RL Dilemma, Suggestions Please.

[paraka]

So, I'm now a student again! Yesterday I signed up with Athabasca University, where I hope to get a degree in Canadian Studies. It sounds like a really cool course that covers a lot of material. Everything from history, language, politics and literature. I'm not really sure what I'll do with it, but as I've been told over and over again, half the

Comments

[maekala]

Texas is always fun (to me, anyway) and you could definitely stay with me (you and your little dog cat, too!) and there are jobs around here. But I have no idea how hard it is to get a work visa for the US.

[paraka]

I should look into the visa thing, because I would love to be able to check out some of the US. I thought it would be hard to get one, but I was once joking with my dad about moving to Florida, and he didn't seem to think getting the papers would be an issue (I was joking about having to marry someone). It definitely calls for more research. Maybe it's easy if you just look for a temporary one rather than a permanent one

[maekala]

Well, I know that getting a permanent visa does involve either marriage or residency. Most international companies have at least one office in Texas, be it Austin, Houston or Dallas (personally, I'd prefer it to be in Houston just because I'm closer to it), but Austin is the more liberal place. Of course, cost of living is higher in Austin. Hell, it's high in all the big cities, but Austin and Dallas are the worst.

I am still thinking about Fedcon. One of the deciding factors would be if there was someone to go with (I can go to cons with just me, but it's infinitely more fun with more than just me). You would have to keep in mind that while it is in the warmer month, July and especially August are our worst. But if you waited to actually move down here until October or later, you'd have time to acclimate while we through the cooler months.

[paraka]

Yeah, the only experience I have with Canadians in the US is an uncle who married an American, and then became an American citizen after he divorced so that he could marry again and have her able to live here (the second, well actually third, but who's counting, wife is Mexican). Since I don't want to become a citizen, and I don't especially want to marry, I hope there's an easier way :P

personally, I'd prefer it to be in Houston just because I'm closer to it
How close are you to Houston. I just went and looked it up, and the office *is* in Houston. 9999 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038

I am still thinking about Fedcon
Cool. I'll take another look at what they're offering, and maybe look into a budget or something.

I can go to cons with just me, but it's infinitely more fun with more than just me
Oh totally. It can be fun to meet people when you're there, but it's still better to have someone with you that you know you can squee with :P

And I'll keep the temperature thing in mind. How cold does it get in your area?

[anoel]

I'd say that you shouldn't really buy a house or permantly settle anywhere until you're really sure you want to live there long term. I'd say travel not necesarily long term to different places you're attracted to and if you found one you particularly love, try staying there for awhile to see if it works out. I'm not sure what your preferences are so I mostly suggested famous places that everyone should check out at one point or another. But you're young, I think it's better to explore now while you have the chance.

[paraka]

Yeah, my sister is trying to talk me into doing a lot of vacations rather than actually relocating elsewhere. I would really like to try going all over the world, but I think getting visas would be a bitch. I might still try moving across Canada trying out new places, but I'm not sure now....