I need to vent!!!

[Autumnchik 6]

ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! This is going to be a long rant .. thank you for your patience

We live in a small town. Closest "metro" area (if you can call it that) is 1 1/2 hours away. Hubby is a carpenter. Was working in a supervisory capacity in Vancouver and making decent money. He had been at his company for 5 years and really enjoyed it. A year ago, I was living in Georgia. We decided to move to NH, for me to take a job that has associated student loan repayment. I work at the agency for 2 years, and my loans are forgiven. Too good to pass up, right? Well, we factored in hubby's line of work. A year ago, saw numerous job opening for carpenters. Heck, a month before he got his work auth., saw lots of carpentry jobs posted. Now that he can legally work .... ZILCH. He has applied at the 3 largest contracting companies in town, none are hiring currently. He has called about 20 other smaller contractors, none of them are hiring. He has applied at Home Depot and Lowe's, nada. He drove 1 1/2 hours to the "metro" area to interview with a temp. agency who assured him they would have him working by the end of this week ... haven't heard anything yet. He interviewed with another temp. agency who said they had nothing except for a factory job that pays $12/hour and is an hour drive away. He applied at a furniture manufacturing company (that does not currently have any jobs but will keep his app on file) ... they pay $8/hr. There seems to be work in the southern part of the state, close to Boston, which would mean a 4 hour roundtrip daily commute or living away from home

And the most depressing thing: hubby talked to his 15 year old nephew today. The nephew makes $10/hour babysitting!!!

We knew that he would be taking a pay cut and possibly having to take a job that was not at the level he was working at in Canada. We didn't figure on him not being able to find ANYTHING!!!

I am second guessing this move to NH like you wouldn't believe. Something that complicates it is that we have found it extremely difficult to make friends. I've never experienced anything like this. I am a very social person and had tons of friends in GA. Hubby also had a nice network of friends in BC. People in this area tend to be more isolative and standoffish initially. We've made a few friends, but nothing like what we were used to.

ARGH again!!!! We will survive this, but dang it really sucks right now!!!!

[monicatony 0]

ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! This is going to be a long rant .. thank you for your patience

We live in a small town. Closest "metro" area (if you can call it that) is 1 1/2 hours away. Hubby is a carpenter. Was working in a supervisory capacity in Vancouver and making decent money. He had been at his company for 5 years and really enjoyed it. A year ago, I was living in Georgia. We decided to move to NH, for me to take a job that has associated student loan repayment. I work at the agency for 2 years, and my loans are forgiven. Too good to pass up, right? Well, we factored in hubby's line of work. A year ago, saw numerous job opening for carpenters. Heck, a month before he got his work auth., saw lots of carpentry jobs posted. Now that he can legally work .... ZILCH. He has applied at the 3 largest contracting companies in town, none are hiring currently. He has called about 20 other smaller contractors, none of them are hiring. He has applied at Home Depot and Lowe's, nada. He drove 1 1/2 hours to the "metro" area to interview with a temp. agency who assured him they would have him working by the end of this week ... haven't heard anything yet. He interviewed with another temp. agency who said they had nothing except for a factory job that pays $12/hour and is an hour drive away. He applied at a furniture manufacturing company (that does not currently have any jobs but will keep his app on file) ... they pay $8/hr. There seems to be work in the southern part of the state, close to Boston, which would mean a 4 hour roundtrip daily commute or living away from home

And the most depressing thing: hubby talked to his 15 year old nephew today. The nephew makes $10/hour babysitting!!!

We knew that he would be taking a pay cut and possibly having to take a job that was not at the level he was working at in Canada. We didn't figure on him not being able to find ANYTHING!!!

I am second guessing this move to NH like you wouldn't believe. Something that complicates it is that we have found it extremely difficult to make friends. I've never experienced anything like this. I am a very social person and had tons of friends in GA. Hubby also had a nice network of friends in BC. People in this area tend to be more isolative and standoffish initially. We've made a few friends, but nothing like what we were used to.

ARGH again!!!! We will survive this, but dang it really sucks right now!!!!

[/quoteHang in there! I am worried about making friends after the big move too and I'm sure many many many vj's have faced the same fear. I hope things turn around for you soon. My husband has his own framing contracting business in Indiana. I wish you guys lived closer as he is desperate to find decent, hardworking dependable guys to work for him. He has guys that don't show up at all, no phone calls and apparently no qualms about getting fired.

Good luck to you both.

Mon

[Clarky and Tarah 0]

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. I know you've been there for a year, but maybe you just need to give it a little more time. If there were a ton of jobs available before you arrived, the odds are there will be some available soon. Does your husband have any skills in any other type of work? Maybe he could get something else until one of the positions opens up. You've already got one year of your required time out of the way, hopefully you'll be able to pull through and finish.

About making friends...have you tried to get out and socialize? Maybe invite the neighbors or co-workers over for a BBQ. Are there any local clubs or anything you could join? Some people just need time to open up. Maybe you could throw a block party or something and invite everyone in the neighborhood. People can't turn down free food .

I hope things turn around for you. I wish the best of luck to your husband on getting a decent job that can put his skills to good use, and I wish you both luck finding some good friends.

[L_n_O 3]

I'm sorry.. that really sounds like it sucks..

