Was the 4th employee at a roofdeck pedestal company when it started. Not they are up to 60+ employees. Really enjoyed the engineering of new products and developing the qc department. Thought I'd retire from there, but after 15 years, had to leave to move back east (new kid, wife, and Dad's stage 4 cancer)
Starting over after 40 in the I81 warehouse corridor of appalachia, the opportunities are few and far.
Got lucky and landed a union gig operating a vinyl siding extruder making 50-75% more than most jobs in the area. Hated the 12 hr night shifts and 66+ hr work weeks. Last week I finally moved to Day shift and it's a blessing. Less hours early, and much more time at home. This is my first union gig. Not a fan really. I'm off rather get promoted for my work, not see a lazy hump get the shot because he got hired a few months before me.
Making 100+ a year in Denver I couldn't afford a nice home. I make almost as much back east now, and will have my home paid in 5 years total. The house I paid sub 200k for in rural MD would cost 500+ easy in Colorado. And I can catch the Marc to Bmore, redline to DC real easy and quick.