We have been saying the job is in Midland, but it is actually in Odessa. Midland is the larger town, so maybe he was told the job was in the Midland area. When were growing up, we called the 2 towns Midland/Odessa, much the same as we say Richmond/Rosenberg or Dallas/ Ft Worth. It happens when towns are close together.
Anyway, Luke is flying out Thursday and interviewing Friday. He found out about this job from a friend who recently went to work there. He called this friend recently and learned that his application had been moved thru the system much faster than usual. Seems they have been looking for someone with his qualifications and experience and haven’t found anyone. Luke looks good to them.
So, at this time, it is looking pretty probable.
They sent him a package yesterday with pertinent information about retirement, insurance and such. If we move, we learned, they will pay for the move; actually they pay moving expenses very well, i think. They will move 2 vehicles, pay for a trailer to pull behind your car if you have things you do not want to trust to a moving company, pay special expenses for pets… (Of course, here is where i have to say that it seems vastly unfair that the people who make enough to pay their own moving expenses are the ones the company pays to move while the minimum wage worker isn’t helped with anything.)
So… at this time i am… not sending out negative thoughts… not all excited and hoping he gets the job, but trying not to jinx it either.
Paying for moving expenses is a good sign.
And you know, it’s not that it’s minimum wage .. it’s that it’s minimum skill. It all goes together, of course, if you have a desirable skill set you’ll be paid well and you’ll be compensated for your move. Just part of supply and demand.
Personally, I don’t feel any guilt for having the companies moving us all over the country. We’re only moving because of them, so yes, they should cover it.
One of the things Dad might do is find a realtor and spend 3-4 hours with him/her looking over the market. He can then bring you home lots of papers showing what houses in the area are like and are worth. It’s what Kevin does any time he travels to an interview. Doing his homework .. and showing the company that he’s doing his homework. The company generally can recommend a realtor to work with.
Or, if there’s a follow up interview, see if they’ll fly you out as well.
Oh well. I’m sure it won’t be all bad .. I mean, after all, there’s always the Petroleum Museum
Checking out the local housing market would be, I think, a must-do activity.
I mean really, how much of a set-back would you be looking at for buying a new/new-to-you house there?
(buying price of new house + any new furniture/replace damaged things/immediate renovation) vs (money from selling house – money to renovate for selling)
I mean.. when was the last time ya’ll had to worry about a mortgage payment?
I don’t feel guilty about a company moving me… it is just that i have been on both ends of the moving line and can remember times when we had to move ourselves snd count pennies. Now, when we could more easily afford to pay for a move, the company picks up the tab. Just…. one of life’s inequities. I know it is based on supply and demand… an argument for education.
Housing.. We have looked at housing online and it seems to be roughly the same as here, perhaps a little higher there, judging by size and age of houses. The friend he has there says the same. It would be nice if Luke could talk to a realtor while he is there, but i doubt that he will have time. To me it seems like he is making an awfully fast trip there and back (I would have stayed another day had i made the plans) but the plans are set and it would probably not be a good move to try to change them now.
The company does offer real estate help. They deal with a company that will sell your old house and help you buy a new one. they also offer to pay some of the selling expenses and to give you an advance on the sale of your old house, based on appraised value, so you can buy before you sell. That is a new one to me, and i like it. Sometimes when the market is depressed like it is here a little, it would mean the difference between buying and renting.