Cost of living verses amount of money you make.

depends. If you can find a local outfit that lets you stay in their bunk beds for free, its all the more worth it.

 

it is always supply and demand
after Hurricane Sandy rentals went up $200/month
after the oilfields in N Dakota collapse you can buy houses $.10 on the dollar
driving OTR you can live cheaper places and just drive thru the high priced spread

 

You DO realize that this is the oilfield forum and NOT an OTR forum right? People working the oilfields must live near the field so the question of COL applies...

 

True! But who would want to live someplace where migrating elk are the highlight of the week? UNless you had family there or some other reason to stay in the middle of nowhere...

 

Not being from North Dakota but Minnesota, we who choose to live here take great pride in our states. Those of of who live in the upper Midwest, our proud of who we are, and where we came from. We are a strong and prideful people. As we get older we may become snowbirds but that is because of dues paid. For those who don't want to stay or can't handle it, leave. As the old saying goes, the cold keeps the rift raft out!

 

Ha, we say the same thing about you snowbirds down here in Phoenix!! The heat keeps em out down here.

 

My safety gig puts me in Texas for most of the Winter and ND for most of the Summer, but I am always bouncing somewhere between the two. Love the air miles and the mileage reimbursement though!

I did my first four Winters in the Bakken, and would not choose to do so again. Being cold just isn't fun for me. Maybe I am just getting old. Maybe four ND Winters are enough to make an objective comparison, I don't know. I am originally from North Dakota, but moved out of state for a long while before returning for the Bakken. I remember my early years here, and this continental climate simply does not appeal to me the way the West Coast does. I am here for a set period of time, after which I will take my money and go home.

Admittedly, I snowbird four times per year. It keeps me from going insane.

 

One thing I have found out about living in the oil country if you don't get in a hurry to find a apartment or House the local guys at where ever you work will help you find housing with out all the bus that these reality company's have attached to there leases. I am getting a small house next month and it's cheaper than my camp site. So I guess patience is the key but that is just in the San Angelo area don't know bout other places. I do know there is a lot of housing available for the amount of work going on.