PlanetCatfish.com

This may sound like an odd request, but I am looking for a job.

I am tired of Fargo ND, and am trying to plan a relocation to somewhere else. The tricky part is trying to figure out where to go...

Apart from being a fish lover, I am also a 'jack of all trades.' I went to technical college for, and worked with, neon signs. I have also done computer drafting (AutoCAD), sheet metal work, apartment maintenance(plumbing, electrical, and management), stained glass window restoration, some HVAC, and much more.

I currently work at Fargo's 'Plains Art Museum,' doing exibit lighting, construction, maintenance, and rental property management.

If you think you may be able to benefit from any of these skills, I would love to hear from you.

My girlfriend Amy (she is a blackjack dealer, as well as the best server one could ever hope to find) and I are planning to move late May to early June.

As I initially stated, I realize this is an odd place to go job hunting, but I know this is a great place to find worth-while people. That being said, this may very well be the best place to be to find a worth-while employer.

Chris Orth
(Columbian Cats and a clever little 'kole tang' named John)
corth@plainsart.org

Is that the same Fargo as the film "Fargo"?


Great film. One of my favourites!

That would be the same - I haven't seen the film, but there's, as far as I know, only one Fargo in North Dakota. I have (or had?) relatives near Fargo, ND [I think it's in Mapleton]. It's a one of the larger towns, 90k population, in a state with pretty low population count overall.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Fargo-North-Dakota.html

My memory that stands out from that visit was the flight from Fargo to Minneapolis, which took us through another two "aiports". It was a Beechcraft 19c, a twin-prop machine that is two sizes up from a Cessna, 19 passengers in 9 rows of two with a middle seat at the back. The Fargo "airport" was a two-man operation: One man operating the radio, and one woman doing the checking in, waving the plane in, blocking the wheels of the plane, loading/unloading luggage and opening the door/pulling down the steps for passengers to get in/out of the plane. Certainly the smallest commercial airport I've been to... This was 14 years ago, and I still remmember it quite clearly, so it must be pretty special...

Chris, sorry for the excursion, and good luck with your job-hunting. Any idea where you'd like to move to?

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Mats

May I recommend Reno, NV? It has everything for you and your girlfriend. Its the fastest growing city in the state. It also has the highest number of employers looking for employees. Lake Tahoe is a 30-45 minute drive. Temperatures don't usually exceed 100 deg. in the summer and average in the winter is about 20-30 deg. Boating, snow skiing, snow boarding, off road events. It has quite a bit to offer.

Reno, eh? I like that! I've been dying to get back into the sign business and that seems like a great place to do it!

I've thought about washington or oregon. Even southern WI, but none of these really seemed right. What is the cost of living like in Reno? I'm sure it all averages out once you work for a while, but some places are next to impossible to get started in with our limited $$$.

Fargo is growing, and if you count the dinky little 'suburbs' (ha!) and Moorhead, which is right across the river, it's about 200,000 people. It's a booming metropolis I tell ya! I think the airport employs 5 people now, with two more being hired on around the holidays Flying from Fargo to Minneapolis is a trip! The plane accends, levels off for about 3 minutes, then the saftey belt light pops on again and down you go. Not even a beverage tray!

I have an uncle that spent a few years in Moorehead, MN(college professor). His life is much better now. So, take heart. There's life after Fargo!
Amanda

The cost of houses (if you're buying one) went up tremendously in 2004-2005. The market has come down a little, but interest rates are starting to climb (good time to buy a house). An average house in the city will cost about $300k. I just purchased a house on the outskirts for $267k. Its cheaper than California, the sales tax is 7.375% (may have gone up a touch recently). Gas is about $2.35/gallon. The minimum wage here should be higher than it is. If your girlfriend is a gaming dealer, she will make $$$$ here, remember its a 24 hour city. You, being a jack of all trades, could make some serious $$$$ also.
BTW, I am a mortgage consultant and I have friends/family that are realtors.