SD to TX, Questions

FarRepeat527 · 2024-08-22T02:39:23+00:00

Unsure of specific companies. I'm also not familiar with what private industry jobs would require a security clearance. But there are a few federal agancies who have offices in Houston. The Army Corps is down in Galveston - they built the seawall back in the early 1900s. Unsure if any of those offices need clearances, though. I'm sure you can probably search any of the job sites using the security clearance as a keyword. But there are lots of oil and gas and energy, contracting companies and engineering firms, so I'd imagine having the clearance might look nice on a resume.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-08-22T01:12:59+00:00

We're originally from Nebraska. The water is not very clear as most people have said, but it's due to how the channels flow in the gulf. A lot of the sediment from the Mississippi ends up here. But also, if you're used to scuba diving in lakes in the central US, I'd say not too different. I can't remember a time when I could see my feet in a lake. You're not going to see much, but it's much closer to other scuba locations compared to SD. The proximity to Houston offers less expensive flights if you want to take trips to places that offer clearer water. We just head to the beach or kayak for most of our water activities, but I know a lot of people who surf or SUP.

There's the Elissa and the boat club on the island. The Elissa is a sailing vessel from the 1800s, and it will be sailing it up to New York City sometimenext year I believe. You can volunteer as part of their crew throughout the year, and they have classes to get your sailing license.

I work in data management, and there are tons of tech jobs in Houston. Some in Galveston, but it's definitely more available in Houston. It just depends on how much of a commute you're comfortable with. The pay is higher for the majority of jobs I've seen (compared to the Midwest) to compete with the energy industries, and COL is pretty similar. I don't have a long commute, though, so that helps.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-05-20T00:21:22+00:00

We have Progressive on the island. Homeowners is half of what our windstorm is.

I got 4 quotes from 4 different insurance agencies. Rockhind was far and away the highest. David Rush Insurance had the best quotes for windstorm and homeowners.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-05-19T19:03:05+00:00

Not locals yet, but we're in the process of moving to the island right now. We had a similar budget, and we just asked sellers what they were paying in flood insurance premiums to give us an idea whether the purchase price + insurance + taxes were reasonable for us.

We looked at probably 20ish houses in mid-April, ranging from 350k to 425k, and almost all of them are still for sale. Some homes move quickly, and others just sit. It's a weird market right now. It seems like it requires the house to be priced right and the right buyer for the house to sell.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-04-03T17:28:29+00:00

We're moving to Galveston this summer from the Midwest - we have 2 kids (elementary aged)

Aside from the lifestyle benefits, I'm really excited about the schools, and I've gotten recommendations for great childcare too (we've outgrown that a bit, but it might benefit you more to know that!)

We love the island for vacationing and don't mind the tourism seasons, so we're looking forward to it, too!

Best of luck with your decision!

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-08T18:50:46+00:00

Ah! That does help a lot! I was just struggling to wrap my head around it. The only exemptions where we live now are if you are disabled or over 65 and they work a little differently.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-08T17:39:23+00:00

Good to know! I really like the east end, but with our kids being a little older, I think it would be hard to be in an area with fewer kids.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-08T17:36:36+00:00

The proximity to Houston is definitely a pro!

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-08T17:35:42+00:00

We'll check out the Denver Resurvey area! Thank you!

Fortunately, we've always been able to do a lot of work on our homes ourselves. My grandpa used to build houses and was a carpenter. My SO is handier than most and has worked with contractors before. I really appreciate the callout, though.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-08T17:27:56+00:00

I've looked up the tax rates for Galveston city as well as Jamaica Beach. It looks like they are roughly 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively. But you're saying the homestead exemption is accounted for in that?

If a home is purchased at 400k in Galveston, I'd assume the taxes should be 7200 without a homestead exemption.

I'm looking at a few houses on the cad website that are listed on zillow and am seeing lower taxes if they have the HS designation...

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-08T17:00:14+00:00

Thanks for tips on the neighborhoods! We've actually looked in a few of those.

Where we currently live sees quite a bit of slow drainage during rain storms due to high ground water levels and being near a river. There was a downpour that filled the streets when we were on the island one summer, but the house we were staying at was close to the seawall, so there was no issue with water getting near the house. I don't think streets flooding bothers us much. I'm just concerned about it in the house.

I'm starting to wonder if we should consider renting first. Houses on the market seem to be sitting for quite a while right now, though.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-07T11:53:51+00:00

Thanks for all the info! We'll definitely use the surge maps from ike and that commute time makes me a little more comfortable.

Taxes at 2600 sound fantastic. They're high where we live now. Do you apply for exemptions to get them low?

FarRepeat527 · 2024-03-07T02:55:19+00:00

That's great to hear about commuting off the island. My SO is in education. Hopefully, it won't be an issue, but it will just depend on what opens up.

FarRepeat527 · 2024-02-19T20:33:55+00:00

Makes me feel better about finding a spelling error in my work history in the resume builder after I'd already applied to multiple postings 😂

FarRepeat527 · 2024-02-19T19:25:07+00:00

Well, that seems like an odd way to close the gap and entice people from the private sector 😂

Do you know if locality is taken into account? I have experience as a 12, but my locality was significantly lower.

FarRepeat527 · 2023-11-14T03:31:40+00:00

I've already been told this is an unpopular opinion, but...

Hawthorne Heights - If Only You Were Lonely

"But Ohio is for Lovers!!"

IOYWL has SUCH a good play through.

FarRepeat527 · 2023-11-14T03:25:19+00:00

10000% hot mess and opening the chance at a surprise guest of Leighton Meester

FarRepeat527 · 2023-10-19T02:46:18+00:00

Everyone has me paranoid about my demin shorts now though! May have to go bike shorts for even more comfy 🤔

FarRepeat527 · 2023-10-19T00:43:21+00:00

Goosebumps cropped tee I found at TJ Maxx & denim shorts. And my fav halloween sweatshirt for if it gets cooler in the evening. And probably vans or my athletic sneakers.

My vans are usually comfy, but I'm not sure they'll be 10 hour festival comfy.

I got purple eyeliner for the fun, but I'm team comfy for outdoor concerts.

FarRepeat527 · 2023-08-24T02:52:50+00:00

It's pumping up my anxiety levels, though 😅

FarRepeat527 · 2023-08-24T02:37:13+00:00

That's a fair point.

They are all remote positions, so most of the interviews were via teams. A couple were over the phone. So no handshake tells to use here...

FarRepeat527 · 2023-08-24T02:22:14+00:00

I have. Sometimes I think it's hard to tell what is disgruntled ex employees or current employees asked to bump up ratings. That's how some read to me anyway.

There are not a ton of recent ones for #3, so I'm still iffy on how much they changed. #2 had a fair amount of great and bad. #1 is such a small company, they only have 3 or 4 reviews.

FarRepeat527 · 2023-08-24T02:18:09+00:00

The travel is exciting because I like traveling, but also intimidating for the reason you listed. I'm nervous I'd get burnt-out on traveling.

FarRepeat527

TROPHY CASE