Archive for the ℺Real Estate℻ Category

Making a Living in Atlanta

Friday, October 23, 2009@ 2:37 PM
Author: Frank Stevens

Making a Living in Atlanta

Relocating to Atlanta can be an exciting time. If you are relocating for a new job, then you can focus on finding a new home and learning about your new city. However, for those of you who have not found that perfect job, Atlanta has a lot of opportunity for you to find a job that fits your experience and passion. Five major sectors dominate the job landscape in Atlanta.

If your experience lies within the Information Technology sector, statewide, Georgia ranks fifth in the percentage of gross state product from this sector. The vast majority of this business happens in Atlanta. There are over 390 Information Technology companies in Atlanta. Some of the largest companies based in Atlanta are Think Inc., Frontech Computers, Rubicon Group, Soltech Inc, Cybernetixs and Magnum Communications.

Companies with headquarters in Atlanta are Coca-Cola, CNN and UPS, SunTrust Bank, AT&T/BellSouth and Delta Airlines. Coca-Cola Company is an excellent employer in the city. They boast that their company is built around two core assests: its brand and its people

Atlanta has always had a big telecommunications presence. Giants like AT&T Corp, MCI WorldCom and Alltel Corp are also large companies in Atlanta with employment opportunities. AT&T is the leading long-distance carrier with 10,072 employees in Georgia alone. AT&T provides other services, such as wireless, Internet access and local telephone service to businesses. An important AT&T function in metro Atlanta is its network services facility in Rockdale County. It is one of three U.S. operations that monitors the AT&T network to detect problems. Atlanta is also headquarters for MCI WorldCom’s North American Business Market operation with over 4,000 employees.

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Manufacturing is also present in Atlanta. Some companies in the city are Paivis Corps, Pfeiffer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Goberx.Com, Amgen Inc. and Allergan Inc. Allergan is a global, technology-driven multi-specialty health care company pursuing therapeutic advances to help patients live life to their fullest potential. More than 50 percent of their work force is in either research and development or sales. Allergan’s flagship franchises in eye care, neurosciences, medical dermatology and urologics are structured under the company’s pharmaceutical business portfolio, Allergan Pharmaceuticals. This portfolio offers specialty physicians and their patients a wide range of treatments to help preserve and protect sight, reduce physical disability and enhance quality of life.

Another major sector outpacing the national growth averages is in Architectural and Engineering Services. Companies located in Atlanta are Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein Architects, Inc., Thompson, Hancock, Witte & Associates, Inc., Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. and United Engineering Company Inc.

Rounding out the job sector in Atlanta is the Scientific Research and Development Services. Scientific Research Corporation is an advanced engineering company who is focused on a broad range of information, communications, intelligence, electronic warfare, simulation and research and development.

Atlanta job market is also Hospitality and Services driven with tourism as another resource of income for the city. Your search for a job in Atlanta is sure to be a success.

Making a Living in Nashville

Friday, October 23, 2009@ 2:34 PM
Author: Frank Stevens

Making a Living in Nashville

Relocating to Nashville can be an exciting time. If you are relocating for a new job, then you can focus on finding a new home and learning about your new city. However, for those of you who have not found that perfect job, Nashville has a lot of opportunity for you to find a job that fits your experience and passion. There are quite a few major sectors that dominate the job landscape in Nashville.

Nashville has a large and diverse economy. If your talents lie within the music industry, Nashville is the land of opportunity. Known as the “Home of Country Music”, Nashville has become the second major music recording and production center after New York in the United States. The “Big Four” record labels located on the famous Music Row are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Group. Nashville’s music industry is estimated to have a total economic impact of over $6 billion per year and contribute 19,000 jobs in the city making it one of the largest employers.

Nashville’s largest industry is the Healthcare sector. With more than thirty hospitals and medical centers in the area, there is a great opportunity for jobs in the health care industry. The city is home to more than 250 healthcare companies. The largest private operation of hospitals in the world, HCA Inc., is located in Nashville. This industry provides 94,000 jobs and in excess of over $18 billion per year to the city economy.

Another important industry in Nashville is the automotive sector. This sector has become progressively more important for the entire Middle Tennessee region. Nissan North America has its headquarters located in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville, and their largest manufacturing plant in Smyrna.

If your experience lies within the insurance and finance industry, there are plenty of companies to choose from. SunTrust, First Tennessee, Fifth Third Bank and Regions Financial Corporations are just a few notable companies in these sectors for employment opportunities. Publishing, especially, religious publishing, is another sector of the economy. Nashville is headquarters to the United Methodist Church, Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention. Christain music record labels such as ForeFront Records and Rocketown Records are located in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville.

Some Fortune 500 companies that call Nashville home are Dell and the Dollar General Corporation located in Goodlettsville, a suburb of Nashville. The Dollare General typically serves communities that are too small for a Wal-Mart and it competes in the dollar store industry with national chains like Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.

Whether you want to change or advance your career, Nashville has plenty of opportunity. With all these different job market sectors to choose from, your search for a job in Nashville is sure to be a success.

