Considering move to St. George (Washington, Delta: for sale, real estate market, foreclosure)

[jjones]

I'm really interested in anyone's story about finding a job in St. George, I can only find one thread about a person that knew of someone that was asked in the interview if they were LDS and they weren't and didn't get the job. I know everyone moving to St. George can't be retired.

Thanks.

[laketodesert]

We are not LDS and moving to St. George. I know lots of LDS folks and they are just fine. It is not my cup of tea, but it doesn't really matter. You don't have to be LDS to live there and with all of the influx, it is getting more balanced each year. I think that while you will find extreme LDS, just like with anything, you will find most of them to be middle of the road and just fine with non-LDS. They need workers in St. George everywhere, b/c of the population boom. I can't imagine you won't find work. (Might not pay what the housing prices say it should, but work non the less.) No one moves to St. G's without equity of some sort...AKA: cash.

[jjones]

Lake,

Are you moving there with or without a job, I have plenty of equity to get me through at least a year which should give me plenty of time, I worked with an LDS person in WA in a very difficult project management type position and he was great to work with, very helpful and the fact I wasn't LDS never came into our work relationship. I imagine the best approach is to try network into the community to navigate the job market.

My girlfriend and I went down there a couple years ago on a scouting trip in April and really loved it, I didn't see any major industry other than the massive home building going on. We are both just tired of the cold winters in the north and want to live somewhere there is 7 months of mild climate.

[carlessbiker]

60% of those moving to St. George are between the ages of 21-39. I have never heard of anyone being denied a job because they are not LDS, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I wouldn't worry about it. Try southernutahhelpwanted.com
What sort of job are you looking for?

[laketodesert]

We are moving there with equity to pull us through the first year or so as well. I'm going into real estate, which is what I did here for many years. We are also escaping cold winters. I'm glad to hear that there are more than just retirees moving into the city. We fall into that age group. I have a feeling St. George is getting ready to boom. I'm talkin' the whole chicken, baby. I think it is Vegas and Phoenix, just waiting to happen...waiting on that airport. It was the #5 fastest growing county per the US Census site in '05. We are totally excited. Word to the wise...if you are going to go, go NOW! I'd plan in the next 12 months, for sure. You want to get while the getting is good.

[danco]

laketodesert if it doesn't boom may I suggest selling used cars ?

[Steadykat]

Does anyone else notice all the empty "new homes" for sale in Washington County? It appears that the housing boom in St George is over, baby. I have friends that work as realtors here and they aren't selling anything. The housing bubble has popped all over the U.S., Las Vegas and Phoenix being two of the worst markets. Therefore, there won't be the influx of people with cash from prior home sales that we have had in the last couple of years fueling growth. This will also put an end to one of the best paying jobs in Washington County, construction. Commercial real estate isn't much better. The School Trust development, off Exit 13, was completed over a year ago and the entire area still sits empty.
You are not going to be happy job searching in St George. Unless you work in the local Government or the Hospital you are not going to be making more that around $10.00 (or less) an hour. Most of the jobs available here are either service oriented or low paying assembly-line work.

[jjones]

My background is cost/scheduling of major projects, so that is not going to easily transfer to anything there, but I also spend some time at Delta Air Lines and I know Skywest's General Office is there, and I've worked in a clinical setting running payroll and I know IDS is there.

My only concern now is with all the increase in home prices, I think its priced me out of the market.

[jjones]

Your post has just confirmed my suspicion that most jobs there aren't going to cut it..10.00/hr, I figure the best I could do is 15.00 and even that doesn't go far when housing is $150/sqft, I loved the town when I visited there last year but unless I win a jackpot in Vegas dont think I can afford it for now.

[vlender]

Interesting Post! I live in Saint George and I love it! I am 33. The posts in this thread are accurate in many ways! It is true the real estate market has come to a screeching halt. I do not know if it is just Winter Cooling but I have heard rumors that 400 plus homes are in the process of foreclosure. The market got a little out of hand with speculation and inflated home prices and creative mortgage financing. I would suspect a 10-15% adjustment in the home prices over the next 12 months if not much more.

you will be surprised how great the LDS community is here in regards to the growing community. The only thing you might worry about besides being able to afford to live here is how you will afford Christmas gifts for all the great friends you will gain by living here! It is as friendly a community as it is beautiful!

The red mountains and endless blue skies make it one of the greatest places to live in America.

You might find this interesting.
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635193978,00.html

I have also heard that many of the banks are not extending loan payments after the new year. Many builders and developers will struggle with this.