[northernguy1960]

I see some posts of people coming back to Michigan.

We want to come back to Michigan, after having relocated to Arizona. Arizona is a beautiful state and there is so much to like about it. However, what we came to do here is probably not going to happen after all, which was find work within a construction career, for numerous reasons. And we miss Michigan! We left because we needed to, not because we hated the place.

We are thinking of relocating to the west side of the state, specifically the Manistee/Ludington/Traverse City part, and starting a whole different business. In the time that we get things up and running, we'll need some basic jobs to pay our bills.

We've been hearing some good things about Grand Rapids (glad something is going well in Michigan!!). What about further north in the area I mentioned? We're talking about jobs such as working in a Home Depot or as a receptionist, that kind of thing. Is anyone from around there who can shed some light on the question of: is the job market packed full or are there still jobs available with a bit of looking?

Thanks!!

[Bydand]

I just returned a week or so ago from a 3 week vacation/scouting trip to the exact areas you mentioned. I know we are going to be moving back home after the wifes contract expires here in Maine. After all the talk of doom-and-gloom we had been hearing, I took a long hard look at the area for myself (electrician) and we are still looking forward to getting back. There are some jobs out there if you look and are willing to start at the bottom on most of them. A few people I know just changed jobs because of better benefits and working hours, not something you find if the market is totally dry. Subscribe to a few local newspapers and have them delivered to your present location, that way you are in touch with local news and get the classified sections at least for the weekend editions. The also give an indication of housing market, both rental and asking prices for homes. It is what I do before contemplating a move anywhere and the newspapers have steered me away from a couple of areas I thought might be a good fit (Montana, not Michigan.)

[MIhome]

So how is the construction element in Grand Rapids area.I heard it was keeping busy.any info would helpful.

[suydam]

There is a ton of building going on in metro-Grand-Rapids. At least in the circles I run in, Rockford Construction is the biggest firm. You might check in there as a start in your job-hunt.

[MIhome]

Originally Posted by suydam

There is a ton of building going on in metro-Grand-Rapids. At least in the circles I run in, Rockford Construction is the biggest firm. You might check in there as a start in your job-hunt.

How are they in the safety Dept?

[suydam]

Originally Posted by MIhome

How are they in the safety Dept?

No idea. I'm not in construction....I just have consulted on some big projects and they were at the top of everyone' list.

[Zmehappy]

Originally Posted by MIhome

So how is the construction element in Grand Rapids area.I heard it was keeping busy.any info would helpful.

Commercial construction is going well. Home building is flat. I heard Lamar Construction is hiring yet. Welcome back in advance.

[MIhome]

Been training here in vegas under OCIP for the last year,looking to get back home and bring some info with me.I figured safety was looking a little bleak when i read the I&I on the DOL website.scary.

[adam85225]

My family and I are also in AZ and thinking about checking out Grand Rapids in the next year or so.

Seems like one of the few places around in MI that is doing alright. I actually found some listings for decent software jobs just looking on MLive.

[suydam]

Adam, what kind of programming? (I'm a web-developer)

You might poke around Urbanplanet.org and g-rad.org besides mlive.com.
They're not job boards, but there's always a healthy discussion about who's hiring who (more on UP than G-Rad).

You should have no trouble finding work.
Last time I posted for a .NET Architect (Late 2006) it took me 6 months to find someone. Anecdotal evidence from friends who also hire software developers suggests nothing's changed. There are more openings than bodies to fill them so someone with experience gets snapped up quickly.

Two other sites worth exploring (if for no other reason than to see what's going on):
Grand Rapids – Rapid Growth - Home Page
GRNow :: Grand Rapids Michigan's local restaurant, event, real estate and entertainment guide.

Good luck!