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Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:42 am
by sunflower
After somewhat careful consideration, I think I have narrowed down my new home search to 5 areas. It was sort of hard, but not really.

I thank everyone for their input and hope that you are not offended if I did not choose your area!! This is all subject to change during my job search, but gives me a good starting off point to tell the recruiter. I thought it would be better to give a few choices than to say "ummmmmm......??" when asked where I wanted to work.

So in no particular order...they are the areas of: San Francisco, San Diego/Southern CA, Charlotte, Raleigh and Atlanta. And I guess I should have said top 3 because it's only 3 states. There are a lot of other great places out there, but I think these most closely fit what I am looking for and have promising job markets for me. San Francisco is a slight front runner due to my family connection there and a free guest room while I look for suitable housing...but I really have always talked about relocating to Charlotte.

So that's it for now. Condo is going on the market 3/10 to give me some time to get some stuff finished up and looking perfect. I will keep you all posted!!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:43 am
by frogman042
Have you considered Austin, TX?

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:44 am
by sunflower
frogman042 wrote:Have you considered Austin, TX?
Considered, yes.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:02 am
by ulysses5019
I think SF housing can be pricy but there's always BART for the commute.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:54 am
by mom2five
My brother-in-law just got a great job in SF at Facebook! They gave him a generous "moving allowance" (they moved from SoCal) and they offer great perks, like 3 meals a day, all bus fares paid and I think they'll even do his laundry!

Check out Facebook's job listings!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:55 am
by kayrharris
When I was in Napa last year, we saw a young couple from SF. She worked at Google and went on and
on about all the perks she got, including transportation costs to and from work.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:19 pm
by MarleysGh0st
mom2five wrote:My brother-in-law just got a great job in SF at Facebook! They gave him a generous "moving allowance" (they moved from SoCal) and they offer great perks, like 3 meals a day, all bus fares paid and I think they'll even do his laundry!
Sounds like they expect him to live at the office. No, thanks.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:20 pm
by sunflower
mom2five wrote:My brother-in-law just got a great job in SF at Facebook! They gave him a generous "moving allowance" (they moved from SoCal) and they offer great perks, like 3 meals a day, all bus fares paid and I think they'll even do his laundry!

Check out Facebook's job listings!
OMG!!! You mean I could get PAID to be on Facebook all day?!?

I don't even care if I get relocation (nice if I could but not a deal breaker), I plan to sell most of my furniture because I wanted to redecorate anyway. What I will keep can be shipped/driven out.

I know it's expensive there but I do have family I can mooch off of for some time...plus I won't want to leave, he lives in Sausalito overlooking the bay, it is lovely. He has an upstairs apartment that if I make my situation permanent, could be mine. Although I'd kind of like to live in the city to get the whole experience. Hmmmmm.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:33 pm
by Appa23
One of the things that I like about this Bored is the diversity of viewpoints.

For me, SanFran would be near the bottom of any list of where I would be looking to live. In fact, California generally is lower on the list.

Meanwhile, Kansas City, the Twin Cities, and Chicago are definite possibilities.

I have wondered if I would like the Louisville area.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:37 pm
by minimetoo26
My husband and Stephen are on their way to SF at this moment! I haven't been there in 43 years, so I couldn't say anything about the job situation there. Actually, since I was 2 when we left, I don't remember a thing.

I'm guessing you could save a ton on sunscreen most days...

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:47 pm
by sunflower
Appa23 wrote:One of the things that I like about this Bored is the diversity of viewpoints.

For me, SanFran would be near the bottom of any list of where I would be looking to live. In fact, California generally is lower on the list.

Meanwhile, Kansas City, the Twin Cities, and Chicago are definite possibilities.

I have wondered if I would like the Louisville area.
I like that too, that's why I looked for advice here.

At the end of the day, I like the ocean and warm weather. I need a more moderate climate than CT. I love Chicago but I cannot do the winters, I know that. So I had to balance a lot of factors. The biggest drawback to CA is that it is more expensive...however, CT is pretty darn expensive and I think CA salaries tend to be a little higher. I don't foresee a major change in my way of life, other than perhaps being a little happier from the change in weather!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:56 pm
by Catfish
Appa23 wrote:I have wondered if I would like the Louisville area.
I spent a few days in Louisville this fall and was quite enamored of it. The people were unbelievably friendly.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:06 pm
by mom2five
MarleysGh0st wrote:
mom2five wrote:My brother-in-law just got a great job in SF at Facebook! They gave him a generous "moving allowance" (they moved from SoCal) and they offer great perks, like 3 meals a day, all bus fares paid and I think they'll even do his laundry!
Sounds like they expect him to live at the office. No, thanks.
He can and does work from home some days, and when he actually goes to the office they don't clock in or out, it's all a matter of "getting the work done".

He says the main reason they offer the meals is because most of the employees are "computer geeks" fresh out of college and if they aren't given food on a regular basis, he thinks many would starve! :)

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:24 pm
by sunflower
mom2five wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote:
mom2five wrote:My brother-in-law just got a great job in SF at Facebook! They gave him a generous "moving allowance" (they moved from SoCal) and they offer great perks, like 3 meals a day, all bus fares paid and I think they'll even do his laundry!
Sounds like they expect him to live at the office. No, thanks.
He can and does work from home some days, and when he actually goes to the office they don't clock in or out, it's all a matter of "getting the work done".

