Very tough place to find a job...
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10/1/2014
Most of the available jobs here are in healthcare, truck driving and factories/warehouses and the salaries are a pittance compared to the same jobs in other parts of the country. I moved here after working in a corporate environment in Milwaukee. My college education, experience and outgoing personality seem to be a disadvantage here. I am overqualified for the vast majority of the positions available and the pay levels are what I made 15 years ago. In other parts of the country my energy and drive were looked upon as attributes when I interviewed for jobs...here, it seems to be threating or overwhelming to the interviewer. It seems a little backwards here to me.
People say the cost of living is so much cheaper here, but I don't find that to be the case. Housing is somewhat cheaper (newer, modern apartments are hard to find), food at the grocery store is more expensive than Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois, utilities are expensive and gas is on par with the rest of the country.
That said, many of the people I've chatted with are nice and friendly, a throwback to simpler times in this country. The air is clean, the town is extremely clean and tree-filled, there are a lot of outdoor activities and the downtown area is being revitalized, with many of the century old buildings being torn down and rebuilt.
All in all, I have mixed feelings...
Robin | Eau Claire, WI