[bootlipjr]

I'm posting this thread because my fiancee and I are trying to move out of Michigan. As a lot of Michiganders know, it's extremely tough to find a good paying, beneficial job without a college degree. We've made a list of a few states that peak our interest but don't really know much about which cities are balanced for our lifestyle and offer a moderately high employment rate. If someone could please give us some ideas of cities from our list of states based on job security, city safety and decent places to start a family, it would be greatly appreciated. The list we've come up with is as follows;

North Dakota
Virginia
New York
Texas
Colorado
California

'Edit: This list in Non-Exclusive, only prospective states that seem like fairly good choices. ANY information would be undoubtedly helpful.'

Any information or ideas of cities would be a great help.
Thank You.

[roanoker 4]

As a former employment advisor I would recommend the following plan.

1. Find out what YOU feel happy doing as you will be employed for a long time. It can be miserable to work at something you dread every day.

2. The money is important but as I have noticed over the years if you are happy in your work, the money will follow.

3. I would suggest getting as much training/education in a field as possible.
Education is never going to work against you. Employers are interested in hiring educated workers and the school can help you land the job also.

4. Learn as much about interviewing skills as possible. You must sell yourself to a prospective employer.

5. Try to network with those people closest to you who may know someone, etc who may be hiring.


Virginia has a healthy economy and we weren't as hard hit as most states with unemployment. The reason? We have all of those overpaid federal government workers who pump money into this state. The jobs tend to be in the northern part, near D.C. the rest of the state such as Roanoke, Richmond,
Lynchburg, etc tend to be a bit slower in employment opportunties right now.

[kcam213]

Check Iowa. I just talked to a co-worker that said her who extended family has relocated to Iowa. I guess even without a college degree her family members has been able to find work.

[The Homogenizer]

The poster is a troll.

Urban Dictionary: boot lip

[magellan]

Originally Posted by The Homogenizer

The poster is a troll.

Urban Dictionary: boot lip

Hmmm.

Yes, OP (original poster), is that your real name, or some other term of endearment?

[bootlipjr]

I'm sorry if what you think my forum name means offends you but don't misunderstand, it's a nickname of mine that was giving to me by friends, it's been my nickname for a very long time. Due to the size of my bottom lip. So before you think I'm making racial slurs because someone posted the 'urban dictionary' definition of 'a part' of my name, go to the source. Thank You.

[Bhaalspawn]

North Dakota--a land of low unemployment but also low wages (few knowledge-based white collar jobs) and very low temperatures. North Dakota is booming because of the oil industry. In fact, you might be able to find a high-paying oil-field job without any prior training or education at all if you are able-bodied. However, there's just one huge problem--it's very hard to find a place to live and many of the workers (who've often come from other states) are holed up in (filled) motels, "man camps", or sleep in their trucks:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/us...hULQvwV0Sk33fQ

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/us/11oil.html

If you can't find a high-paying oil field job and a way to live in the state, then moving to western North Dakota could be a disaster. You might find a low-wage retail job but the housing costs and cold weather costs will kill you. However, it might make sense to move to Fargo which is about 200 miles away from the edge of the oil boom area.

Virginia--I'm under the impression that it's the opposite of North Dakota. Virginia, at least "Northern Virginia" near DC has abundant knowledge-based jobs. However, if you can't get a $60,000/year job then the cost of living in NoVa will kill you. (It also has a very high population density that will reduce your quality of life.) I can't speak about what it would be like in other parts of the state.

New York--like Michigan, New York also has high unemployment, at least in "upstate" New York (non-New York City). The problem with New York City is that the cost of living will kill you unless you have, say, a $100,000/year job.

Texas--this might be a good state for you. Housing prices aren't real high. You should probably avoid Houston (which has a huge crime and poverty problem) and instead look to Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio.

Colorado--might not be too bad, but you need to research it heavily.

California --people are fleeing Cali, not moving into it. California also has high unemployment and a huge amount of impoverished people. It also has very high housing costs. You should avoid it.

I'd say your best bets are Texas or Fargo, North Dakota. (Go to North Dakota and see if you can acquire a skill that would be useful to the oil drilling industry.) Nebraska also seems to be doing decently. However, wherever you go, you will need some sort of a blue collar trade or skill in order to have a good life (and if you have that in the states I'm recommending you should be OK).

[pifler]

thanks bhaal

[dragon_fly_12]

My first question to the OP - what type of jobs do you and your SO specialize in? You need to determine where there is a demand for both of your expertise so that landing a job will be easier.

Note about southern states (VA, NC, etc) - the cost of living may be surprisingly higher than traditional Midwestern states, depending on your situation, mainly because the taxes are charged differently. For example, MI mainly charges property taxes on real estate owned. Thus, renters don't pay for this directly. VA and NC both charge personal property tax on vehicles, etc, and it affects the entire population instead of just real estate owners.

I think once you've determined what areas of the country you can both get jobs, then start researching which area is the right fit among your choices. Of the list you have:
North Dakota - as others have mentioned, housing is an issue. Low unemployment doesn't mean jobs are available; it just means they have a good job to person ratio and most of the state is employed. It does not mean jobs are being created for new comers.
Virginia - Lower unemployment, high cost of living. It takes a special kind that thrives in metro areas like DC, and you either jive with it or you don't.
New York - lower unemployment than MI, but high cost of living. It takes a special kind of person to jive with a NY mentality (mostly NYC), and you either do or you don't.
Texas - low cost of living, possibly good employment specs
Colorado - WATER SHORTAGE AREA. The cost of water will be increasing as the population increases, and it is drastically. CO is one of the 'must go' areas for Cali folks fleeing. This is also driving up the COL in CO.
California - High cost of living, high unemployment, but not impossible. A coworker of mine just moved to CA from VA with a job offer in hand.

[bootlipjr]

Bhaalspawn and chance2jump, thank you both for the information, it all is very helpful. =]