I was gonna suggest maybe getting him to wait tables for a while.. waiters (in busy areas) can make $$$ (plus, that's cash) but I don't know if that's feasible in your area..

Have you tried talking to any neighbours or locals?

[Emancipation 2]

OH man...... that's sucky......... esp. when carpenters make SOOOO much money in Canada.. and are SOOOOOO wanted.. Sucky McSucky.... Has your hubby considered doing his own work? Going into business for himself? I have no clues what that's about esp. for a trades person, but I know that sometimes its a good way to go..

Is hubby at LEAST getting EI?? (Crossing fingers?)

[Autumnchik 6]

Thank you guys for your kind words and advice I needed this tonight.

We have tried to socialize and will try to do even more now that it is summer ... have met a few people, but it has been difficult. I keep trying to remind myself it will take time. I have talked to some people from this area who tell me that it is difficult, that the "locals" are not accepting at first and take time to warm up.

Hubby has thought about going into his own business, but he is so new here and it can be an insular community. Not sure how that would be. And no, he is not getting EI. Because of helping me move, setting up house, working on it, etc., he didn't work enough in the last year to qualify

We have tried to ask around in our town .... no one is hiring now or needs side work. We thought about him trying another field, but no posted jobs in waitstaff either.

We are hoping that Home Depot or Lowe's will pan out, at least until he can get something else.

[misa 2]

Sorry to hear how things are/aren't panning out. I have no words of advice, just a virtual hug. *hugs autumnchik*

[Emancipation 2]

Awe man.. it sounds like you guys are doing everything you can think of to find your place in your new home. Other than networking with the people at your new place of work.. It sounds like you guys are covering all your basis..

MAN I HATE EI!!!! Sorry had to say that!!

Dunno if you guys are nearby, but we are heading to NH the first weekend in August (to Gunstock Resort in Guildford).. we'd love to meet you guys FINALLY and if you guys are anywhere near there (or back on the way to Hartford), we could meet yas at a restaurant for a meal on Sunday night !!!

[Clarky and Tarah 0]

I don't mean to sound slow or anything...but what the heck is EI?

[misa 2]

EI is something Canadian specific. It's employment insurance and those of us that came over to the U.S. on marriage based visas are eligible to receive unemployment benefits from Canada (provided that we are work authorised, K3s are not without an EAD).

[Clarky and Tarah 0]

Ah sorry, this is in the Canada section . Sorry guys, I just get excited and post all over the place.

I'm sorry that he can't get the EI thing, that would have probably helped about a buch. I hope the Lowes/Home Depot jobs work out, atleast it would give him something until he could find work in his field.

[Allie 5]

ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! This is going to be a long rant .. thank you for your patience

We live in a small town. Closest "metro" area (if you can call it that) is 1 1/2 hours away. Hubby is a carpenter. Was working in a supervisory capacity in Vancouver and making decent money. He had been at his company for 5 years and really enjoyed it. A year ago, I was living in Georgia. We decided to move to NH, for me to take a job that has associated student loan repayment. I work at the agency for 2 years, and my loans are forgiven. Too good to pass up, right? Well, we factored in hubby's line of work. A year ago, saw numerous job opening for carpenters. Heck, a month before he got his work auth., saw lots of carpentry jobs posted. Now that he can legally work .... ZILCH. He has applied at the 3 largest contracting companies in town, none are hiring currently. He has called about 20 other smaller contractors, none of them are hiring. He has applied at Home Depot and Lowe's, nada. He drove 1 1/2 hours to the "metro" area to interview with a temp. agency who assured him they would have him working by the end of this week ... haven't heard anything yet. He interviewed with another temp. agency who said they had nothing except for a factory job that pays $12/hour and is an hour drive away. He applied at a furniture manufacturing company (that does not currently have any jobs but will keep his app on file) ... they pay $8/hr. There seems to be work in the southern part of the state, close to Boston, which would mean a 4 hour roundtrip daily commute or living away from home

And the most depressing thing: hubby talked to his 15 year old nephew today. The nephew makes $10/hour

babysitting!!!

We knew that he would be taking a pay cut and possibly having to take a job that was not at the level he was working at in Canada. We didn't figure on him not being able to find ANYTHING!!!

I am second guessing this move to NH like you wouldn't believe. Something that complicates it is that we have found it extremely difficult to make friends. I've never experienced anything like this. I am a very social person and had tons of friends in GA. Hubby also had a nice network of friends in BC. People in this area tend to be more isolative and standoffish initially. We've made a few friends, but nothing like what we were used to.

ARGH again!!!! We will survive this, but dang it really sucks right now!!!!

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I too have no advice, I would like to add a virtual hug, good thoughts and prayers for you both.

Lorry & Allie

[Misty1979 0]

Not sure how feasible this is for the two of you, but you can make a ton of money buying and reselling on e-bay once you get the hang of it. Almost tried it myself, but haven't had the time to learn how it all works. I know a few people though who have made careers out if it.

Just a thought though, in case something better doesn't turn up

[neiks 19]

Hang in there. Skilled carpenters are usually high in demand. Hopefully he can get his name out there and start picking up some projects. Once people see his work they will be knocking at his door. Has he tried to run an ad in the local small town paper advertising his services?

[Autumnchik 6]

Hey Emancipation ...

Not sure yet if we will be in this area then, but if we are, would love to get together for dinner! If not then, maybe the next time we come down to CT