Why is unemployment so low in the mid-west? (Omaha, Lincoln: for sale, loans)

[natepickle]

Hello,

I find myself looking for a job and i've noticed that the midwest appears to have low unemployment when compared to the rest of the country.

Why is the unemployment so low in the mid west? Is it because there isnt that many people there?

Are there jobs there and people just dont like the lifestyle?

Jim

[Go Ne]

I think this year Omaha has added 1,200 jobs. The reason our unemployment is so low is because our banks didn't give incredibly stupid loans and our people didn't buy houses they couldn't reasonably afford, so the recession didn't affect us as much but we still felt some of it. Also we are often stereotyped as being an empty city so we have a harder time attracting people, but when they get here, they usually love it, usually.

[natepickle]

i have heard bamking is big out there. Are there other jobs out there? We live in Virginia.

Is land expensive?

Thank You for your response

[aerahrtlu]

Compared to other parts of the country the midwest didn't have nearly as big of a housing boom. Our home prices have stayed steady for years, which means they didn't have too far to fall.
People also aren't moving here like crazy like AZ of FL a couple years ago, so there's a steady demand for housing and work and not a huge jump.

There are jobs out here, it just depends on what kind. Omaha obviously has the most white collar (computer, finance, business, ect) but other cities have a steady job force too. What field are you interested in?

Land's actually decently cheap, especially compared to the rest of the country. It all depends on where you want to be. Land around Omaha and Lincoln is more expensive than say, land in the sand hills or western Nebraska.

[mattpoulsen]

I'll agree with the above posts. The reason we have low unemployment is the growth in the midwest has been responsible. We didn't grow artificially on an artificially grown housing bubble to irresponsible lending practices.

So I guess the answer can be summed up by in two words: financial responsibility.

[natepickle]

I am in commercial and residential HVAC/REFRIGERATION

[SCGranny]

There are SOME jobs out in the middle of the state and residences are VERY cheap comparatively. We spent $94,000 for a 100-year-old, 1700 sq ft farmhouse and 60 acres, and have been told we were ripped off. Where I came from, this property would STILL sell for several million, even with the economic downturn. We just sold our house back east - 30 years old, 1000 sq ft, on 1/3 acre - for $79,000. Does that give you a better idea of the price differences? We have several houses for sale in our small town for less than $50,000. Older homes, it's true - but sturdy, and most with basements and big yards. Many of my friends back east bought during the housing boom and are now upside down; their cheap McMansion prefabs will NEVER realize what they paid for them.

As for the jobs - well, uh, it depends. Our local contractor always has two or three jobs going at once; remodeling and new structures inclusive. A/C is not a big thing where we live; we don't need it and most people around us don't have central air; just window units. Even our school is not air conditioned. For something that pays regularly you'd probably want to look around Lincoln or Omaha, but the homes there are higher-priced than out in the open areas, small towns and villages. Many of our ranchers' wives are teachers or nurses, so as to have a steady source of income in between cattle sales. Plumbing and electricians' jobs are at a premium; they won't drive 40 miles one way for a minor repair job, they get several in an area before they come out. Most folks I know work two or three jobs in the family (including the ranches), and most teens are employed as well in service jobs. The pay in the smaller areas is much less than in the cities or especially back east, but the cost of living is far lower, too. A meal with a huge slab of grassfed Angus steak, baked potato, side salad, and drink runs about $10 here; back east it would run about $20-30. Medical and veterinary care is VERY inexpensive - by comparison - as well. Food is fairly inexpensive, much of it locally produced, and there's not a lot of imported stuff from SA or China.

So you'll get paid less, if you can find a job in your experience level, but it takes less to live on.