[PGSJC]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a while now and decided to create an account so that I can ask all you helpful people for information.

My wife and I just got married and are doing preliminary research about moving to a warmer climate. One of the main things we have in common is that we both hate winter!!

Some background about us:

We live in Toronto, Canada and are what you would consider well off. Not rich by any means but easily able to afford little luxuries like 2 cars, annual vacations, restaurant dining, etc.

My wife is a dental hygienist and I work in IT. Changing careers is out of the question as we are both in our early 30s and will be starting a family very soon.

We have been doing a lot of research online and my wife is actually licensed to work in her field in FL. However, does anyone here personally know a dental hygienist there? Anyone in IT? If so, what are the jobs like? Are there opportunities in these fields?

Based on nothing more than what we've read, we like the Sarasota area. Good choice, bad choice?

We would never move there without having jobs first. And we also would never do it without visiting many areas in the state first. We are planning a trip down there in late December. Flying to Tampa or Sarasota and then driving down the coast to Marco Island and then across to Weston (where I have family) and then to Fort Lauderdale and fly home.

We love the heat so weather won't be a factor. And I really do mean LOVE the heat. The hotter the better.

Any advice? Tips? Any other transplanted Canadians here?

[runswithscissors]

Your wife may find jobs more easily than you....I see dental hygienist jobs all the time here online. For what it's worth, my Phila dentist up North told me all the retirees move to Florida and splurge on their teeth LOL.

I believe him because when I was moving here in May, he gave me the name of the cosmetic dentist in Palm Beach who told him that.

You probably have tons of people with no insurance who skip the dentist, too....these higher end dentists don't take insurance, ime, but will submit it for you if you self pay. Then you get a check for 18.00 for a 1000.00 crown lengthing LOL.

I would suggest she start with trying to find positions with cosmetic dentists/reconstruction or periodontists or endodontists. They are serious about dental health and equally serious about their staff in my experience.

[FLBob]

I agree with runswithscissors, your wife will find jobs easier than you.
I came to Florida with about 25 years of designing networks and software. I thought I'd be successful here. I had my own consulting company for about 8 years. I'm now in real estate.
I switched not because there was no work, but the majority of the work was less than exciting.
I think your limiting issue is the IT work, I'd look Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Miami for IT ( in that order) your wife should be able to find work where ever you do.
If you can find IT work in Sarasota I think you'll be happy with the area.

[steve1077]

Sarasota is hard to beat if you're not looking for a major market. Sure there are lots of rich people but most aren't. I think the rich are a positive as they pay big taxes and the police are ready to keep things in order though they aren't very visible. I've been all over the state and the Sarasota area is my favorite.

[RMD3819]

Do you have visas/work permits?

I do believe Canadians have limitations on how long they can stay and/or work here.

[madhar]

Hi,

Just had to respond, to ask how you found Dental Hygienist jobs online, I am also a Dental Hygienist, looking to move back to Florida, and I would be interested to see what and if any jobs are available in this current financial crisis, as at the time I do have a good job, but miss family and friends, thanks so much for any info.

[outsider1]

Sarasota is a great choice, but to be able to continue affording those little luxuries you'll just need to get extremely lucky if you're in IT. You may end up commuting 40-50 miles one way to Tampa Bay area. But even this may not be the answer these days. As an example, some 8 years ago 9 of my co-workers moved to Tampa from Chicago when the company offered a relocation option. All of them were in IT and in a financial situation that was similar or better than yours. 2 years ago 6 of those 9 ended up getting laid off. Of the 6, none remained in Tampa and only one is still in Florida. None of the 5wanted to leave the state, but it was the only way to keep affording the lifestyle they've become too used to.

[Keeper]

There are some IT jobs in Tampa but there are also a lot of folks looking for a job, many of them live in Tampa. If you don't have a local phone/address # don't expect a call back.

There are consultant jobs however, you never know how long those will last.

To be honest, I have friends who were just laid off a couple of months ago and they are still trying to find a job.