Climate vs. Finance: what would you do?

In My Humble Opinion
1

The background: Earlier this year I decided that I want to become a high school math teacher. I’ve been keeping an eye out for any opportunity to get into teaching and go the alternative route for certification, but so far nothing has panned out - I made my decision too late to get into almost all of the fellowship programs out there. My current plan is to start a certification program at a local university in January, which will then take a year and a half to complete.

The Dilemma: I saw an ad from Teach Memphis, saying they are accepting applications to start teaching this fall. So, if I was accepted, I could start working next month, instead of two years from now, and not rack up another $20K in student loan debt (or not as much, anyway). Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

The problem is, it’s Memphis. Yuck.

I don’t mean offense to anyone who lives there. I’m sure it’s a lovely city. I’m talking about the climate. I really, really can’t stand hot weather; I f’in hate this time of year. And I live in Portland, where we’ve only had a handful of days that topped 80° so far this year.

Climate is a huge consideration for me on where I want to live, probably a lot bigger than it should be. From what little research I’ve done on the climate of Memphis, it seems to me I would be miserable there from May through September every year. According to weather.com, the last day that topped out at less than 90° was June 7th! And then there’s the humidity… yikes.

My initial thought is if this happens, I would try to minimize the amount of time I had to stay there - a couple of years until I’m certified, then try to find a job somewhere else.

So I’m curious as to what you would do. Would it be worth it financially, at the possible cost of your happiness for a third of each year?

2

If you can’t take the heat in Portland, then no, I don’t advise you to go to the South unless you really, really, REALLY need the job.

3

I don’t like that kind of weather either. I would hold out for a climate you like if you can afford to do so. I was in Kentucky for 3 days once and I wanted to kiss the runway when my plane landed in Boston. Some people don’t mind the heat but it bothers me. I’m ok with 80 but not humid and hot most of the year.

4

If I could be reasonably certain that my workplace and my home would both have effective air con, I would go with it. If not, I would probably pass.

5

Personally I say suck it up to get the career you want on track. The truth is you will be going from one A/C zone to another in the summer, and the spring/fall/winters will be very nice. Is 3 icky months really worth putting your whole dream and future plan on hold for 2 years? To me, that seems a bit nuts.

As someone who is not overly fond of the cold and lived in Michigan for 8 years, it’s surprising what you can get used to.

Only you can say which is more important to you: climate, or the chance to begin your career on a very good footing. I know which I’d choose, but I’m not you.

6

You might want to make sure a Tennessee teaching credential is valid in whatever state you eventually want to move to.

7

Are you under the impression that no one has air conditioning in Memphis? I would posit that almost all businesses and residences have A/C in Memphis. Just because you don’t use it in Oregon doesn’t mean that we don’t use it in the South.

8

I used to live in the desert (Bakersfield, Vegas) where it’d reach 110 easily, but I’d never live in the South due to all the humidity.

And yeah, places have a/c and you’ll have it on all the time but even just walking to your car sucks when it’s insanely hot. Plus it kill all motivation to go outside and do anything.

I’m happy with my Mediterranean climate right now.

9

You sound young. If you’re under 30 GO TAKE THIS JOB.

So what if it is a bad climate? So what if it isn’t a good job? Now is the time to get out and experience life. And part of that should be experiencing different cultures and climates and locales.

Besides you will acclimate to the climate. When I first moved from Chicago to Florida (The Keys), it was 50 degrees and I was running around in shorts. By the time I left Florida a few years later, it was 70 degrees and I had a sweater on. I didn’t even need air conditioning in Flordia. Oh it was nice, but I got use to not having it.

Life is an adventure. You’re not gonna be around forever, when you’re 60 you WANT to have things to look back on. Youth enables you to make choices, fail and bounce back. Portland will always be there but a chance to live in a new culture will not be. You can always return. You will find you will usually regret the things you don’t do far more than you regret what you’ve done.

Finally check out the forums at City-Data (dot) Com for Memphis and ask your question there.

10

One thing at a time. :wink:

That’s something I’ve been thinking about. I haven’t had AC since moving here, since it’s not needed all that much. But on the days it does get into the 90s or triple digits, I’m dyin’. I’ve often thought I’ve become more of a pussy since I moved here from California, but maybe not - perhaps it’s just the lack of AC.

Absolutely. If I could be guaranteed I’d never have to go outside, there’d be no problem!

I’m a little more set in my ways… I’m 39. :slight_smile: Thanks, though, you’re right - definitely something to think about.