Moving to erie (Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Meadville: apartment, for rent, insurance)

[travis613]

I am relocating to Erie, pa in a few months. I have been a maintenance mechanic at a local factory for the past 8 years, and my wife has experience in the assembly of electronic parts as well as other areas. I am still searching for a job and housing, but here's my question: what are the chances of us finding a job doing what we do now? Doesn't have to pay a lot, but get us by. Also, i have read a lot of bad things about the erie area job market, and i realize that jobs leaving the area happens everywhere. we can afford to take a pay cut, so what would be the average starting wage? We don't mind driving a little ways. I love the erie area, and think we would be very happy there, but to be honest, some of your posts scare me about employment. there seem to be a lot of jobs, but as mentioned, a lot of minimum wage jobs (getting that way everywhere). Thanks in advance. Any help is appreciated.

[Rtom45]

You'll have a really tough time finding work if you don't already have a job lined up before you get here. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of real population centers near Erie, so you're into Buffalo, Cleveland or Pittsburgh before you have an opportunity at finding work. I had a job when we came here 14 years ago, but my wife didn't. We didn't think it would be a problem because she has a degree and jobs were always easy for her. It didn't work out that way, she's had steady work, bur never at a job she felt was worthwhile. There has to be a real good reason for you to be here to risk moving and only finding work in fastfood.

[travis613]

thanks for the info. what would you say the closest city to Erie is with a better employment opportunity? What about the GE plant in Erie? they hire a lot of people?

[Rtom45]

you can try Cambridge Springs, or Meadville - there's a Chanel Lock plant there. Try to contact the Manufacturer's Association in Erie, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Most of the local jobs go to people who have been layed off or outsourced from other businesses in the area.

[NWPAguy]

Why do you want to come to Erie, of all places? If you have manufacturing and assembly experience, you MIGHT find a job here... but it's more likely that you won't. Such jobs are available in all areas of the country, including places with better economic outlook and MUCH better weather... so, before I go on about jobs and where to find them, I guess I'd like to know why you want to move to Erie, and where you live now....?

By the way, to respond to Rtom45's post... Cambridge Springs and Meadville are nowhere near as big as Erie. Meadville is a small city... Cambridge Springs is a little podunk town. Now, bear in mind, lots of people love living in little podunk towns. However, if you want a CITY and not a glorified town which calls itself a city, you'll have to look into Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, etc. Frankly, I don't see the point. Not one of those cities has an especially healthy economy (except for maybe Pittsburgh, depending upon who you ask)... and do you like winter?

[travis613]

well, i love the area. always enjoyed going up there. i live about an hour south of pittsburgh, and i'm not interested in the BIG city life. i love being outdoors and doing things outdoors. and i love winter. just wondering about jobs in the area, or anywhere nearby.

[NWPAguy]

Originally Posted by travis613

well, i love the area. always enjoyed going up there. i live about an hour south of pittsburgh, and i'm not interested in the BIG city life. i love being outdoors and doing things outdoors. and i love winter. just wondering about jobs in the area, or anywhere nearby.

It's for some people, definitely not for all. Heaven knows, about 270,000 people live in Erie County... and they must have some reason for staying. I would say that it's not like jobs aren't available... but you're not likely to find a really well-paying job. It's definitely an employer's market. If you find a job, hopefully it'll be a steady job. Companies tend to come and go up here... except for GE, which claims that it's been in Erie for 120 years.

As for jobs "anywhere nearby", I live near a town named Corry, which has been losing jobs left and right lately. Pretty much anyone from Corry who wants a decent job (compared to the jobs available in Corry) has to go to Erie... which is a 45-minute commute without traffic. I heard not long ago that one of the companies in Corry advertised three job openings and wound up with around 1,000 applicants for those jobs. These people formed a line that went out the door, all around the building, and up the street. (At least that's what I heard. I didn't witness this myself.)

When are you planning to move?

[travis613]

we are planning to be up in the area on SEP. 1

[GIwil]

I am looking into Erie myself. There is not much I can tell you because I have not lived in Erie. I guess from the outside its pretty to look at. People keep scaring people out of Erie by telling them there is no jobs in Erie. If I was you I would look it up online under the Department of Unemployment web page. see for your self how much jobs are available for you and your wife. get information on the GE plant. see if they are hiring. there is plenty of homes for rent. The rent can go up to 400. come in get that job and rent an apartment if your scared of making the move first. I just got in from NY myself and I bought a home for 22,000 and I am going to rent it when I head back from vacation for 400 a month. thats what the going rate is out here. I paid it cash so I have no over head as far as mortgage. so the rent will cover the taxes which is less then 1200 a year. to heat the house is less the 1k a year insurance is less the 1k as well so your looking at 3200. from a possible 4800 a year. Crime if you come from a big city is practically a non issue. if Jobs pay at a minimum wage so be it. rent like i said is no more then 400 a month. At 5.25 an hour x 40 hours is 210 a week x 4 weeks its 840 a month. if your rent is 400 a month you have another 440 for expenses. Now when was minimum wage 5.25? so you see if you have to work in Macdonald's for 6 an hour. so be it till you get a better job. Whats important is that you and your wife are in an area that is going to make you happy. As far as whats different for me is the day light around this time in July there is still daylight at 9pm now thats something. I also heard that there is not much daylight during Nov to Jan. Erie,Pa is a very family oriented county. They try to keep certain things out like thong bikinis on the beach and strip clubs. They but cameras on block where they believe there might be a drug problem at. although you only see very few cops in the area there is not that hustle you see in other big city to need that many cops on the streets. Things here in Erie seem to be improving though so this is the best time to get in while its still cheap to buy. I don't know if you have money saved. but like the saying goes in NY if you can make it there you can make it anywhere and of course have you seen what the rent is going for there. Good Luck

[travis613]

thanks for the advice, that's pretty much what i had in mind to do. i will have some cash to fall back on. i figure it like this, if i don't just do it for myself, then i'll never know. gotta start somewhere, and nows the best time to do it while we're both young. i'm just looking on some info on different parts of the area and work.