[Shinobi1001]

Hi everyone, I'm a 26 yo single male and currently reside in North Pole, Alaska. I've been really considering moving to the other side of the country. I'm really looking to move to Florida, and I should mention I'm originally from Louisiana so I do have some southern background. I've been in Alaska for the last 7 years and I can't stand the long dark winters as well as the small population in my town.

As for cities, I've been thinking about Tampa or Orlando. I'm still in the research phase, but what should be on my checklist? Also what are the best cities for singles and for employment?

EDIT: I should also mention I have a 4 year degree in liberal arts and a certification in drafting/engineering. I graduated college last summer and have had a job in engineering field since graduation.

[PDF]

Woah, big weather change!

I think you're right on track by looking into Tampa and Orlando. I would say Tampa has a better nightlife scene and is better for meeting people overall. Orlando's nightlife is mainly centered in Downtown Orlando, which is small. Both cities are about equal on employment I think...Tampa might be a little better. I prefer Orlando to Tampa, but check them both out.

Miami is good, but I can understand if you don't want to live there. Ft. Lauderdale is nice as well. I hear Jacksonville is good for jobs, its not as nice as it should be...but still worth checking it out.

As a 26 year old single male (I am one too), I'd limit your options to those 5 cities. Anywhere smaller wouldn't be good for you socially or job-wise.

I think the best you can do is really research FL and see which of the big cities you prefer.

[Restrain]

Come down, use Orlando as a temp site, go job searching. You might be able to use your engineering in the yacht industry in Miami, shipyards in Tampa, etc.

[aridon]

South Florida is NOTHING like Louisiana. I lived in Louisiana for 5 years, its a good place with nice people on average. The people are very different here. Further North you go the more "southern" it gets.

I'd suggest lining up a job prior to coming if you want something in your field. That will keep your options open and you can pick the area based on your job location. Otherwise you'll be looking at some form of tourism job and they don't pay well.

Good luck.

[Crane's Rooster]

Tampa and Orlando are fairly comparable in cost of living, nightlife, recreation, etc. Go with wherever your beat job opportunity is.

[Shinobi1001]

Originally Posted by PDF

Woah, big weather change!

I think you're right on track by looking into Tampa and Orlando. I would say Tampa has a better nightlife scene and is better for meeting people overall. Orlando's nightlife is mainly centered in Downtown Orlando, which is small. Both cities are about equal on employment I think...Tampa might be a little better. I prefer Orlando to Tampa, but check them both out.

Miami is good, but I can understand if you don't want to live there. Ft. Lauderdale is nice as well. I hear Jacksonville is good for jobs, its not as nice as it should be...but still worth checking it out.

As a 26 year old single male (I am one too), I'd limit your options to those 5 cities. Anywhere smaller wouldn't be good for you socially or job-wise.

I think the best you can do is really research FL and see which of the big cities you prefer.

Thanks, I was interested in Tampa because of the nightlife and the fact that I've heard Orlando has terrible traffic, if that's true. I'm more of a city person, not too big, but just enough to be able to get from location to location in a car. The place I'm at right now is not city, not even a town, lol, it's more like a settlement.

I fear I might be in for a culture shock though, because it's like talking a drastic 180 degree turn on my living environment.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by aridon

South Florida is NOTHING like Louisiana. I lived in Louisiana for 5 years, its a good place with nice people on average. The people are very different here. Further North you go the more "southern" it gets.

I'd suggest lining up a job prior to coming if you want something in your field. That will keep your options open and you can pick the area based on your job location. Otherwise you'll be looking at some form of tourism job and they don't pay well.

Good luck.

Tampa and Orlando are not South Florida.....just sayin'

[Shinobi1001]

Originally Posted by Restrain

Come down, use Orlando as a temp site, go job searching. You might be able to use your engineering in the yacht industry in Miami, shipyards in Tampa, etc.

Hmm, I should look into this. I wonder if the yacht industry hires CAD technicians

[Shinobi1001]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Tampa and Orlando are fairly comparable in cost of living, nightlife, recreation, etc. Go with wherever your beat job opportunity is.

I heard traffic is bad in Orlando, but that tech jobs are high in demand, any confirmation on this? I do want to enjoy the nightlife and club scene, as there is none of that where I currently reside

[Crane's Rooster]

Traffic in Orlando can get pretty bad, especially now that the major highway (I4) is under construction. But if you dont mind tolls and learn the local roads you can find your way around any traffic jam. And yes tech is a strong and growing industry in Orlando. Regardless of where you end up tbere will be culture shock. Anyone making the reverse move would also have culture shock so the feeling should be normal.