North West Washington - Refineries (Bellingham, Ferndale: apartment, renting, insurance)

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by Seacove

I don't think of Washington state and refineries.
...

Because of the few pipelines in the PNW and the availability of Alaskan crude, refineries in Washington state are very important. You don't get to drive cars and trucks and fly airplanes without fuel.

[Paddysgrl]

Originally Posted by mistyriver

I've bought and sold in Anacortes in the last year. A five bedroom house in your price range might be hard to find, particularly with land. And houses tend to be closer together since it's an island and space is at a premium.
I have a friend whose husband works at one of the refineries and he commutes from Bellingham so that's very doable.

I like Anacortes but to be honest, it's not my idea of a hometown kind of place. Too many retirees and tourists and (I hate to say this) not necessarily the friendliest town in the world though that could be the result of so many people there coming in from Seattle and I'm just not used to big city attitudes anymore after living in the Idaho woods for so long. You'd never know I'd lived in downtown Boston before.

We're not snobby people - probably wouldn't mesh well in Anacortes then.
Kids definitely come first. Safe area with good schools is a must.

We certainly don't require a 5bd home.
Our boys choose to share a bedroom so we have unused space-plenty of unused space!

Our oldest is 19 and won't require a room of her own for more than a couple years.
In reality she might choose to live in CA with family over WA... *shrugs*


Thanks

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by cdelena

Because of the few pipelines in the PNW and the availability of Alaskan crude, refineries in Washington state are very important. You don't get to drive cars and trucks and fly airplanes without fuel.

Where did I say they were unimportant? They are limited, therefore fewer choices as opposed to Texas where there are may choices. The OP replied they don't care, they hate living in Texas so at least they know going in.

[Paddysgrl]

Originally Posted by Seacove

Where did I say they were unimportant? They are limited, therefore fewer choices as opposed to Texas where there are may choices. The OP replied they don't care, they hate living in Texas so at least they know going in.

Correct, which is why I'm researching and asking boatloads of questions

My husband started his career in CA which doesn't come close to the energy hub here in Houston.
Moving to WA is a risk, but one we are willing to take. WA has everything our family wants - bar the limitless employers

[xPlorer48]

He would be better off applying for a job with an outside contractor before a shutdown/turnaround. There is a two year program at our local tech school to learn refinery technology so those who complete the course usually get hired. These are good paying jobs in areas without good paying jobs so competition is fierce. Your husband must have a skill such as pipe fitter, machinist, welder, pipe insulator, etc., unless he is looking for administrative work or as an operator. Working in a refinery is dirty dangerous work. Seven workers were killed a few years back due to an explosion.

[Paddysgrl]

Originally Posted by clikrf8

He would be better off applying for a job with an outside contractor before a shutdown/turnaround. There is a two year program at our local tech school to learn refinery technology so those who complete the course usually get hired. These are good paying jobs in areas without good paying jobs so competition is fierce. Your husband must have a skill such as pipe fitter, machinist, welder, pipe insulator, etc., unless he is looking for administrative work or as an operator. Working in a refinery is dirty dangerous work. Seven workers were killed a few years back due to an explosion.

My husband is a veteran plant worker.
Operator/safety tech/industrial fire fighting/EMT etc.

Yes it's a dangerous job - which is why they earn what they do.

[xPlorer48]

Sounds like he is experienced and has critical skills. Safest are Shell and Conoco (the one furthest north at Cherry Point). I get them confused as they changed hands since we worked there. Tesoro was where the seven died; they aren't known for their safety record.

[Paddysgrl]

Originally Posted by clikrf8

Sounds like he is experienced and has critical skills. Safest are Shell and Conoco (the one furthest north at Cherry Point). I get them confused as they changed hands since we worked there. Tesoro was where the seven died; they aren't known for their safety record.

Do you work in the plants?

[xPlorer48]

We both used to. Hubby "retired" out of Tesoro working as a contractor in 2008. I quit in the mid 1980s to start family. They pay very well ($33/hour in 2008) but can be unsafe and unhealthy. It is the nature of the refining process: heat and pressure of volatile product. Four refineries so close in proximity gives your husband a choice.

[Paddysgrl]

Originally Posted by clikrf8

We both used to. Hubby "retired" out of Tesoro working as a contractor in 2008. I quit in the mid 1980s to start family. They pay very well ($33/hour in 2008) but can be unsafe and unhealthy. It is the nature of the refining process: heat and pressure of volatile product. Four refineries so close in proximity gives your husband a choice.

My husbands base is almost $100k, so taking a hit pay wise needs to be worthwhile in every other aspect.
I didn't check to see if they are Union.
We have family and friends who work for or retired from Shell, Tesoro and Phillips. Positive experiences which makes my husband feel better.
He's worked with some of the worlds most toxic and deadly chemicals. He's a safety nut

Thanks for your remarks!