Young Professionals in Orlando (Winter Park, Cleveland: sales, real estate, violent crime)

[Sudman]

My wife and I will be moving down to Orlando in the next month from Cleveland. We would like to meet other young professionals living in Orlando. Can anyone suggest any groups, clubs, organizations or anything else that will allow you to meet and socialize with the bright new talent of Orlando? Thanks.

[OC2OC]

What's your field of work?

[Sudman]

I'm a web designer and my wife is in hotel/catering.

[OC2OC]

I don't know of any organization related to your field there. I used to be in IT and a lot of my friends are relocating to Central Florida and setting up shop there. You can find a lot of information at the chamber of commerce and other associations specific to IT. Here are some sites that I've used in my research:

http://www.orlandoedc.com/

http://orlando.craigslist.org/

or simply read the newspaper:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/

I don't live in Orlando yet but I read the newspaper everyday. I've learned so much already- places to go, visit and avoid. I feel like a local!

Hope this helps.

[Prichard]

Check out the Downtown Orlando Partnership - they plan all kinds of social events for young professionals. Also, both Orlando and Winter Park have ski clubs that plan trips to Colorado and other areas if you are into snow skiing. If you like running - talk to the people at Track Shack and they will give you all kinds of information on jogging, running clubs. If you are into bicycling, there are all kinds of groups that get together and do weekly rides. Take scuba diving lessons - good way to meet people if you are interested in that.

A great place to meet other professionals is at the Gym - best gyms for professionals are the YMCA - downtown Orlando and Winter Park; and RDV Sports Complex - great place if you play hockey too! Yes, we have hockey leagues in Orlando. The list of ways to meet young professionals in Orlando is unlimited. I'm just throwing a few suggestions out.

[Christian11]

Originally Posted by Sudman

My wife and I will be moving down to Orlando in the next month from Cleveland. We would like to meet other young professionals living in Orlando. Can anyone suggest any groups, clubs, organizations or anything else that will allow you to meet and socialize with the bright new talent of Orlando? Thanks.

FYI.. Orlando wages are very bad for young professionals. Be ready to struggle to find new jobs. Cost of living is extremely high. My wife is from Cincinnati and if Cleveland have Cincinnati cost of living, you will be shocked to see how expensive it is down here!!

But again, Cleveland is not much better and the taxes are oppressive, so....

[Dee2e]

Here are some comparisons between the two cities, in no particular order.

Income Taxes:
Ohio: up to 7.185% for State Income Taxes, graduated by income level. Each municipality has it's own income tax rate too.
Florida: None

Sales Taxes Ohio
State Sales Tax: 5.5% (food, newspapers, magazine subscriptions, telephone service and prescription drugs exempt); Counties levy additional sales taxes which may add up to 2.0% in additional sales tax. Cleveland's sales tax is 7.5%
Gasoline Tax: 28 cents/gallon
Diesel Fuel Tax: 29 cents/gallon
Gasohol Tax: 28 cents/gallon
Cigarette Tax: $1.25/pack of 20

Sales Taxes Florida
State Sales Tax: 6% (food, prescription and non-prescription drugs exempt). There are additional county sales taxes which could make the combined rate as high as 9.5%. Orlando's rate is 6.5%
Gasoline Tax: 31.8 cents/gallon
Diesel Fuel Tax: * 29.2 cents/gallon
Gasohol Tax: 31.8 cents/gallon
(Local taxes for gasoline and gasohol vary from 5.5 cents to 17 cents, plus there is a 2.07% gasoline pollution tax.)
Cigarette Tax: 33.9 cents/pack of 20

Housing
Cleveland property info:
Average price 2005=$153,000 http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/12/real...0markets_0506/
Property tax rate: basic rate ranges from 96.5 to 183.40 mills per $1,000 of assessed value

Orlando property Info
Average price 2005=$195,000 http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/12/real...0markets_0506/
Property tax rate: between 18-21 mil per $1,000 in Orange County, homestead laws exist in Florida


Salary
Cleveland:
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/.../Salary/by_Job

Orlando:
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/City=Orlando/Salary

Sararys are surprising. For example, for administrative positios, there is only a few hundred dollars difference between the cities but for attornies, the difference is $18k. I thought the difference in the administrative positions would have been greater.

Unemployment in Orlando is very low, however. Those with skills will obviously get a better job than those without skills. The surrounding Orlando areas have an abundance of tourist related jobs that require little skills to secure.

Crime:

http://www.morganquitno.com/cit05a.pdf ranks Orlando higher in violent crime than Cleveland for 2005. Orlando 1807.5 Cleveland 1398.2 per 100,000 people.

NOTE:
Now all figures are for the cities, not the surrounding areas in all categories for 2005 stats.

This information above compares actual stats. They are not my opinion of comparing the two areas.

However, one should note that Cleveland has more professional sports that Orlando has. If you are a Browns fan, however, you'll find lots of them in Orlando and the surrounding area.

However, the winter weather will be much nicer in Orlando than in Cleveland.

[Prichard]

All I can say is that I wouldn't employ someone who constantly complains about where he lives, especially since if he/she hates my home town!

I'm sure Negativeman got the sallary he deserved.

[vicka1822]

The Orlando Young Professionals' Leadership Group (OYP) was founded in May 1994. Initially, OYP was an organization that focused on networking among young professionals in the early stages of their careers. After meeting for a few months, the members recognized the special bonds forming between this dynamic group of young professionals. The focus of the group was then broadened to become a forum for members to interact and discuss issues pertaining to the quality of life in Metro Orlando and professional growth statewide. The group also decided to diversify its membership by inviting young professionals from a variety of fields, including real estate, finance, education, construction and non-for-profits.After a year of successful breakfast meetings, OYP members decided to make the group more permanent by adopting a policy on meetings, assessing dues and committing to a service project that would benefit the youth of the community.
The purpose of OYP is to encourage and facilitate a meaningful exchange of information and perspectives relative to the Greater Orlando economic region and provide members with increased opportunities to foster quality business and personal relationships.
Furthermore, OYP members are dedicated to promoting a brighter future for our community through individual and collective involvement in programs that enhance future opportunities and the quality of life of the youth of Central Florida.

OYP provides young professionals with unparalleled opportunities to access community leaders and for professional development. OYP is a great way to meet other young professionals from varied backgrounds.

Each month, we host a breakfast, lunch or evening forum. Topics and discussion leaders are determined by the interests of our members and guests. The forums are usually held the 2nd Wednesday of each month, depending on speaker and venue availability.
In addition to our monthly forums, OYP members participate in a variety of business-related activities, social events, and focused service projects. We have quarterly social events including community service projects, happy hours, and enrichment seminars.

Exceptional business and community leaders are invited to speak at the general memberships’ monthly breakfast, lunch or evening forums and annual Anniversary Forum held in May and the annual State of Leadership Forum planned each October.

Visit website: HomePage

[EasyCheeze]

plenty of yuppies in cp