Lost in the country

[Jagmandave]

I think this situation is changing tho. I work for a small manufacturing plant about 20 miles outside the "big city", and I see more and more of these and even larger concerns moving to the edges or just beyond the city. They pay almost the same as in town, and you have that much of a head start away from the city to your place.

This trend is being fueled by rising costs of land, taxes and utilities as much as anything else. If you just want a production job, then yes, you won't be making the big bucks. But if you have managerial, engineering or supervisory skills, you can do OK.

Another trend really gaining strength is telecommuting. My wife has worked for her company for almost 20 years, she now has the ability to do her entire job from home, with nothing more than her computer and the phone.

I think if you look around, you may find a nice newer company right there in the boonies, just looking for good skilled help.

BTW, I now drive 20 miles to work, but once I get my "country place" built, I'll still be driving 20 miles, I just won't be in the city for any of it...........

 

[dmccarty]

For some jobs telecomuting is the future that is already here. My area has a high concentration of tech jobs. Jobs that can be done from home. Of course we have traffic problems. The government wants to spend hundreds of millions of dollars for a rail system that less than 5% of the commuters will use. Believe it or not the Feds refused to pay for the rail and its back to the drawing boards but it has not gone away.

The government and the business all talk about car pooling and other nonsense. What would work is a big push to allow people to work a four day week and/or telecommute. My company is good about it or at least my manager is and I can work at home pretty easily. Working from home is far more productive than being at work. Unfortunately for me one of our kids goes to a school near my work and our second will very soon. So unless the kids are sick or out of school I have to go to work to drop the kids off.

I work with people in Canada, Taiwan, Egypt, ******, FL and CA not to mention NC on a routine basis. Not much difference if I'm sitting at home or at work talking to them via one technology or another. Its really nice to get up as usual or even sleep in late but still be working at my usual time. Then finish work but still be home with time to go do other chores.

For those who can telecomuting is wonderful.

Later,
Dan

 

[czechsonofagun]

Ravens Rock as in VA 601? Cool. Our family has a place up there too.
Unfortunate the traffic on 7 and 66 is worse than 95 IMHO. Every morning I listen to the traffic and can make a right or left to go 66 or 95.

It has been 95 these past months, maybe the HOV lanes that opened on 66 will make it better. I could then take 28 and stop by the tractor dealerships and dream a little.

-Mike Z.

The traffic is bad everywhere - and I am losing it. More and more often I find myself on somebody's tail cursing how slow he is going. And the gains in the traffic are marginal at the best too, just dont like wasting my time like that

 

[HomeBrew2]

... More and more often I find myself on somebody's tail cursing how slow he is going. ...

I take my bad attitude everywhere I go and don't wait for traffic to turn it loose

 

[riptides]

I find myself on somebody's tail

Hopefully my new tractorbynet bumper sticker will afford me some respect and space.

-Mike Z.

 

[3RRL]

Less traffic is a definite plus where our property is. The drive is scenic and pleasurable into town. We figured that we may have to work a little until all our retirement benefits kick in, but knowing it would be for less pay out there. Having planned on that, it makes it easier to stomach. If we had to rely more on earning great wages, we would probably delay moving on that account.