I want to live in South Dakota. (transfer, price)

[AJTucson]

Wow - that is a great site - thank your for the info regarding employment. I have to update my resume as well as get this house in complete order to sell. Wouldn't that be nice to know of a couple of jobs before we move? I think, having this new info will help me a lot when we visit.

[Jammie]

OH cool!!! It sounds like you're strongly considering coming up and checking things out. Remember to order your free vacation guide.

Free South Dakota Vacation Guide - South Dakota Tourism

They do have quite a few ads in there, but there is also a lot of good info that you can go through.

[Jammie]

Unemployment Rates, by Metro Area - Real Time Economics - WSJ

Just found this while reading in another area. If you scroll way down the page, it lists the unemployment rate of both Rapid and Sx. Falls. Gosh, I absolutely can't believe how high some of the unemployment rates are out there.

[AJTucson]

Thanks again for the info the vacation guide looks great. I found the unemployment rates interesting as well. I honestly think Tucson is higher, but appreciate that these are April's numbers. I have seen - without sounding too negative here - so many changes (sadly not good ones) as people really get more and more desperate. It is absolutely frightening and the shedding of jobs just rolls on. I can't even imagine what Michigan is like. I worked with a nurse who moved here (was a seasonal nurse) and she had a home that had yet to sell in MI - and that was 2-1/2 years ago and to my knowledge is still for sale. Good to know that in relation to the rest of the country, SD is somewhat stable (though I am sure the residents are just so surprised by the numbers for their cities).

[eric#1]

This link is for the VA hospital outside of Sturgis SD.
I have heard both good and bad things from people that work there.
One of the pluses from what I understand is that the pay and benefits are good.
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?id=59

[AJTucson]

Thanks for the VA site for Sturgis. That does not seem to be too far from Rapid City - good to hear about the pay and benefits as well. Thanks.

[Jammie]

Ok, our local paper just had the May unemployment info in an article today. It is now up to 5% and that's up from 4.8%. It said that it hasn't been this bad since Dec., 1985 and that the record high was 5.9% in Oct., 1982. I remember that well. You HAD to stick with your job cause you couldn't have even bought a fulltime job in my area anyway.

What the article didn't mention is that several places had cut their employees down to 32 hrs. per week for a while. At least they still had their health ins. and other benies and most of their income. Another local company has been sending their employees home a week here and there. I have no idea if it's like that in RC or Sx. Falls, but it's been happening here.

CNN said today that we are no longer dropping off like we were before so maybe we're near the bottom????

[DannyBanany]

Yeah finding a job is getting harder and harder. Some friends that are back from school for the summer can't find anything. Usually where I work does a lot of hiring, but lately we haven't even been taking applications. I hope it's the bottom too, Jammie.

[AJTucson]

Jammie - thanks so much for the welcome. I am new to these forums and just saw the "reputation" welcome message from the 17th. You know, spent a little time on a Tucson forum giving a bit of advice to a person who felt "stuck" here - like suggesting that he/she rent the place versus selling in this market. I could relate to the "feeling stuck" and finally waking up from the denial. Just left a brief message. A nice gentleman replied, said he moved, gave a lot of good advice on how their family scoped out where they now lived and even apologized for comments made about Tucson. You should have seen the replies. Oh my goodness. It is so sad because these people don't really realize that they are showing whomever wants to read their words why the thread is called what it is called. I held my tongue (or should I say typing fingers).

Bottom line. I know the unemployment rate is not good. SD is much better than most, but I can see that it is not going to be easy. I am hoping that I haven't heard from any nurses yet because they are all working hard Anyway, I wanted to compliment everyone who has replied to me on this thread for their friendly and helpful attitudes. I'll gladly work where ever I can for whatever hours/shifts I am assigned. We began looking at SD because of the seasons, the beautiful scenery (we love hiking) and really all it has to offer (love, love, love the openness). We know this thread is a representation of those in SD, but I tell you - it sure is a huge selling point.

[Jammie]

OMG AJ, I think I know what thread you are talking about. It was at the top one night and after seeing the title, I HAD to read part of it.

Yea, you're going to find a few jerks here, too. But the way the people post on the forum (In our state anyway) is quite accurate as to how the people in general really are here. Just ignore the jerks you'll encounter cause they're a minority around here, but they do exist.

Danny, I'm sorry that your friends haven't found jobs. I DO know that some places where teens/young adults used to work are now filled by student workers who are here on Visas and are citizens of different countries. It's a wonderful concept when all is well, but it irritates me that it continues when some of our own people could use the jobs. But we won't go there cause it's Friday and the sun is shining so all is well.