[coolbananas]

Moving to Florida seems to be a growing trend for single professionals across the country. We're all generally looking for the same things: meet quality people, build a career, and enjoy what the area has to offer (cool city vibe, beautiful beaches, other outside activities, nice burbs closeby if we decide to start a family in the area).

That in mind, here's a pretty common checklist most of us likely share:

- 1hr or less from the ocean (and mountains if applicable)
- vibrant city atmosphere and young sophisticated population
- lots of stuff to do outside and expand our social circle
- local economy with career possibilities and at least some tech jobs
- people are generally pleasant
- not just a college/party town
- relatively safe and affordable
- a good place to meet quality people and start a family while enjoying what the area has to offer

What I've gathered so far from reading posts here:
Fort Lauderdale
Boring if you're past the bar/club scene, plenty of rundown areas unless you're in a suburban neighborhood, noticeable number of arrogant and selfish people, good number of singles/large gay community, local porn industry and lots of superficial people, not many career possibilities or technology jobs.

Tampa area
Most young people live in the city of Tampa itself or South Tampa area. South Tampa has lots of sophisticated young profs. but mostly interested in partying than meeting quality people. Abound superficial and cocky attitude. Getting to Clearwater or other beaches can be a pain with traffic. Some tech jobs/career oportunities.

Jacksonville
Nice modern/sophisticated city, people are generally nice and fairly down-to-earth. Not many singles or things to do. Some tech jobs/career opportunities.

Miami/Miami Beach
Modern sophisticated Miami, lots to do outside, big immigrant population, not many tech jobs nor career possibilities. A bit superficial yet friendly people.

Orlando/Lake Mary
Orlando: getting a little rundown the last few years, lots to do outside, sophisticated people, vibrant city vibe. Not many tech jobs or career opportunities. Lake Mary: good amount of tech jobs, not much to do for singles.

The Palms?
Expensive, clean, superficial, cocky yet easy to meet people. specifics?

This was what I was able to gather from a myriad or posts. If you have first-hand knowledge of living close or in one of these areas, please share your opinion and explain it somewhat. I'll post the aggregated list with everyone's feedback after a few weeks so others searching for the same can quickly get a good overall reference. Feel free to reference other part of the country as well you think fit the above criteria

[Lulu101]

Tampa Bay, Melbourne and Boca Raton are the tech job meccas.

[coolbananas]

NOTE: if the post seems too focused on Tech jobs it's because they're such a driving force in the young single professional population, and which makes "us" somewhat more "mobile". Any other career jobs would apply to the post too, of course.

[Lulu101]

They're mobile, as in being rapidly outsourced overseas?

Originally Posted by coolbananas

NOTE: if the post seems too focused on Tech jobs it's because they're such a driving force in the young single professional population, and which makes "us" somewhat more "mobile". Any other career jobs would apply to the post too, of course.

[coolbananas]

As in not dependent on their current geographical area for career advancement. Let's keep the post focused if possible so others can follow, pls. thanks!

[JSnFla]

Moving OUT of FLorida is the strongest trend for young professionals that are both from here or have moved here from elsewhere. Sadly, florida's major cities are consistantly ranked as the worst places in the US for young professionals which has caused an exodus of young educated people OUT of the state.....young professionals are moving to southern cali, northern cali, austin, dallas, houston, raleigh, dc, atlanta, ny, boston, denver, seattle and chicago...the bubble burst awhile ago on transient pipedream spots like vegas, arizona and especially florida.

[planetsurf]

We just moved back to Miami from San Diego -- there are tons of opportunities IF you are Spanish/Portugues fluent. Many MAJOR companies have LatAm offices here and there's plenty of good jobs available IF you're qualified (think Apple, Microsoft, Nokia, Cisco, etc.).
Within these types of companies, they aren't really tech jobs, more BizDev, marketing, sales, accounting, etc.

Miami also has a fair amount of finance and law positions which are less Spanish/Portugues relient, but in this market, who knows who's hiring (if ANYONE)??

Good luck.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

We just moved back to Miami from San Diego -- there are tons of opportunities IF you are Spanish/Portugues fluent. Many MAJOR companies have LatAm offices here and there's plenty of good jobs available IF you're qualified (think Apple, Microsoft, Nokia, Cisco, etc.).
Within these types of companies, they aren't really tech jobs, more BizDev, marketing, sales, accounting, etc.

Miami also has a fair amount of finance and law positions which are less Spanish/Portugues relient, but in this market, who knows who's hiring (if ANYONE)??

Good luck.

This is true of South East Florida, but not of the rest of Florida and especially Central Florida.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

This is true of South East Florida, but not of the rest of Florida and especially Central Florida.

Correct ... I mentioned Miami, but there are a few of these companies in Ft Lauderdale/Broward too.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by coolbananas

Jacksonville
Nice modern/sophisticated city, people are generally nice and fairly down-to-earth. Not many singles or things to do. Some tech jobs/career opportunities.

I think you summed up Jax right. If your plan is a future plan, you'll be fine. Right now though, Jax has been hit hard by the economy as the rest of Florida has. So jobs are not as plentiful now as they were 6 months ago.

We're one of the youngest, if not THE youngest Florida cities demographically-speaking, but we're not a party town. If you're someone who likes to go out to dinner, go to a bar or club, go to an event, a concert, a movie, you'll find Jax to be more than adequate. But if you're someone who needs more entertainment - you want to be out clubbing 4 or 5 nights a week and you want a large variety of clubs - Jax may not have enough for you.

Overall it's a good city and it's moving in the right direction. It's slow and steady progress, so we have some growing pains, but it's a very different city than it was 10 years ago and it's worth paying a visit to check it out for yourself and see what you think .