From FL to GA-Maybe

[minyalee]

I just recently left Orlando for the Atlanta area, specifically Duluth, which is in Gwinnett county. I would have to say that I like it here much better. Just my opinion. I am also a teacher who wanted to own a home in a decent area, and that was not an option in Orlando.
my pros for Georgia:
better teacher pay..across the board, I can tell you, I researched several counties in Florida - Tampa Bay area, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, Brevard...and teacher pay in all Atlanta area counties were better. Now I am only talking about Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, Dekalb and APS.

cheaper housing: no way could I live in the type of home I have anywhere in a major city in Florida, for this price range I would be dealing with drive bys, car jackings, gangs and D/F schools. Not an option for me, I have a small child. In Gwinnett, there are lots of options for me in nice areas. Brookwood and Peachtree Ridge School districts still have affordable housing, compared to many parts of Florida, unless you are way out in the boonies like Lakeland or Winter Springs.

Culture: to me, there is more cultural diversity here, I find WAY more activities to do and places to go. Atlanta is a major city, so there are just more options. Besides Miami area, Florida is just....a tourist trap. Besides Disney, Universal and the beach, what's left? Nothing. Chain resturants and oranges. No real culture or cultural events. I mean, Orlando having an MLK parade was funny. No major "real" musuems.

Other things: I have no issue with traffic, as a teacher, that does not have to be an issue, you won't be traveling into the busy part of the city unless you are working in APS (which happens to pay the most, people say its combat pay, although the school where I work now is MUCH calmer than ones where I worked in Orlando and they were "A" schools).

As for crime, please, what major city in Florida is safe? Miami? NOT. Orlando, please. Tampa, not when I talk to all of my friends who have been robbed or carjacked at gunpoint. Crime is everywhere, at least here you don't have to pay a million bucks or live in the middle of nowhere to have some piece of mind. Matter of fact, in Orlando, the nicest neighborhood had the worst break ins. Area called MetroWest has million dollar homes and joggers were being attacked left and right, people being robbed in their drive ways, all in sunny, smiley Orlando.

Now the weather, have to agree with others. I am COLD!!!!!! It is rather gloomy here, not the nice, sunny happy feeling Florida has, but I have to work, so I barely made it to the beach anyway. I was able to spend lots of time at local parks here and check out the Chattahochee and its beautiful, but just depends on what you like. I like both landscapes and I could do without the cold, but at least the roaches crawl here and don't fly! And the cold weather allows stuff to go away for a while, like all the snakes and bugs that never go away in Florida it seems, at least not long enough. I know I will not miss those annoying love bugs, those things were so gross and irritating!

I find a more educated population here as well. With so many people moving from so many other places, you meet a lot of young professionals, Orlando isn't getting the same amount of single young professionals by a long shot, most areas of Florida aren't. Cost of living has gotten to high and salaries are too low. I am originally from Chicago, so I feel much more at home here...in some parts. Its still Georgia, and there are some parts where that is more than obvious, but I can't say that racism is worse. There are some areas outside of Orlando, near Jacksonville, up by Tallahassee, in Brevard, and other places that are just as bad, if not worse. Safety in numbers and the numbers are here.

As for teaching. APS pays the most. With your Masters, Cobb and Gwinnett aren't bad, followed by Dekalb and Fulton. I think Gwinnett and Cobb pay most for a Masters though, depending on your years of experience. Gwinnett has tons of jobs, and their hiring process seemed the smoothest, it was quick and easy. A lot more organzied than Orange county FL. If you are special ed, you can basically right your own contract. Add on ESOL and you have it made in the shade, not very competitive at all. I know people with similar backgrounds that got several offers from numerous counties, recruiters were calling them left and right, so I cannot imagine you would have problems. The need for ESOL has grown rapidly here, its obvious they are not used to a Spanish speaking population. In most counties in Florida, ESOL hours were required, so everybody had some.

Maybe I am biased. Don't know. I was not born in Florida so I could do without easily. I liked it enough to stay more than 10 years and I went to college there, but hopefully things work out for me here, because I have no desire to go back. I can take a trip on the weekends on in the summer to see palm trees and the ocean.

[mg83]

Originally Posted by mg83

I wouldn't say the winters are brutal...

I recant. The last few days have been pretty rough, specifically today. It's downright bone-chilling outside, maybe not temperature wise, but its damp, overcast, windy, and about 39 degrees.

The ten-day forecast ain't looking too good either. Only a few more months here for me.

I can't wait for the 97 degree summer days... and the ocean breeze. Bring them on.

[tsdon]

I live in Atlanta and want to move to FL but think it might not work out. Whatever I save in no state income tax is surely to be lost to higher house cost and higher property tax and insurance. I lived in Ft Lauderdale in 2000 and 2001 and loved the beach and hated the 3rd world atmosphere. Which is why I was thinking central FL but that might not be better. Lots of retirees...I think I have my answer but tired of atlanta. Where the hell else do I try?

(what is all this 'racism' / segregation posters talk about in atlanta? pls be specific)

[tsdon]

By the way, having lived in Atlanta for 10 years, this is the best winter I recall. Not too cold and many sunny days compared to years past. Funny to hear floridians complaining that it's too cold.

[jlovefla]

Well, I made my choice and it is...... North Carolina! I went to the job fair this week, and was offered a job on the spot, so thanks for all the input, it really helped but I think NC would be best for me.