He says the main reason they offer the meals is because most of the employees are "computer geeks" fresh out of college and if they aren't given food on a regular basis, he thinks many would starve! :)
Yeah, it says online that they have 3 meals a day catered in the office. And free insurance!! Sounds like a good place to work. I just saw the founder on the Today show this morning.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:34 pm
by MarleysGh0st
He can and does work from home some days, and when he actually goes to the office they don't clock in or out, it's all a matter of "getting the work done".
So what's the weekly average for how long it takes to get the work done? With a Silicon Valley company like this, employing computer geeks fresh out of college, I'd be shocked if that's ever under 40 hours. Likely much more.
He says the main reason they offer the meals is because most of the employees are "computer geeks" fresh out of college and if they aren't given food on a regular basis, he thinks many would starve! :)
Nonsense. Any college grad geek can find his way to a pizza place...if he's able to leave the job!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:36 pm
by Rexer25
My employer offers three meals a day...if you have quarters and a taste for junk food.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:42 pm
by sunflower
I might have just applied for a job at Facebook, I think I'm overqualified though.

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:44 pm
by MarleysGh0st
sunflower wrote:I might have just applied for a job at Facebook, I think I'm overqualified though.
You might have? Did you click on the wrong link by accident or something? :P

Seriously, if that's what you want, good luck!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:47 pm
by sunflower
MarleysGh0st wrote:
sunflower wrote:I might have just applied for a job at Facebook, I think I'm overqualified though.
You might have? Did you click on the wrong link by accident or something? :P

Seriously, if that's what you want, good luck!
I don't know what I want, it's an option! An option in one of the right cities!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:03 pm
by MarleysGh0st
sunflower wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote:
sunflower wrote:I might have just applied for a job at Facebook, I think I'm overqualified though.
You might have? Did you click on the wrong link by accident or something? :P

Seriously, if that's what you want, good luck!
I don't know what I want, it's an option! An option in one of the right cities!
If, after careful consideration of all the options in all the right cities, that turns out to be what you want, good luck!

:)

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:12 pm
by sunflower
MarleysGh0st wrote:
sunflower wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote: You might have? Did you click on the wrong link by accident or something? :P

Seriously, if that's what you want, good luck!
I don't know what I want, it's an option! An option in one of the right cities!
If, after careful consideration of all the options in all the right cities, that turns out to be what you want, good luck!

:)
Thank you!

:)

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:28 pm
by mom2five
MarleysGh0st wrote:
He can and does work from home some days, and when he actually goes to the office they don't clock in or out, it's all a matter of "getting the work done".
So what's the weekly average for how long it takes to get the work done? With a Silicon Valley company like this, employing computer geeks fresh out of college, I'd be shocked if that's ever under 40 hours. Likely much
I think that's part of the appeal for these guys (and girls) who work there, they love to spend all their time on their computers!
They are given a lot of creative freedom, and great incentives to come up with new ideas. Even if they weren't getting paid huge salaries, they would still spend many, many hours on their computers. :o

The perks that these "internet" companies give to their employees are very different than the ones that were standard a few years ago. The meals, gym memberships, laundry services, are specifically aimed at the young college grads, to cater to them in a way that just wasn't done when we were young! (I'll be right back, I've got to go chase some kids off my lawn... :wink:

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:31 pm
by mom2five
sunflower wrote:I might have just applied for a job at Facebook, I think I'm overqualified though.
Good luck, and if you need a contact, I will check with my BIL. He is a very nice guy. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you some "insider" info!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:36 pm
by sunflower
mom2five wrote:
sunflower wrote:I might have just applied for a job at Facebook, I think I'm overqualified though.
Good luck, and if you need a contact, I will check with my BIL. He is a very nice guy. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you some "insider" info!
That would be great! I think I am over qualified for what I posted for, but I am hoping that they have other openings they might be willing to share or keep me in mind. Or maybe I'm not cool enough for Facebook. But I'm still pretty damn cool for an auditor!

Re: Top 5

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:59 pm
by Estonut
sunflower wrote:
Appa23 wrote:One of the things that I like about this Bored is the diversity of viewpoints.

For me, SanFran would be near the bottom of any list of where I would be looking to live. In fact, California generally is lower on the list.

Meanwhile, Kansas City, the Twin Cities, and Chicago are definite possibilities.

I have wondered if I would like the Louisville area.
I like that too, that's why I looked for advice here.

At the end of the day, I like the ocean and warm weather. I need a more moderate climate than CT. I love Chicago but I cannot do the winters, I know that. So I had to balance a lot of factors. The biggest drawback to CA is that it is more expensive...however, CT is pretty darn expensive and I think CA salaries tend to be a little higher. I don't foresee a major change in my way of life, other than perhaps being a little happier from the change in weather!
San Francisco is a great place, but the weather in no way resembles that of SoCal/San Diego. It may be "warm" compared to eastern winters, but there is a reason that the quote "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco," though usually mis-attributed to Mark Twain, is so well-known.