Geographical Advice Needed

[CrazyKell]

So, I'm fed up with not working in my field.

I moved back home (Canada) after a two year stint in London, England.

Even with my experience, the job market here is so tough that I haven't even gone on ONE interview. :rant:

So now I'm considering (for the 2009/2010 school year) moving somewhere in the US.

What I'm worried about is moving somewhere and hating it for various reasons. I'd like to be within driving distance of some sort of cultural centre.

Here are a few of my options:

North Carolina: Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Fayetteville, High Point, Durham

Arizona: Queen Creek, Glendale, Douglas

Florida: Lake district, Fort Lauderdale, Pensacola

Since none of them even have pay info in the postings I'm hoping someone can just give me an idea of whether it's worth it to apply to these or not.

ANY help at all on any of these areas would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[Ninjakel]

Come to Sofla!!!! :lol:

[tommymac]

So NYC or other major metro areas arent an option?

Tom

[azoomm]

If you really want some information about Lauderdale - I can get you in contact with my Mother In Law. She is currently a district librarian, and has been working with the district in various schools for YEARS.

:wink:

[Corey]

I have experience with many areas in Florida. I'll save you a lot of time and a lot of aggravation: avoid like the plague. The local economy is completely fucked, the pay rate is pathetic, and it is, in general, a fucking dump. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of beautiful areas that happen to be the beach, but unless you're making a good chunk of cash, you're not living anywhere close to the beach, you're just driving there to overpay for parking and deal with sweaty douchebag tourists.

You would honestly be better almost anywhere else but here. If you're deadset on visiting some of the really nice beaches, just vacation down here. That way you can get the best of the beaches without being trapped in an economically dead black hole.

And no, this is not some funny ha ha kind of reverse psychology to keep people out of a hidden paradise. This state is a frustrating heap of shit.

[cuttle]

according to google (a few years old, but it gives you an idea)

http://www.aft.org/salary/2003/download/2003Table2.pdf

[Papa_Complex]

I kinda consider Huntsville, AL to feel like Guelph, ON ('ceptin' for the big-ass rockets and military base) for some reason. Check it on a map and see if you like the stuff that's within a few hours.

A friend of mine graduated from Teacher's College a couple of years back and it only took him a bit over a year of temping to get a permanent position in the Guelph area.

[CrazyKell]

I kinda consider Huntsville, AL to feel like Guelph, ON ('ceptin' for the big-ass rockets and military base) for some reason. Check it on a map and see if you like the stuff that's within a few hours.

A friend of mine graduated from Teacher's College a couple of years back and it only took him a bit over a year of temping to get a permanent position in the Guelph area.

Guelph, Ontario?

The market has changed a LOT even in a few years. I have two years of international experience and can't even get an interview to be considered for the sub list. :( I mean, not even an interview.

I spoke to a principal at a job in Fergus. The job was a .08 position which is 2 hours and 17 minutes a week....THAT's IT!!! He said he'd have at least 400 applicants. :idk:

[AquaPython]

I have experience with many areas in Florida. I'll save you a lot of time and a lot of aggravation: avoid like the plague. The local economy is completely fucked, the pay rate is pathetic, and it is, in general, a fucking dump. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of beautiful areas that happen to be the beach, but unless you're making a good chunk of cash, you're not living anywhere close to the beach, you're just driving there to overpay for parking and deal with sweaty douchebag tourists.

You would honestly be better almost anywhere else but here. If you're deadset on visiting some of the really nice beaches, just vacation down here. That way you can get the best of the beaches without being trapped in an economically dead black hole.

And no, this is not some funny ha ha kind of reverse psychology to keep people out of a hidden paradise. This state is a frustrating heap of shit.

eh if you got a decent job, and a decent place to live it aint all that bad.

[CrazyKell]

So NYC or other major metro areas arent an option?

Tom

You know.....I never really considered NYC as an option. I didn't even think about it but now I might. Thanks!

[Papa_Complex]

Guelph, Ontario?

The market has changed a LOT even in a few years. I have two years of international experience and can't even get an interview to be considered for the sub list. :( I mean, not even an interview.

