Best Cities for Jobs in Texas?

I'm an Oregon Native, and although I love my home state so much, I feel forced to leave because the unemployment rate is super-duper high, and even with an M.A in English, I can't find a job. I heard TX is great for jobs and overall quality of living (at least better than my rural city in Oregon). I've never been to TX, but I just applied for a job in Austin. So, Texans, what cities do you champion? Where might I have better luck with jobs? I don't want to be too picky about weather, but is it super hot like I heard (I'm used to sleet and snow). Either way, I can welcome more sunshine in my life:) Thanks for answering:)

Public Comments

1. It depends on what sort of job you are looking for. Houston and Dallas of all places were both recently featured in Yahoo home page articles concerning best places to live and raise a family. Both cities ranked in the top 5 of both rankings, with Houston ranking first for "Best cities to live". These rankings seem based solely on some sort of jobs available / cost of living ratio, as Houston and Dallas are both notorious for being completely devoid of any type of cultural identity. Both cities did just recently complete a light-rail system which somehow qualifies as high culture. You can probably see where I'm headed. I live in Austin, which 4 or 5 years ago also frequently topped, or was 2nd, for lists of "Best Cities" -- to work, to play, to be single, to raise a family, to have a dog, to find a job, etc. Admittedly the past 5 years have also seen some explosive growth and yet the cost of living is still comparable to Dallas and Houston and favorable when compared to the rest of the country. In addition, Austin also has a world-renowned music scene, and just an overall character of creativity, and entrepeneurial spirit that I think is lacking in other cities in Texas, and most other cities in the country as well. With your MA in English I can tell you right now as a fellow English major that you will be very disappointed in Houston or Dallas -- if you don't find a job in your field you will still find plenty of intellectual pursuits here in Austin that will keep you mentally stimulated. Houston is tops right now, and will remain so as long as gasoline is $4 per gallon -- the Houston economy is based on energy, which is quite profitable right now, if you're an oilman. Austin's economy isn't quite thriving like it was 1999 due to it's high-tech sector being in a slump... but for the long term you should bet on Austin.
2. L has made some really good points. Austin is the only place I'd want to live in Texas (well, other than Wimberley, and the job market is tough there). Austin does have UT, which might be a job resource for you. The pay usually isn't outstanding; but the benefits are good, and it's a pleasant place to work. The economy isn't terrific here right now, but it's better than average. You could probably find something, at least temporary, rather quickly. It would help if you do some technical writing. A good thing to remember is that Austin is very long North to South. When you sign a lease (or buy property), you'll want to be on the same half as your employer. http://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnjobs/index.WBX
3. #1 choice: Austin or San Antonio. I lived in Austin for 5 1/2 years, San Antono 9 months, and will go back to one of the two for my Masters in 2 years. HOUSTON??? If you move to Houston you will be eternally sorry especially if you have a family! Regardless of job availability, that place is hell on earth! Wanna spend 9/10 of your life in traffic? Long story short: focus most of your attention on DFW and Austin areas. Being from a small town like me, I'd venture to say Houston will not even interest you. I would go for the DFW area or San Antonio/Austin. For jobs, definitely those 3. I champion Austin because of the friendliness of the people. Got artsy kids? Austin. Best private schools? Austin. Best medical care...well it's Texas so it's all good; Houston is the best, BUT the other 3 are VERY close. Want fewer traffic issues? Austin (and that wasn't true up until about 1 1/2 years ago). Want something to do every weekend? Austin, DFW or SA. Want fairness in your consideration for jobs? Don't consider anything other than Austin, DFW, SA, Houston or one of their near suburbs. Let's talk about crime. There's a reason most of us don't want to live in Houston and do/did not stay there. You put that many people in that small of an area, guess what happens?! Stuff us small town folks can't deal with. I'm not saying there's no crime in Austin, the people are just different there. They just want to do their thing and go about their business. They will welcome you before anyone else will. This attitude/crime base rubs off on your kids and does effect the quality of the schools. Weather: DFW is in north Texas. NORTH: guess what their winters are like? (Did you know Texans can get snowed/iced in a few days a year? I lived in Alaska for 4 years and seen TONS of snow but the worst snow storm I ever experienced was in Fort Worth! In Houston, they just get flooded with 10-12 feet of water over their highways.) Now Austin can get ice and snow in the winter too, BUT when it comes to summer we have heat in TX that will be a deal-breaker for you; it's not just sunny. We have the highest rate of skin cancer in the country. That may have something to do with 105+ degree weather in most of the state nearly every day of the summer. Dallas is pretty hot and mostly dry. Austin is pretty hot and has a few days that are kind of humid. San Antonio is pretty hot too, with alot of humidity. Houston is freekin hot and freekin humid! Wanna live in a sauna? Go to Houston. FUTURE: Keep in mind that EVERYONE wants to move to Texas. We have a lower cost of living and lower property prices. So, that means we are having a major influx of people/traffic and many can't drive on our major highways. Not to mention higher competition for jobs. Austin seems to be oblivious to the economic hardships the rest of the nation is facing. Alot of people want to be here. That may cause big changes in the norms we are used to in our TX society. People don't normally think of those things in advance, but they are a reality. Things ARE changing here, and unfortunately not all the people who move here are that nice. In closing, I would not consider any towns in Texas other than what we have discussed here unless it's Corpus Christi and I know little about it...Abilene and Amarillo still work off the good ol boys system and making a living is hell...they are small towns whether they'll admit it or not and Amarillo's schools suck. Anything south and west of SA is considered border and you don't want any of that...talk about crime, GEEZ! There's a reason we have special law enforcement ops going down there. I would also say that anything west of Dallas/Austin is to be considered West Texas and people are no where near as nice as they are in the other half of the state..even though they claim to be the nicest, friendliest people in the world - they are NOT! Getting an interview for a job is a local popularity contest. And if you're not related to the right people or already have money, you're not welcome and they will make sure you feel it.