Information Please (Keene, Swanzey, Fremont: sale, mortgage, home)

[weldaar]

Hi,
I have been to Vermont and New Hampshire quite a few times, and have friends in both states. We just love it up there. We are looking to move up North around 5 years from now. It's a long story so I won't bore you with the details. My wife will have to work when we finally reach our destination in either State. I will probably have to work part or full time until I reach retirement age. I am currently 56. I like the small rural town atmosphere, but I understand that small towns don't have much employment. So I would have to be near a town that does. Confusing?
Hopefully I will have no mortgage when we finally move due to the sale of our home here in NJ, great place to work, bad place to live.
What are the average pay scales like there? I am an experienced Welder-Fabricator and Fork lift mechanic of 32 years. My wife has clerical experience in Law Enforcement. Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx,

Jeff

[Suzet2262]

Welcome to the Fourm Jeff. With it being a holiday weekend, all the folks who post here might not be around to answer your questions. Hang in there and I am sure someone will be here to help you.

Have a great Labor Day.

[weldaar]

Thank you. You have a great day too!

[Crone2004]

Jeff,

Check out salary dot com. Their numbers tend to be a little high because only the larger businesses actually complete the surveys but it will give you a general idea of what to expect. As you know, it is all relative to the geographic area you live in and the cost of living. Law enforcement never pays well enough and NH is no different. I have no idea about salaries in your profession but someone should be along soon to respond to that.

[weldaar]

Thank you. I am moving nevertheless. We will learn to deal with the salary. We just like the area for what it is.

[Ken E]

I would believe a guy with your talents would have no problem finding work.I believe if your good at what you do and have good work ethic you'll do ok. I have a buddy who lives in Fremont who has his own welding/ fab shop and he seems to have a pretty good life. Good luck with your move.

[weldaar]

Thanx Ken. No, not afraid to work. Will do what I have to to survive. I am getting older though.

[Ken E]

A lot of the Road building, bridge building guys are always looking for good welders for heavy equiptment repairs ect. The economy doesent seem to effect that industry as much. I have a neighbor down here who used to be a commercial welder.He got tired of the travel for work and started welding together pieces of metal and re-bar and all kinds of junk and called it art.He has stuff in all the shops down here and says he's making a good living doing that.A small shop in your back yard. You cant beat that. Life is good.

[JFRRACING]

well, jeff i'll tell ya i'm a machinist/ mechanic and i just moved from the rochester/ dover area 6 years ago and the pay scale is pretty decent so i don't think you will have a problem find work that will suit your needs.. i have worked in quite a few garages in that area and also quite a few machines shops. i beleave you will be fine. i honestly couldn't tell you anything about vermont. i hope this helps you out and good luck...

[weldaar]

Thanx, we'll see how the search goes. Like I said, I have about 5 years to find what I need. Either way, we'll living up there somewhere.

We found the area of Swanzey on line. What can you tell me about that area? I know it's near Keene. Looks like a nice town, is it?