I spoke to a principal at a job in Fergus. The job was a .08 position which is 2 hours and 17 minutes a week....THAT's IT!!! He said he'd have at least 400 applicants. :idk:

Bizarre. My friend actually lived in Fergus at the time and IIRC was subbing at a Catholic school somewhere in the area.

[fnfalman]

What about coming to Los Angeles and be a porn star?

Short hours, lots of pay, plenty of race tracks and canyon roads, many urban activities, a diverse cultural society...

[Corey]

eh if you got a decent job, and a decent place to live it aint all that bad.

That's a HUGE if right now. I've got a friends and family who are all in a similar situation or have been in the situation. My brother has a Masters degree and a teaching certificate. He moved from Cape Coral up to Tallahassee to get a teaching position. That lasted all of 6 months before the 8.00/hr job at the museum he was working at just wasn't enough to support his continued search for a teaching position. Multiple resumes out to places in Orlando and Tampa have been equal dead ends. He's back in Cape Coral working at his old job at the pretzel place in the mall and some tour guide position at the community college, still looking for a teaching position.

My sister also has her masters degree. She was in Tampa for a while, working at Cracker Barrel while flooding the market with resumes. She's teaching in New York now.

Good buddy of mine just has his Bachelors and teaching cert. He's been on the on-call list for substitute teaching for about a year and a half now while he scours the area for a full on position. If he's lucky, he gets called in to sub about once a week.

This state is brutal for teachers, and that's before factoring in how god awful the schools are in general. The pay is miserable as well. If Kell is looking for any kind of position in education, Florida just isn't the place. Though I did make a big assumption that she was looking for a position in education, so I could be way off base.

[RACER X]

look into Austin Tx

[Trip]

high point and charlotte are both really nice, that would be my choice out of those. I would stay the fuck out of Flawaduh.

What's your field?

[Papa_Complex]

I like Charlotte, myself, but isn't real estate and rent fairly pricey there these days?

[Rider]

Don't move to anywhere in the Midwest. NC sounds like a good move to me.

[CrazyKell]

I'm definitely looking into a teaching position. I forgot all about Texas so maybe I'll look into that too. Any areas to avoid in Texas?

NYC is now on the list although it's not exactly bike friendly.

[RACER X]

stick around the big cities, but if i were young single, austin is where'd i'd be.

[Corey]

I'm definitely looking into a teaching position. I forgot all about Texas so maybe I'll look into that too. Any areas to avoid in Texas?

NYC is now on the list although it's not exactly bike friendly.

Since it is teaching, I recommend against Florida. New York is really nice, though a touch on the expensive side. I wouldn't limit yourself to just NYC. There are some really nice areas out on Long Island as well as in the surrounding areas headed towards upstate NY. The teaching market is still a little tight in some areas of New York (Brother-in-law is looking currently but he's at least had some hits on his resume) so definitely check out some of the areas surrounding NYC as well as the city itself.

And I'll second Austin, TX. The area itself is beautiful, though I don't know what the teaching situation is around those parts. I only have an idea of it here in Florida and New York from family going through the same motions of trying to get teaching jobs.

[tommymac]

The public schools in NYC are a joke, its shit pay and some of them are like warzones. Any decent teacher leaves and comes ou tto the burbs. Nassau and suffolk pay much better and there much less of a chance of getting shot.

Tom

[AquaPython]

This state is brutal for teachers, and that's before factoring in how god awful the schools are in general. The pay is miserable as well. If Kell is looking for any kind of position in education, Florida just isn't the place. Though I did make a big assumption that she was looking for a position in education, so I could be way off base.

agreed

[Lamnidae]

I kinda consider Huntsville, AL to feel like Guelph, ON ('ceptin' for the big-ass rockets and military base) for some reason. Check it on a map and see if you like the stuff that's within a few hours.

A friend of mine graduated from Teacher's College a couple of years back and it only took him a bit over a year of temping to get a permanent position in the Guelph area.

