Austin is great, but you won't find a job here - way too many people looking right now. There is no tech sector in San Antonio to speak of, but it is also a great city and so cheap to live in. However, USAA, several universities, military, Valero energy, and other companies in SA might be worth a shot.

ttt

I live in the DC metro area and I think this would be a good place for you to look, also. I know there have been layoffs here as well as anywhere in that industry, but I think it is still not as bad as many of these other places. Also, there are lots of different types of jobs in this area that can use IT people -- not only the IT firms themselves, but biotech and other consulting and knowledges industries, and varies government agencies. I'm not in that field so I can't direct you to one specific recruiting firm, I would think that should be findable for you through networking (ha ha not a pun).

I might as well put in my two cents for the H1B debate--I don't buy the argument that US firms hire them because they can't get anyone, either, or that they pay them as much as US citizens. Maybe the one guy's above firm does that, and I'm sure sometimes it is true, but I know that is not always true from many examples I know and see. Also, most firms without govt contracts do not have to post positions or pay them the same amount, or they might just call the position a different title to get away with paying them less, or not give them the same benefits. I know people with a lot of experience who could not get hired even when firms were hiring H1Bs for the same type positions. $3000 for hiring is nothing in expenditures for a large company. There is a major computer firm in my building (not that I would recommend them, they are one of the notorious dot com crashes, Microstrategy) and you wouldn't believe how many foreigners I see all the time in their firm, in the elevators and lobby -- even today when all these other people can't get jobs. Anyway, I don't buy it, although I'll admit I haven't seen hard numbers on it.

CK, if I were you, I'd look in the Wash DC metro area (which includes No. Va and the high-tech corridor above Bethesda), it's a good place to live for single people in their 40s, also, lots of bright, young, interesting people, lots to do, mild climate, good location, good transportation connections, etc.

So Christina, how do you know that all those "foreigners" which you see all the time, in the elevators and lobby, are on H1B Visas or are in fact, foreigners? Or is that a term for anyone with yellow or brown skin or an accent?

Hey CK --
I too am originally from Chicago's western suburbs, and laughed when I looked at your city choices, not because I think any of them are ridiculous, but because it looks like you have had it with the winters.
I don't blame you, I moved south in 94 and can't ever go back.
That being said, I have heard that SALT LAKE CITY is becoming quite a tech center. Not the sunbelt for sure, but I have friends who live in Park City and commute to Salt Lake every day. They love it there. Alas, they are nurses, otherwise I would ask if they know of any job prospects. And yes, dancing is allowed there. Good luck.

CK,
Don't put Dallas too high on your list. There's already alot of unemployed IT folks here. You're not alone in having challenges finding a job.

As for searching thru Monster, Flip Dog, etc. etc. don't spend alot of time as statistics reflect only about 10% of people find jobs using that method. I'm sure you've been told the "networking" mantra. Right now, I'm working a variation on that angle. Rather than going to networking groups (Career Transition & Career Connections are big ones here in town) I've started working the Toastmaster circuit. Toastmasters (www.toastmaster.org) is a national organization that folks join to improve their communication and public speaking skills. You can go to a Toastmaster meeting a couple times as a guest, free of charge. My experience is that their membership is comprised of professionals, in a cross section of fields. It's a great way to broaden your network and meet people who are EMPLOYED !