Any technicians living in the new england area?

[Kozworth]

I am just wondering if there were any auto techs that worked in the mass, vt, nh, and ct area and how they liked it. I am possibly going up to visit the area, but I was wondering if there were a lot of automotive jobs/opportunities up there (i know bav auto is based out of NH).

I am also just wondering how the whole culture is up there. Weather, the people, the e30/bmw crowd, etc. Reason asking, is I am graduating in the spring with my associates, and depending on if I get into a dealer training school or not I figured this area is an option for me to move up.

I currently live in Nj, so possibly someone who knew a good living cost comparison aswell would help out too, in the mean time I will look on craigslist and such.

Thanks!

[E30SPDFRK]

You left out the best New England state :shifty


Compared to New Jersey, it will be about the same. Plenty of dealership jobs, quite a few independents with smaller shops. They're fairly spread out though, unless you move to Norwood Mass or Warwick RI where there are rows of dealers. Average dealer pay without training is 10-15 I'd say, with training is 15-20, depending on experience level and how many hours you can log.



Weather is pretty similar to Jersey as well. It rains quite a bit in sprin and fall, summer is usually hot and humid. There is a huge VW scene in New England, they usually Don't mind hanging out with other Euro car people though. There's a pretty big BMW scene too, although its more sprea out. Boston is the center of it all, but Providence is pretty big as well. CT sucks, I would try to avoid moving there. It's the red headed step child of NE.

All in all, I'd say it's pretty similar to Jersey actually, except there's less entitled Guido women.

[eskimo810]

Honestly, I can't really speak about the availability of technician jobs where I am. There are lots of "Foreign Auto" shops that seem to have high reputations according to people I know who pay to have their cars worked on.

Audi and VW are the popular german brands in Vermont. And they both have solid groups of people. Lots of B5 S4s. Lots of GTIs. BMW does have a presence, but they are almost all x drive models. I do see E28s and E30s occasionally, and much more in the summer. You won't be finding M3s. As far as car culture as a whole, there isn't a whole lot. Sometimes I feel like 85% of the cars on the road are either a Subaru Outback, Prius, or an F150. That list, along with the fact that the most die hard automotive enthusiasts are mainly focused on WVO conversions pretty well sums up what the car culture is like. Most people here think that Obama is Jesus and a WRX is faster than a Ferrari.

Weather is not similar to New Jersey. Summer is always comfortable, never burning dry, never too far above 90 degrees. Winter can get cold. It's not entirely uncommon for it to be in the negatives for a few days without rest. On the flip side, it's entirely normal to be getting a week in the 40s in January. It can get interesting. It can also be pretty close to perfect if you enjoy being outside as there's a lot to do here year round.

I can't really make an objective statement about the people here only because I've never lived anywhere else, and haven't spent enough time in other places in the US to make a comparison. But as a whole I love the people here. It's the kind of place where you pick up hitch hikers and go out of your way to deliver them, and when your car is up on jack stands the favor will be returned. If that makes any sense.

And the food is good. Just stay north of Middlebury and west of I-89.

[Kozworth]

That's cool to hear. I am looking for a more mellow place to live. Unfortunately my area is a bunch of kids my age that are rotten spoiled and the people around here do not really have manners. I'm sure that's a lot of places since that's life but just my 2 cents.

I am cool with limited car hype because I basically keep to my self and only really to onto the forums so I am used to that. I am just really concerned for living and job availability. Rent here is usually close from 800-1k, that's anything from a studio to 1br. That's simply outrageous and I believe it's because I am close to a couple bigger cities.

[eskimo810]

That's cool to hear. I am looking for a more mellow place to live. Unfortunately my area is a bunch of kids my age that are rotten spoiled and the people around here do not really have manners. I'm sure that's a lot of places since that's life but just my 2 cents.

I am cool with limited car hype because I basically keep to my self and only really to onto the forums so I am used to that. I am just really concerned for living and job availability. Rent here is usually close from 800-1k, that's anything from a studio to 1br. That's simply outrageous and I believe it's because I am close to a couple bigger cities.

It might be worth it to check out Craigslist for jobs. A lot of businesses around here use it.

As far as living costs it varies greatly. In many places you can get a decent apartment for $600. However, many towns and areas are often focused around ski resorts that push prices up for pretty much everything. Baseline for an apartment is closer to $750, but you won't find shitty places. Lots of big 5-6 bedroom ski houses attract younger people for the $150/month rent.

Closer you are to ski areas, price goes up.

Closer you are to Burlington, price goes up.

87 Octane was $3.72/Gallon last time I filled up. A few towns over (near the interstate) it was in the $3.60s. Maple Syrup is $45/gallon, and they make it next door. My 6-pack of 'gansett was $4.99 and came with a free pint glass. A ski pass for sugarbush is $220 if you buy it at the end of the previous season. I would tell you how much McDonalds costs, but you have to drive almost an hour to get to the closest one.

Investing in snow tires and/or a beater is necessary.

There is no town police force where I live, and the town only budgets enough money to have the County Sheriffs patrol for 12 hours/week.

There are sweet gap roads that you can drive up with wild abandon, park, then walk along the ridge line and camp on top of mountains.

Weed is $40/eighth. You can smoke it anywhere.

Most people here are here because they want to live here or they haven't graduated high school and moved away yet.

[Kozworth]

That's an interesting breakdown haha appreciate it. Why a avoid those areas you stated?

[eskimo810]

I wouldn't say avoid them. They're great places to live. Living expenses are just noticeably higher.