Werd on H-Town.


only thing I gotta say is the drivers here f'king suck ballz (but not in the good way that Drewpy sucks ballz :rockwoot: )


But otherwise it isnt' too bad. I wouldn't advise you coming down this way because most of the jobs here are either with NASA or the Gub-ment and with you being Kandian.... yeah that probably won't work out too well (my bad, assuming you are holding kanadian citizenship).

My 0.02$ (which is like probably ten bucks CAD, right? ;) ) Check Texas as well, lots of good schools and the towns are awesome just stay away from Houston. I'd love to go back home to Texas.

[Lamnidae]

look into Austin Tx

werd.


Congress street FTW. I'm sure he'd pick up more than he'd hope for there. ;)

[TommyHotWheel]

Look into the Hampton Roads area, maybe get a teaching position on one of the bases and its pretty nice here...but I judge that from living in Mid-Michigan all of my life...:idk:

[cuttle]

I like Charlotte, myself, but isn't real estate and rent fairly pricey there these days?

Actually it's cheaper than WNC - and the job market is better

[Archren]

Austin, TX FTW... I can't speak for what the teaching job market is here *now*.. but my mom worked as a high school teacher for a while. There's also positions at the community college if you want something temp until you find a permanent teaching position elsewhere.. and they're (both the community college and the regular school system) *always* looking for substitute teachers. The bonus, too, is that there are a lot of surrounding communities (Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Buda, etc.) that have exploding populations, and as such brand new schools that are in need of teachers.

[R6Chick]

I just happen to know lots of teachers in Fort Lauderdale and all I can say is run! The stuff from kids they put up with down here is horrible, the general education system is horrible, and there's no money in it. I do know someone who's a principal and making ends meet, so if you're interested in administration, you could look down here, but it's very political.

[LeeNetworX]

Kell - the school systems in FL are a joke; you don't want to work there. Lisa hated teaching down there and I don't think she'd ever teach there again.

[unknownroad]

The public schools in NYC are a joke, its shit pay and some of them are like warzones. Any decent teacher leaves and comes ou tto the burbs. Nassau and suffolk pay much better and there much less of a chance of getting shot.

Tom

Don't forget about NJ and CT suburbs... no idea what the competition is like, though I imagine it's pretty high... their per-capita education spending numbers are among the highest in the country. Not sure why they'd want a Canadian teacher over a home-grown one, tho :idk:

[2up]

Um, hello, of course you need to come to Arizona!!! Duh!

We used to, as you know, live in Queen Creek. If you can give me more specifics then I can give you better advise. Queen Creek is pretty spread-out so the specific area will make a big difference in terms of how far you are from city center. I know that they have done a LOT of road expansion and put in a ton of shops since we moved from there.

Glendale is very hit or miss. Some areas of it are downright ghetto and you for sure don't want to live there. It too is pretty spread out, so, specifics will help. :)

Douglas is a tiny town that is not in the metro area. I'm not even sure how far it is from me.

Other cities to look into are Tempe (where ASU is) Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale.

[azoomm]

Austin, TX FTW... I can't speak for what the teaching job market is here *now*.. but my mom worked as a high school teacher for a while. There's also positions at the community college if you want something temp until you find a permanent teaching position elsewhere.. and they're (both the community college and the regular school system) *always* looking for substitute teachers. The bonus, too, is that there are a lot of surrounding communities (Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Buda, etc.) that have exploding populations, and as such brand new schools that are in need of teachers.

yup.

HUGE population explosion right now in my area. We just approved the new bond for a new high school - middle school and two new elementary schools. Construction just started... AND a new high school and middle school in the district just opened this year.

Though, for the single girl she is - I'd recommend living downtown. A backward commute (driving out when everyone is driving in) and living in the condo mecca that Austin is becoming... :dthumb:

[Archren]

yup.

HUGE population explosion right now in my area. We just approved the new bond for a new high school - middle school and two new elementary schools. Construction just started... AND a new high school and middle school in the district just opened this year.

