[mnicole]

I am interested in relocating. I currently live in Kansas, I have lived here my entire life and frankly - I'm bored. I have a B.S. degree in Digital Media. I worked for a television station here in Kansas for a while before switching to a higher paying position in the information technology industry. I have been working in IT for almost three years now. I have a great job and great benefits, which is difficult to come by in this economy. I have wanted to relocate for a few years now, but I have never felt the time was right. I'm in my mid-twenties and am in a now or never mentality - no kids yet!
If I relocate, I will be doing so with a little money saved up and I will be searching for work after arriving. I hear that Panama City is expanding. Are there plenty of job opportunities?
Also, I use my bicycle as my main mode of transportation. I also use a car when necessary though. Is it easy to get around Panama City by bike?
Finally, what are some of the best neighborhoods to rent a place? I potentially have a home I can rent in Wewahitchka, but I know nothing about that area and would have to make that commute into Panama City by car. Are there insights into that area that someone can provide me with?
Thanks!

[beachmouse]

Unless you're going to work for Girls Gone Wild or have an active security clearance, there really isn't much in terms of IT opportunity in the area, and the jobs that do come up don't pay terribly well. Local tv stations make up something like Nielsen Market #157, and I've run into local on-air talent working retail as a second job to pay the bills.

[pcbgirl99]

not a whole lot in the jobs area here, sorry to tell you. not really that bike friendly, either, unless you live really close to where you work. wewa is a tiny town out in the middle of nowhere. not that it isn't nice, but most people come to PC for shopping, etc.
areas to rent depends on your budget, where you want to live (ie beach or town). it's surprisingly expensive here considering the low wages. if you're hell bent on florida in general, you might want to try a bigger city like tampa. unless you already have job opportunities or leads.
IT... you might want to consider jobs at one of the military bases. tyndall or the navy base.

[mnicole]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I thought it might be a good area because of the naval base, but I'm having trouble coming up with sources that say it is a good place to live. A lot of the stuff I'm coming across is tourist-oriented or put out by the Chamber of Commerce and it paints a good picture. However, when I do come across resources from people familiar with the area the feedback is much more negative. Which is why I came here! I'm hoping to get people from the area who can provide an honest opinion! I've read that Jacksonville is good for IT. Is that accurate? Maybe I should rethink the location I move to. I honestly don't have any leads, so I feel like I'm flying blind!

[pcbgirl99]

yeah, i'd stick with a bigger city if you're looking for IT jobs.

[Careerparent]

I saw your thread and just had to respond. Don't move to Panama City unless you have quiet a bit of money saved. This city is not bike friendly and there is no decent public transportation to speak of. You probably will not like Wewahitchka unless you like a VERY rural area approx 30 miles from Panama City. I would definitely consider a larger city if you must move to Florida. The cost of living here is very expensive compared to what most jobs pay. Please think about your decision to move here if you haven't already!

[jghorton]

There are a lot of great, small, rural Florida towns where you could probably get by with a bike ---
But, most towns where you will find a significant opportunity in Digital Media Design will require some type of IT industry and most likely be a larger (non-bike-friendly) town.

If you are intent on moving out of Kansas to someplace warm, it would probably make sense to define and 'weigh out' your various criteria ... and then objectively evaluate various towns.

[Gersh740]

whatever position you have in the I.T. field in Kansas stay there! Florida will not pay you according to your experience or expertise. The state is stuck in the 1970's when it comes to wages so you will need 2 jobs to manage! But then again you are young and it may not be so difficult. just go to salary.com to see where you compare and then laugh at what Florida offers for ANY job!

[mnicole]

I appreciate all the input. It has certainly influenced my decision NOT to move to Panama City. Instead, I'm looking at Raleigh, NC. They have a much better economic outlook and I do have family and close friend nearby with some connections. It seems much more practical, and I've visited North Carolina a few times and always enjoyed it.

[ihatepcfl]

Check out another city. You need to find a more progressive city (have you checked out Austin?). This area is horrible. Nothing here but beach, white/trailer trash, rednecks, low pay, good ole boys, bitting gnats, and small minded people.