Would you want to move to Bartlesville and work there? If you are in Bartlesville do you want to stay there? No other large company has a remote campus in a small town not tied to a business unit or head quarters. Exon had trouble getting people to go to Dallas! Who want to be dead ended where they can't sell their home?
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I was laid off but my husband works for PSX so I'm stuck in Bville. Tulsa really has few options for someone my age. My outplacement consultant assumed I was in the Dallas area (closest LH office to Bville) and frankly doesn't know what to do with me. I had hoped to work 10 more years but I think I'll need to do some re-training to do that. I want to go home to Texas but hubby's job is important to him. So I'll monitor the value of my house which has not appreciated over the last 10 yrs but has at least maintained original purchase price.
In the right neighborhood Tulsa is really awesome. I loved living there. However, crime is very bad. During the oil bust, employment is also bad. I loved living in Tulsa, liked my job in Bville, but absolutely hated the commute back and forth.
Don't view Tulsa as much of a safety net for buying a house. Ever actually looked at the alternative employment situation there? About 33% less paying all low end jobs for the most part. It's just a small city with an over inflated sense of importance... Oh and also a ridiculous violent crime rate per capita
If the better career option is in Bartlesville do not live in Bartlesville. Bartlesville is s stepping stone to Houston so ideally start and end in Houston.
Tulsa to Bville is tough. It takes at least 50 min in ideal conditions. In winter it can take more than an hour and a half. The cops are aggressive. Around Bville there is little speeding tolerance. This drive wears you down after doing it for more than a year. The hardest part is at the end of the day you are tired with an hour less if time. In top if this, you have to wake up an hour earlier to go to work. I was constantly asking myself if it was worth it. In the end I did not think so and transferred to Houston
Live in Tulsa and commute! You can at least either find employment in Tulsa or sell your house when Bartlesville is closed!
it's all made out of ticky tacky
I lived in Bartlesville for 3 months. That was 3 months too long....
Odd people continue to purchase homes in Bartlesville. Tulsa is an easy enough commute with housing prices in line with Bartlesville. And to answer the question, no do not move to Bartlesville. Bartlesville is a dead end both personally and professionally. The white collar oil and gas roles are in Houston. ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 are the only games in town in Bartlesville and neither are focused on Bartlesville.
Let's hear from the 90 that lost their jobs. What are your prospects for employment? If you want to move will you be able to sell your house for anywhere near what you paid for it?
XOM has a research campus in a small city in New Jersey. However it is very close to New York City. Bville has a very laid back family friendly way of life. For some people it is perfect. For others (young, single, adventurous) it is hell. If COP or PSX ever pulls out, house prices will plumit. I'd say that given the state upstream oil & gas is in, and given that refining margins are very low, living and working in Bville right now is a high risk career decision. Things might change though. The people are nice and genuine, house prices are low, and the cost of living is cheap. All it takes is to spend five years there and you can save a tone of money. Overall, the talent level is pretty good. From my 10+ career experience, I'd say that a significant portion of Tier I oil & gas talent has Oklahoma career experience.