Though, for the single girl she is - I'd recommend living downtown. A backward commute (driving out when everyone is driving in) and living in the condo mecca that Austin is becoming... :dthumb:

Yup! And having 6th street within walking distance? Kell would be in heaven. :lol:

[Papa_Complex]

Werd on H-Town.


only thing I gotta say is the drivers here f'king suck ballz (but not in the good way that Drewpy sucks ballz :rockwoot: )


But otherwise it isnt' too bad. I wouldn't advise you coming down this way because most of the jobs here are either with NASA or the Gub-ment and with you being Kandian.... yeah that probably won't work out too well (my bad, assuming you are holding kanadian citizenship).

My 0.02$ (which is like probably ten bucks CAD, right? ;) ) Check Texas as well, lots of good schools and the towns are awesome just stay away from Houston. I'd love to go back home to Texas.

Kell has experienced Toronto drivers. Think Los Angeles, but without the decaf.

The friend whose wedding I went to last month is Canadian. She has been down in 'Bama since 2002 and is now working for the gubmint; has been since prior to her marriage.

[Lamnidae]

Kell has experienced Toronto drivers. Think Los Angeles, but without the decaf.

The friend whose wedding I went to last month is Canadian. She has been down in 'Bama since 2002 and is now working for the gubmint; has been since prior to her marriage.

Wow. quite suprising.


Yeah, i remember Toronto drivers. Was going thru on my wya back to the states from Trenton, two ricers come flying by..... about five minutes later i go rolling by a wing and bodyskirts of one w/ it then in a ditch type thingie...

[Papa_Complex]

Air Force?

[Homeslice]

Raleigh......good choice, progressive, growing
Greensboro.......sucks, boring, family town
Charlotte.......good, but Raleigh is better
Fayetteville........military town only......no other redeeming virtue
High Point........ghetto
Durham.......sister to Raleigh, but not as good

Arizona: too hot for my taste, not much in the way of arts/theatre/culture compared to say Chicago or SF, and too many retirees

Florida Lake district: What is that? Lakeland? Dunno about that, but avoid Orlando please....
Fort Lauderdale.....Too expensive, you'll be forced to live in the boring inland areas
Pensacola.......Better choice

Austin.......sure, if you can afford it.
Check into Portland OR.........cool, moderate cost city with good culture and recreation

[2up]

Raleigh......good choice, progressive, growing
Greensboro.......sucks, boring, family town
Charlotte.......good, but Raleigh is better
Fayetteville........military town only......no other redeeming virtue
High Point........ghetto
Durham.......sister to Raleigh, but not as good

Arizona: too hot for my taste, not much in the way of arts/theatre/culture compared to say Chicago or SF, and too many retirees

Florida Lake district: What is that? Lakeland? Dunno about that, but avoid Orlando please....
Fort Lauderdale.....Too expensive, you'll be forced to live in the boring inland areas
Pensacola.......Better choice

Austin.......sure, if you can afford it.
Check into Portland.........cool, moderate cost city with good culture

When was the last time you were in Arizona? Phoenix has grown up a lot in terms of arts and culture. And most places don't have much of that kind of stuff relative to Chicago or SF. That's like comparing NYC to Des Moines. :lol:

And yes, it gets hot here, but I lived in both North Carolina and in Florida and there is NO WAY I could deal with the humidity! Kell, remember how hot and humid it was on my wedding day? That's how the humidity is all summer in FL and NC. just FYI.

I thought Portland was getting pretty expensive these days. I know my ex-husband works in Portland but lives in WA because of high taxes I thought. Portland was super cool back in the day when I lived there too, :lol: but the gray rainy thing.... yuck. Me no likey. :panic:

I did like Austin, and they do have Moira, Cass, Swan, Archren, Adeptus and some other cool cats in the area. But, no ME! :)

[Archren]

I did like Austin, and they do have Moira, Cass, Swan, Archren, Adeptus and some other cool cats in the area. But, no ME! :)

And G-Rex one of these days. :lol:

[Homeslice]

When was the last time you were in Arizona? Phoenix has grown up a lot in terms of arts and culture. And most places don't have much of that kind of stuff relative to Chicago or SF. That's like comparing NYC to Des Moines. :lol:
:)

I snuck the Chicago/SF thing in at the last minute, to trump you because I knew you'd say "compared to what" :lol:

And I don't think NC is all THAT hot, maybe 4 months but that's it.......Plus, it's just so much greener. I dunno, dry brown desert type areas like Phoenix and Denver kind of depress me, even when the weather's nice. San Diego's not much better but at least we have the ocean :lol:

Portland OR is definitely cheaper than Seattle or anywhere in CA........

