I currently live in Austin. Should I move to Connecticut?

[thepd7]

I have an opportunity to move into sales with my company (currently in Applications Engineering/Engineering Leadership Program). I am definitely moving into sales sometime in the next year or so but right now the only job open is in Connecticut (economy is killing growth).

I currently live in Austin and grew up in Dallas, so I definitely love Texas, however I am open to anywhere.

Last week I went to Hartford and met with a member of the team I would be working for, we mesh pretty well personality wise. And my new boss would be good, too.

So the question is: do I move to Connecticut or try and stay in Texas.

Mad props if you live in Connecticut or the NE and have some good specific reasons.


Update: Didn't get the job but got great feedback. I had absolutely no areas for improvement so I'm doing all the right things. Looks like I'll be around Texas for another 6 months or so! Next jobs to open up should be Boston, Denver, Seattle, Austin, and Dallas so I'm psyched about making myself the absolute best candidate for those jobs.

 

[Leros]

You want to move into sales? Yeck.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Do what you want, but remember: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you really love Texas, I'd stay; but unless you're absolutely sure you're getting that job next year I'd move to CT.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

A true Texan wouldn't ask that question. I smell implant.

 

[ElFenix]

no, it's cold there. and they can't barbecue worth a damn. or make proper tex mex. plus it's cold there. and it's probably a lot more expensive to live there. and cold. dark in the winter. no golf on new year's day between the 3 hours of sunlight and snow on the ground.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If you love Texas you'll hate Connecticut. I've lived in Connecticut most of my life except for some time spent in Houston and the northeast is about as un-Texas as you can get while remaining in the USA.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
Do what you want, but remember: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you really love Texas, I'd stay; but unless you're absolutely sure you're getting that job next year I'd move to CT.

very valid point. I am not guaranteed a job in Texas if I stay, however it is pretty much guaranteed that I would get a sales job somewhere due to my current job performance.

Originally posted by: Leros
You want to move into sales? Yeck.

I would be a sales engineer in the field, I am an Engineer and I would be selling to engineers. It's a lot of fun.

 

[daniel1113]

It would take a lot for me to leave Austin if I lived there.

However, if you've never lived outside of Texas, it might be worth exploring some other areas. I won't be surprised if you decide to return, though. Austin is just about as good as it gets for a city.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: OILFIELDTRASH
A true Texan wouldn't ask that question. I smell implant.

nope, born in Fort Worth, raised in Mid-cities.

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
If you love Texas you'll hate Connecticut. I've lived in Connecticut most of my life except for some time spent in Houston and the northeast is about as un-Texas as you can get while remaining in the USA.

How so?

Originally posted by: ElFenix
no, it's cold there. and they can't barbecue worth a damn. or make proper tex mex. plus it's cold there. and it's probably a lot more expensive to live there. and cold. dark in the winter. no golf on new year's day between the 3 hours of sunlight and snow on the ground.

I would gladly trade Texas summer for some sort of Winter. I agree on the tex-mex and BBQ, that would be sad.

It is more expensive but there is a cost of living adjustment with this job that I wouldn't get with most others in the nation.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
If you love Texas you'll hate Connecticut. I've lived in Connecticut most of my life except for some time spent in Houston and the northeast is about as un-Texas as you can get while remaining in the USA.

How so?

Almost everything. The laws, the taxes, the politics, the attitude on crime, the weather. You're in the heart of conservative country and this is liberalville. About the only thing the areas have in common is that we're buried in spanish-speaking illegal aliens too.

 

[ultimatebob]

The good news is that you'll be making 35% more... the bad news is that your cost of living is going to go up at least 25% as well. Connecticut is a damn expensive place to live!

Hartford's nightlife and entertainment options are kinda tame compared to Austin's. That said, you're be able to walk outside in Summer without wanting to kill yourself.

 

[Blieb]

I have lived in Houston, TX and West Hartford, Connecticut ... I was not employed full time in either place.

If you have or plan to have kids, the public schools (at least in West Hartford) are 1,000 times better than schools in most places.

It's cold. Winter is depressing. Buildings and things are old, this too can be somewhat depressing.

Connecticut is an expensive state to live in. High taxes. TX doesn't have income tax! If you have a RWD vehicle, you'll want to change to AWD, 4x4 or FWD.

If you are young and light on baggage ... I say go for it, live a little, experience a new place ... it's plenty close to NYC and Boston, which is a plus IMO.

Definitely check and make sure that 35% is enough after taxes and difference in costs between locations.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
If you love Texas you'll hate Connecticut. I've lived in Connecticut most of my life except for some time spent in Houston and the northeast is about as un-Texas as you can get while remaining in the USA.