Making a Living in San Diego County

Wednesday, October 21, 2009@ 2:32 PM
Author: Frank Stevens

Making a Living in San Diego County

Relocating to San Diego County can be an exciting time. If you are relocating for a new job, then you can focus on finding a new home and learning about your new city. However, for those of you who have not found that perfect job, San Diego County has a lot of opportunity for you to find a job that fits your experience and passion. There are quite a few major labor sectors that dominate the job landscape in San Diego County.

San Diego County has a large and diverse economy. San Diego is the second-largest city in California and the ninth largest in the United States. Some of the largest employers in San Diego are the Federal Government, the United States Navy and State of California. The University of San Diego alone employs 26,000 employees.

The three largest labor sectors are defense, manufacturing and tourism. Beginning with Defense, are companies like General Atomics, BAE Systems, L-3 Communications, Goodrich Aerostructures and SGIS. Goodrich Aerostructures, or Goodrich Corporation, is a Fortune 500 company and the leading global supplier of systems and services to the aerospace and defense industry.

If your experience lies within the Manufacturing sector, especially in Biotechnology, Neurocrine Biosciences and Nventa Biopharmeceuticals are headquartered in San Diego. Other companies such as BD Biosciences, Biogen Idec, Merck, Pfizer Elan and Vertez have offices or research facilities in San Diego.

Tourism and leisure is a major driving force. San Diego County’s ideal climate, beaches, and entertainment bring people from all over the world. San Diego is home to SeaWorld, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Wild Animal Park, Legoland and Golf tournaments are just a few of the attractions and employment opportunities with the Tourism sector. The Buick Invitation Golf tournament is held every year in Torrey Pines and brings in hundreds of spectators.

The economy of San Diego is influenced by its port, which includes the only major submarine and shipbuilding yards on the West Coast, as well as the largest naval fleet in the world. The cruise ship industry, which is the second largest in California, generates an estimated $2 million annually from the purchase of food, fuel, supplies, and maintenance services.

If your experience lies within the Information Technology sector, San Diego is home to two companies that develop wireless cellular technology. Qualcomm Inc. is one of these companies with plenty of employment opportunities. The second is Websense. Inc., one of the largest companies in San Diego County, who delivers leading web security, data security, and email security solutions for organizations of all types.

Whether you want to change or advance your career, San Diego County has plenty of opportunity. With all these different job market sectors to choose from, your search for a job in San Diego County is sure to be a success.

Making a Living in Orange County

Wednesday, October 21, 2009@ 2:29 PM
Author: Frank Stevens

Making a Living in Orange County

Relocating to Orange County can be an exciting time. If you are relocating for a new job, then you can focus on finding a new home and learning about your new city. However, for those of you who have not found that perfect job, Orange County has a lot of opportunity for you to find a job that fits your experience and passion. There are quite a few major sectors that dominate the job landscape in Orange County.

Orange County has a large and diverse economy. Tourism and leisure is a major driving force. Orange County’s ideal climate, beaches, and entertainment bring people from all over the world. The largest employer in Orange County is Disneyland with 21,000 employees. The County of Orange, University of California Irvine and CKE Restaurants Inc. round out the top four employers in Orange County. Hospitality works hand-in-hand with tourism and headquarters for some of the most well known fast food companies are located in Orange County. Companies like Carl’s Jr., Del Taco, Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, Taco Bell, In-N-Out, El Pollo Loco and Marie Callender’s.

If your experience lies within the Manufacturing sector, there are plenty of Fortune 500 and 1000 companies to choose from. Boeing Aerospace is the top five employers in Orange County and is located in Anaheim and Huntington Beach respectively. Other notable manufacturing companies for employment opportunities are Western Digital in Lake Forest and Beckman Coulter in Fullerton. Some international companies call Orange County their regional headquarters like Mazda, Toshiba, Samsung, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

Another important sector is Finance, Insurance and Real Estate. A few to consider are Ingram Micro, First American Corporation in Santa Ana and Pacific Life Insurance Company in Newport Beach. Pacific Life Insurance Company counts more than half of the 100 largest US companies as its clients. Construction jobs are also widely available with Standard Pacific located in Orange County, one of the nation’s largest and most successful homebuilding companies.

If your experience lies within the Information Technology sector, Orange County has quite a bit to choose from. This includes computer software, telecommunications, internet service, motion picture and publishing Broadcom, Epicor and Sun Healthcare are just a few of the employers in this sector that average between five and twenty million dollars annual. Epicor is a leader in retail software with more than 400 of the world’s leading retailers using Epicor’s award-winning software solutions. The Fashion sector in Orange County is headquarters for Wet Seal in Lake Forest, St. John’s, Quicksilver in Huntington Beach, Oakley in Irvine and Hurley in Costa Mesa.

Another sector is the Healthcare and Social assistance sector. Healthcare is important in Orange County with over 3 million residents. You’ll find Allergan and Edward Lifesciences in addition to all the hospitals, clinics and private practices.

Whether you want to change or advance your career, Orange County has plenty of opportunity. With all these different job market sectors to choose from, your search for a job in Orange County is sure to be a success.

