Any members from north Washington

[VashHash]

So I may need to move from the south to way up north. How are the jobs up there? Looking to maybe move around Bellingham or something within 30-45mins away. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

[Blerv]

What industry/position?

Jobs are pretty bad in general. Washington isn't as depressed as some places though. I do love the state and Bellingham is give/take an hour from Vancouver BC so it's a nice little town.

[Sequimite]

I'm across the Sound on the North Olympic Peninsula and our area always lags behind on employment.

Coming back from Vancouver two Sundays ago I had to wait 40 minutes to cross the border because of the large number of Canadians headed for Bellingham to shop and fill up with fuel. All the Canadian cars within sight got off at the Bellis Fair Mall exit.

The area has always had a boom or bust component based on Canadians coming south to avoid VAT and much higher fuel taxes. Despite the US Dollar strengthening against the Loonie it looks to me like the area is in the boom part of the cycle.

[VashHash]

i have a mechanical background as i did that for 3 yrs but i skipped on college and went straight into work. I was also a security guard for 18 months. I can weld too but i don't know how much that would help up there. I've worked docks before too so that might be of use seeing as there is alot of water up there. Also how are the gun and knife laws

[Blerv]

Not sure about gun laws but you can get a CCW permit (or whatever the acronym is ). Knives is pretty loose; no fixed blades but almost everwhere you would go is a 3.5" limit on folders with a couple being 3" like Everett. My sig link should have details.

I would apply online at places like Boeing which has a couple plants and plenty of places that do fab work for them. If you like Maritime there should be work at docks, shipping, etc. In fact, plenty of boats from Seattle head to AK for fishing so if you don't mind getting your hands dirty that's an industry in itself.

[Sequimite]

The state knife laws are vague. City laws are all over from 4" where Ed Schempp is to 3" in Everett.

Gun laws aren't bad. Concealed Carry permits are fast with no training requirement.

[VashHash]

doesn't sound like a bad place. physical labor is actually my preference after all with the advent of soap we can wash our hands. Always wanted to go to AK too. Hopefully things don't come to that but if it has to be done i'll move. Thanks for the info guys

[Blerv]

I always recommend looking ahead of time on the job sites or even Craigslist. Best to arrive with something of a routine and employment.

Still, Washington for it's snootiness (Seattle and Bellevue) has a farming and industrial heart. A real range in climates from East to West and a number of large companies from software to making planes fly. If you don't mind a little dirty work it seems a good place because frankly half the state has gone soft.

Goodluck with the hunt.

[jabba359]

I grew up on the east side of Washington (Spokane) and have to recommend sticking closer to the coast. There is a lot more to do over there for fun (if you're into music, theater, or the arts) and better job opportunities. As Blerv said, check out Boeing or one of their suppliers. IIRC, Boeing has a huge backorder on planes and it will take them several years to produce the planes already ordered, and orders keep rolling in.

Knife and gun laws are fairly lax, and as mentioned, the real restrictions are more city/county based.

As for the influx of Canadians, that is good for the local economy as they come down and inject their money into the businesses around there. It used to be people took American dollars and spent it in Canada, but now the flow has reversed.

[VashHash]

i've been on indeed.com a few times to look at jobs in the area but this move wouldn't be until after july and regardless probably later than that as i need to save money for it. boeings webpage wouldn't load yesterday i'll try again tonight again thanks for all the advice guys.