Trade Unions and Job Market in Boston (Cambridge: real estate, how much)

[mcarnett]

Hi,

My husband, my son, and I are thinking of relocating soon and Boston/Cambridge area is at the top of the list. The only thing we are concerned about is the high cost of living vs. what pay is like and the health of the construction market right now.

My husband is a union ironworker and we live in Houston, TX, where the cost of living is relatively low. However, the unions are not strong down here, so pay is much lower than that of New York and the union is relatively easy to join and get work through. My husband is worried that despite being a union member of the Houston local and having his journeyman's card, he will not be able to get work through the Boston local. We are also unsure of how much work there is to be had through the union and if you can even work if you are non-union, much less at a living wage.

The second concern is how much the pay is. In Houston, I stay home with our son, so my husband is the sole breadwinner and we are comfortable, partly because we are pretty frugal and are happy to not have the biggest house/flashiest cars/etc. I have no idea what construction is paid like in Boston, so would we be able to get by on one salary? My husband is a journeyman ironworker and currently in a low-level supervisory position (leadman of a crew).

If anyone could help with any info that would be great!! Thanks in advance.

[495neighbor]

By observation and what I read in the business newspapers, commercial real estate and construction projects are blossoming all over Eastern Massachusetts from major bridge and road repairs, new office towers, affordable housing, to over 55 townhouse communities. Cost of living is very high here. I would not come to this area without a job in hand, especially with dependent children.