[Sixxxxer]

It may be overlooked But Jersey is not a Bad option...South Jersey isnt that bad and its close to the beach During the summer.

PLENTY OF schools to teach in to.

Just saying...dont rule it out Completly.

[2up]

I snuck the Chicago/SF thing in at the last minute, to trump you because I knew you'd say "compared to what" :lol:

And I don't think NC is all THAT hot, maybe 4 months but that's it.......Plus, it's just so much greener. I dunno, dry brown desert type areas like Phoenix and Denver kind of depress me, even when the weather's nice. San Diego's not much better but at least we have the ocean :lol:

Portland OR is definitely cheaper than Seattle or anywhere in CA........

Dude, San Diego is the shit. My dad keeps trying to get me to move to his place in Oceanside 'cause he's got a giant house and lives alone. (Well, giant for one person anyway.) If it weren't for earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, and jets flying into houses, I'd think about it! :lol:

[JoshuaTree]

And G-Rex one of these days. :lol:

:bsflag:








:stirpot:

[askmrjesus]

Raleigh......
Greensboro.......
Charlotte.......
Fayetteville........
High Point........
Durham.......

Meh. All of those cities are in the flat ugly part of North Carolina. West is where it's at.

Arizona: Arizona? The place is full of sand. You have a vagina. Bad combo. I don't know how 2UP does it. She must have some kind of protective pants or something.

Florida Lake district: Alligators. Nuff said.
Fort Lauderdale.....Spring breakers. Nuff said.
Pensacola.......Are you fucking kidding me? Total shit hole.

Austin.......is in Texas. NEXT!
Check into Portland.........and while you're at it, check into rubber boots and a slicker. The upside, you'll never need sunblock again.

JC

[cuttle]

Check into Portland.........and while you're at it, check into rubber boots and a slicker. The upside, you'll never need sunblock again.

JC


it's simple: if you liked the weather in London you'll be fine in Portland

[Homeslice]

Dude, San Diego is the shit. My dad keeps trying to get me to move to his place in Oceanside 'cause he's got a giant house and lives alone. (Well, giant for one person anyway.) If it weren't for earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, and jets flying into houses, I'd think about it! :lol:
And 900-sq ft townhomes for $450K :rolleyes:

I'll be leaving next year........Shooting for Texas, but I might have to go up to SF where it's even more expensive :rolleyes:

[Homeslice]

it's simple: if you liked the weather in London you'll be fine in Portland

In July/Aug/Sep it's pretty much perfect, mostly dry

[LeeNetworX]

...but I might have to go up to SF...

I KNEW it.

[askmrjesus]

I KNEW it.

:lol:

JC

[azoomm]

Awesome, Austin is expensive :rockwoot:

Wait....

[Archren]

:bsflag:

:stirpot:

Don't look at me man... it's not my fault it's taken this long. :lol:

[Homeslice]

Awesome, Austin is expensive :rockwoot:

Wait....

Compared to almost everywhere else in Texas...

Or NC for that matter

[Archren]

Compared to almost everywhere else in Texas...

If you're talking about Lake Travis, sure.. but that's not Austin proper. :D Hell, my ex and I got a 3000 sq-ft house for $200,000.

What about the beach houses and condos on the coast? I imagine those go for a pretty penny. :shrug: Well, maybe not any more after Ike...

[Smittie61984]

Uh oh. Leg humping time!!!

I'd suggest moving to 1278 Wes... Oops. I mean I'd consider Atlanta. If you live inside the Perimeter and are from Georgia then you are an oddity. Lots of foriegners out here.

Culture. Damn do we have it. Years ago I remember a study that said the county of Dekalb (Basically Atlanta) had 600+ different cultures. You can go from ultra-queer to ultra-redneck in about 50miles. With plenty of Yuppie/Suburbia in between. Cheap ass homes too. $700,000 will put you in a full brick top notch Country Club easy. Big job market out here. I don't know anyone who's been laid off. Infact people are still hiring like crazy out here.

