NJ, MA or NC

Hello,

As a software engineer (signal processing algorithms) with experience in 
C#.NET, C and MATLAB and an interest in
audio signals and algorithms, which of the following 3 states would you 
recommend to move to when it comes to overall
quality of life? North Carolina, New Jersey or Massachusetts ?

John wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> As a software engineer (signal processing algorithms) with experience in 
> C#.NET, C and MATLAB and an interest in
> audio signals and algorithms, which of the following 3 states would you 
> recommend to move to when it comes to overall
> quality of life? North Carolina, New Jersey or Massachusetts ?

What do you like to do?  What sort of weather do you want to live with? 
  What sort of accent are you comfortable around?  Do you want to be 
responsible for your own car, or do you want the comfort of knowing the 
state is forcing you to have it inspected?

This is a question you need to answer, or you need to tell us more about 
what you like.

-- 
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com

> What do you like to do?

Well, in my case it is not so much about what I like to do. I have kids...so 
my wife and I prefer a place
which is family-friendly...meaning: lots of variety and options when it 
comes to outdoor/indoor activities.
I like to feel that I live in a place where I get something for my money in 
terms of real estate, education for my
kids, healthcare etc.

>What sort of weather do you want to live with?

I like sunshine and warm weather...

>  What sort of accent are you comfortable around?

Any accent..I adapt..

> Do you want to be responsible for your own car, or do you want the comfort 
> of knowing the state is forcing you to have it inspected?

I don't care so much about that...

On Apr 29, 11:32&#4294967295;am, "John" <J...@yabadabadooo.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> As a software engineer (signal processing algorithms) with experience in
> C#.NET, C and MATLAB and an interest in
> audio signals and algorithms, which of the following 3 states would you
> recommend to move to when it comes to overall
> quality of life? North Carolina, New Jersey or Massachusetts ?

Of the three, NC has a much lower debt per capita and has much lower
property taxes. In MA the debt runs about 21% of personal income (the
highest per capita debt in the nation). In NC it is about 6%. In NJ it
is 12%. Where do you think the taxes are going to go up the most? If
you plan on a salary that places you above the median for your state
(this should apply to most all in this group), you are going to get
taxed heavily since the bottom half pays little tax.

As Tim says, what is most important to you? Do you have or plan to
have children? School then becomes a question. I live where I live
because it offers what I want and/or need.

Clay

John wrote:
>> What do you like to do?
> 
> Well, in my case it is not so much about what I like to do. I have 
> kids...so my wife and I prefer a place
> which is family-friendly...meaning: lots of variety and options when it 
> comes to outdoor/indoor activities.
> I like to feel that I live in a place where I get something for my money 
> in terms of real estate, education for my
> kids, healthcare etc.
> 
>> What sort of weather do you want to live with?
> 
> I like sunshine and warm weather...

Hawaii, then.

Massachusetts has a distinctly noticeable summer -- a little too 
noticeable if you don't have air conditioning.  If you _don't_ like gray 
skies and piles of snow several months out of the year, you won't like 
Massachusetts.

The only time I've ever seen thunder, lightning (or at least the 
flashes), and driving snow has been in Massachusetts.  It was an 
astounding storm.

I think New Jersey is far enough south that you don't get the constant 
snow like in Massachusetts.

>>  What sort of accent are you comfortable around?
> 
> Any accent..I adapt..
> 
>> Do you want to be responsible for your own car, or do you want the 
>> comfort of knowing the state is forcing you to have it inspected?
> 
> I don't care so much about that...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


-- 
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com

John wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> As a software engineer (signal processing algorithms) with experience in 
> C#.NET, C and MATLAB and an interest in
> audio signals and algorithms, which of the following 3 states would you 
> recommend to move to when it comes to overall
> quality of life? North Carolina, New Jersey or Massachusetts ?

When it comes to the overall quality of life, follow the money.


Vladimir Vassilevsky
DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant
http://www.abvolt.com

>
> When it comes to the overall quality of life, follow the money.
>

Thanks....Could you elaborate? Isn't it true that areas where the salaries
are generally higher, real estate, education, food etc. tends to cost more?
And the other way around...If so, then you probably end up with more
or less the same when you look at the bottom line..

However...talking about money....it seems that you get more for your money
in NC (and even NJ) when it comes to real estate (in terms of space, how 
well-kept houses are etc.)

Career-wise I'm leaning towards MA or NJ. But NJ is probably too cold and 
the living
costs in MA seems quite high. NC has nice weather, but the job market does 
not seem
to be as good as in MA or NJ...

And finally..just guessing...people are probably more friendly in NC ?

On Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:32:53 +0200, "John" <John@yabadabadooo.com> wrote:

>As a software engineer (signal processing algorithms) with experience in 
>C#.NET, C and MATLAB and an interest in
>audio signals and algorithms, which of the following 3 states would you 
>recommend to move to when it comes to overall
>quality of life? North Carolina, New Jersey or Massachusetts ?

In the current job market you might find that you don't choose the state, it
chooses you.

> In the current job market you might find that you don't choose the state, 
> it
> chooses you.

Ok so let's just say - for arguments sake - that you get job offers from 
companies in NJ, MA and NC.
The jobs are 100% identical in every way imaginable. You are married and you 
have kids (age<5).

Which state would you choose? And why?

On 4/29/2010 12:22 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:

> Do you want to be
> responsible for your own car, or do you want the comfort of knowing the
> state is forcing you to have it inspected?

For me, the comfort comes from knowing that the state forces others' 
cars to be inspected, just as it forces them either to have insurance or 
post a bond.

Jerry
-- 
"I view the progress of science as ... the slow erosion of the tendency
  to dichotomize." --Barbara Smuts, U. Mich.
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