Moving to Burlington in the Spring 09 (Iowa City, Muscatine: insurance, house, employment)

[gypsy77]

My family and I are moving back to Burlington, IA (my husbands hometown) this coming Spring. We have everything lined up accept jobs! The most important part. I've heard all the horror stories about there being no work there these days so I'm a little worried. We do have some money saved up so we will probably be ok for a few months. I have accounting experience, which is usually good since almost every company has some sort of accounting department. But still, there are barely any job postings in the newspaper. I looked online to find some employment agencies, but when I enter Burlington, of course it says, no listings!
We also have a daughter who will need medical insurance so I'll need to know how to get her private insurance until my husband or I have medical through our employers. Moving is never easy, we've done it many times. Hopefully this will be the last. We have lived in Burlington before so I know what we're in for. (A slowing economy, a shrinking population, harsh winters, etc.) We do have a lot of family there which is always helpful. We are currently living in California but ready to leave. We are both very exicted to moving back, but finding jobs and making sure our daughter has medical insurance are our two priorities. I know our daughter is going to love growing up in Iowa. That's why we are choosing to move back. Any advice or opinions you may have regarding a move to Burlington will be much appreciated!

[Northern Traveler]

So is it too late to recommend another area of Iowa?

There are so many areas of Iowa better off economically and socially than Southeast Iowa.

[gypsy77]

Yes I knew I would get responses like this!! Trust me, I know this already. The reason we are choosing Burlington instead of somewhere better nearby is because we want to be in the same town as our family (well, my husband's family.) Being in a different town defeats the purpose of moving back. I want to be close enough where my daughters grandma can pick her up from school, or we can go to our aunt's house for Sunday morning coffee. You get the picture. Yes I know Burlington is one of Iowa's armpits, but that's where we have to go. It's not all that bad. Yes it's depressed. But it's a beautiful town with nice people. Someone needs to swoop in there and spruce up the place. It has tons of potential. But this is precisely why we are so worried about getting jobs! We have ALWAYS been able to find jobs quickly in any town and in any state. But I know Burlington is going to be a different. I am keeping my fingers crossed that things work out. Someone made a joke and said there isn't a job opening in Burlington unless someone dies. They were referring to trying to get a job at Great River Medical Center because most of the ladies who work there seem to be very, very old and been there forever. Ha ha...not funny I know, but still.

[DMRyan]

Burlington is a beautiful town even if it's in economic doldrums. Any way you can commute to up in Muscatine or any other relatively nearby town if a job opens up?

[gypsy77]

Yes, I might be able to commute, I'm from CA so commuting does not scare me, it's more a normal way of life around here. But...I have a daughter that it toddler age so I would rather work somewhere close by where she will be. But to answer your question, yes I would consider that if a job opened up that paid enough to justify the commute. I was thinking of applying at the hospital and banks in the area. I'm a bit overqualified to be a bank teller but I will take what I can get. I know I will have to "do my time" and probably have to start at the bottom somewhere. Unless I luck out and land something right away. I am keeping my fingers crossed. My husband is in new construction, a pipe fitter. I know there's not a lot of new construction going on in Burlington either. But he used to work for the city so maybe he will be able to get back on, who knows. I know everything will work out. Just a bit worried, we don't want to be one of those new people who move to an area like that, and 6 months later, still don't have job yet! I've read threads like that on other small Midwest forums.

[mfrerkes]

Originally Posted by DMRyan

Burlington is a beautiful town even if it's in economic doldrums. Any way you can commute to up in Muscatine or any other relatively nearby town if a job opens up?

Given what has happened with GPC, Hon, and Mars Petcare over the last few months, I doubt Muscatine will have anything more to offer in the way of jobs versus Burlington. That employment market is saturated with people looking for a paycheck right now.

[mfrerkes]

Originally Posted by gypsy77

Yes I knew I would get responses like this!! Trust me, I know this already. The reason we are choosing Burlington instead of somewhere better nearby is because we want to be in the same town as our family (well, my husband's family.) Being in a different town defeats the purpose of moving back.

Sadly, that explanation still won't prevent others with pre-conceived ideas about your decision from tearing down the city of your choosing. Apparently, you can only have a decent quality of life if you have a couple of 400-foot buildings and enough minor-league sports teams in close proximity.

[gypsy77]

Originally Posted by gypsy77
Yes I knew I would get responses like this!! Trust me, I know this already. The reason we are choosing Burlington instead of somewhere better nearby is because we want to be in the same town as our family (well, my husband's family.) Being in a different town defeats the purpose of moving back.

Sadly, that explanation still won't prevent others with pre-conceived ideas about your decision from tearing down the city of your choosing. Apparently, you can only have a decent quality of life if you have a couple of 400-foot buildings and enough minor-league sports teams in close proximity.

Yes, I agree. Some people think Burlington is such a dead town and they keep asking "Why on earth are you moving there?" We're not going there to make millions, or to go out on the town every night. We are going there so we can raise our children in a small town environment, and so they can grow up surrounded by family who loves them. Living near high rise buildings, nightlife, and all that doesn't impress me. I've lived my entire life in CA and I'm sick of that already. I know there will be some things I will miss, but there are actually MORE things I think I WON'T miss. I'm a country girl at heart, always have been. The ONLY thing about Burlington that is a worry is being able to find a decent job. Other than that, I think everything else will be fine. If I want to go to fancy restaurants, museums or out on the town, it will be no problem going up to Iowa City for the weekend.

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by mfrerkes

Sadly, that explanation still won't prevent others with pre-conceived ideas about your decision from tearing down the city of your choosing. Apparently, you can only have a decent quality of life if you have a couple of 400-foot buildings and enough minor-league sports teams in close proximity.

It wasn't a pre-conceived idea I lived there for 15 years.

[maousn75]

I recommend going to iowajobs.org, if you haven't already. And also reading the "The Hawkeye" online. In smaller towns like these, sometimes it's better to go in person and just give your resume to people. In the accounting field I see plenty of jobs. And there are jobs out there, people just need to look. I am originally from Southeast Iowa, and recently moved to Burlington myself. And it's not as some people would have you think. I haven't married my cousin(it just didn't work out ), I'm not an idiot, and yes, I have all my teeth.
I think you guys will do great, and I wish you the best of luck!