Best cities for IT related jobs

I'm currently employed and work from home in the mid 40k range. I'm 26 and been thinking for the last few weeks about maybe relocating to an area that is bigger and has more opportunities. The largest cities I've lived in are like Little Rock, AR and over around Fayetteville, AR so not super huge but not exactly a one stop light kind of town like I'm in now.

I figured it'd be good to move now since I have a job and dont have to worry about finding work quickly then when I'm ready start looking for something else. So curious what some of yalls opinions are on the subject. I dont have anything specifically that I'm looking for in a place to live but stuff like good economy, things to do for younger people, and places to explore would be nice.

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markulous

I'd recommend some Google searching and searching through the forums here as I know that's stuff that's been posted.

The area I live in is pretty good and not too crazy of a cost of living.

techfiend

According to Forbes the top 3 for IT openings is: Minnesota, Utah and third Nebraska. I can only speak for the twin cities where there's a ton of openings from horrible recruiters. A $45k salary could afford a smallish 2-3 BR used home in certain areas. The IT jobs are mainly in the upper scale cities however. If you don't mind the occasional hipster, heavy traffic and cold, snowy winters it's a great place for people in their 20's and 30's. Tons of unique restaurants, highest concentration of micro breweries, all four major sports teams, crashed ice, soccer, lots of lakes, beautiful summers. The IT jobs pay average or a tick above and the cost of living is below average.

I don't know much about Utah other than Mormons, but I've heard from others Salt Lake City is a nice place for young adults to live. Nebraska is small town living and I'm shocked it's on the list. I've been there a few times but never found much to do.

I'd imagine Colorado, Austin and DFW, TX, Washington and Portland are good spots for young adults in IT. Phoenix is another one if you like hot weather, there's quite a bit to do there.

Mike R

I'm a few years older than you, but I'm also looking at a change of scenery and occupation. I'm going into the IT field and will be relocating down to Houston Tx. Salaries are certainly enough to make comfortable living on and the cost of everything is cheap compared to the great north (I live in WI). There is no state income tax either so you can keep more of your money.

Techfiend listed the main states though for IT. I do know the cost of living in Colorado(Denver area) and at least Portland is really steep.

scaredoftests

DC metro area. ALOT of IT jobs...

fuz1on

Austin, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis...

Edit: Phoenix is growing as well...

tedjames

Austin's full. We're out of space. Seriously, there's a lot of good paying IT and security work in Austin and San Antonio.

JoJoCal19

If you want to stay relatively local (the South), look to Atlanta.

and1play5

NYC/NJ is a great high paying area too, real competitive though

seth479

I've done some research but most articles I've seen just give the business side of things and I'm wanting to gather more information from preferably locals on why their area is awesome and should be looked at.

I've actually looked at Austin or San Antonio but not a big fan of hot weather. I'm ready for colder weather and mountains instead of cold/hot/humid/super humid and hills one direction and flatlands the next lol. So I've been looking at Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and maybe Longmont. I wouldnt mind living in Washington state either around Seattle.

My biggest fear is CoL. I like saving money so look at these places and see rent and it makes me want to rethink all this lol

networker050184

Well, compared to Melbourne, AR you are going to be paying more in rent to get to any of the even decent IT cities.

As far as "best" cities it really depends on what you are looking for. Silicon Valley, NYC, DC area lots of good high paying jobs, but high CoL to go along with it. The big city vibe might not be what you're looking for either, not that there aren't suburbs to commute from in those areas.

SteveLord

and1play5 wrote: »

NYC/NJ is a great high paying area too, real competitive though

People have been leaving the northeast for years for good reason. High cost of living, taxes, insurance, etc. I would never move back there even if I was still single.

xenodamus

If you want to stay closer to home, I was seriously considering the Nashville area for a while, myself. Texas was on my list as well.

$bvb379

JoJoCal19 wrote: »

If you want to stay relatively local (the South), look to Atlanta.

Agreed, I live in Georgia and I am looking to get into the IT field/knowledge based jobs. Out of the 5 friends I normally keep in contact with as well as the job I am going for anything under $55K doesn't exist. This is for a position like Tier 2 support or something around there...so semi-entry level jobs (in my opinion). This is outside of the perimeter (285). If you live inside the perimeter, you can expect $60k + to make up for the hassle of driving. I know a lot of people who work from home 2 days out of the week though.

JockVSJock

techfiend wrote: »

According to Forbes the top 3 for IT openings is: Minnesota, Utah and third Nebraska. . Nebraska is small town living and I'm shocked it's on the list. I've been there a few times but never found much to do.

I have no clue on what they are basing Nebraska on. Was someone at Forbes paid off to write that?!!?

The only thing I can think of are call center/help desk positions. That is the only IT jobs here for openings. That's it. I was born there and left in 2010. Nothing but call center/help desk jobs...Don't believe the hype.

If your serious about moving their for work, PM me, so I can talk you out of it.

Polynomial

+1 vote for Boston.

Santa_

Polynomial wrote: »

+1 vote for Boston.

I'm in agreement. Not only is Boston a real deal for IT jobs, but even the Greater Boston area. Others and myself have said this area is the Silicone Valley of the northeast.

Burlington/Waltham, MA have a lot of tech companies. One other plus that has shown increase in IT is Manchester/Nashua, NH

Some companies that come to mind that are close to me.

- DYN
- Time Warner Cable
- Acronis
- TrendMicro
- IBM
- Raytheon
- LogMeIn
- TripAdvisor
- WayFair
- Bit9
- EMC
- Cisco
- ThinkingPhones
- F5
- Brocade

Blackout

Im seriously glad that nobody is bringing up Raleigh, NC. I hope it stays that way.

ArabianKnight

If you have a clearance, the DC NOVA area for sure!

renacido

Pick a city in an area that suits the lifestyle you want and then research companies based there. Look for jobs you're interested in there in that area. Better to arrive in your new town with a great job waiting for you than to go through the hassle of moving only to find that the job market sucks. Nowadays there is no need to physically be there to apply for a job or interview. During the entire time that I was recruited, screened, interviewed, and offered my current job here in Houston I was in South America.

Mow

@Blackout

Is the market getting worse in the Triangle?

Blackout

Mow wrote: »

@Blackout

Is the market getting worse in the Triangle?

No I just don't want anyone finding out how good the market is here, too many people moving here now. lol

Mow

Haha, awesome.

kenrin

@Blackout How does it compare to the other big NC city, job wise that is? I lived out there for college and found it more pleasant than the traffic deadlock that is Charlotte 7am-7pm. I work night shift for that reason until I can move closer. Plus stuff closes too early, 9pm pfft.

To keep on topic with the thread though. Charlotte is great job-wise unless you are entry level, only a short timeframe when the heat is unbearable and lower cost of living than other huge Metros. I think too many NJ and NYC people are moving here though.

jeremywatts2005

Dallas Ft Worth 10,000 Corporate HQ's tons of IT/InfoSec Jobs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companies_in_the_Dallas%E2%80%93Fort_Worth_metroplex

Blackout

kenrin wrote: »

@Blackout How does it compare to the other big NC city, job wise that is? I lived out there for college and found it more pleasant than the traffic deadlock that is Charlotte 7am-7pm. I work night shift for that reason until I can move closer. Plus stuff closes too early, 9pm pfft.

To keep on topic with the thread though. Charlotte is great job-wise unless you are entry level, only a short timeframe when the heat is unbearable and lower cost of living than other huge Metros. I think too many NJ and NYC people are moving here though.

Raleigh, NC has one of the Largest IT infrastructures in the US. Cisco, Lenovo, NetApp, Citrix, SAS all have campuses here.