Family of four, Priced out in California (construction, contractors)

[Eli34]

Thank you SWCM,

Right now is 101 F here in Concord, so don't think I will miss that! I'm actually originally from Canada, so I know cold weather, I too miss the seasons and know what kind of weather I'm getting myself into, which is not bad for most of the year. Makes you appreciate the warm weather. My wife lived up north with me too, so she knows what she's getting into. And kids have too much fun to even notice it's cold outside, lol. Really my biggest draw right now is the affordable housing, schools and employment. In here, employment is good, but housing and schools suck! In here, you have whole cities of rich people (Lafayette, Alama, Danville) and cities of low income people (Pittsburgh, Antioch, Richmond, etc). And the cities in the middle like Concord, Brentwoood and Pleasent Hill are just not affordable. So I really have no choice at the moment unless we want to continue living with the in-laws, but it's just not feasible.

[JanND]

Originally Posted by Eli34

In the Bay Area and housing is impossible here and wages don't reflect cost of living for the working class. Been researching affordable cities with good work prospects and good schools and Minneapolis popped up on radar. Oddly enough, wages are almost the same in Minneapolis as here in the Bay Area for my skill set (construction). And housing is actually within reach in Minneapolis.

Anyways, I'm trying to figure out if this move is something I need to do for my family, because my wife has her family here and we would be leaving them behind and moving to a city where we don't know anybody. But if it means good schools, a house with a yard and and better standard of living, I think it's worth it.

You think I would be making the right move? (Leaving family behind that is, for possible better life)

Consider the winters here, outside construction is limited several months a year up in the frozen North.
Have you checked more affordable Calif. locations, outside the Bay area? I certainly think you should before moving so far away which involves such a drastic climate change.

[Eli34]

Thx for reply Jan,

I did kinda worry about things slowing down in the winter, especially after Christmas, but there is companies hiring in Minneapolis saying they keep their guys busy year round. Oddly enough, here in sunny California, construction slows down for us around after Christmas time anyways because people are waiting for their tax returns to start new projects. Kinda sucks when your paid hourly but not guaranteed full hours, especially when you live in an expensive locale.

I looked at areas outside of Bay Area in California and either it's affordable, but not enough work, or it's expensive but lots of work. Same applies to Sacramento, housing in a decent area with decent schools is still out of my budget.

California is just not a blue-collar friendly state in my mind, and the stats prove it... Mapping Where American Workers Spend the Most on Housing - CityLab

[uptown_urbanist]

I know a few people who work in construction and they do well. While obviously there are no guarantees, the market is certainly booming right now.

We're not the cheapest metro area in the nation (there are plenty of places cheaper), but the economy and the wages here are also pretty good.

[mr roboto]

Yeah good tradespeople and contractors are turning down work because there's a lot of it (obviously depending on trade, quality etc).

[BPtransplant]

Originally Posted by mkdude_08

I moved to Minneapolis from San Francisco. Twin Cities traffic is nowhere near the same level as northern or southern california.

Exactly. Even on the worst day here, its better than the best traffic day in SoCal. That was my first thought when I read his post, too.

[Eli34]

Originally Posted by mr roboto

Yeah good tradespeople and contractors are turning down work because there's a lot of it (obviously depending on trade, quality etc).

That's good to know, any idea what they are paying Journeymen trades people?

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Eli34

That's good to know, any idea what they are paying Journeymen trades people?

Friend of mine started with a smaller pipe laying company late last summer as a laborer (he had worked a little in that field many years ago, so he was familiar with it) and he's at $35 hr and currently is working 65 hr weeks.

[JamieKaiser]

You will definitely be able to afford more home here in MN. Concord estimated avg home value is over $500K which would be considered luxury here in the TC metro where the median sales price is around $240K.

[Red Chili]

I don't know...I think Ca>Mn might be too extreme, considering you do not have any family here (usually a draw to come or stay in MN). Seasonal affective disorder is no joke, trust me. But I wish you the best of luck.