[mmasters]

Just got laid off this week from my job in systems at an investment bank in NYC. I'm actually kind of happy about it as I have been looking for an opportunity to get out of NYC and do something different. I have been somewhat miserable this past year working in a hectic job in a hectic city while recovering from a breakdown I had last year.

So I've been giving some thought as to what to do next. My experience is wide and varied so I don't see myself having any problem getting a job (my experience is in project management, business analysis and business architecture). Since financial services is kind of on the rocks lately I've been thinking about other industries to get into as my job isn't particularly tied to that industry.

I've thought about different areas of the country and have decided the next place will be the Southeast (someplace warm where the cost of living is relatively low, relatively safe from natural disasters and close to family).

More specifically my thoughts are somewhere around about Raleigh, Atlanta and perhaps Nashville. For industry, I'm thinking to veer towards interviewing with health care or energy companies (if they exist in these parts) as they would be growth oriented and more sustainable workplaces. Perhaps there's some other industries I should consider? Financial services is also a possibility though it's not growing at this time.

I would also want to live someplace where there's multiple companies to choose from so if I end up with a bad boss I would have options to go elsewhere. Any knowledge on the region in general with regards to corporate areas and good places to live would be greatly appreciated. I'm doing some initial research at this point while I'm taking a break but I plan to get serious about making some decisions in the next month or two.

Some other things to consider, I like being near the beach, am a musician at heart and really dig people with character.

I'm also a single guy so...

Anyhow, figured some of y'all might be able to help me along with some ideas on where to start the next chapter of my life!

[BigTex]

Best of luck to you my friend.

That Raleigh/Durham area ought to keep you busy with opportunities.

I'm sure you know to stay away from Atlanta.

I would stay away from Nashville as well; I like Lousville, KY better for that part of the country (even though it's outside the southeast). That's a great city that seems to have a good quality of life and reasonable cost of living.

Dallas is very nice as well. Forget Austin. That window closed a few years ago.

In general, the cost of living in Texas is probably the best you will find anywhere in the U.S. that also has a vibrant business community.

How about Jacksonville or Orlando, FL? You could always be a character at Disney. You could be "Fiat Currency Man", the nemesis of Goldilocks.

Where is the family that you would like to be close to?

[mmasters]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'I')'m sure you know to stay away from Atlanta.
I would stay away from Nashville as well; I like Lousville, KY better for that part of the country (even though it's outside the southeast). That's a great city that seems to have a good quality of life and reasonable cost of living.

[BigTex]

Raleigh/Durham or Charlotte, NC would be good choices. I think real estate has gotten kind of wild there, though. I'm sure someone can chime in with more info on that.

[DomusAlbion]

NYC is a great place to live when you're young and single and have a decent job or if you're a multi-millionaire. Otherwise it begins to grind you down.

I think the Carolinas would be a good choice. See if you can't find a position in a medium sized burg or even a smaller town. It would be a good change of pace for you.

[threadbear]

I've heard good things about Austin, Texas--Just make sure you're good and rested up and healthy before your move!

Wiki Austin Texas:
Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a mix of university professors, students, politicians, lobbyists, musicians, state employees, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. The main campus of the University of Texas is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues.[1][2] In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('threadbear', 'I')'ve heard good things about Austin, Texas--Just make sure you're good and rested up and healthy before your move!

Wiki Austin Texas:
Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a mix of university professors, students, politicians, lobbyists, musicians, state employees, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. The main campus of the University of Texas is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues.[1][2] In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('threadbear', 'I')'ve heard good things about Austin Texas--Just make sure you're good and rested up and healthy before your move!

Wiki Austin Texas:
Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a mix of university professors, students, politicians, lobbyists, musicians, state employees, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. The main campus of the University of Texas is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues.[1][2] In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

I'm about an hour north of Atlanta. We might go down there once a year or so. Traffic is a nightmare and the summer air pollution is bad too.
It's going to get very, very crowded in the future, and we have major water supply issues that are not being addressed (oh, I forgot, our governor did pray for rain on the capital steps last year). But housing is reasonable and the job market is supposed to be good.

Orlando - We got the heck out of there 2 years ago. My family still lives near there. FL is in a recession and hurting badly. Wages are low compared to cost of living. Huge segments of population earning very low pay and thus a lot of social issues - child neglect, poverty, crime, crime, crime.

The Triangle area of NC that you mentioned is supposed to be nice. Just keep in mind NC has a pretty high state income tax for a southern state. (FL still has none)

I'm not sure about Texas but you would be facing a long haul to the beach. Same with Atlanta - several hours.