Hello to everyone. This is my first post. Here is my question. I have been a finish carpenter for 20 years and have an excellent reputation for quality work and getting along with customers. I’m 46 years old and am getting tired of the long winters here in Pennsylvania and have always wanted to move to an area with better climate and scenery. Any suggestions as to any states/towns where the demand for good finish carpenters is high, the pay is respectable, the weather is good, and so on, or am I just looking for a utopia that doesn’t exist?
Thanks for any thoughts,
Bored in Pa.
Replies
The weather may not be better here but there always seems to be a demand for high end finish carpenters and cabinetmakers. I'm in Ozaukee County just North of Milwaukee.
Dale
Thanks for the quick reply Dale. just out of curiosity, what is the weather like out there?
Dave
Lynd-WoodCraft
I forgot to mention---someplace that allows for some pictueresque skydiving would be a great plus!
Go to Phoenix, there is an overwhelming amount of work and great pay for anyone in the trades that goes to work every morning... if you're good at what you do, you'll need to change your number every few months just to get some sleep. Good luck
Thanks. You know, I have lived here all my life. Not used to picking up and moving on. If anyone has any thoughts on who to contact in an area I'm interested in for more information, or perhaps someone has made such a move, all thoughts will be deeply appreciated.
It's just that up here the winters seem longer all the time, the scenery leaves a lot to be desired, and the politics up here (luzerne county, Pa) are so corrupt it's laughable!
Maybe it's just a mid-life crisis, but I really feel there has to be a better place to spend the rest of my life and do what I love doing. Not looking to be rich, just comfortable and content---like everybody else I guess.
Dave
The weather here in Wisconsin actually isn't to bad. Are winters can get long but over the years they seem to be more mild. Fall is beautifull and summers get hot and humid. I'm not a summer person. We have a lot of forrest land, bike trails, hunting and fishing. I'm 40 and have been here since birth and have been pretty content. I do however think about moving to the moutain states sometime, I could see myself in Colorado.
Dalehttp://www.timberwerksstudio.com
Being from Wyoming and my wife from Minnesota, we think the weather in West Virginia is pretty nice. We have four distinct seasons and the winter isn't too long. Morgantown is the fastest growing town in WV so, yes, there is a lot of work to be had. But WV borders PA so maybe the climate is not so different and you wouldn't think it is mild enough.
You might think about the Great Northwest (greater Seattle area). The housing market is incredibly hot here, and lots of remodelling being done due to the fast increase in home values (therefore equity loans). Yes, it rains, but overall it's fairly moderate in temps, and amazingly gorgeous on clear days. I live on an island 9 miles west of Seattle; we have more blue sky than the mainland. It's a bedroom community for Seattle, lots and lots of building here and south on the Kitsap peninsula.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I had been thinking about Washington State. I was out there briefly about 20 years ago---absolutely loved the scenery! Although most of my earlier years in the business were spent doing finish work on high-end homes, the last several years I have been doing more and more custom bars, entertainment centers, tables etc... Any suggestions on how to get a foot in the door out there? I have excellent references for my work.
Dave
Year round construction work - booming housing market (one of the top 5 in the country) - great 4 season climate - dry - superb scenery - loads of outdoor activities, best white water in the US - skydiving school - tremendous place to raise a family........
Boise, ID.Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
Thanksall,
One of the fastest growing cities in the US is Las Vegas. They are in a long-lasting building boom. It just doesn't stop. How to get started there? Just get on the web and make a contact at the Chamber of Commerce, and you'll hear back quickly.
Just remember: when you get there, your job is to make money from the casinos and hotels, and not to give money to them.
Enjoy.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
Great to have you back!
RennieRegard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
Rennie,
It is great to be back.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
The coastal areas devastated by hurricanes the past few years.
but, but, but............don't they have Jimmy Carter? ;o)Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
My motivation is a little more mercenary.... there is so much money to be made down there I thought about putting on a toolbelt again....
