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Unread 07-23-2012, 01:12 AM
 
29 posts, read 12,189 times
Reputation: 15
Default Landing in Miami - then what?..

Hello, i finally got my ticket to Miami..As i said some time ago, me and my wife will come from Bulgaria, with economic degrees, some English, and some cash..well - better than mr.Michael Weston
We have an offer to live in our friend's condo in Key West for month(for 1K), to see how the things are, and to find some jobs and place to stay..But I'm still not sure about this, September is dead month in KW, and there is so expensive, i doubt we can make it there with with two housekeeper salaries, for example..
So, my question is - Hallandale, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton - all they are nice places, and near Miami. We need some 1room place in nice and safe area. We will need some entry level jobs, until we polish our language. Which of them is better, and what areas are good? Or we shall go to Key West?
And another thing - we will land in 9pm - to stay for one night in hotel (i found there is DaysInn near the airport), or to search for transportation?
Thanks a lot for the attention, any help will be welcome!
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Unread 07-23-2012, 01:56 AM
 
12,604 posts, read 7,218,541 times
Reputation: 7272
Where to start OK welcome to the forum and to America and the best of luck.
I'm amazed you got through the whole immigration process with such little planning and basically landing in the country with nothing more than the proverbial shirts on your backs.
Key West is a very small town whose main resource is tourism,getting a job there could prove difficult as you'll be competing with the locals for any housekeeping jobs or restaurant jobs.Miami and north to West Palm Beach would be a better option as its wall to wall hotels motels and i'm sure vacancies for housekeepers/maids and janitors are more plentiful but its 150 miles away from Key West with virtually nothing in between.and you have no car,the whole area is basically built around car ownership,no car and you are not really mobile enough to chase down jobs and public transportation is not really that extensive.
Then you have the problems with language,no set address,getting required documents like Social Security numbers,drivers license,etc,all the time with no health insurance coverage.I'll presume you have Green Cards.
http://miami.craigslist.org/
Is a good site to check for jobs/apartments/cars/and all manner of lifes necessities

OK thats the good news..
Bad news? after a few months of struggling in the USA Bulgaria may take on a whole new level of attraction..

Keep us posted on how it goes as we on the forum love to follow along with peoples stories..

Last edited by jambo101; 07-23-2012 at 02:35 AM..
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Unread 07-23-2012, 04:17 AM
 
29 posts, read 12,189 times
Reputation: 15
Thanks a lot for the attention!
My idea was - Key West - or - the other cities(and which one)..Key West will be nice exactly because if we stay there, i think we could do it without a car..And yes, we will have only our visas with work permission in the beginning, the SSN and green cards will be sent later.
I posted some topic here 3-4 months ago, there were some nice advices, mostly for Tampa area, but my flight is to Miami..I'm looking for some jobs and rentals from here, but i don't think that's the way..
Hard to choose..
And if i don't go to KW, maybe i will be in need of some extended stay hotel in the beginning - there is Motel6 in Dania Beach, Days Inn in Oakland park, and Studio6 in West Palm Beach - which one is better?

Last edited by KS76; 07-23-2012 at 05:12 AM..
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Unread 07-23-2012, 06:14 AM
 
Location: Vermont
181 posts, read 89,650 times
Reputation: 127
This sounds like a disaster in the making. I was even told to have at least 6 months living expenses before I even moved so that if I could not find a job, I could still survive. You are looking at (in my opinion based on advice in this forum), the most expensive areas to live and are going to get minimum wage jobs to support yourselves. I do wish you the best of luck!
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Unread 07-23-2012, 06:55 AM
 
29 posts, read 12,189 times
Reputation: 15
Hm..I have $ to survive 3 months, not more. I know, it's expensive area, but I'm coming from Europe, a flight to California for example will cost more money and time..And I don't know is there a place in the USA, where is cheap and they will take me on work in the moment..What I know for sure, is that I will not withstand in some big city - Miami, Tampa, Boston, NY, DC etc..
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Unread 07-23-2012, 07:15 AM
 
12,604 posts, read 7,218,541 times
Reputation: 7272
Did you look on that Craigslist link i posted as that will give you some idea of apartment costs and jobs available and although i posted the Miami area Craigslist ..
Heres the Key West One.
craigslist: florida keys classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events
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Unread 07-23-2012, 08:21 AM
 
29 posts, read 12,189 times
Reputation: 15
Yes, i observe Keys Craigslist every day..This is why i asked about the other cities, they are expensive, but i think there is cheaper than KW, and there are more jobs..I don't know, as i said, any advice will be welcome!
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Unread 07-24-2012, 06:23 AM
 
Location: Vermont
181 posts, read 89,650 times
Reputation: 127
May I ask why you purchased tickets to Miami BEFORE you did your research of what areas would have the employment available to you along with a lower cost of living? You stated earlier that people gave you great advice about the Tampa area but you had tickets to Miami already. You must research first before spending money on tickets. If you cannot change your tickets then I would suggest looking at the Tampa area for jobs and housing, then when you land in Miami take the bus to Tampa.
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Unread 07-24-2012, 07:07 AM
 
29 posts, read 12,189 times
Reputation: 15
We purchased the cheapest flight, and there was only "Miami" option for Florida..Thanks for the advice, i don't think traveling from Miami to Tampa with bus will be a problem for us, it even will be a nice trip. I did a lot of research in Tampa area, but it's very huge area, and I'm scared of bad reputation of most places there..It's more probably for us to go in bad place in St.Petersburg, than in Boca Raton..

Quote:
Originally Posted by vtallison View Post
May I ask why you purchased tickets to Miami BEFORE you did your research of what areas would have the employment available to you along with a lower cost of living? You stated earlier that people gave you great advice about the Tampa area but you had tickets to Miami already. You must research first before spending money on tickets. If you cannot change your tickets then I would suggest looking at the Tampa area for jobs and housing, then when you land in Miami take the bus to Tampa.
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Unread 07-25-2012, 02:04 PM
 
Location: N26.03 W80.11
320 posts, read 175,851 times
Reputation: 275
When I lived in Key West there was a really (relatively speaking) big Eastern/Central European population working in the hotels and resorts. I think a lot of them were from Poland. They seemed to be making it okay. If you do go to Key West, check out The Galleon Resort and Marina. I think they offered housing for some of their employees.
Also, in a few months, Ocean Reef in Key Largo will be hiring for winter season. They do offer housing to their employees and I know that there are people there working on visas.
I wish you all the luck in the world. I have lived in and worked in foreign countries and I know how hard and exciting and just plain strange it can be.
Please keep us updated!
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