Moving to the South?

[Rack Daniels]

Honest question, not trolling at all. Have you found it easier to make money in the trades in the valley since 2020?

I have, and based on what I’m paying the few subs I use they have too. My observation is what I pay for labor has outpaced rent increases, as significant as they have been.

I’m very aware of how far behind the curve people who didn’t get into real estate previously are around here (and don’t like it even if it somewhat favors me), but I personally see plenty of opportunity in the trades, specifically for people willing to be a bit creative and entrepreneurial.

Higher cost of living areas have lots of challenges, but lots of opportunity for people who can figure out how to do business there.

If you decide to make a move, I get that, and wish you the best. It’d be very hard for me to leave the mountain west, but that’s admittedly quite personal.

Obviously I don’t want to leave. I worked for a company for 10 years until he got found dead and then what…. Starting over constantly. Can’t get above water and wages have actually gone DOWN even in just the last year. I know because I’ve been transitioning new jobs then and now. Journeyman positions went from 50+ to 35/hr most places and it’s all Spanish speakers now; happy to work for half my wage. I’d love to move to Townsend or Clyde park or somewhere else but I ain’t saving shit for a future compared to what I would where the cost of living is better and skilled tradesman aren’t crawling under every granola bar and coffee cup.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Sorry if that’s a bit of an outburst but I DONT want to go I’d rather find something else.. just seems like throwing money into a pit…

 

[Nick87]

Can’t get above water and wages have actually gone DOWN even in just the last year. I

WHAT!! you're working for the wrong person. Seriously.

 

[SAJ-99]

Journeyman positions went from 50+ to 35/hr most places and it’s all Spanish speakers now; happy to work for half my wage.

Where do they find cheap rent?

 

[Carl]

Where do they find cheap rent?

By living 20 people to a unit.

 

[SAJ-99]

By living 20 people to a unit.

Sacrifices need to be made to keep the Gallatine county elite well supplied with labor. I didn't think Montana outlawed unions yet? Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

Oklahoma? The south? Wut?

 

[Nick87]

Sacrifices need to be made to keep the Gallatine county elite well supplied with labor. I didn't think Montana outlawed unions yet? Maybe I'm wrong.

In all fairness that's what happens here and they're in the union.

 

[Carl]

Obviously I don’t want to leave. I worked for a company for 10 years until he got found dead and then what…. Starting over constantly. Can’t get above water and wages have actually gone DOWN even in just the last year. I know because I’ve been transitioning new jobs then and now. Journeyman positions went from 50+ to 35/hr most places and it’s all Spanish speakers now; happy to work for half my wage. I’d love to move to Townsend or Clyde park or somewhere else but I ain’t saving shit for a future compared to what I would where the cost of living is better and skilled tradesman aren’t crawling under every granola bar and coffee cup.

I was wondering if the influx would push down wages in some trades, apparently the answer is yes (not terribly surprising).

I still think there’s lots of opportunity for people who take trades direct to consumer, but that takes additional skills, network, etc.

If it makes you feel any better, the most I ever made as a mechanical engineer in Bozeman (with nearly 10 years experience in aerospace) was $25/hr. That drove my career shift to construction.

Best of luck again, weather you stay or go.

 

[Carl]

Sacrifices need to be made to keep the Gallatine county elite well supplied with labor. I didn't think Montana outlawed unions yet? Maybe I'm wrong.

My wife just wishes a few more of them would stock the shelves at Winco.

 

[SAJ-99]

In all fairness that's what happens here and they're in the union.

Yeah. It’s complex for sure. For every guy making $50/hr, there is a client think he is way overpaying for that guy. I’m not sure who is correct. Capitalism works, but it is messy. Some people will learn Spanish and become a GC. Lol.

 

[mtmuley]

By living 20 people to a unit.

Yep. And the people allowing that are making the problem worse. I saw the same thing when I left Montana in 1988. Same thing only a long time ago. In Nevada. Been home for a long time. Too bad Montana couldn't attract the people that are from here. mtmuley

 

[Wild Bill]

Too bad Montana couldn't attract the people that are from here.

Amen.
I’m not a giant fan of our Gov. in SD, but one thing she’s done really good work on is keeping SD kids in SD. Lots of new scholarship and grant opportunities.
SD has, last I heard, the lowest or darn near unemployment rate. We need all the workers we can get, but I think it’s important to keep our kids in SD.

 

[cgasner1]

You should go but make sure to talk a few people into leaving also. Then have them also talk a few people into leaving and so on.

 

[Hem]

Not enough local ( state) white kids that want, or are willing, to work hard at jobs like roofing and hanging drywall.

 

[Carl]

Yep. And the people allowing that are making the problem worse. I saw the same thing when I left Montana in 1988. Same thing only a long time ago. In Nevada. Been home for a long time. Too bad Montana couldn't attract the people that are from here. mtmuley

Vegas tract housing in ‘88?

There’s definitely people breaking or turning a blind eye to the rules today who are profiting well off doing so.

 

[Carl]

Not enough local ( state) white kids that want, or are willing, to work hard at jobs like roofing and hanging drywall.

I hang my own drywall and do my own roofs, but I don’t recommend either trade to anyone I know. I’d waaaaay rather do carpentry, but they all do need done.

 

[Rack Daniels]

For anyone saying the thread “moving to the south” and “Oklahoma” doesn’t make sense… I would be moving from Montana….pretty sure it’s south.. never did know what the red part of the compass was anyway

 

[JLDemo]

Not enough local ( state) white kids that want, or are willing, to work hard at jobs like roofing and hanging drywall.

I think a lot of this is due to the youth not being educated on the benefits of trade work. The compensation of journey workers vs new grads of the same age is flat out bonkers.

I don't have the answer on how to get youth interested or really educated on college vs trades, but If the youth could see the disparity between the two on paper, maybe a few would stick around.

To the OP, go visit Oklahoma. I recommend stop looking at houses until your set on going, you're just going to be disappointed to see all the houses you like go pending. There's always going to be something pop up. If you find a place you really can't be without, marry the house and divorce the interest rate.

If you're interested, there's opportunity for your skills in the federal side, the feds are a large employer down there. Lots of opportunities in gas/oil and other utilitiy companies.

At your age, starting an Apprenticeship is very doable and lucrative regarding the pay vs cost of living down there. I deal with a ton of Apprenticeships and employers in my job, if you want any information I can help in some way.

 

[perma]

I did what you’re thinking of doing. I got lucky and made it back west.

Don’t do it.