Mountain (Or mountain like) roads. Deals gap is 3 hours away and Deal's Gap style roads about 1 and 1/2 hours away.

The beach (And year long warm weather) is 4 hours away.

Oh yeah. Schools. We have plenty for whatever you need. And after a year or two you can get "HOPE" which pays for your schooling. What are you wanting to go to school for?

And I'd look into Mexico

[Homeslice]

Hell, my ex and I got a 3000 sq-ft house for $200,000.


And how long ago was that :whistle:

I'm just saying in comparison to the rest of her list. Sure, Austin is cheap compared to Cali, Miami, Boston, etc.................but with everyone and their mother moving there over the last few yrs it's definitely climbed above the US avg......

[Homeslice]

Uh oh. Leg humping time!!!

I'd suggest moving to 1278 Wes... Oops. I mean I'd consider Atlanta. If you live inside the Perimeter and are from Georgia then you are an oddity. Lots of foriegners out here.


And 10 different streets named Peachtree.

[azoomm]

And how long ago was that :whistle:

I'm just saying in comparison to the rest of her list. Sure, Austin is cheap compared to Cali, Miami, Boston, etc.................but with everyone and their mother moving there over the last few yrs it's definitely climbed above the US avg......

I'm perfectly happy with you spreading the word that it's too expensive to live here. If just because it sucks here... and we're full.

:lol:

[Smittie61984]

And 10 different streets named Peachtree.

Damn. Don't remind me. I had some very directionally challenged friends call me Saturday night for directions to a concert on Peachtree rd. Now I know Atlanta and the Metro area like the back of Please bang my Wife Volume 39 which has earned me the nickname GPS.

They were lost as hell and I'm telling them "Okay. Once you get off of 10th street you are looking for West Peachtree. Then run to peachtree st which wil turn into peachtree road.". 5 minutes later I get a call "I'm on Peachtree-Dunwoody and I'm near Peachtree Industrial. Should I get on Peachtree corners or Peachtree circle". The TOM TOM said "FUck it I give up"

Which is why Atlanta can never be taken over. The armies would be lost as fuck. Also streets go in every which way direction. No grid patterns here. Once you learn them you'll never worry about traffic again.

[Archren]

And how long ago was that :whistle:

December 2006. That neighborhood is still in that price range, too, last I checked.

[cuttle]

Uh oh. Leg humping time!!!
Oh yeah. Schools. We have plenty for whatever you need. And after a year or two you can get "HOPE" which pays for your schooling. What are you wanting to go to school for?


she's a teacher.... :whistle:

[RACER X]

And 900-sq ft townhomes for $450K :rolleyes:

I'll be leaving next year........Shooting for Texas, but I might have to go up to SF where it's even more expensive :rolleyes:

we don't like yur type down here............lol

[Trip]

I'm definitely looking into a teaching position. I forgot all about Texas so maybe I'll look into that too. Any areas to avoid in Texas?

NYC is now on the list although it's not exactly bike friendly.

If you are wanting teaching, look into North to Central Georgia. They pay pretty well thanks to the lottery and cost of living is low outside of Atlanta.

[LeeNetworX]

And 10 different streets named Peachtree.

10 ?!?

Try 71 streets with some variant of "Peachtree" in their name. :panic:

[LeeNetworX]

If you are wanting teaching, look into North to Central Georgia. They pay pretty well thanks to the lottery and cost of living is low outside of Atlanta.

Truth. We are living on the North side of the meto and the county we live in has one of the highest ranking schools in the country for the use of technology in the classrooms. The county also has some of the highest test scores in the state. They pay is very good. The administrations support their teachers. The parents are actively involved. Teachers are respected, for the most part. My wife is so happy to be working up here compared to South Florida.

[FJRChick]

I recommend Raleigh. It was voted the best place to live if your single and has the mountains to play in to the west and the beach to the east all within a days ride :D

[CrazyKell]

Thank you so much for all the replies!

