How do blue collar folks survive there? (Chesapeake, Suffolk: employment, transfer)

[kanihoncho]

I have done a lot of research about Tidewater and I don't know how blue collar workers survive. I can tell it is a highly republican area - average job salaries are below national averages - even after accounting for regional cost-of-living differences. Low benefits and a lot of 1099 jobs so businesses don't have to pay benefits. Are drugs a major problem in Tidewater? It seems as if every job requires a drug test.

The place is booming, Suffolk and Chesapeake were farmland in early '90s. I lived in Va Beach and left because of lack of opportunity/low wages. The place is growing out of control and the wages are still low.

It doesn't make sense to me, do you have to be self-made or a retiree to survive comfortably? I don't see how you can live there on $10 an hour or less.

[janeannwho]

i telecommute, none of the jobs offered locally paid enough, so i work for a place in chicago and telecommute

[jhrichmond]

$10/hr. or less is poverty level. I don't know how anyone would survive in any city on that.

[Erma]

The tidewater area is highly "government" employment because of the military. I don't believe I've seen anyone making 10 dollars an hour unless it was a laborer/helper category that does not require any skills. Skilled labor is paid much higher and drug testing is a must (drug use isn't any higher than other cities).

[kanihoncho]

I am a graphic designer and an average, equivalent salary, from where I live to make an equivalent living there, from most online sources is $35,000. I cannot find anything advertised above 21-25K. I have used job sites to no avail. They advertise positions with high school or associate's degree in graphic design. There really isn't a recognized associate's degree in graphic design. Ever since secretarial schools started putting out "graphic designers" the field has become very watered down.

I believe my age and salary are being used against me. It's becoming very frustrating. I am also a veteran and that has never helped me in attaining a job as it is not a direct transfer of my skills.