[JunoAqua]

I was down in Florida visiting in the LAkeland, Orlando, Ft Myers, Cape Coral Naples area and have contemplated moving here for many years now. I was recently laid off from my job in NY from Kodak, and am looking to relocate to Florida.

I was truly amazed at the LARGE number of Senoir Citizens working at many establishments, hotels, TOLL Plazas, Disney, Universal, Cypress Gardens and even PUBLIX. Grant it I dont know everyones situation, but cmon they are probably collecting Social SEcurity, and are taking jobs away from the younger generatiopn who need to support families. Correct me if Im wrong but is FLORIDA that expensive as to where the retirees must work down there to afford their houses, taxes, due to the tremendous increase in taxes, HOI and housing? How can I expect to move here when Bertha who is 75 years old is working a county job or state job at the toll booths, just to "keep" herself busy or in fact is it neccessay for them to work now because of the housing costs?

[daniellefort]

I believe it takes all of their monthly income and then some to make it. Now these jobs are probably all minimum wage jobs especially the ones at the amusement parks cause though you pay $70 bucks to get in as a visitor, their pay to workers are very poor. I hope your not planning a move to FL looking forward to one of these minimum wage jobs because if that's the case, you may not make it. I can't make it on my own income alone and i make twice the minimum wage working from home and i live in a very small 990/sq ft home. nothing special it's just that expensive to live here. Florida used to be the place to retire and live well but those days are long gone. I don't think these elderly people care to be working outside in the heat by choice. I thinks it's because they need to.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by JunoAqua

I was down in Florida visiting in the LAkeland, Orlando, Ft Myers, Cape Coral Naples area and have contemplated moving here for many years now. I was recently laid off from my job in NY from Kodak, and am looking to relocate to Florida.

I was truly amazed at the LARGE number of Senoir Citizens working at many establishments, hotels, TOLL Plazas, Disney, Universal, Cypress Gardens and even PUBLIX. Grant it I dont know everyones situation, but cmon they are probably collecting Social SEcurity, and are taking jobs away from the younger generatiopn who need to support families. Correct me if Im wrong but is FLORIDA that expensive as to where the retirees must work down there to afford their houses, taxes, due to the tremendous increase in taxes, HOI and housing? How can I expect to move here when Bertha who is 75 years old is working a county job or state job at the toll booths, just to "keep" herself busy or in fact is it neccessay for them to work now because of the housing costs?

Most of those job they have are minimum wage and at best would have some high school kid working there that never shows up. They are dependable and a good source of labor. As for as why they work, that is up to them, not everybody wants to sit in front of the TV watching Soaps all day.

[ssg II]

Originally Posted by macguy

Most of those job they have are minimum wage and at best would have some high school kid working there that never shows up. They are dependable and a good source of labor. As for as why they work, that is up to them, not everybody wants to sit in front of the TV watching Soaps all day.

Exactly. I know several "retired" guys who went to work at golf courses so they could play for free. They all say the same thing: They are constantly called in when the younger employees are no-call, no-show and they end up working many more hours than they signed on for.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by JunoAqua

I was down in Florida visiting in the LAkeland, Orlando, Ft Myers, Cape Coral Naples area and have contemplated moving here for many years now. I was recently laid off from my job in NY from Kodak, and am looking to relocate to Florida.

I was truly amazed at the LARGE number of Senoir Citizens working at many establishments, hotels, TOLL Plazas, Disney, Universal, Cypress Gardens and even PUBLIX. Grant it I dont know everyones situation, but cmon they are probably collecting Social SEcurity, and are taking jobs away from the younger generatiopn who need to support families. Correct me if Im wrong but is FLORIDA that expensive as to where the retirees must work down there to afford their houses, taxes, due to the tremendous increase in taxes, HOI and housing? How can I expect to move here when Bertha who is 75 years old is working a county job or state job at the toll booths, just to "keep" herself busy or in fact is it neccessay for them to work now because of the housing costs?

OMG are you kidding?!?!?!?

[belladee]

maybe they need the money, maybe they like working. most of the senior communities have a huge maintiance fee every month.

Anyway the seniors are not taking real jobs. You can not support a family in Florida on a job at the tolls or bagging groceries.

[CURT]

i think if someone is going to need to compete with a senior for their job they probably should'nt be moving to fl.

[Dee2e]

Many employers prefer retirees. They actually show up when scheduled, they don't take off to go to the beach because it's a nice day, and they actually do a good job. Just ask those them employ retirees!

[tallrick]

If they want to work, I say why not? Some of these seniors have extensive experience, and some just need cash to make ends meet. They will probably live longer as well. If stupid Florida government would let us develop more high paying, high tech jobs based in this state the younger of us would have more to do while the seniors could take the jobs we just don't have the mindset to do. Who of us wants to greet people at Wal-Mart or bag groceries or take tolls? Better seniors than illegal immigrants. From experience I know that a change of pace is a good thing. Last weekend I helped a friend with his landscaping project, we rented the skid steer, shovelled and did plumbing. Manual work yes, but for a guy like me who spends most of the day in an office chair, a welcome relief. I criticize the elderly who decide to vegetate and just cause trouble for others, not those who are working.

[LeavingFlorida05]

Heh, are you serious? Florida has a labor shortage. Seniors are not taking jobs away from anyone. I'd rather see a senior citizen working at Publix than an illegal immigrant...