Is The Recession Over? And The 10 Best Cities To Earn A Living

A bit of news was released today by Ben Bernanke that I think everyone will be happy with. According to the Federal Reserve Chairman, the recession is "very likely" over. However, the economy might be growing now but, it probably won't speed up the recovery of the unemployment rate which is at a 26 year high.

So now that the recession has "officially" ended, here is a list according to Forbes of the top cities to make a living. Of the top 10 cities to earn a living only one is in the Northwest. Three of the top 10 are in the state of Texas.

7. Seattle, Wash.

Number of Forbes’ Best Big Companies: 0

Number of Forbes’ Best Small Companies: 1

Median Income: 32,836

ACCRA Cost of Living Index # (100 Median): 123.8

Five-Year forecasted Annual Job Growth: 1.09%

So Portland, what are your thoughts about the recession "very likely" being over? I for one am very happy about the news. Also, what are your thoughts about the cities that are listed as the best places to earn a living? Does it surprise you that Portland is not listed? Please list your comments below.

Portland Employment Guide September 14th - September 20th

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.

America's Most Stressful Cities

Every year Forbes comes out with a list for the most stressful cities in America and right now we have four cities in the Northwest that are in the top 15 out of 40 cities listed. They determine how stressful a city is by the quality of life factors, unemployment rate, median home prices, population density, and the number of sunny days in a city. The four cities that I mentioned are:

15. Sacramento, Calif.
With a June unemployment rate of 11.6% and a year-over-year median home price drop of 34.5%, it's a good thing the number of sunny and partly sunny days in the Sacramento metropolitan areas is high, measured at 265 days in 2007.
Read on for more lifestyle coverage, including information on the most expensive places for health care and best cities for a housing recovery.

14. Portland, Ore.
Portland takes the No. 1 spot for the least amount of sunny days of the 40 metropolitan areas we examined--only 142 in 2007. Another drawback is its 11.7% June unemployment rate.
Read on for more lifestyle coverage, including information on the most expensive places for health care and best cities for a housing recovery.

11. Seattle, Wash.
Seattle scores high for its ninth highest cost of living and low amount of sunny days--only 164 in 2007. Unemployment was just slightly below the national rate at 9.3% in.
Read on for more lifestyle coverage, including information on the most expensive places for health care and best cities for a housing recovery.

6. San Francisco, Calif.
The Golden Gate city takes the No. 1 spot for its 42.7% year-over-year median home price drop. It holds the No. 2 spot for high cost of living. Its sunny weather and good air quality, however, lower its rank on the stressful cities list.
Read on for more lifestyle coverage, including information on the most expensive places for health care and best cities for a housing recovery.

After seeing the list, do you agree with the cities listed? Or should there be others added to the list? Please leave your comment in the section below.

Portland Employment Guide September 7th - September 13th

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.

What's Going On Around Portland And The Northwest

Here are some interesting news stories that I have come across that I thought I might share with everyone:

• ReVolt Technology, a company that makes zinc based batteries that are used to extend the range of electric cars has chose Portland as there US based headquarters and will hire 250 people.
• Downtown Portland has been hit hard by the recession and the number of jobs that available are lowest since 2002.
• Here is the forecast for Oregon's economy and as the article states, it will be a slow recovery.
• Oregon's State Government is wasting $200K on unnecessary phone charges.
• Evans Glass is hiring for sales reps in the Portland Area.

So Portland, what's going on in your area? Please share your new stories in the comment section below.

Portland Employment Guide August 31st - September 6th

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.

Tips On How To Avoid Recession Burn Out, Most Lucrative College Majors, And Mature Workers

It seems like every night that the new has multiple stories on the recession or the economy. The news could either good or bad, which can very conflicting on how things really are. I know that what they say may or mat not be 100% correct all the time, but don't let it get to you. Here are some great recession tips from Spherion Blog.

1. Take in the news, but do not hang you hat on any one story. Bottom line - it's been bad, but there are positive signs that it's getting better.
2. Keep your nose to the grindstone. Don't worry about what could happen, focus on what is happening right now and do your part to stay productive at work.
3. Go a head, have a coffee break. Stressing yourself out and staying stuck to the cubicle is going to make you less productive. Take a break by going on a walk or getting a cup of coffee.
4. Avoid the office hen house. You know, the colleagues who spend a good part of lunch or break time hashing out the rumor mill about layoffs and office closings.
5. Stay positive. Easier said than done, but having a positive attitude is sometimes all it takes to have good things come your way.

With most kids either starting school or heading back there, here is a great article that will help some of those students that are on the fence what they should major in if they want it to make it worth their while. I know that these may not be for everyone but it seems like being an engineer is the way to go!

Here is another great article about how mature workers are often left behind when they need some flexibility at work or job training. They are often over looked when recruiting younger employees. Employees that are 50 and older usually prepare to work until they are into their 70' and 80's, so they need job flexibility and traing just as much if not more. So every year the AARP produces a list of the top 50 employers for workers 50 and older. Here is the most recent list. 2009's will be announced in September and as always Wiser Worker can help those mature workers find what they are looking for!

So Portland, give us some feed back and let us know what you are thinking!