How so?

Almost everything. The laws, the taxes, the politics, the attitude on crime, the weather. You're in the heart of conservative country and this is liberalville. About the only thing the areas have in common is that we're buried in spanish-speaking illegal aliens too.

Funny... I thought that Austin was about as liberal as Texas gets.

I agree on the taxes, though... Connecticut is one of the worst in that regard. The first time you get a $500 annual property tax bill in the mail for your new car, you're gonna be pissed!

 

[Dear Summer]

I would stay
I heard Austin is an awesome place
All the bars, college girls at UT, etc. What's not to like?? I'd be living it up...

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
The good news is that you'll be making 35% more... the bad news is that your cost of living is going to go up at least 25% as well. Connecticut is a damn expensive place to live!

While Texas in general is pretty cheap, I doubt Austin is must cheaper than CT, especially if you live anywhere near UT.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
The good news is that you'll be making 35% more... the bad news is that your cost of living is going to go up at least 25% as well. Connecticut is a damn expensive place to live!

While Texas in general is pretty cheap, I doubt Austin is must cheaper than CT, especially if you live anywhere near UT.

I'm pretty sure Austin is cheaper than all but the crappiest parts of CT

 

[FoBoT]

no way, Texas to Connecticut, no way, don't do it

 

[StinkyPinky]

No I wouldn't. Cold climates suck.

 

[woodie1]

Moving from Austin to Connecticut is almost like moving to another country that speaks English. If you're young with no kids then it will be a good learning experience. The cold will be something to reckon with though.

 

[HannibalX]

I wouldn't. Connecticut is a nanny state.

 

[vi edit]

I don't think I could take living in as mild winters as you have for most of my life and then moving to New England. Not to mention the culture shock.

 

[Double Trouble]

I lived in Austin for 5 years, and there's absolutely no possible way on earth I'd move from a great place like Austin to a super nanny state like CT. It's going to be way more expensive for one (with regards to taxes and overall cost of living), and the winters suck.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I've been in CT and I've been in TX, and it isn't even a decision for me...Texas loses. But then, I hate Texas for most everything and love the far NE for most everything, so that's not even a fair contest.

The question isn't what we'd do, it's what you want to do.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

TX to CT? The culture shock will kill you.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Blieb
I have lived in Houston, TX and West Hartford, Connecticut ... I was not employed full time in either place.

If you have or plan to have kids, the public schools (at least in West Hartford) are 1,000 times better than schools in most places.

It's cold. Winter is depressing. Buildings and things are old, this too can be somewhat depressing.

Connecticut is an expensive state to live in. High taxes. TX doesn't have income tax! If you have a RWD vehicle, you'll want to change to AWD, 4x4 or FWD.

If you are young and light on baggage ... I say go for it, live a little, experience a new place ... it's plenty close to NYC and Boston, which is a plus IMO.

Definitely check and make sure that 35% is enough after taxes and difference in costs between locations.

I am young and I have very little baggage, really only my sister and grandmother (parents both passed away).

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
The good news is that you'll be making 35% more... the bad news is that your cost of living is going to go up at least 25% as well. Connecticut is a damn expensive place to live!

Hartford's nightlife and entertainment options are kinda tame compared to Austin's. That said, you're be able to walk outside in Summer without wanting to kill yourself.

yes, I will look forward to walking around from may - september without dying if I go for the job.

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

Funny... I thought that Austin was about as liberal as Texas gets.

I agree on the taxes, though... Connecticut is one of the worst in that regard. The first time you get a $500 annual property tax bill in the mail for your new car, you're gonna be pissed!

Austin might be somewhat liberal but it's still Texas. A lot of people try to act like it's California in the middle of Hickville. That's not correct (although we do have a bunch of douchey california implants).

And I heard about the car tax, that. is. ridiculous.

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
The good news is that you'll be making 35% more... the bad news is that your cost of living is going to go up at least 25% as well. Connecticut is a damn expensive place to live!

While Texas in general is pretty cheap, I doubt Austin is must cheaper than CT, especially if you live anywhere near UT.

I live in the burbs in NW Austin (Arboretum). It's MUCH cheaper than CT, however just like any city it depends on where you live. DT Austin is expensive, DT Hartford is expensive. There is about a 20% increase in the cost of living up there.

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I've been in CT and I've been in TX, and it isn't even a decision for me...Texas loses. But then, I hate Texas for most everything and love the far NE for most everything, so that's not even a fair contest.

The question isn't what we'd do, it's what you want to do.

So what do you love about the NE? I am a very flexible person. I love Texas but I love life and new experiences (and I am 24 with no kids or even SO).