I'm basically in the "research" stages of things. The job market here sucks. For teachers it's all who you know and not what you know. I've applied to over 200 jobs and I haven't been called for a SINGLE interview. Not once. It's disheartening to say the very least.

And absolutely NOTHING can compare to the expensiveness that is London. Trust me.

Oh and Smittie.....I'm sooooo done with school for a little bit at least. Finished my master's a couple of years ago and have been teaching since then. ;)

The worst part is that even after 'dumbing down' my resume (for lack of a better term) I still don't get hired. I go for interviews and right away they can tell that I'm not just a joe schmoe looking for a data entry job. :idk:

I just find it really interesting to hear everyone's point of view on different locales. I'm specific in what I want since I can be a bit choosey. Obviously bike friendly and non-winter are two of my biggest considerations!

Thanks again!

[CrazyKell]

Truth. We are living on the North side of the meto and the county we live in has one of the highest ranking schools in the country for the use of technology in the classrooms.

This is really important to me. I plan to go for any and all technology grants I can get to bring it into the classroom. England is way ahead of us in this regard and it made a huge difference in lesson delivery.

[LeeNetworX]

This is really important to me. I plan to go for any and all technology grants I can get to bring it into the classroom. England is way ahead of us in this regard and it made a huge difference in lesson delivery.

Most of the classrooms have the interactive white boards. Lisa makes all sorts of cool interactive learning games for the kids and shares them with her team, and vice versa. As the kids take tests, their scores appear on her master laptop as they finish. They have new laptops this year and the schools all use wireless. They also provide VPNs for the students, parents and teachers to access their school files, homework, etc. from home. There's collaborative web sites for each classroom that the teachers administer and use to communicate with parents, provide scheduling, etc.

[No Worries]

...Obviously bike friendly and non-winter are two of my biggest considerations!

Thanks again!

For bike-friendly (curvy roads), you can't do much better than the west half of Colorado. Unfortunately, there's that winter thing. Here in Denver, the schools are begging for math and science teachers.

[CrazyKell]

Most of the classrooms have the interactive white boards. Lisa makes all sorts of cool interactive learning games for the kids and shares them with her team, and vice versa. As the kids take tests, their scores appear on her master laptop as they finish. They have new laptops this year and the schools all use wireless. They also provide VPNs for the students, parents and teachers to access their school files, homework, etc. from home. There's collaborative web sites for each classroom that the teachers administer and use to communicate with parents, provide scheduling, etc.

That's amazing. I have a ton of websites that have cool interactive games if she's interested. I don't know that I want to teach without an interactive whiteboard again!

Another thing I forgot to mention......I'm looking for a community with good adult sport leagues. I currently play ultimate frisbee, soccer, and field hockey and want to continue playing those where ever I move.

[LeeNetworX]

Our county's park system has adult leagues for flag football, softball, volleyball and basketball. Neighboring counties have soccer, field hockey, etc. The park closest to our house has an Ultimate Frisbee course - not sure of any official leagues or if it's just friends hosting games. Plenty of MTB courses in the area. Lots of hiking trails. Lake Lanier is right here when you get the urge to go boating, skiing, etc. Atlanta is a short drive and has plenty of cultural events and attractions, major sports teams, etc. Plenty of shopping and restaurants. Overall, people are friendly and considerate of one another. Plenty of other large metros in the area that are less than 1/2 day of driving away.

Oh, and did I mention the riding? Awesome roads are just minutes away.

Yeah. We like it here. :)

http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/03/forbeslife-cx_singles08_all_slide.html?partner=msnre

http://www.forbes.com/2008/02/22/income-job-growth-forbeslife-cx_mw_0225realestate_slide_3.html?thisSpeed=20000

http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/22/counties-rich-income-forbeslife-cx_mw_0122realestate_slide_14.html?thisSpeed=15000

[Homeslice]

Another thing I forgot to mention......I'm looking for a community with good adult sport leagues. I currently play ultimate frisbee, soccer, and field hockey and want to continue playing those where ever I move.

Avoid Greensboro NC........Almost nobody over 26 is single.