Scottsdale’s Backdrop, the Sonora Desert

Wednesday, October 21, 2009@ 2:26 PM
Author: Frank Stevens

Scottsdale’s Backdrop, the Sonora Desert

Idyllic weather and blue skies make Scottsdale one of the most desirable places to live. The reason for this ideal weather is the lush Sonora Desert. Scottsdale’s residents will all agree that the beauty of the Sonora is one of the reasons they made the move to this city.

The Sonora Desert is one of the most incredibly beautiful deserts in the world. It covers 120,000 square miles in Southwestern Arizona and stretches as far as California and Colorado. The desert serves as an inspiration to architects and artists throughout Arizona and those who come to visit and learn from the natural landscape and habitat.

Considered the hottest desert in the United States, its rainfall makes this one of the greenest deserts as well. You’ll experience all the seasons like poppies and lupines in the spring and summer annuals and woody plants. There will even be some evenings where you’ll experience freezing temperatures.

The ecology of the Sonora includes 350 bird species, 60 mammals, 20 amphibian, 100 reptile, 30 native fish and over 200 plant species. Plant life thrives here year-round and many have evolved and adapted to the desert conditions. The Sonoran desert is the only place in the world where the famous saguaro cactus grows in the wild.

To learn more about the Sonora Desert and the wildlife it nurtures, The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson is dedicated to inspiring people to live in harmony with the natural world of the desert. It’s basically a natural history, botanical and zoo all in one. You’ll encounter mountain lions, prairie dogs and Gila monsters all in their natural habitat. There is more than two miles paths that take you around the grounds to visit its more than 300 animal species and 1200 kinds of plants. The museum also houses the Center for Sonoran Desert Studies whose purpose is research, education and conservation of the Sonora Desert Region.

Experience desert adventures with sky air tours and hot-air ballooning. The Great American Balloon Company is just one of the places to contact for spectacular sunset balloon rides over Scottsdale.

If river rafting is your idea of fun, Desert Voyagers Guided Raft Tours in Scottsdale promises to deliver a memorable day trip for you and your family. Enjoy scenic horseback riding trails at the MacDonald’s Ranch in North Scottsdale. They offer 1 ½ to 2 hour trail rides for beginners to the advanced riders. Cookouts and hayrides are also available to round out your cowboy experience.

Hiking is one of the most popular pastimes and the desert doesn’t disappoint. Scottsdale’s parks such as the La Mirada, McCormick Railroad Park and McDowell Mountain Ranch all offer a variety of trails to enjoys the outdoors. The deserts natural beauty makes enjoying the outdoors easy.

Whatever the activity, the Sonoran Desert landscape will guide you through many countless hours of tranquility and enjoyment. Scottsdale and the Sonora Desert are yours to explore.

Relocating For a New Job

Sunday, September 20, 2009@ 7:01 PM
Author: Frank Stevens

Relocating For a New Job

Going through the process of seeking out, applying for and accepting a new job is stressful and time consuming for most people. Taking on a new job in a completely different city that requires picking up stakes and relocating elsewhere is a monumental and frequently overwhelming task. There are dozens of considerations and issues to work out in finding a new home in time to start the new job as well as learning the ins and outs of your new city. Here are some of the major considerations when relocating:

Moving for a new job necessitates uprooting the entire family, including taking the kids out of their schools and having your spouse quit their job and have to find a new one in the new city. The impact of a move on children can be especially intense as they have to move far away from their friends and make new ones with a group of strangers. Family routines will be disrupted and kids can feel at loose ends as they try to find a new sense of normalcy with all of the change. It can take a spouse some time to find a new job in the new city and your budget should allow for a period of time to seek one out.

Relocating for a new job requires selling your old house and purchasing a new one. This can also be challenging depending on the strength of the real estate markets in your old and new cities. The odds of teeing up the sale of your old house and the purchase of the new one to happen at the same time are slim. As most people do not have the funds to carry two houses until their old one sells, it often is the case that the old one sells first before a new one can be moved into. This means that temporary housing will be needed in the interim. There are always hotels to fill the gap but this can present problems as well. A hotel does not do a good impersonation of a house. There are no laundry facilities, no way to cook meals, and nowhere to go for a little peace and quiet. Living in a hotel room until you find a new house can cause strain in an already difficult situation. A popular alternative is extended stay housing, much like a short term apartment rental. Most are fully furnished and create a more home-like and relaxed atmosphere until you can find a new house.

Moving all of your belongings from the old house to the new is not an easy process, especially if you have a gap of time where you have not found a new home yet. Start by paring down your possessions to what you truly want to come along with you. This is a great time to have a yard sale and pass on items that you do not use. There’s no point paying to move those types of things. Once you know what you want to take, you can begin to box up those things that you do not expect to use between now and moving day. If you need more room in your house to show it to potential buyers, you can store your boxes in a self-storage until the move. If you have to store your items for a period of time, another option is a portable storage unit. It is delivered to your door, you fill it up, and they take it away to store for you. When it is time to move, they deliver it to your new location.

Relocating for a new job has many considerations but good planning will make the transition as easy as possible on you and your family.