Pack 'em up! Ride 'em in! We're movin' to Texas! Yeehaw!
Okay, here's the story.
I decided it's about time to take the next step in my career, so we started keeping an eye open for appealing positions. We were focused on the east coast, because we always thought it would be fun to live out there. (Note to readers on the east coast: we know that sounds crazy; please don't fight us on that.)
Recently I applied to a position at Dell because they said the right candidate could work remotely. Dell is located in Austin, TX, and we weren't even considering Texas, because it's so different from anywhere on the east coast. (Can you see where this is going?)
In the phone interview, I was insistent that we would only consider working remotely. To my surprise, they still flew me out for another round of interviews. After discussing the position with them in more depth, I realized that I would really enjoy it, but that I would be far more effective in person. Since making an impact at a company is kind of a big deal to me, I decided to seriously consider relocating.
They offered me the job, and we had some internal struggles, since Texas is such a long call from, say, DC. After lots of reflection, though, we decided it would be well worth it. Mostly, it just felt right.
So, now we're preparing our family for this big move. The movers are coming to pack up our belongings July 15-16. Our family flies to Texas together on July 21.
Now for some FAQ:
What is the position?
I will continue working in web analytics. This new role will be as a consultant to the team responsible for pushing new, innovative features to the Dell website. I will help them measure the impact of changes they make and provide thought leadership. I probably won't have a firm grasp on what an average day will look like until I've been there a few weeks.
Can you get me discounts on Dell products?
No, you moocher! Wait ... maybe. What's it worth to you?
Dell employees do get discounts, but there are restrictions on when and how they get them. I don't know the answer to that question yet.
Couldn't you buy a computer for yourself at discount and then sell it to me?
You just can't let this go, can you?
That's awesome! Congratulations, guys!
That's not a question, but thanks.
How long will you stay in Austin?
A decade.
Will you start talking with an accent and wearing cowboy hats?
With any luck, yes.
Austin carefully touts itself as being un-Texan in a lot of ways. The city is the most liberal city in the state. (Which isn't saying much since it's Texas.) It tries really hard to be young and hip and urban, and it succeeds in being a really unusual (and interesting) place. I didn't see a single cowboy hat or large belt buckle. I also didn't hear a single Texan accent except from radio personalities.
Is it true that you can buy better ribs in a Texas gas station than anywhere in the state of Arizona?
Yes. The fact that Texas Roadhouse is in Arizona helps to balance it out, though.
Will you ever come back to visit Arizona?
Yes.
Are you having a going away party?
Probably not. They asked me to start ASAP, and we're really busy getting everything ready. You can send presents to our new location, though.
What is your new address?
We haven't picked a house yet. Pheobe and I are doing a home-finding trip this weekend (July 10-12). Dell will put us up in corporate housing for a few weeks when we get there, so we'll have a little bit of time to pick a new place. We expect to rent for a year and then buy.
Will you change your phone numbers?
Probably, but not yet. Give it a couple weeks.
Why Texas??
Really? I just answered that a few minutes ago.
What are you doing between the time the movers come and you fly out?
Repainting our condo and making sure we haven't left any other details unaddressed.
Is it true that Texas is a desolate desert wasteland? Aren't there cactuses and snakes all over? Doesn't it get really hot there? Isn't that a terrible place to live?
That's four questions, but I see what you're getting at. Here are some pictures to answer your questions and to end this post with.
