ND must have the best economy in the U.S (Fargo: unemployment benefits, income)

[NomadicBear]

Originally Posted by carp killer

If you go to small towns be prepared for xenophobia and being considered an "outsider" for at least thirty years. I've also noticed in the smaller towns with the good government jobs there is a bit of nepotism going on. So just because you are the most outstanding candidate for a job and are way higher in qualifications, blood matters most. That's just the way it is in the smaller towns.

Isn't that the truth. Same thing applies here in WA state. When you get into the small, rural areas, it's all about who you know, not what you know. If you don't know anybody, you might as well just move because chances are you're not going to find meaningful work- especially in this economy. It is a near impossibility to secure ANY job, let alone a well paying government gig.

I've noticed the low unemployment rate in North Dakota, and certainly wouldn't mind living there if there's work to be had. I'm unemployed right now (no unemployment check), and I desperately need to find something. It's getting to the point where I'm going to be living in my travel trailer on the side of the road. This economy is BAD.

[nb1968]

Perhaps it is easier to balance the budget when taxes have always been out of control.
Doesnt North Dakota have a 14% STATE income tax ??
Compare that to your neighbor South Dakota with ZERO STATE income tax.
so
with such glad-handing on the part of your politicians, is there a chance they might REDUCE the state income tax??
I have also heard complaints about the hi property taxes. In combination with the income tax, your leaders should be ashamed. (and offer you some relief)

[nemmert]

Originally Posted by NomadicBear

Isn't that the truth. Same thing applies here in WA state. When you get into the small, rural areas, it's all about who you know, not what you know. If you don't know anybody, you might as well just move because chances are you're not going to find meaningful work- especially in this economy. It is a near impossibility to secure ANY job, let alone a well paying government gig.

I've noticed the low unemployment rate in North Dakota, and certainly wouldn't mind living there if there's work to be had. I'm unemployed right now (no unemployment check), and I desperately need to find something. It's getting to the point where I'm going to be living in my travel trailer on the side of the road. This economy is BAD.

ND likes to brag about their unemployment rate but notice you'll never read about what kind of jobs you can get, there's a reason for that... there's a reason college educated kids are fleeing the state in mass. ND revolves around agriculture and now to some extent natural resources... neither of which employ a higher percentage of well educated people. Beyond that you have the Government sector and beyond that the service sector. You may be able to work in North Dakota but you can kiss a career goodbye, it will be a job and that's it. If you have more then an associates degree you're over qualified for 75% of the jobs, if you have a Masters degree you're over qualified for 99% of the jobs. ND is alright, but don't let the unemployment figures trick you into believing you can actually get a good job in ND.

[Cain]

I would also put this out there, while I agree with you that there are not enough jobs for highly educated people, but at least there are jobs. I would rather have that problem than the alternative.

[nemmert]

Originally Posted by Cain

I would also put this out there, while I agree with you that there are not enough jobs for highly educated people, but at least there are jobs. I would rather have that problem than the alternative.

The thing is, I'm not sure there is the alternative... you see high unemployment numbers on the East Coast because people are better off collecting 55% of their $100k salaries through unemployment checks than they would be making $8.50 an hour working at Target. There are plenty of service jobs available all over the East coast but professionals aren't willing to work them for a number of reasons. One obviously is pride, the second is that small income doesn't even make a dent in their monthly bills (my $1,800 a month in college loans divided by $8.50 an hour... is a 50 hour per week job if I don't pay taxes), and last, it simply takes away time from what they should be doing, looking for a real job. If you're willing to take a job at McDonalds you can in ND and you can in NJ.

[Cain]

The problem isn't the job really, its the conversion of what you are getting paid out east to ND style pay. If I was currently to become unemployed, I could make almost as much working the rigs from what my relatives who are do.

In the end, expenses have to be balanced with pay, and considered as any part of a rainy day fun.

but I still consider it better that people are working versus living off the dole.

[Dobelover]

Damn straight!!

[NomadicBear]

Originally Posted by nemmert

...you see high unemployment numbers on the East Coast because people are better off collecting 55% of their $100k salaries through unemployment checks than they would be making $8.50 an hour working at Target. There are plenty of service jobs available all over the East coast but professionals aren't willing to work them for a number of reasons. One obviously is pride, the second is that small income doesn't even make a dent in their monthly bills.

Right. And because the cost of living on the East Coast is exorbitant, it's virtually impossible to live off those low wages, which is not the case in North Dakota. That's why the quality of living is much higher in ND if one doesn't mind sacrificing the "big city" luxuries- something I could care less about. In this economy, the mid to high end white collar jobs are disappearing, and the middle class is slowly eroding into lower class. The places with low cost of living are becoming increasingly attractive- if they have jobs. And I do mean ANY job.

[PhilJohnson]

I am going to go out on a limb here but my guess is the reason why ND unemployment rate is so low is because if there is no work to be had one leaves the area quickly to another state. North Dakota doesn't strike me as the kind of place where you can sit on your duff and collect assistance. Where I live the unemployment rate has steadily been going down since it hit a high of 11 percent last fall. There aren't any more jobs but there sure are a lot of people moving.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by PhilJohnson

I am going to go out on a limb here but my guess is the reason why ND unemployment rate is so low is because if there is no work to be had one leaves the area quickly to another state. North Dakota doesn't strike me as the kind of place where you can sit on your duff and collect assistance. Where I live the unemployment rate has steadily been going down since it hit a high of 11 percent last fall. There aren't any more jobs but there sure are a lot of people moving.

Or running out of unemployment benefits. That's where they get the numbers.