Lots of questions regarding a visit and a move (Williston: how much, house prices)

[lawlow]

Hi all,

Long story short...After 33 years, my dh's job is ending here in Oregon. He's 51, and he's worked at this same job since right after graduation. He builds Class 8 Diesel trucks, makes a great income, so this has been hard for us to wrap her head around. There are no jobs that will support a family of 6 now that he'll have to start all over at the bottom of the ladder somewhere else. (If there even was a somewhere here to go to)

He was born and raised in Grenora, still has relatives there now. We've heard about the jobs available. I was raised in Alaska, and we all love the cold and snow. Go winter! lol I think we are pretty much set on understanding how different ND is to Oregon, and we all look forward to the adventure.

His job ends next June, and we are planning on driving over to spend 2-3 weeks in the camper trailer getting a feel for the jobs, the people, the locations. We are hoping to use the money from his severance pay to buy some property/old house out right, and that will let him have an easier time getting job if we are debt free.

Right now he drives a 3 hour round trip to work every day. We live very rural (no neighbors) and we like that. We want as much property as we can, so rural areas are perfect for us.

Questions:
On our visit to check things out, where would you suggest we concentrate on? General areas are ok...Nw, Sw, Se, Ne, ect.

Does our plan sound stupid? lol..not really joking, we are looking at house prices and they are so much lower than here, it gives us hope.

I haven't checked into campgrounds, or places to stay in the camper. Does that look like it will be do-able?

Anything we should be prepared for during our visit, our house hunt, job hunt?

Thanks in advance :-)

[Cain]

I would say first thing is confirm how much you are able to spend on a home and have enough in reserves that you feel comfortable with if it takes a bit to find a job ( I would say he may not have any trouble getting one out here). For me that would be 6 months in reserve.

I would say next probably identify the type of work he can do, and then from there see what towns are around the locations where this work exists.

Afterwards, I would then get a feel from what people have to say what the climate is like in that area. Do you want something that is drier? (More west), or alittle more wet (East).

I would think if you want to be centrally located while you start your search, there is a camp ground east of bismarck. Its basically just a lot to part from what I can tell, but it looks well maintained and is close to bismarck. You get to it right off of the Minoken (I think thats it) exit. Its one of those M name exists coming from east 94.

From there, you can travel and check out areas, and still be close to a city for any of your needs.

Good luck.

[lawlow]

Thanks Cain =)

Definitely have a reserve. He'll also have a longer period of unemployment benefits because his job loss is because of NAFTA, but you are so right...struggling is not fun, and that is why we are starting 10 months early to plan as much of this as we can.

I'm going to be checking out the campgrounds online and see if that will be a problem for us. Around here there are campgrounds at least every 10-15 miles, and I have a feeling it is different in ND.

Thanks again, and if anyone else has any advice...I'm listening. =)

[seven of nine]

Hi there, consider posting on the Montana board for advice, the eastern side of Montana is much like the western side of No Dac
Best be aware of the weather, it is extreme!
BTW I moved here from Multnomah County
Do you realize how small Grenora is?

[lawlow]

Hi seven of nine =)

lol, yeah we do. Hubby still has family there (farmers), and his grandma moved out of Grenora about four years ago and went into assisted living in Williston. She moved at a time where 4 out of 5 homes were vacant, and it seemed like a ghost town. Hubby was talking to his Uncle and said the little store was moving into the bowling alley and most of the houses were filling up. But, yes, we know that the population is scarce...for lack of a better word. Call us crazy, but that appeals to us...even the kids. ;-)

We're not against moving to other areas in ND. It will depend on where he can get work. We hope to get a better feel of the area next summer.

Since hubby knows the weather there, I know he can handle it. He says since I grew up north of Fairbanks AK, I should do fine. I prefer the cold and snow. I haven't experienced the wind like you all get there, but I'm up for the challenge.

[seven of nine]

Ya, I was just thinking about the camper in -20 with the wind, things could really freeze up.
I do not blame you looking for some peace and quiet, we sure enjoy it.
Come over to the Montana board to the visit thread.
BTW we did look at Grenora before settling over here.
Did your hubs work for Freightliner? Man things are so bad in Oregon,

[lawlow]

No, lol, I don't think we'd be very comfy in -20 weather in the camper. The camper is just going to be for July on our travels to visit. We will definitely check out Montana on our way there...and thanks for the reminder, because I can go googling to check out jobs, housing there. I've not heard of jobs in Montana, but you never know. I'll also go over to the Montana board.

Yep, hubs works at Freightliner. One of the better jobs for Oregon, but they chose to build a big plant in Mexico, so are now closing. It really is bad here for anything in construction, manufacturing, autos. Houses have been on the market without anyone looking to buy, and all the minimum wage jobs are taken by the retirees trying to survive. I have a 19 yo daughter, who's a certified Vet. Asst. who can't even get a job making pizza. Three big teenage boys who would love to buck hay for the summer, and do grunt work, but all those positions are taken with older guys who need to feed a family. After awhile, you start to think it has got to be better in another state.

[seven of nine]

I knew a few folks who worked at FL the first time they did some layoffs a few years back, you are right it really was a premo job in its day.
What kind of work are you looking for?

[lawlow]

He'd like a job in manufacturing or on the oil rigs, but skill wise, he can weld, work on diesel engines and big rigs (not certified though, just has 33 years experience). He's not one to sit behind a desk, and he loves physical work outside.

I write for a living, so I can do that anywhere.

[Roloff1976]

lawlow, sounds like you guys will fit right back in to northwestern North Dakota. There are plenty of jobs available in that part of North Dakota...welders, rigs, mechanics, truck drivers. Hope you get settled in and enjoy North Dakota.