Boss,
I thought that was capitalism. :o)
You are indeed correct - there is so much to do and every government agency is tripping all over the others to dole out more cash than the next. Unfortunately, this will also breed dishonesty and have charlatans and con artists coming out of the woodwork.
Perhaps you should go. They'll need some honest hard working men to set an example!
Rennie
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright
Edited 8/8/2006 4:44 pm by Rennie
I'm a bench woodworker now,,, my knees and back wouldn't hold up on a jobsite I'm afraid.
I wish I had a crew, though. There is money to be made. A lot of really nice homes and business were damaged and the insurance companies have money coming out of every orifice.
Thanks again to all who have responded so far. Though I'm sure there is a tremendous amount of work in the hurricane damaged areas, I would much rather work in an area where the attitude is more "I want to build " as opposed to "man, I can't believe I have to re-build AGAIN". The more I search around, the more I find myself looking at the Pacific Northwest.
I really do appreciate everyones input,
Dave
Talented builders can make a living anywhere. Go where you'll be happy.
"The more I search around, the more I find myself looking at the Pacific Northwest." It's a pretty neat place. You asked earlier about how to get some contacts going, that kinda thing. Wish I could help you there, but it's out of my realm of experience. You might want to wander over the Breaktime (link is at the top of this page) and start a "Northwest Carpenters -- I need advice" thread or something like that.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanksall,
From your comments it appears your trying to be careful with your decision. In my personal situation, I was shocked when I made the big move...I just had no idea my roots went so deep and was quite unhappy with the move for several years. We who grew up in the East and especially the NE have all kinds of things were used to that don't exist elsewhere. I found myself missing the values (especially Yankee and PA Dutch), being short drive to a total change in topography, the history, etc. etc. Now in your case, I'm sure you'd have a hell of a time getting Old Stegmier Beer...lol.
Interestingly, from a strictly statistical point of view, 60 miles west of NY City is the perfect 'balance' climate wise....4 seasons, rain, snow, sun, etc. that doesn't mean anybody likes it there (The Water Gap?)However, any other place in the US has either more or less of one of those factors.
I would definitely look at Phoenix area. I moved here several years ago. Went to a local woodworker meeting and one of the woodworkers had to turn down a commission because his plate was to full, and the others there that did commission work were also to busy. It is very hot at times, but has a good economy, good growth and skydiving.
I'm going to be the voice of dissent about the NW. I lived in the Puget Sound area for 14 years and have lived here in Western Oregon for 20+ years. If you think the winters are long in Pennsylvania you will think they are eternal here in moss country.
If I was intent on relocating to the NW I would only consider areas that get at least an average amount of sunlight: Bend, Ashland, Medford, Spokane, Boise, etc.
Housing in Seattle is extremely expensive and a skilled trade worker would likely find himself commuting long distances in very bad traffic to work in Seattle proper -
Just my opinion - YMMV.
Bill the Curmudgeon :-)
You're right, we don't tan here... we rust. When the sun comes out (usually after the 4th of July) crowds gather in the street pointing at the bright light in the sky and exclaiming Look At The UFO!
Everything is sure a pretty green though and cheap electricity to boot.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
"a skilled trade worker would likely find himself commuting long distances in very bad traffic to work in Seattle proper." Yes, but there are many, many other places to work other than Seattle proper. You bring up an important point, however, about the cost of housing here. Bainbridge Island, where I live, is similar in cost if you didn't score an inexpensive house 15 years ago like we did. However, there is more affordable housing 15-20 miles away with reasonable traffic inbetween.
The problem with this area is that when we do get a clear day, it's so outrageously gorgeous it causes immediate amnesia about the rainy days, LOL! Seriously, though, the number of sunless days varies quite a bit depending on specific and pretty small areas. I used to have a friend who lived in North Seattle (Bothell) and she would go weeks with no sun when we had quite a few sun breaks. Must be the island micro-climate.
Thanks for the list of "average sunshine" cities. We'll be moving in a few years! forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Calgary Alberta
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