In need of moving advice (jobs, school, move to, home)

[missyi30]

Been in PA too long, Planning to move my 7yr old son & I to FL. I've been there a few times on vacation and to visit. I absolutely loved it there. Going to stay with a best friend temporarily who's been there for a few years already. I have a job here in PA as a secretary, a job i can probally find anywhere. some of my friends are telling me that now is not the time to move due to the economy. It's a move that i've been thinking about for a while now. I'm not really close to my family here in PA & don't really have too many close friends here either. I kind of feel like, what's there to loose. My apartment lease ends the end of February, so I was looking to move then.

Anyway, anyone else just picked up and moved? What were your experiences, thoughts, feelings? Why'd you do it?

[tamitrail]

Did you investigate the school district your son would be in while staying at your friends? Is it good and are you comfortable with it? What will you do for money if you don't have a job right away? Do you have enough saved to pay for moving expenses and to hold you over for several months should you be unemployed? Have you investigated what kind of jobs are actually available in the area (not just the assumption that a secretarial job will be readily available)? Can you try and get a job before you move?

If you have good answers (to satisfy yourself) to these questions, there is no reason why you shouldn't do it.

[veuvegirl]

If I were you I would start job hunting now. Don't move until you have a secure job. The last thing you want to be in FL away from everything you and your son know, and end up jobless and without a home.

[shadowwalker]

I have picked up and moved many times. Mostly for a job or to a new job. I always found the money to move again. I have been down to my entire posessions not even filling 1/2 a pickup bed. Because I had to sell to move or couldn't afford to move,oh once. Was what I had left after a divorce. I just didn't have any fight left. So I left.

[mazenblue]

The first 2 posts have really good advise. Have you checked out the Florida forums?? You really should. It is much different living here in Florida than it is to visit. The economy here is not good. Jobs here are really hard to get and the pay scale is much lower. What kind of benefits do you have now? Will you be getting the same or comparable if you move? You didn't mention where in FLA you were looking to move to, but many of the school districts are cutting back.
Really rethink why you want to move. Good luck.

[missyi30]

Thanks for the really good advise, it has REALLY made me think about my decision to move to WPB.The school district that my is currently in is excellent.The benefits i have thru my job are very good, my company pays for medical, dental and life insurance for both my son & I not to mention they put money in a 401k for each employee which they also match. I guess i would be foolish to just up leave in such tough economic times, not knowing if i would get the same or comparable if i was to move. Thanks again for all of you guys advice

[faithfulFrank]

Missy,
Please read the Florida forums, and the WPB forum.
From what many say there, you would be very hard pressed to find anything close to what you have now job-wise.

At best perhaps you can take a short vacation down there and see for yourself...don't quit what you have without securing something better.

Frank D.