Bored in Florida (Boston, Norfolk, Richmond: apartment, rent, job market)

[Bored in Florida]

i've been thinking about moving to the Boston area but am concerned about the cost of living there. i currently live in a small town in Florida with absolutely nothing to do unless you are a golfer or in the military, but live reasonably well, with rent at only 700/mo. i work at wal mart and make 11/hr. my husband is a manager at mcdonalds and makes about 40k/yr. what should we expect to make in boston? i know housing is a lot more expensive there, but should i also expect to make more in the same type of work??? please help, we are so ready to get out of florida and boston seems like the perfect place for a young couple like us. also, is it hard to find jobs there (we only have high school education) please help!!!

[miu]

You might want to start off by perusing the Boston area craigslist to give you some ideas about jobs and housing options. And you also should visit Boston before just moving here blind.

My boyfriend moved up from Florida five years ago and he loves it up here. The rest of his family is still happily living back in Florida though.

[Suericio]

yes u would make more up there! just guessing but retail might not make much more maybe like $15an hr. but ur bf probably could make 50k if not more.and im from boston and living in orlando now. theres more of a job market in boston than here in florida. and unlike florida u get paid for the cost of living meaning since cost of living is so high there, u will not get minimun wages granted u have a good amount of job experience, u will get more money! i think its a good place to raise kids. i miss boston every day. and if u like dining out u will love boston style foods. hope this helps alittle and good luck. any questions just ask but i would visit and get a feel for the city 1st and atleast find a job and place to live before doing anything .....

[WannaGoHome]

if you wanted to stay at walmart, you'd have to live in a suburb, as this is where they are located. And, with your perspective income, a suburb would suit you well anyhow. The thing is though, the suburbs that will more than likely be in your price range are a lil further than Boston than you'd probably like and you'll have to factor in the costs of commuter rails to go to Boston and enjoy all that it has to offer. Definitely look at what craigslist has to offer. What are your criterion on a place to live (besides affordability)? I think maybe there might be better options. Maybe a place where you can live in or near a downtown area and not break the bank. And also perhaps a place where your education won't be a hinderance. You'd swear, going to interviews in Boston, that everyone and their mother has a PhD. It's a city very big on higher education. Good luck!

Cheers!

[holden125]

The Boston area is a great place (at last I think so) but it is expensive. There are also other areas that might be a more interesting change of scenery for you but also more affordable. A friend of mine moved to Richmond, Va. and that area is not too bad. Much cheaper than here and not as far from home.

[WannaGoHome]

Weird that you mention Richmond, holden. I spent time in Virginia Beach/Norfolk and VA is pretty cool. I'm not sure of the economy these days, but it's definitely cheaper than Boston.

[HoneyRyder]

You might like Boston. I'm from New England and I am moving to Boston soon to be closer to my job. I'm actually thinking about relocating to Florida in a couple of years. I like being close to my family, and I think I will enjoy the convenience of living in the city, but at the same time, my jobs is very high pressure and I could be laid off at any time. The winters here really kill me too. Most people from here don't mind them. Being from Florida...you probably would be cold.

I would suggest the suburbs of Mass. The COL is much higher in Mass, and damn, 50K is pretty good, he'd make more here too (maybe about 10K more at most). However, I would much rather work for a suburban McDonalds than one inside the city. The ones in the city are gross and much more high stress, but I can imagine working at a suburban one to be more friendly and laid back. If you also work and have a combined income, I'm sure you could get an apartment in the city if you wanted to, but you probably would not want to. New Englanders as a whole are pretty nice and down to earth. I would suggest visiting, it's a great place! Definitely a lot to do here. If you like it you never know...