Fuzzylogic

Just got out of the military honorably last year after I was wounded in Afghanistan. Been working security at the Casino (SMC), but just found out my girlfriend is pregnant. So I'm needing something a little more financially helpful.

If anyone knows of anything decent for an ex-infantry guy that works hard and is smart, please let me know! Would appreciate it.

I'm thinking police officer or car salesman.

Take care, all.


Thomas

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

Hey Thomas,

Car salesman you'll have no problem, there are jobs all over the place they basically hire any non crank head and give you a chance. If you do well you stay on.

Police officer I would hope would be a little harder to get a job but they do a lot of hiring. Although a college degree is becoming pretty standard for a Police officer.

I assume you are talking about the Portland Metro area. There are jobs all over the place unfortunately the cost of living is ridiculous here. My paychecks are fairly large but after the Mortgage, state taxes, and all the expensive crap around here it goes pretty quick Of course buying cars are parts does not help my bottomline.

I think I would look into Vancouver WA, you can get a decent job, housing is cheaper, no income tax and big ticket items you can avoid sales tax by going to portland to buy it.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

What do you expect ? You live in the expensive suburb.
Less taxes here in Oregon than Washington even if property tax is higher in some places.

Like anywhere pick an expensive place to live and you have to deal with it in all phases. Grocerys, gas, you name it. Its all reflected in where you choose to live. I live outside of Portland in an area thats still developing and its still reasonable. Where he lives is very expensive. There are more expensive areas to live in but he's in a not cheap to live in area. There are other areas not so spendy.

Telling someone to not live here because your expenses are high seems off base to me. Its not an accurate reflection of the area. Its accurate in some areas but certianly not in all. I've been in Oregon for over 10 years now and have absoluetly no complaints about the region. Other than the lack of serious sports coverage and reporting. I started off as a temp with a studio apt at $425 month. Worked my way up and bought a house. Good luck with your search. I know someone who just got on with the railroad recently. There are jobs here if you want to work them.

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

LOL I disagree though.. the major Portland metro area IS expensive. Yes I do live in the silicon forest and prices can be a little inflated in this area. But anywhere near Portland 15 minutes or so is going to be expensive when compared to the rest of the united states. I have coworkers that comute to Salem and Vancouver because of it. Not too mention traffic is ridiculous in most "urban" areas. I mean I could move to Banks and be 45 minutes from Portland and 20 from work if I wanted to...

Its all a trade off, I live in a MID level area of portland. Like you said there are many nicer places and there are cheaper. But if you look at averages Portland area is pretty high cost of living and getting higher. That said aside from the traffic and tree huggers hippee wanna be's I LOVE It here. I used to travel alot for work and other places have nicier things about them but overall Portand is a very nice place to be IMHO.

I never told anyone not to live here, I've been here 12 years myself and know how much things cost. Shoot compare it to Nashua close to where your from Chris. Its not much different cost wise and thats next to one of the most expensive cities in the country....

Now people that live in Seattle are probably laughing at this as Portland is less.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

You live 15 minutes outside any major city that has desirable living conditions your gonna pay the price. Yes your traffic is horrible. What do you expect look where you live. You live in the number one suburb of Portland. The most expensive suburb of Portland. IS Oregons mid to upper level middle class areas more expensive to live in .. No its about the same as any other part of the country. Salem isnt as nice a place to live and neither is the Couv. They both are working they're way up but are in no way as nice as Portland. Hence they are cheaper. Bob you really did pick the most expensive suburb with the worst traffic problem you could find. Housing in your area is ridiculous for sure and I'm sure your taxes must be higher than mine as well but I dont think its an indictment of Portland as mush as it is the west side suburbs. Live 30 minutes out of the city and it changes rapidly. You can get 1 acre and a 3000 sqft house for 350 out here. What is that like 1 million plus where you live?

You wanna see expensive.... My friend back east is paying 14k in property taxes

Fuzzylogic

There's a school in Portland, Concorde, that offers a one-year Surgical Tech program. Thinking about checking that out. Have a buddy that's an EMT and is going through it right now, says when he graduates he should be making at least $20/hour. Something else for me to check out, anyway...

I'm trying to find an opening at a decent dealership... Honda or Subaru right now. And the Army is kinda calling me, I'm trying to resist though. Last resort.

Mikey 97Z M6

iTrader: (37)

Bobby doesn't know what he's talking about. He sits at home in his bubble all day long and buys car parts off the internet. Just bustin' on ya Bobby.

Actually I think Bobby has a pretty good grasp on cost of living in this area and many other places in the U.S.. Cost of living includes many things, not just housing prices. Cost of gasoline, energy, price for food and how far you drive to acquire it, taxes, housing (plus availability) amongst others. You could move somewhere and have a lower mortgage payment sure, but if the cost for daily consumables is higher, are you really saving $$ long term? For instance, you move outside the city 40 miles. That's not an uncommon thing these days, but with gas prices soaring and the added wear/tear on vehicles, all of a sudden it's not such a great savings. Plus, the cost of gas is not going down anytime soon and will continue to rise.

Also, I don't believe Beaverton is the most expensive suburb in Portland. Portland real estate is crazy, and Lake Oswego is just freakin' NUTso.... Beaverton used to be considered a ritzy area, but it's being over run by Hillsboro folk and by todays standards, I'd say Beaverton is 80% middle class. JMO though....



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99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Well damn then, my equity is better than I think.

93TAWicked1

iTrader: (28)

PROBABLY!!! The last few years have been crazy, and I don't know that its going to slow down with the home prices in Seattle and Northern Cali staying high. I can't believe the prices my neighbors are selling for, and they have them listed 2 weeks tops! Problem is I'd have to upgrade and the bigger nicer places are going up even faster

KrautBurner

iTrader: (5)

where in Oregon are you?

How much do you need to make?

PFCU (Pentagon Federal Credit Union)
in Eugene
is always hiring,
the pay is pretty good (for entry level)
and the benifits are good too.

KrautBurner

iTrader: (5)

also,

just south of Eugene (north of Creswell)
there is a truck driver school,
your MGIB works there, they are fully acredited
it's 30 days long
and they help with job placement.
local drivers and traveling

Fuzzylogic

Thanks, I'll check both those out today.

I make $11/hr right now. In three months I could transfer to something making more around $14 an hour, not like that's anything to write home about.