[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Yup - Sarasota/Bradenton is practically booming again. New businesses, new housing starts, the new upscale megamall and other shops around University Parkway under construction, new condos/apartments/hotels planned for downtown... practically every facet of business is alive and well here (at least compared to some other areas of Florida)

I have heard some real positives about downtown Bradenton of late. Has it completely resurrected or a long term project that's in it's infancy more or less?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by TXRyan23

I'm a member of group on Facebook for people that grew up in the Tampa Bay area, I asked the same question not even a week ago. Many people have said that the job market is still slow, but that it's much better than it was a year ago. They said that Amazon and Humana are about to open up 4,000 new jobs between the two of them. However, they've said that unless you have a bachelors degree, that you should expect to make between $8-$10/hr.

Originally Posted by jghorton

The housing market on the Emerald Coast (Panama City, Destin, FWB, Pensacola) is surging again (Upscale Destin Housing prices are probably up 15-25% over the past 1-2 years ... BUT, Destin is more of a tourist-investor-2nd home market, than some). Unemployment in Okaloosa County remains low (5-7%), but, a great deal of that is lower paying 'service sector' employment. --- Summary: There is more to the flows and ebbs of many markets than is often immediately apparent from the statistics.

That appears to be the crux of "growth" in the state which I see as unsustainable unfortunately. Local economy relies on local disposable income over the long haul. With so much of the new growth in lower paying service economy jobs, how is it expected that those wages paid will sustain the local economy effectively over time?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by blueherons

Yes, that brand new mall out on University/Lakewood Ranch/I75 is a MONSTER! All the new businesses going out there is insane. The manager of Barnacle Bills downtown said the beer people told him 23 new liquor licenses have been applied for in the mall area. We are definitely getting a Cheesecake Factory and that new PF Changs that just opened up? Killing it. Hotel occupancy here is through the roof.

Good times!

Which again points to service sector jobs as the main source of new employment. I would imagine those floating this development are mainly retirees and second-home residents as other job sectors certainly aren't seeing a boom in the area, or are they?

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

That's awesome to hear, thanks. There's a preconceived notion by many that the Space Coast has become depressed but I had heard that companies were moving in to take advantage of the skilled workforce living there. Is downtown Melbourne seeing any growth along with that or is it restricted mainly to the newer areas closer to I-95?

Downtown is doing pretty well too from what I've seen. lots of little botique shops and restaurants (a sushi place, couple of tapas places, coffee shop along with anchor restaurants that have been there for awhile). A few unique places too like a hookah bar, cigar shop etc.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I have heard some real positives about downtown Bradenton of late. Has it completely resurrected or a long term project that's in it's infancy more or less?

Downtown Bradenton has had a lot happen in the last few years, with a lot more slated to happen. Bradenton is very small, but I personally love the feel of the city; plus it's just a hop and a skip up to Tampa/St. Pete.

Anyway, here is a good website that can give you an idea what's going on:

Bradenton Downtown Development Authority | Bradenton Florida

And another: (for Realizebradenton)

Home

[TD*]

Tallahassee has always had a stable economy, but we are booming again. People should consider moving here.



So much new stuff coming to Tallahassee this year.

1. Whole Foods
2. Trader Joes
3. Dicks Sporting Goods
4. Bass Pro Shops
5. College Town Development
6. Gaines St. District
7. Cascades Park
8. Urban Outfitters
9. Midtown
10. Multi-story Campus Housing.

You would not believe the growth around Florida State University Campus and Gaines St District.. Its VERY Impressive.

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

That appears to be the crux of "growth" in the state which I see as unsustainable unfortunately. Local economy relies on local disposable income over the long haul. With so much of the new growth in lower paying service economy jobs, how is it expected that those wages paid will sustain the local economy effectively over time?

Exactly.

I figured people would slam what I said as being inaccurate or "made up" even though I got it straight from current residents. It's unfortunate, but those types of wages are what's kept me away. You'd have to consider that since those seem to be the only types of jobs that are open, it's either going to A. Attract new residents that are okay with making those types of wage, while driving people with higher education away, or B. Allow employers to drive down the wages of those with degrees, because there is such a high pool of unemployed, or "under-employed" workers with degrees.

IMHO, Florida has always been a state that's full of low paying service jobs, I didn't expect the economic collapse and rebuild to fix it.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by TD*

Tallahassee has always had a stable economy, but we are booming again. People should consider moving here.



So much new stuff coming to Tallahassee this year.

1. Whole Foods
2. Trader Joes
3. Dicks Sporting Goods
4. Bass Pro Shops
5. College Town Development
6. Gaines St. District
7. Cascades Park
8. Urban Outfitters
9. Midtown
10. Multi-story Campus Housing.

You would not believe the growth around Florida State University Campus and Gaines St District.. Its VERY Impressive.

That's impressive! I'll read up and check it out.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Downtown Bradenton has had a lot happen in the last few years, with a lot more slated to happen. Bradenton is very small, but I personally love the feel of the city; plus it's just a hop and a skip up to Tampa/St. Pete.

Anyway, here is a good website that can give you an idea what's going on:

Bradenton Downtown Development Authority | Bradenton Florida

And another: (for Realizebradenton)

Home

Just saw a few Google images of the "main" downtown strip. Very cute and looks filled in and thriving. Thanks, I'll definitely check it out!

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Which again points to service sector jobs as the main source of new employment. I would imagine those floating this development are mainly retirees and second-home residents as other job sectors certainly aren't seeing a boom in the area, or are they?

Not completely service sector jobs. Don't forget all that takes a lot of management, marketing, IT, positions to support.

The area is Lakewood Ranch and it is far from being a retirement/second home area. It is a massive planned community with schools, hospitals, etc. It's basically another city on the I75 corridor quite a ways from the beach. I think it will eventually be home to some 20,000 people. It is reliant upon full time residents.