conditioning, and being too hot to do anything outside; 5) with baby 1 here and baby 2 on the way, we don't want a gap or anything weird happening with insurance; 6) we know his current job allows him to come home early if he needs to or take a day off and has limited travel, all useful when expecting and with little ones (although he does work a lot)--we don't know expectations and flexibility at new job and it would be hard to find out before the job starts; 7) there are some things he doesn't like at current job, but he mostly is respected and can work on projects he enjoys--hard to know if he would be unhappy at new job; 8) we've known some woodsy folks, but we're worried we won't love the land of Dr. Phil and pick-up trucks. If another opportunity comes up before M starts school (or is very far along in school), or if circumstances change at the current job, we may reconsider.

minervacullen · March 2014

Ok well... He came home and told me a place he recently interviewed at 30 minutes from home, is drawing up an offer. Hopefully it's a good one and we won't need to worry about this. If not, then he will apply.

Thanks got all of the feedback.

@brachysira‌ I worry about the weather there and poisonous critters. It weirds me out. I think I would stay there too, you just bought a house and it's nice to have flexibility with kids.

valeriegp · March 2014

I live in Houston and I have been to San Antonio many times. It is a nice city, and very close to some of the loveliest parts of the state.

Your worry about poisonous creatures is weird to me, as a native Texan. What exactly do you imagine? San Antonio is a large city, not a ranch in the middle of nowhere!

It does get hot in the summer but AC is everywhere. If the pay is 50% more than where you are now, I would definitely apply. Applying does not mean accepting.

Also, to the person who was worried about hurricanes in Houston, the city is 50 miles inland. Hurricane are bad, but they rarely directly impact the city, and even when they do the damage is minimal. In every part of the country you have the threat of severe, life-threatening weather -- earthquakes, blizzards, tornados, etc. I've always felt like at least you have lots of warning when a hurricane is coming!

I guess my point is that if you or anyone else have the opportunity to come to Houston in the future, I wouldn't let the fear of hurricanes be a deciding factor.

Also, Houston is a liberal city. And I hate Dr. Phil, and haven't driven a pick up truck in 20 years. ;-)

brachysira · March 2014

Well, I have to agree--urban areas aren't exactly the scariest places in terms of creatures. But if you go to a natural area, live in the suburbs, and especially if you live in a new development, the south is worse. More poisonous snakes, more invertebrates like scorpions and centipedes, more parasites. Keep your shoes on--hookworm, although less so in more recent decades. Fire ants tho. Emerging tropical diseases moving up and infecting southerners--Dengue, malaria? But Texas is drier, so some of these things aren't so bad. You'll learn how to avoid things and a fire ant bite doesn't hurt all that much.

Indeed, inland areas are better off when it comes to hurricanes, but I worry about the ever increasing number of hurricanes and more severe storms and how much a bad one can affect areas inland for quite a while. When I was 3 hours from the coast in Alabama, our town experienced many Katrina-driven tornadoes, downed tree damage, and a week of power loss--we survived, but that's not an ideal situation. I believe in scientific solutions and engineering, but I worry that predicted sea level issues will cause Houston to be inundated as we grow old. Better off there than New Orleans tho. Other water issues are predicted to arise as freshwater shortages become more problematic. I like living where there aren't water wars. I am not a doomsayer and I know that many of these problems will be ones those with resources can anticipate and move away from if the problem is insurmountable. It doesn't mean these things aren't worth considering when you plan to raise your children in a location and may set your family up there for generations. Indeed, many areas, not just Texas, have risks, and many areas will experience some troubles from climate change, many of which may not be easy to anticipate.

I'm also sure both Houston and San Antonia have enough diversity that anyone can find a community. I have only known a handful of Texans in person, and I definitely felt they had some strong state-culture and enthusiasm that people from other states just don't tend to have...for instance, only the Texas students brought state flags to hang in their dorm rooms. But perhaps this is something you will love about Texas and if not, I'm sure there are many who are not that way.

minervacullen · March 2014

Yeah in Michigan we get blizzards, but they aren't like a big ol' tornado. I'm terrified of severe thunderstorms and tornado, like full on panic. It's ridiculous, I know.
I think I would be fine if I did have to live someplace where they are more frequent. I mean I'd eventually get used it, I'd hope

For now though we will see what kind of offer DH gets, he's thinking it'll be a rather large pay increase. Plus he'd get to travel to the Middle East and Canada a few times a year. Though with this winter that is unending, I might be happy to deal with spiders and snakes :>

brachysira · March 2014

There's nothing like this winter in Michigan to make you contemplate leaving. We live in MI too, and it is seriously killing us. \

JessAnnJ · March 2014

I have lived in many different places. My dad was in the military so we moved every 3-4 years. As an adult I have lived in Hawaii, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and now Georgia. I was unsure about moving to GA but we love it here. Yes, there are more creatures which means we spend more on pest control, but there are so many advantages as well. We took the chance because there was a good opportunity and figured if we didn't like it we would find another opportunity. @minervacullen‌ you know what is best for your family, but if the job close to home doesn't work out I wouldn't let fear of change control your decision making. Sometimes change is a good thing and if it's not what you thought you can always move back.

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