Is there anyone who move to the Ft. Lauderdale area and is actually happy they did... (Fort Lauderdale: apartment, buy)

[Chelsa1075]

Please I want all replies both negative and positive. I have 2 boys who live for sports and a husband whose whole family lives there (this of course is not the plus), but he has finally convinced me to go. We both have good paying jobs here (NYC), we live in a nice apartment, but it is small, and it is cold her a lot. I told him that I am not going any where without a job, so that is obviously one hurdle we have to jump. I have read in the sun sentinel adds for 50k-65k for Legal/Executive Assistants. Is this just a lie? I'm getting mixed feelings about this. I know what I have in NY and do not want to risk that to live in an RV, if you know what I mean. I want the american dream too!

[tonyc]

Two of my close friends have done so over the last four years and are luving it and won't ever move back to the NE.

Both of them live in Miramar, oh I have one other who recently moved to Coral Spring and loves it. They all have good jobs. I must add that they don't do much though and quite contented with the life style.

However my cousin and his wife has worked in Mtg business there for the last 15 or so years was recently laid off. And the future looks bleak for them...

Can't leave this just yet..http://www.city-data.com/forum/maryl...bout-good.html

[NEWTOSFLA]

Originally Posted by tonyc

Two of my close friends have done so over the last four years and are luving it and won't ever move back to the NE.

Both of these live in Miramar, oh I have one other who recently moved to Coral Spring and loves it. They all have good jobs. I must add that they don't do much though and quite contented with the life style.

However my cousin and his wife has worked in Mtg business there for the last 15 or so years was recently laid off. And the future looks bleak for them...

how old are your friends

[Chelsa1075]

May I ask - the friend who recently moved to Coral Springs (an area that I love), what do they do for a living and how recent was the move?

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

May I ask - the friend who recently moved to Coral Springs (an area that I love), what do they do for a living and how recent was the move?

She bought last summer and she should of waited, because of right now she's upside down.

She is in the medical profession and I think she's makes upwards of 65K.

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by NEWTOSFLA

how old are your friends

Late 40's and early 50's. I have friend of friends who r in there 30's and luving it, but once again they have good salaries. One is a doctor, another a pain specialist and the other an acturian or something like that.

[jhlcomp]

Dito. Unless you have a solid job offer - DO NOT MOVE TO FLORIDA at this time. Do not believe the job vacancies that pay high salaries - they are not real and that is not what this area has ever been about. Historically speaking, south Florida has always had low paying jobs and/or an industry that does not pay well. The only exceptions are those jobs that hire from the outside, specific professions, and select professionals.

If I were you, I would make a number of trips (perhaps you already have since family is here) to Ft. Lauderdale and focus on your job search. I really want to be positive about this but unless you have at least one - one and half years of savings and can ride out a rough economy - I would stay right where you are.

[Chelsa1075]

What does she do in the Medical Profession?

[Chelsa1075]

while I have some savings to depend on, I really wanted to put that away for a home, that I obviously can't buy without a job. It is all a catch 22!

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

Please I want all replies both negative and positive. I have 2 boys who live for sports and a husband whose whole family lives there (this of course is not the plus), but he has finally convinced me to go. We both have good paying jobs here (NYC), we live in a nice apartment, but it is small, and it is cold her a lot. I told him that I am not going any where without a job, so that is obviously one hurdle we have to jump. I have read in the sun sentinel adds for 50k-65k for Legal/Executive Assistants. Is this just a lie? I'm getting mixed feelings about this. I know what I have in NY and do not want to risk that to live in an RV, if you know what I mean. I want the american dream too!

Hi Chelsa. Just to let you know that there is another NYC resident seeking to live in Florida in the Fort Lauderdale area. That's me - and if I can't do it full time, I'll definitely do it part year.

There are pros and cons to living anywhere. Florida and Fort Lauderdale specifically have tons of pros and tons of cons. Many on these forums will bash Florida, many will sing its praises. Only you can decide based on your lifestyle, income, desires, passions, dreams.

As an indicator of how the desirability of an area can vary from one individual to another, I've known many New Yorkers to move down and say it was the best decision of their lives, and then there have been others who ran back hurriedly to NYC saying they couldn't stand the heat, threat of hurricanes, bugs, slower pace, no change of seasons, etc.

For me personally, it's a no brainer to move to Florida as I hate winter, snow, slush, sleet, temps in the lower digits. I love plam trees, Christman in shorts, beautiful women on the beach, outdoor activities, no hat, scarf, gloves, skidding on the sidewalk, roads, etc. I love Fort Lauderdale's proximity/easy access to both NYC and the islands including Puerto Rico.

For someone else, this would all be meaningless or even constitute negatives. Only you can decide. Know that some of the negatives down there would include lower salaries, need for a car to do almost everything, things being spresd out, summer humidity, threat of hurricanes, etc.

Hope you make the right choice. Good luck!