Best companies to work for in Orlando? (Seminole: lawyers, schools)

[MXG]

Hi, I'm a legal secretary at a prominent law firm in New York. I live in central new jersey and am considering moving to orlando. I am married and have 2 boys ages 3 and 10. I also have a 3 month old beagle. I love my job but hate new york/ new jersey. This weather is killing me. The cost of living out here is driving me out of where i am. I am making about 57K and would like to know what are the best companies to work for out in orlando. I know i would not make the same amount of $$ but i'd like to be close to it. I have about 8 years experience in this field.

anyone with any info, please help.

thanks.

[bdpop]

Where in central New Jersey are you from? I moved here from central New Jersey (South Brunswick) about four years ago. Do not expect to make anywhere near what you were making in NJ down here in Orlando, but do expect a similar cost of living. Make sure you have a job prior to moving down here. Check out the Central Florida Paralegal Association, they may be able to assist you.

As far as schools are concerned, they are not nearly as good as the schools in NJ. An A school here may be as good as a B - C school there. Seminole County is the better school system in the area.

[MXG]

I'm from Sayreville, NJ. WOW i'm surprised to hear that it would be a similar cost of living out there. Thanks for the info.

[bdpop]

The cost of living has gone up here significantly in the last few years. Gasoline, for example, is about 10 cents more here than in NJ. Groceries are also more expensive here. Utilities are about the same. I am not trying to scare you away. I am just suggesting you do your research before moving here.

Another source I would recommend for finding a job here is the Orange County Bar Association. They have a placement service for paralegals and other legal professionals. I am working on a Bachelor's Degree in paralegal studies, so I am looking for a legal position as well. I wish you the best on your move.

[noles.alum9]

State Farm is a great place to work in Orlando.

[WinterberryFarm]

I can tell you one firm you might not want to consider. I will not name the firm, but it won't be hard for you to narrow it down. Large law firm that specializes in personal injury and consumer protection. They spend mega $$$ on advertising.

I am a former client and was very unhappy and dissatisfied with them. During the past four years I have not spoken with one person who was happy with the representation they received from this firm...and I have spoken with quite a few now. I wish I had this info before I retained this firm. I never settled my case with them and obtained different legal counsel. A couple of times during the last few years I have run into the attorney from this firm who handled my case. He actually went to work at a different law firm while this firm still had my case. He says he is much happier where he is now. The attorney who subsequently handled my case has an employee from above mentioned firm...and she is also glad to be out of there.

I interviewed several attorneys in the area before obtaining new counsel and all of them had the same things to say about the firm. Because I try to find the good in everything, I searched my soul until I came up with what I refer to as "the lessons learned in my not so wonderful experience.

A couple of things you can check into to get this info...every year Orlando Magazine has an issue which lists the best lawyers and doctors in the community by specialty. The Orlando Sentinel Newspaper also publishes a list of the top employers in Orlando yearly. I believe there is a also a publication that lists the top law firms in the country and each state for different specialties. I remember a couple of Orlando firms being on the list.

Good Luck to you...I moved here from one of your neighboring states several years ago...and I am leaving here. May I suggest that you do your research very carefully before you come down here to live. There is a thread you might want to check on this forum about why so many people are leaving Florida (Orlando thread) and why they would not recommend Florida as a place to relocate to friends and family. I have come across this info many times, but just recently the Orlando Sentinel published a huge article on this topic.

I realize people move for many different reasons and everyone's idea of where they would like to live is unique to them...so Orlando could be right for you.

[WinterberryFarm]

Also wanted to mention...the above post regarding the schools here is 100% accurate. My kids were 1 full year ahead of what the kids down here were learning when we moved down here. Needless to say, with time they eventually fell into the pace that Florida kids were at and the academic advantages from up north were gone. They all have been high academic achievers, but I will always regret that they lost the advantages of the excellent academia we saw where we lived previously.

[johnatl]

MXG - You might want to consider Atlanta. You would have a far better chance of making close to what you are used to, the cost of living is much lower and you would still have some similarities with where you are from (terrain, 4 seasons, etc.)

Good luck!

[WinterberryFarm]

johnatl...this post will be off topic, but I am actually considering Atlanta. I lived in Raleigh for 6 mos a few years ago and I loved the south. I miss my four seasons, etc. Because of licensing for my occupation it is easier for me to go to Virginia or Georgia. I am considering Richmond...which may be too small for me...and Atlanta. Any insight you can give for Atlanta would be appreciated. Thanks

[Magnulus]

Think carefully. Paralegals in Orlando are a dime a dozen- you will make less money than New Jersey. The cost of living is lower but not that much. Heating bills in the winter are cheaper, other than that it is no free lunch.