If I were you I'd check out Asheville/Hendersonville, it's the best part of NC, IMO.

[2up]

Definately have the adult sport league thing here too, since the weather is awesome for the majority of the year, people are really active here. Not me at this point, but, you know, everyone else. :lol:

[Smittie61984]

Oh and Smittie.....I'm sooooo done with school for a little bit at least. Finished my master's a couple of years ago and have been teaching since then. ;)


Gotcha. Well schools we have a shitload of. New ones at that. I work for a subcontracting company for AT&T which has me often going into schools pulling cable in for the phone lines.

In Gwinnett County (Outer county of Atlanta) in a small 20mile radius I've probably been in 8-10 different not even complete schools in less than a year at my job. That's High/Middle/Elementary/Primary etc.

I can't stand them though. They fuck up traffic more than anything.

[JoshuaTree]

... Obviously bike friendly and non-winter are two of my biggest considerations!

:welcome: to Austin! :rockout:

[Cass]

I did like Austin, and they do have Moira, Cass, Swan, Archren, Adeptus and some other cool cats in the area. But, no ME! :)

It's okay honey, we'll make an exception and let you move here :D

[Adeptus_Minor]

It's okay honey, we'll make an exception and let you move here :D

It's true... she's taken, but she does have pretty daughters.

hehe... just kidding, Michelle... really... don't kill me...
:sorry:

[Lamnidae]

Instead of Austin try Dallas/Ft Worth....


No offence Zoomie, I'd rather live up in DFW (well really Dallas, except for Oak Cliff area).


ya know zoomie, next time I'm back in Gods Country we'll have to hook it up. I'll buy ya a drink or something! Tend to hang out around Leander, got close family there and all over the hill country.

[OneSickPsycho]

I have experience with many areas in Florida. I'll save you a lot of time and a lot of aggravation: avoid like the plague. The local economy is completely fucked, the pay rate is pathetic, and it is, in general, a fucking dump. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of beautiful areas that happen to be the beach, but unless you're making a good chunk of cash, you're not living anywhere close to the beach, you're just driving there to overpay for parking and deal with sweaty douchebag tourists.

You would honestly be better almost anywhere else but here. If you're deadset on visiting some of the really nice beaches, just vacation down here. That way you can get the best of the beaches without being trapped in an economically dead black hole.

And no, this is not some funny ha ha kind of reverse psychology to keep people out of a hidden paradise. This state is a frustrating heap of shit.

eh if you got a decent job, and a decent place to live it aint all that bad.

I hate this fucking place.

[azoomm]

Instead of Austin try Dallas/Ft Worth....

No offence Zoomie, I'd rather live up in DFW (well really Dallas, except for Oak Cliff area).

ya know zoomie, next time I'm back in Gods Country we'll have to hook it up. I'll buy ya a drink or something! Tend to hang out around Leander, got close family there and all over the hill country.

The only reason I like going to Dallas is my girl Lola is up there. :wink: Otherwise, I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a hot stick than be in Dallas.

I guess, from other people that don't live here... Austin is too expensive to live in. That, and we're full. :lol:

Leander ISD was my recommendation to Kel.

[Homeslice]

Dallas is for the sophisticates :rockwoot:
Austin is for those who dream they were still in college :lmao:

[2up]

It's okay honey, we'll make an exception and let you move here :D

Aw, thank you!! Lemme tell ya, after visiting and meeting you guys and seeing the sites, I would seriously consider it!! Who knows what the future holds. ;)

It's true... she's taken, but she does have pretty daughters.

hehe... just kidding, Michelle... really... don't kill me...
:sorry:

You're so lucky I know that you're not a total nasty pervert. Well, at least not where my daughters are concerned anyway! :lol:

[Adeptus_Minor]

Dallas is for the pretentious bastards :rockwoot:
Austin is for those who dream about being stuck in traffic :lmao:

Fixed

[Adeptus_Minor]

You're so lucky I know that you're not a total nasty pervert. Well, at least not where my daughters are concerned anyway! :lol:



Yeah, I felt awkward enough chatting up that 17 yr old that I thought was older. :whistle: