re: Currently laid off from oilfield related job, time to move?

62 year old retired pete eng /geologist/geophysicist here

no shortage of layoffs throughout my career...
i was laid off twice and got lucky both times and landed a better job with higher salary within a few weeks and pocketed the severance.....some friends stayed and a lot more made complete career changes...

seriously!!! i have seen a lot of layoffs....the industry has changed a lot...from conventional oil to resource plays to today...

if it is decent economically make the change!!!
diversify your skill set
you can always come back if industry gets better
go to calif... live lightly and do not set roots for at least a year while you check things out
then stay...or go to austin
take advantage of your mobility and age now and experiment...
good luck and what ever you decide do not look back and second guess....

btw many of those guys became VP with financial companies ,rich from sales, owners of high end car dealerships,management consultants,doctors........