Exiting Michigan, Heading to Texas? (Dallas, Port Arthur: how much, home, construction)

[Bumbledor]

I have a few relatives down in texas, but I haven't seen or heard from any of them in over 10 years.. not even sure if they are alive still.

But since michigans economy is totaly screwed up, I am looking at having to leave the state to find work. My trade is as a journeyman Machinist, both Manual and CNC. Ive worked mostly in tool and die, but can do just about most machining, mills, drills, tapp, surface grinding, CNC work stations, some programming. Learning mastercam at this time.


Was thinking of the Dallas Fortworth areas, but not sure.. Anyone have any good advice, or ideas?

Thinking of heading down there about 1st august. I know the summers get hot, but well, thats the way it is. We just gotta use the AC more.

Thanks.

[destin04]

Jobs are plentiful in Texas...especially in the oil rich areas......

[teatime]

Do some research first. You wouldn't make nearly as much money down here because we don't have unions. Any job/profession that has strong union support in the north pays a lot less down here.

I'm not trying to discourage you but you do need to think carefully before spending a lot of money to relocate. I was a teacher before I had to retire due to health problems and I was always astonished by how much more teachers made elsewhere, mostly because of strong teacher unions. This is rather sad, but I have a guy coming to do lawn work at my home tomorrow who is a teacher and has a lawn business in the summer because he can't make it on teaching alone. Ditto on manufacturing jobs. That's a big reason why companies moved their operations south -- they didn't have to deal with unions or pay union wages.

Of course, higher wages don't mean much if you can't find work. So, you'll have to balance the cost of moving and cost of living between the two places with the lower wages here to see if it makes sense for you. Work IS plentiful in Texas.

[BobTex]

Lotsa work and good wages for crafts in the Port Arthur area. $10 billion in investments in refinery construction and expansion. Supporting industries will benefit too. Drilling is just crazy with the high per barrel costs and natural gas prices rising. The coast is much more industrial than Dallas-FW area.

Port Arthur itself sux but there are areas close enuff that you could commute from that are OK. Workers are in such demand that laborers are starting close to $20/hr. Equipt operators are around $25/hr.. I'd think a good machinist could substantially top these. Cost of living is much less here.


Good luck!

Bob