[JohnandCheryl]

Originally Posted by leepoffaith

Do you mind me asking, do you have a college degree in anything? If so, that is very sad, but if you don't unfortunatly you don't have a leg to stand on

I don't have a degree because back in the day any help for single mothers was offered to minorities. I didn't want to hide my income by selling drugs to reap the benefits of welfare. My first job was just over minimum wage, 3.40 an hour, part time. In 1984 the minimum was 3.35. That was too much for welfare standards. Going to school was not an option because my daughter deserved to be raised like a decent person to society, unlike the children of today.

[Margel]

What about the market for teachers? I understand that Florida is in need of educators. How is the salary?

[blauskies]

Teacher salaries are poor, better in some counties but not great. For example a Kindergarten Teacher in Palm Beach County makes approx $38 to $42K/year. That might be a lot in a low cost of living area but not when the median home price is $360K, nevermind rising insurance cost and etc.

The Healthcare field is probably the best field to be in here, if that's your thing. Lot's of competition though and depending on the area salaries may be less or more then what your accustomed to. South Florida has the highest salaries in the state, but the cost of living ratio is not balanced.

If you can make an income of over $130K a year, either alone or combined you should be able to live comfortably here and afford a home. Anyless, it will be more difficult and you may be forced to rent or buy a less desirable home in a less desirable area. If you have kids, add a little more $$$ to the equation.

South Florida in general was very affordable 10 years ago, last time it was still somewhat affordable was 2001-2002. Although salaries were proportional to the home prices, they now are out of whack, in 1996 a 3/2/2 home brand new CBS construction with a barrel tile roof in a gated community with low HOA fees sold for $120K approx, now that same home is $350K with very expensive HOA fees on top of insane insurance and rising property taxes.

If you want to move to South Florida for example, and are not rich and/or won't make a large combined salary, be prepared to sacrifice a lot to live here. If you have kids, I would think about their future, where will they go after completing High School and/or college, can or will they be able to move out on their own and afford to live here?

[RedWingsFan]

The salary here stinks. We are in the Daytona Beach area and my husband was offered $14k per year less than what he was making before we moved here. Blah. Low paying jobs here coupled with high property taxes ($4500k per year), high homeowners insurance rates, etc. Not worth it if you ask me.

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by JohnandCheryl

Don't do it. You will need three jobs to pay a mortgage. I am born and raised here and a single mother, still live with my mother because I can't afford to live on my own. The only real jobs here are in the hotels and attractions that might pay 6.00 an hour.

Now come on about the hotel jobs that may pay 6.00 an hour. There are definately jobs to be had and even fast food chains around here start at more than 6.00 an hour. There are definately jobs to be had in the $10.00 an hour range-like phone sales, reservation agents etc etc. Not that 10 an hour is livable but still. . . No wonder people get scared away with broad generalizations like that.

[TriMT7]

If you have skills or a degree, you should do fine. If you have training, for example, paralegal training, then you will find many firms in South Florida offering very generous starting salaries. Teachers make almost 40K in Palm Beach County (considering the 2 months off that you can work somewhere else if you need to, that isn't half bad!)

I know in South Florida that a lot of bio-tech companies are going to be setting up shop soon (one in Jupiter, one in PSL that I know of, and one in Boca, I believe).

Don't bother getting into Construction, as illegals drive wages down in those areas, but if you have a skill such as welding, you can start at a decent salary.

Even without a degree, you have to know where to find work and can't just "settle". Get up and get out and go get some kind of training, or else be in it for the long haul.

Associate Gap managers, for example make between 34 and 40K depending on the market, and that's without a degree throughout the state. Some retail and management experience is necessary, of course, but you can't expect to jump into management and high paying jobs if you have no skills. Work your way up. Other retail chains offer about the same. Here in Tallahassee there are currently a glut of mid-level retail store manager positions open that can't get filled due to lack of people to fill them!

Similarly, I know a 24 year old up here making 42K as a manager (not the head manager) of a large chain restaurant he has worked at since he was 19. He worked his way up, stuck with it, and if he continues on the same track, he can get a "proprietorship" (head manager of a restaurant) and make over 6figures.

Live within your means, and you can live comfortably (not lavishly!) on meager salaries. This of course means being smart, ditching credit cards, only buying cars you can afford, etc. You don't HAVE to own a home. Renting may be a better option for you, especially if you don't make enough to enjoy the tax benefits that come along with it. Millions of people in New York City, for example, go their entire lives without owning their own home.

[Jlake1512Today]

I have read many of these statements from everyone. I know we all need money to live. I understand that, but let me tell you something. I live in Massachusetts where it is very expensive to live and the average house price is five hundred thousand dollars. Please if you want a higher paying job and better schools come up here. However, you will have to deal with very rude people who don't care about you or even want to talk to you. It is like living in a movie. Yes, I would be happy making less, if I knew that I could make friends and maybe start a life. I know three people who have moved to Florida and have met their other half down there and started a family. They told me that would have never happend up in Massachusetts.

[pianogal]

Jlake, Florida is a great place. Yes, it has some issues right now with insurance and high property taxes for new owners (although I know it's much higher in other places). As far as me personally, the ONLY issue I have is the increasing cost of insurance. I just don't see how the insurance companies or the state can expect people to continually cover the cost of the insurance increases. I know my insurance went up almost 300% this year and I live in Orlando! It went from $700 to $1800 on a new home built to the latest hurricane codes - I got a 1K credit for that or it would have been $2800. However, most of us here are hoping and praying that something can be done about this issue.

If you want to come to Florida...come on down. Don't worry about buying..rent a place and see how you like it. There are alot of nice young ladies here....I don't think you'll have any problems meeting them. Good Luck!

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

You don't HAVE to own a home. Renting may be a better option for you, especially if you don't make enough to enjoy the tax benefits that come along with it. Millions of people in New York City, for example, go their entire lives without owning their own home.

Sadly, this is how it is more and more here in the greater Los Angeles area in Southern California. Check out the California forums sometime and see for yourself.

[Jammie]

It's so nice to read posts from encouraging people like the last few posters on this thread. I totally understand that there is an insurance problem down there and also that taxes are becoming a problem, but EVERYTHING can't be wrong with Fla.