[helenhunt24]

we currently live in Key West, but have to move before January. we have a newborn baby and with one income just can't afford it anymore.
we were thinking Fort Myers area, but after reading the posts about that, I'm not that sure anymore. my husband works in construction, so we'd like to move someplace where he could get the job in construction and the rents would be around 800 for a decent apartment. any suggestions? we're pretty open to everything and appreciate all the info.

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by helenhunt24

we currently live in Key West, but have to move before January. we have a newborn baby and with one income just can't afford it anymore.
we were thinking Fort Myers area, but after reading the posts about that, I'm not that sure anymore. my husband works in construction, so we'd like to move someplace where he could get the job in construction and the rents would be around 800 for a decent apartment. any suggestions? we're pretty open to everything and appreciate all the info.

As you can see from the other numerous posts, the constuction industy is not doing very well in the Florida market. Is your husband in commercial construction or residential? That is going to give you very different answers.

To go off what you asked...Jacksonville fits both of those. However, if you are a HUGE fan of Key West...it's very different. With that said though, it is beautiful in areas (St. Aug, Nassau County, Mandarin, Beaches). You can find a good apartment for $800 for Sure, but that might only get you a really nice 1 bedroom. However, Mandarin..as I mentioned, you can get a nice/safe 2 bedroom (south mandarin only) for $850-900. Jacksonville still has some decent construction jobs.

I work in Human Resources for one of the nation's largest builders, and unfortunately, it is going to boil down to
1. Is your husband a superintendent/PM/Customer Warrant person, etc.? The operations side of the construction industry is what is taking the largest hit right now in jobs.
2. Is he a subcontractor? If so, pay is less, but there is still work to be had
3. Do you have to stay in Florida? If not, the Carolinas might be a better place for the cost of living and a construction job right now. They are experiencing growing pains too, but might fit your needs for a while until the market is more stable, and then come on back to sunny Florida.

Lastly, if your husband works an in-house job in construction...next year end of Q1 and beginning of Q2 should be ok for him...at least in Jacksonville. I would suggest Orlando or Tampa as well..but I know Tampa is more expensive than Jax, and I'm not that familiar with Orlando so I wouldn't want to comment. BUT, our company is doing well there.

Best of luck to you.

[orlando'an]

no, orlando is bad right now.