cowgirlquilter

My quilting friends,

I am trying to plan visits to a few different areas to search for a new job. I am currenty in Napa, California and want to look in these areas:

Austin, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
San Antonio, Texas
Laramie, Wyoming
Cheyenne, Wyoming

My sweetie and I need to be able to live in the country, and yet be near enough to work that I can commute. I am willing to commute up to 45 minutes, if the right opportunity arises.

If any of you are willing to allow me to visit with you via telephone to gather information that I need to know about your area, or even allow me to know what kind of rent I could expect for a home in the country. I am more than willing to reimburse you for any cost it takes for you to call me.
Also, if there are "good" parts of town or "bad"parts of town, etc. that I would need to know about.
Hubby and I have no little ones, so we only need a small place, but we do need at least ten acres, and are willing to rent short term. We are horse people-enough said about that one!!! LOL!!
Please let me know your thoughts----and also, I would like to find out where the best quilting stores are located!! That would be a plus!! Field trip to the local quilt shop would have to be on the agenda!!

I am trying to scope out when I will be visiting, so at this time I dont have exact dates, but it depends on what information I find that will determine my next steps.
Thanks in advance for your help with this.

Dina

What a clever way to gather information about possible places to live. I am not in any of your choice locations, but I am sure you will find some here who are. Good luck!

Dina

koigirl

What type/field of work are you looking for? I drive to Oklahoma City several times a year and do know that it is a growing city. Also look into Norman and Moore, Oklahoma as they are all VERY close together, meaning you don't know where one begins or ends. I don't have any information regarding rent or jobs. I do know several people who have acreage and commute and they love it. One smaller community where some of our family lives is in Wellston, Oklahoma and the other is Midwest City. I know that doesn't help much, sorry. Good luck.

PS: No extra info on Austin or Dallas, except they are HUGE cities. North Richland Hills is a smaller community near Dallas. San Antonio is where I was born but moved away when I was 3, so no help there either.

Maybe this link will help more than me. http://newsok.com/

cowgirlquilter

koigirl,
this is great information! I am a school administrator with extensive background and experience in educational sales.

I am going to work "both ends" and see what I can come up with........
thanks so much! I may be messaging you soon!

cowgirlquilter

Dina,
Thanks so much for the positive thoughts!!

dublb

I live in Midland TX. That is quit a bit west o' where ya were lookin' but we are boomin' here. All jobs here have vacancies. Now the draw backs. It isn't very pretty here & findin' a place ta live here is very hard. I don't recommend ya gittin' anything just south o' town 'cause they have found a bad chemical in those water wells. I'll check out the Real Estate online here in a li'le bit.

Helovesme

Hi there. I've lived in Austin TX since 1996 and have seen this city grow so incredibly fast. Everyone is coming here. It's the most beautiful place to be and there is lots to do for all age groups. You can find just about any type of job here -- lots of big tech companies Dell, Samsung, Freescale, AMD, etc. and lots of health care clinics and facilities going up everywhere. University of TX has campuses all over the place if that's the type of work you are looking for. Austin and ALL THE SURROUNDING cities are growing so fast, city planners and road builders are having a hard time keeping up. You mentioned you were willing to commute 45 minutes - well, some days it takes me 30 minutes to travel 9 miles to work, sometimes takes me only the standard 15. However, with all that said, I don't know where else I would love to live. I love living here. Big city, small town feel. Yes, you have access to living out in the country, but it remains to be seen on how long that lasts. When we moved here, Cedar Park was considered living out in "the sticks" (or boondocks to some) and now we have an elementary school, a middle school, a high school AND a stadium right in our back yard. (You'd flip your lid if you knew what my property taxes are) I don't mind it, but for folks coming here and wanting "country living" could be in for a real shocker a couple of years later, because it won't be the country anymore. I hope this info helps. I am not trying to deter you in any way because again, I just love it here.

Blessings,
Judi Price

dublb

I will also add most outta town commutes are about 15 min.

cowgirlquilter

Judi,
Thank you so much. I will send you a private message with more questions if you dont mind.
Thanks for your help!!

cowgirlquilter

Bev,
thank you so much for your response. I appreciate your support. I will be sending you a private message with more questions, if you dont mind.
Thanks again!!