Where do all these people think they'll find a job? (Charlotte: insurance, construction)

[stmaarten]

I see so many threads of people, either in the process or thinking about, moving to the Charlotte area. My question is: Where are all these people planning to work???
I thought we were in a recession and hundreds of people are losing their jobs in the area every day. Is there some company/business moving to the area that I don't know about?
I don't get it.

[anifani821]

I don't know what the reasoning is, other than "hope springs eternal."

I think people are often in a bad situation where they are presently living . . . but they do not perceive that this region is in as bad shape as where they are (as far as layoffs and job openings). Also, I think it depends on the field . . . I have a friend in KCMO who wrote me this morning, asking me to check out jobs for her son - he is an electrician. I told her - look - the people already here are having trouble picking up work . . . I just can't advise someone to come here assuming they will find a job, even w/ a skill like electrician.

I keep advising - do not come here w/o a job - but I also know, every situation is different. I guess if you don't have a job, then you figure it can't be any worse somewhere else . . . I would never do it but that is just me.

[ellemaew]

I would certainly not do that now - especially if I still had a job where I was, but I did it 2 years ago - the economy was a totally different creature then!! Plus, I had a tidy severance package and unemployment insurance to tide me over!!

[ctribucher]

As further proof of the poor job situation... my husband was laid off from his job today. He was in construction project management.

[stmaarten]

I just thought, maybe there was some growth sector here, in Charlotte, that the general public just isn't aware of yet.

Ah, Ani, "hope springs eternal"...who knew the economy would tank so severly and so quickly...baffles the mind.

I've (just this past week) heard of so many stories of people about to be laid off. It's so sad.

[stmaarten]

Originally Posted by ctribucher

As further proof of the poor job situation... my husband was laid off from his job today. He was in construction project management.

I'm sorry sorry to read that.
Just know that you're NOT alone.
(Not sure that helps.)

[ctribucher]

Thanks, stmaarten. I know we aren't alone. I'm just scared and not very productive at the moment.

[ellemaew]

Originally Posted by stmaarten

I just thought, maybe there was some growth sector here, in Charlotte, that the general public just isn't aware of yet.

I keep wondering how Charlotte has become the mecca for people looking for a better, new, different, whatever job. Our unemployment rate is already slightly above the national average and soon to go higher when Wachovia/Wells Fargo and BofA start their layoffs, which is going to continue the "ripple" effect as other business suffer from decreased spending.

[ellemaew]

Originally Posted by ctribucher

Thanks, stmaarten. I know we aren't alone. I'm just scared and not very productive at the moment.

I'm so sorry to hear that - it definitely puts a body into shock.

[ctribucher]

That's what happened to my husband. The banks pulled their funding for his project, so now he is out of a job. We are definitely experiencing the ripple effect.

Originally Posted by ellemaew

I keep wondering how Charlotte has become the mecca for people looking for a better, new, different, whatever job. Our unemployment rate is already slightly above the national average and soon to go higher when Wachovia/Wells Fargo and BofA start their layoffs, which is going to continue the "ripple" effect as other business suffer from decreased spending.