Considering a move to the San Francisco Bay Area

Status
Not open for further replies.
V

VaderSS

Joined
Jun 10, 2002
Messages
2,077
Location
Cordelia, CA
Ok, before the economy made its latest set of swings, I had interviewed with a bunch of companies in the SF Bay area. All of them fell through, but then I got a request from a refinery to come in and interview, at their expense.

I went and the interview was great, and I really liked the people and the job I would be doing. I thought that that one had fallen through as well, as I did not hear from them for a while. Turns out they were looking for aproval for my offer, and they expect to have it in 2 weeks. Of course, everything hinges on the offer, but now I'm not so sure I should move, at what looks like the beginning of a major recession.

I currently live in Houston and am very much in demand. I feel that my current job in the construction side of offshore oil and gas is a very good place to weather the recession, and I could probably get on with one of the deepwater operators doing rotations, if I want to get away from the hectic construction side of things.

Just looking for people's opinions. It's my decision in the end, but I'd like some feedback.

Thanks.
 
We interviewed for a job in SanFran a few years back, VERY GLAD we did not do it. This was when we were living in San Diego. We just relocated to Houston (SW Houston) over the summertime, so I can give you both sides. I personally would not want to live in Northern California in any coastal town. Everything is overpriced, crowded, and you'll see lots of time in traffic....which is just like Houston! haha except for the overpriced part.

Unless you were making +30% more (seriously!!) and had moving expenses paid for up front, and did not have family to uproot, I'd still say stay in Houston. CA property and Income tax is a PITA and $$$, rental rates are insane there (1-bdr apartment for $1600-$2800 easily depends on where you are), it'll never be "Texas Friendly", and you'll wish you were home the whole time. I felt the same way moving from San Diego to Houston, but I am seeing some charms to it....and looking for places to move to in Austin helps my outlook :)
 
Lots of positives. Good weather, mori, Pacific ocean, girls

Three negatives:
1) Cost of living. You better have a big package.
2) Culture shock. Say no more.
3) Oil Drilling on the west coast? Hmm..

Stuff you will be giving up:

Good food, low fuel and housing prices, huricanes and humidity
 
VaderSS, if you have never lived in a state with state income tax, you will be in for a big shock. When I moved from the Dallas area back in 1989, even with a $10K raise in salary, I took a $25K hit just because of state income tax, property taxes, and the overall cost of living of WI compared to Texas.

Thank about it long and hard before you make that major move. Northern California is a beautiful part of the country though.

Good luck.
 
One of the most beautiful areas to live, in the world. IMHO But it is a lot different than Houston. It is an expensive place to live, but often, you get what you pay for.

Good chance at finding some bargains in the housing market.

Saw the blue angels over the weekend. During "Fleet Week". Then spent the night in SF. Had a FANTASTIC weekend, a big part of that was the company though.
wink.gif


Your job at the refinery should be pretty secure too. They certainly aren't going to close down anytime soon.
 
I'm in Northern California, could easily move to anyplace in the country and am not doing it.

But, Take along hard look at the overall economics of the move. Just about everything (except air conditioning
grin2.gif
) is more expensive here.

Also, people here aren't much like Texans. That's a plus for me, it might not be for you.
 
Originally Posted By: XS650

Also, people here aren't much like Texans. That's a plus for me, it might not be for you.


Hey! Whut's that suppozed to mean? hhhhaaaaawk *spit* plink!

:P
 
My income, if they come close to my request, would be abou 30% more than I usually make, but working close to 2000 hours a year, rather than 3000. Moving would be included. I'd only be moving myself and my fiance.

We've spent about a month in the area, over the past year and are aware of the cost and rewards. It's also the only place that has really felt like home to me in a long time.
 
Ask Moribundman, he can help ya out.

Careful where you move due to EARTHQUAKES!!
 
I grew up in Millbrae and lived in Pacifica for 2 years and bought a house in San Bruno [the peninsula] and lived in the house for 24 years. The bay area is a real nice place to live ,the property is very expensive though the market is slow there as well but I would guess there are no real bargins .I became tired of how crowded it is as all metro areas are ,the 680 corridor is a nice place to live but the commute is killer to the S F area .If you are working at the refineries that can open areas to live at a bit lower price wise and still real nice. I would IMO consider the commute upon picking where I lived . When I was working, I drove from San Bruno to Burlingame and it took about 15 to 20 minutes. A fellow worker lived outside livermore and would tell about leaving at 5am to get at work at 7.am and leaving work at 430 and getting home at 7 or later on friday nights. There are charts that show the bad earthquake zones.
 
Originally Posted By: Solo2driver
"Texas Friendly"


I've been to Texas several times and I don't plan on going back if I can avoid it.
LOL.gif
 
Originally Posted By: VaderSS

We've spent about a month in the area, over the past year and are aware of the cost and rewards. It's also the only place that has really felt like home to me in a long time.


It sounds like you know what you are getting into.
thumbsup2.gif


If you make the move, check into local micro climates before you settledown. In the towns within easy commute distance of the refineries, there is a big difference in weather.

Some areas are downright windy because that area is near the low spot between the Pacific and the central valley. There are big differences in the amount of sunshine too.
 
SF bay area is nice, you don't have to agree with every one of the liberal extremist in the neighborhood, I don't, although I seems "Liberal" compare to the BITOGER, I am branded a conservative here.


Stay away from the idea of buying a house for quite a while. IF you are going to the refinery area, then you might be ok to buy a house there.

IMO I wouldn't stay here unless I'm making a combined salary of $160k+ with my wife. Below that just stay where you are at and keep the current job. I'm fortunate (or unfortunate) to be bordering that number and there aren't too many jobs like that in other cities for both my wife and I, plus our families are here so moving is harder for us.

If I just moved to this country and can settle anywhere, I probably would pick Oregon or Arizona, but not Texas (too hot, too conservative, starting to get crowded) or California (too expensive, too liberal).
 
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I wouldn't stay here unless I'm making a combined salary of $160k+ with my wife.


Yeah, you have to make at least that much here, or you can't even afford health insurance for your whole family!
 
Thanks all. The money will not be an issue. My main concerns are on the job front. I feel pretty safe with the job I'm looking at, but if I should lose it for some reason, I worry that I'd have a hard time finding another.

My fiance' is in the mental health care field, with 15 years of experience. She is looking into the possibility of a change in her job prospects herself. As of a few months ago, she still had very good prospects.

I know that my fiance', who is considered a liberal in Texas, will probably be considered conservative there, and I'll probably be considered a right-wing nut. Oh well...

I plan on waiting a while before we would settle in any one area. I feel that the economy and property values have a ways more to fall before they come back, but we would be in a good place then to capitalize on it.

The specific area I'd be looking at is Concord/Martinez for working, with where we live being determined by where she would work and who has the worst commute prospects.

I do plan on riding the bikes a lot more...
 
Come on up here to Oklahoma and work at the refinery at Winiwood (sp??) or in Cushing!!! Please, no OU-UT jokes, I feel bad enough already.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
Looking for Great Steak in San Francisco Bay Area
Replies
10
Views
269
JeffKeryk
y_p_w
Free water taxi between Oakland/Alameda, California - does it make sense?
2 3
Replies
40
Views
3K
y_p_w
y_p_w
Local airport near San Francisco Bay loses all air traffic control services
Replies
8
Views
782
y_p_w
y_p_w
California law on "daylighting" within 20 ft of curb corners goes into effect 2025
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
y_p_w
B
I fun bit if irony.
Replies
19
Views
613
Glenda W.
Back
Top Bottom