[phoenix1656]

Hey all My wife and I are looking to move to Florida by next November from Minnesota. I wanna move so I can work as a ocean lifeguard. I have looked at these 3 cities and I know PCB does not have lifeguards but does have surf and beach rescue. We have a son who would be close to 2 years at the time of the move and we are both in our mid 20's I was just wondering giving our age, and my hopeful profession where would be the best city to move to. I hope you guys can give me some help that would be great. Thanks

[On-da-Beach]

I can only say that you're right about PCB. During a 2 week span last summer there were 7 drownings along Bay/Walton Counties. They were mostly tourists and some were ordered out of the surf due to rip currents and returned after the authorities left only to discover why they were ordered out...the hard way. It's a very seasonal occupation here.
With so many cut backs, I wish you luck...

[daytonadewd]

I used to be a Life Guard. I'm also a native Floridian. Daytona would be the best place if you're single. But because you're not and have a child, I'd recommend Sarasota because they have the better schools out of the 3 you mentioned.

The problem you're going to find is that all beaches are the County Government responsibility for Life Guards. In Daytona, they are also Police Officers, so they generally recruit previous officers, rather than WSI credentials. Many Life Guard jobs around the state are seasonal or part-time only, so they are second jobs for many people and don't have benefits for you/your family.

Because County governments are funded in Florida through property taxes (we don't have state income taxes), they are now facing severe budget shortfalls due to the real estate market crash and are now scrambling to cut services (and employees).

You definately wouldn't want to relocate your family without landing the job first, and your best bet would be to check for job announcements posted on each of the county web sites.

I also don't want to be a downer, but remember that most teens who live on the Florida coastline are usually active on local swim/water polo teams (as hockey is in Minnesota), so you'll be competing against many seasoned local applicants.

[The Floridian]

Originally Posted by daytonadewd

Daytona would be the best place if you're single.

I disagree.

Being single in Daytona, Ocala, Gainesville or anywhere north central Florida is the worst. For singles over 30, South Florida #1 and Tampa #2. I've lived in Volusia county since mid 1970s and still own a Condo in DBS.

[lagoon7]

Originally Posted by The Floridian

I disagree.

Being single in Daytona, Ocala, Gainesville or anywhere north central Florida is the worst. For singles over 30, South Florida #1 and Tampa #2. I've lived in Volusia county since mid 1970s and still own a Condo in DBS.

How is being single in Gainesville a bad thing? You know there are about 70,000 college students here, right? This place is overrun with single people.

Edit: nevermind you're talking about people over 30.

[The Floridian]

Lagoon7 -

Gainesville is paradise for innocent 17 year old boys/girls from small town USA/Florida. However, once you hit 30, if you're still single things begin to change. Then u hit 40 and u really start to feel like why am I the problem? Then u notice married folks around u aren't so happy and people your age kinda just 'give up' and stay home out of embarrasement being the 'oldest dude at the party'. Gainesville over 40s have serious depression. A lot of older single folks in G'ville simply never go out. Think about; if you were 48 years old and u looked good, thin, ate right, etc and you went to Dockside Imports on any given night, how would u feel? Besides Bars are a terrible way to meet people. It's rather funny, I see good looking single men, never married, no kids and well off financially dating and propsoing to women older than they with 3+ kids and dead end jobs! American men seem so desperate these days...... Thank god I traveled outside the US 10 years ago. I can fly to Brazil or Colombia and meet beautiful, thin women/no kids/good job/feminine/ 15 years my junior and the don't wanna boss me around nor run the show like so many American gals............