Options for a young lad moving to Williston... (Fargo: house, camping)

[hatefeast]

Long story short: there is nothing for me here in Ohio and I want to move out of my parents' house this summer. After doing some research, it seems reasonably wise to go to North Dakota this summer in search of a job to support myself. I wouldn't have much money left by the time I get out there, but I know there are plenty of people in the Williston area who took the gamble and I'm sure I'll be fine with sleeping in a tent for awhile.

Anyway, I'll be 21 in a few weeks and I admittedly have no marketable skills... is it realistic to expect to land a job within a few days if I just packed my crap and drove out there? What kinds of opportunities would be available to me? From what I hear, Williston is practically a city in the making right now... so maybe if I'm in the right place at the right time I can get a paid apprenticeship in something like HVAC tech or some other trade.

I appreciate everyone's honest advice.

[ursa22]

Originally Posted by hatefeast

Long story short: there is nothing for me here in Ohio and I want to move out of my parents' house this summer. After doing some research, it seems reasonably wise to go to North Dakota this summer in search of a job to support myself. I wouldn't have much money left by the time I get out there, but I know there are plenty of people in the Williston area who took the gamble and I'm sure I'll be fine with sleeping in a tent for awhile.

Anyway, I'll be 21 in a few weeks and I admittedly have no marketable skills... is it realistic to expect to land a job within a few days if I just packed my crap and drove out there? What kinds of opportunities would be available to me? From what I hear, Williston is practically a city in the making right now... so maybe if I'm in the right place at the right time I can get a paid apprenticeship in something like HVAC tech or some other trade.

I appreciate everyone's honest advice.

I'd stay in Ohio. Ohio's economy set to see oil boom thanks to fracking - Dec. 20, 2011

[scorpio125]

Well I'd start with NOT calling yourself "A young lad".

[fixall man]

what kind of work exp. do you have ?

[laina1980]

If you are determined on getting there on limited resources, I'd get close to there but not there. These areas I live, Central MN have A LOT of jobs and even more people from here who work over there in ND. Someone here always knows somewhere there who got a job from someone here, LOL. At my husband prior job here there are a lot of young "lads" working with goals in getting to ND. Also you can start in Fargo or another larger city there.

[lazarusman]

Originally Posted by hatefeast

Long story short: there is nothing for me here in Ohio and I want to move out of my parents' house this summer. After doing some research, it seems reasonably wise to go to North Dakota this summer in search of a job to support myself. I wouldn't have much money left by the time I get out there, but I know there are plenty of people in the Williston area who took the gamble and I'm sure I'll be fine with sleeping in a tent for awhile.

Anyway, I'll be 21 in a few weeks and I admittedly have no marketable skills... is it realistic to expect to land a job within a few days if I just packed my crap and drove out there? What kinds of opportunities would be available to me? From what I hear, Williston is practically a city in the making right now... so maybe if I'm in the right place at the right time I can get a paid apprenticeship in something like HVAC tech or some other trade.

I appreciate everyone's honest advice.

I assume you are not planning on moving to Williston BEFORE summer?

Let me give you some friendly advice. Don't wait until summer, but DO NOT come right now. Come up around the first of May. ND has a law that prevents 18 wheelers from running on the paved roads, loaded. I've been told that this law will expire, for the year, this week, or next...IT IS STILL JUST A RUMOR. You will hear a lot of rumors here. Us oilers...that's what we call ourselves... spend a lot of time standing around BSing. The most common phrase here is, "that's what I heard".

If that law isn't lifted this week, it could be as much as a month before it's lifted, and I haven't been able to find any concrete info on it. Tried calling the NDDOT, but was on hold for 20 mins before I gave up. Might try again tomorrow.

You can message me for more detailed info, if you like. Good luck.
lazarusman

Edited to add: By the way, DO NO COME TO WILLISTON NORTH DAKOTA WITHOUT ANY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must have a car/truck, so at least you have something to live in, (there is no free camping in, or around Williston, you will be run off by the police) money, so you have food and gas to survive on. Please heed my warnings. That goes for everyone.