So currently I live in a city that is about 200k people, but the larger area is a bit larger than that. I have been here 5 years and have done more in the past 5 years than I did in my previous small town I have lived in. However, with the recent downturn the number of jobs for my field dropped from 130 to 60 position openings. There is cheap college classes to cross train for software development, and I have been doing this, albeit slowly. The cost of the area has gone up quite a bit in the last 5 years and the idea of buying extra real estate beyond what I have has gone out the window. I have been at my current job 2 1/2 years and in the industry for 4 1/2 years. My company has an office in Dallas.

Recently I visited Dallas and it seemed fascinating. It is a large metro area (4th largest), has been gaining traction in my industry, and still has relatively cheap housing. My only concern is that it is prime suburbia. However, it seems like there is a lot to do, even if it is suburbia. I also worry that there is not a lot of interesting things going on. I figure even if that is not that case, I could probably still advance my career more than where I am at, unless I switch to software development. However, if I move I could do either or, instead of just software development. I also worry maybe I am complicating things as I have not really jelled with any culture in the last 5 years and the last thing that I could get into was Death Grips.

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I want to research some other areas as well, such as the Bay Area, but from the little I have read is that it is suburbia outside San Francisco and a lot of things are moving out any ways. LA is cool, but 14% unemployment the last 2 recessions is not cool. San Diego is nice, but for it's size does not have a lot of jobs. I might consider Phoenix too, but outside being close, I don't see an advantage over Dallas. Florida is another place I have considered as well, but worry culturally it is not a fit and jobs are hit or miss. Overall I want to be someplace that challenges me and there is a culture of excellence, in the sense people are working on things. I will also admit lately I do worry that Silicon Valley is not what it used to be. I also worry I am overthinking this, but I just feel like I am not being challenged currently.