Economy and coming cuts make me think of moving back to the Springs? (Colorado Springs: employment)

[Colorado Rambler]

I am on SSDI, but I have progressed to the point where I can do simple jobs. My SSDI is so low that I must depend on a housing voucher to help me get by. From my reading, it sounds like the voucher program will be cut sooner or later. My dream is to buy a used travel trailor and take a gig as a campground host somewhere.

I do have a job here in Cortez, but its only for 14 hours a week at minimum wage. And unemployment runs 13%. I have considered applying for work in nearby Durango but I feel at a disadvantage because in addition to my disability, I will be 60 in September. Not only does Durango have a very high cost of living, but it has plenty of young energetic people to snap up jobs.

I grew up in the Springs and know it well. I could probably find a reasonable place to live there, and there are more job opportunities. On the other hand, if those cuts go through, the military will feel the impact as well, and Colorado Springs will take a hit, being a big military town.

Any ideas where a person like me could go in Colorado to better my current position?

Thanks, my fellow Coloradans!

[wanneroo]

Cortez and similar Colorado towns are probably dead ends.

I guess it depends on what job skills you have and what your disability allows you to do or not. The city of course is going to provide a lot more in the way of jobs and living options.

If you can operate a computer and like dealing with people, some of the big ski towns like Vail have a lot of front desk or night audit positions that come up for the winter and I know of a call center type job that deals with making reservations that is $13.00 an hour and also an opportunity to be full time. The housing will be more pricey, but opportunity to earn more as well.

Age doesn't matter, the company I worked for did have a lot of young people, but quite a few in their 60's and 70's. There was even a guy that was 85 and a WW2 vet back when I was there and another that was almost 80.

[Colorado Rambler]

Thanks for the suggestion, Wanneroo! could you possibly pm me with the name of that call center?

[GreenScoutII]

Well, I think the Springs would offer more opportunities. Pretty much all of my family is still there and they tell me there isn't a whole lot going on job wise, but pretty much anything has to be better than 14 hours a week at minumum wage......

Good luck! I sincerely hope things improve for you!

[motoracer51]

You need to move where you can secure good paying and reliable employment so you can get off relying on the government. This includes even leaving Colorado if you must.

Sorry to hear about your situation, but Colorado, statistically, has had poor employment statistics(wages, unemployment, etc).

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by motoracer51

You need to move where you can secure good paying and reliable employment so you can get off relying on the government.

I could not agree more. I fought tooth and claw against going on disability in the first place, but I got so sick, I had no choice. I hate, hate, hate depending on the government! My doctors tell me that I will never recover fully, so I'm going to have to accept some help, but I want to take care of myself as much as possible.

Originally Posted by motoracer51

This includes even leaving Colorado if you must.

Colorado is my home. I've lived here all my life. Things would have to be desperate indeed for me to leave.

Originally Posted by motoracer51

Sorry to hear about your situation, but Colorado, statistically, has had poor employment statistics(wages, unemployment, etc).

This is true of the small, rural areas where I live now, but the Front Range seems to be holding its own.