PrezRand wrote:caitlinrw wrote:PrezRand wrote:caitlinrw wrote:PrezRand wrote:Is anyone considering a legal market that is outside of their home state besides NY and DC?
My home state is FL, but I've been considering TX (Austin/Dallas). The market is on the rise, and a lot of opportunities are becoming more available for URMs in the area because it's becoming more urban. Not to mention the cost of living is really good. Where have you been considering?
I was actually considering FL (Miami) at one point so our situations are reversed. CO and VA were also places I considered. Texas is great, but I am not really sure if I could live here for the rest of my life. Specifically Houston. If I stay in TX, it would most likely have to be in the Dallas or Austin market. Austin is pretty tough to crack.
Wow, what's TX like, as far as living there? And would you go to school here (FL) if you decided to practice in Florida?
I researched the Florida legal market a little bit through TLS. I crossed it off my list because the market is apparently not doing to well and someone with no ties to Florida would have trouble finding employment. Additionally, I could not see myself applying to any law school in Florida (unless I lived there for some time or had family there). Law schools like UT and SMU in TX are much better than the schools in Florida. Also, if theoretically I cannot break into the FL market, going to law school in Florida and then trying to come back to TX would be incredibly difficult and not worth it. I have a few other reasons for not wanting to attend law school there as well. I may be wrong though. Could you tell me your thoughts on FL?
As for TX, it's great! It is however a state that is not for everyone. I believe the cost of living is lower in TX than in Florida (if not overall, Houston and Dallas are at least cheaper than Miami). It is definitely hotter than Florida. Personally, TX can be a pretty boring state. I love TX primarily because of the the people, the nationalism, and the independent mindset that so many Texans have. The people make the state worth living in. Texas is honestly an ugly state compared to other large states. Houston is a pretty diverse city though and continues to grow. It is definitely a city to settle down in and raise a family. I think the same could be said for Dallas. are a few nice places in Houston in the Downtown-Midtown area, but I simply believe Houston is way too dry and boring. Everyone here is homogeneous in the sense that almost everyone here wants a job in energy, oil, and gas, or the medical center. I am uninterested in both fields. Dallas is more focused on finance than Houston and does not really focus on energy. IIn contrast to Austin, words cannot describe how amazing Austin is. It is like its own state within Texas. Most people in Texas love Austin and have no negative things to say about it. The cost of living is higher there than in Houston or Dallas though. It is a city for young people and the city caters to them. I believe the average age of someone living there is 33. Of course 50k of the residents are undergraduate college students, but Austin is close to 1 million people. There's a lot to do in the city and I believe that is one reason UT is so attractive on a graduate level. This is the legal market I would prefer, but it is also the toughest to crack. I have heard from some people in Austin that if you want a job here, you need a degree from UT, or a T14. Even then it's difficult.
The main reason why I cannot see myself living in TX for the rest of my life is because I have other career goals besides practicing law. Politics has always been my true passion and I think it is important to consider where you live if you ever want a long-term career in the field.
Personally, I love Florida, and I'm not just saying that because I live here, lol. You, as well as TLS, are very correct when you say that networking is key here, and it is about who you know a lot of the time. i have the perfect example that I'd be happy to share with you via PM, lol. I don't think it'd be as difficult to crack the market as it would be in TX, from what it sounds like, but again, that's where going to school here would help immensely. Florida, in my opinion, is not one of those places you go to law school elsewhere, and then come back. They tend to hire based on who they know, whether it's from an SA position, or they've seen you for lunch a few times around town, and you schmooze them a little. If politics is your passion, then Tallahassee (which is where I am for UG right now), would be an ideal place for you, as there are an abundance of networking opportunities in that regard, assuming you would like to make Florida your home. I'm going to tour FSU later this semester and from what I've heard, nobody leaves disappointed. If your goal is Miami, it's been said to shoot for attending UM, or one of the schools down south, though I wouldn't advise it, because they aren't as good as FSU/UF in my opinion, though FIU is definitely on the rise. So depending, like you said, if you want a long-term career in Florida, especially concerning politics, I would definitely say that picking a law school here, most likely FSU, is the way to go. I know some would disagree with me, but I've never been one to just take generic advice without considering my own personal situation lol. I hope this helps and feel free to PM me if you want to know more!