[ottomobeale]

1) Non tipped employees do NOT make less than 6.67 an hour in Florida. Fl has its own minimum wage.
2) Things are very expensive at least compared to the non boom mid-west. Californians would laugh at you for saying houses are expensive, however... excepting Miami of course. Wages are lower than Cali tho.
3) I saw the first truly obvious price reduction yesterday on a new neighborhood. (vs hiding it with "free" upgrades. Prices seem to be sliding down a bit.
4) Get quotes for auto insurance for your potential area. You may get a rude surprise. (like doubling) Switching insurance companies largely fixed this for me tho.
5) By all means move to Florida. Just have jobs lined up first. You most likely have seen all the warnings of where costs are higher. It seems time is on your side so move but do it smart.
6) Florida's economy obliterates anything I saw in OH from which I moved. Wages were indeed higher in Ohio... for the 3 jobs actually left in Ohio. Maybe it has improved in Ohio but sure didnt look like it when I was up there over Christmas. I know a few people with degrees still working lesser jobs than their skills would normally indicate.
7) Florida definitely feels much more transient... People come and go alot more than Ohio.
8) The biggest cities seem to have the best economies and that is where housing costs are highest. Out in the sticks on Rt. 60 can look like a wasteland in parts.
9) I would avoid Dade- Broward - Palm Beach unless you are quite wealthy. Highest costs both the houses themselves and insurance of all types.

[sunrico90]

We moved to Navarre in 1998 and retired from USAF 2002. Jobs related to aerospace are available, the company that I work for was looking for 100 aircraft mechanics, structural/electrical and support average hourly wage $20.00 plus $5K plus in benefits. We only hired so far 81 individuals and many relocated from CA, TX, SC, VI and NC.

We have many of the top 100 aerospace companies in the area and if you get on-board you network inside the company and move upward. I'm doing great and plan in taking a 2nd retirement by my 54 birthday (now 46)....

Companies within Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola and Crestview are always looking for new people to work.