Move to Dallas?

pdx guy wrote:

100K, Dallas TX

Regarding the salary, a friend of mine makes $65K and he seems to live well.

IMO, if the position can propel you towards bigger things, then it could be worth doing it for 2-3 years, instead of struggling for your goals for a much longer time. I know it'd be worth it to me to be sitting at a "higher" desk now if I could've had the right opportunity prior.

Far as Dallas, I'm not crazy about it and while some are, know others who don't like it either. If you're fine with the city, then I'd go for it. Some will say it's not worth the hours, etc... But it doesn't have to be forever.

I lived in Dallas and it is nothing but a concrete jungle rat race. I currently live in Fort Worth and love it. However I used to live in Boise and had relatives in Portland and Spokane, I'd take the Northwest if I had the opportunity. We have humidity, bugs, traffic, mexicans, ozone alerts and concrete, lots of concrete.

do what you love...but first stay in portland

bloodsport wrote:

I lived in Dallas and it is nothing but a concrete jungle rat race. I currently live in Fort Worth and love it. However I used to live in Boise and had relatives in Portland and Spokane, I'd take the Northwest if I had the opportunity. We have humidity, bugs, traffic, mexicans, ozone alerts and concrete, lots of concrete.

I agree. Fort Worth is a better place to live (people are a lot friendlier), but you could commute to Dallas. There are trails to run on along the Trinity River and White Rock Lake.

Under no circumstances should you move to Dallas from PDX. Depending on how long you've lived in Portland you are probably too far gone to put up with a socially conservative town like Dallas...now if you were moving from Baton Rouge, or Biloxi, or Fargo, or Philly, or Canton, etc., Dallas would be like a little slice of heaven...

What I would recommend, if you're truly serious about leaving the protective yoke of Stumptown, is to move to a halfway town like Boise, or Denver, or maybe even Atlanta first to give yourself a chance to deprogram, then attempt the move on to Dallas but straight from The City of Roses? Don't do it...

100k in Dallas is great pay.

I love Dallas, I really do. But in all honesty, I'd have to agree that it's a hot, humid, concrete jungle of a rat-race. I was in a traffic jam (not caused by a wreck) Sunday at 7pm...

If it's a two-lane road, the understood speed limit is 50mph in Dallas. Prepare to spend a small amount of that 100k on clothes and a car if you're single and trying to mingle. In Dallas, there exists in many places a true urban life. If you're not interested, you're welcome to try one of the nation's most sprawling series of suburbs.

While Portland may be cleaner, laid-back, cooler and more comfortable seeing as you're accustomed to the place...a few things are CERTAIN to occur in Dallas, should you move:

*You'll be surrounded with extremely successful and extremely beautiful people

*You'll be making a shit-load of cash

*You'll find a remarkably affordable housing market

*You'll find a vibrant night life, a ton of churches, and amazing dining experiences.

*You'll find numerous impressive private schools, and good public schools in the suburbs.

If you're ever in town and want a tour or want to run, or both, let me know. Just reply and we'll get in touch. If you're in decent shape, there are a few good training groups we can hook up with.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the responses. I think I enjoy my situation too much to make the move. I have 2 kids and have plenty of time after work to spend with them and still run a bit. My wife works part time and we are comfortable on our current income.

This is sort of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my industry. I will probably look back in 10 years and realize that I could have been much better off (financially). If I had no kids or was very close to retirement I would jump at this job. Right now though, work is third on my priority list behind family and running/leisure.

Anyone have advice on how to parlay this into a raise at my current position?

Well, it all depends on how valuable you are to your firm. To parlay this 100k/year offer into a modest raise in Portland, you need to be entirely honest when you answer: How much does your company value you?

If someone else is willing to offer you such a higher pay, I'd think you're a pretty good guy.

I actually taught a summer course on managing your managers. Simply tell them you've been offered an amazing job in Dallas (without immediately revealing the precise dollar amount) and give them the dollar figure that would keep you in Portland. If they're not willing to work with you, tell them exactly how much the damn pile of cash in Dallas is, and they may wise up. Certainly, whatever you do, don't expect a 35k/year raise.

I wish you luck. If you and your managers get along well, this shouldn't be too difficult.

We love to execute people. Make sure you take out a will before you move here.

In Texas wrote:

We love to execute people. Make sure you take out a will before you move here.

Yes, we execute a high number of extremely violent offenders and murderers...your point?