I left the Smokey Mountains in 1976 in a 1955 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 (no air conditioner) a few household items (mostly kitchen) some blankets, pillows and sleeping bags, had a nice apartment, no phone. Started interviewing, one of the firms that I most wanted to work for called and offered a position.Thanks to the apartment leasing office they were so kind so as to take messages for me. I was up and running in approximately 2 weeks and gainfully employed working in a beautiful high rise building downtown Houston.I have a special place in my heart for folks moving to Houston leaving family and much behind in order to thrive make a new life and remain gainfully employed. It’s often a hard leap of faith to leave so much behind and to move full of hope to such a large and wonderful city.On the other hand I do also consider myself a fully fledged Houstonian having lived here since the age of 19 - Houston is my home. I welcome new comers and Houstonians alike.In 1992 I made a similar leap of faith when I raised my hand and volunteered for a layoff. The company that I had worked for many years was downsizing. I had been commuting 2 to 3 hours a day since the age of 19 and suddenly felt the desire to make a living where I lived. Ergo - I left Corporate American and went into Real Estate - fast forward to today 2023.