I need money!! (Orlando: student loans, agriculture, maintenance)

[bdpop]

Originally Posted by AliceT

When Walt Disney decided on Central Florida, the first thing he mentioned was the allure of "cheap labor." So this is nothing new. Aside from orange groves and cow pastures, the area has never supported any industry other than tourism. The good thing about that is that tourism is a year-round thing. Florida is a year-round state. That's the good news.

So the question was "Why?" That's easy. Everyone wants to move away from the dreary north to escape the slush and backbreaking snow shovel season, the mud season, the black fly season. People want to "retire" to the south where they can grow a few vegetables and have a year-round tan. When you see how many young people the state calls out to, is it any wonder that there is so much competition for those low paying jobs? No wonder at all.

I would suggest you revamp your lifestyle. Forget the college degrees. They don't mean much to anyone but you. Forget them. Focus on you and your lifestyle. Ever consider mowing lawns? It's a lucrative business in Florida. Pool maintenance is another lucrative business. You won't be wearing a suit and tie to work nor carrying a briefcase, but you'll make good money. The harder you work, the better your pay. The faster you work, the more customers you'll have and the more money you'll make.

It's really all about you and what kind of lifestyle you want. You have to hang up all the northern hangups that you brought with you and live life as a Floridian. There is no shame in having two jobs. There is no shame in coming home from work covered in grass climppings or smelling like chlorine. There is no shame in being a blue-collar worker. When you dismiss the idea of making six figures that you can thank your college degrees for, you'll find that you can make exactly that without so much as a GED in your educational background. Nobody will tell you it's fair. But that's the size of it.

If you have enough money to move out of the state, then you have enough money to buy some durable work clothes and a lawn mower to start your lawn maintenance business. Trust me, it really is that easy to start a new career. It sure beats moving to another state and trying to find work all over again. And don't forget, these are lean times. We are on the verge of economic collapse as a nation. But lawns will always need to be mowed and pools will always need to be cleaned.

Although you do provide some good ideas and advice. I would never say forget about a degree. You should do all you can to improve yourself and also make yourself more marketable.

[Fnix]

$15 an hour in Florida is alot. I guess %60 of Floridians make under $9

[love1812]

Originally Posted by AliceT

When Walt Disney decided on Central Florida, the first thing he mentioned was the allure of "cheap labor." So this is nothing new. Aside from orange groves and cow pastures, the area has never supported any industry other than tourism. The good thing about that is that tourism is a year-round thing. Florida is a year-round state. That's the good news.

So the question was "Why?" That's easy. Everyone wants to move away from the dreary north to escape the slush and backbreaking snow shovel season, the mud season, the black fly season. People want to "retire" to the south where they can grow a few vegetables and have a year-round tan. When you see how many young people the state calls out to, is it any wonder that there is so much competition for those low paying jobs? No wonder at all.

I would suggest you revamp your lifestyle. Forget the college degrees. They don't mean much to anyone but you. Forget them. Focus on you and your lifestyle. Ever consider mowing lawns? It's a lucrative business in Florida. Pool maintenance is another lucrative business. You won't be wearing a suit and tie to work nor carrying a briefcase, but you'll make good money. The harder you work, the better your pay. The faster you work, the more customers you'll have and the more money you'll make.

It's really all about you and what kind of lifestyle you want. You have to hang up all the northern hangups that you brought with you and live life as a Floridian. There is no shame in having two jobs. There is no shame in coming home from work covered in grass climppings or smelling like chlorine. There is no shame in being a blue-collar worker. When you dismiss the idea of making six figures that you can thank your college degrees for, you'll find that you can make exactly that without so much as a GED in your educational background. Nobody will tell you it's fair. But that's the size of it.

If you have enough money to move out of the state, then you have enough money to buy some durable work clothes and a lawn mower to start your lawn maintenance business. Trust me, it really is that easy to start a new career. It sure beats moving to another state and trying to find work all over again. And don't forget, these are lean times. We are on the verge of economic collapse as a nation. But lawns will always need to be mowed and pools will always need to be cleaned.

AMAN Friend. You certainly have answered my scepticism. I too have decided to relocate to Central Florida. I was born, raised and have lived my whole life in the midwest (IN). I am married, my husband retired and we have 2 small kids. I have always boasted of relocating one day and well, we are not getting any younger and time waits for no one. I will be leaving a white collared job and have no trouble telling my critics that, "No. I don't have a job waiting for me in Florida." I do have plenty of dreams and passions and a lot of faith. I will be stepping out on faith and driving to my dream in September. I have posted on craigslist for a rental home and we plan to visit Florida in late July to find a home for our grand move in September. Thank you so much for being so blatantly and refreshingly nonsensical.

[**NoodLes**]

Originally Posted by love1812

AMAN Friend. You certainly have answered my scepticism. I too have decided to relocate to Central Florida. I was born, raised and have lived my whole life in the midwest (IN). I am married, my husband retired and we have 2 small kids. I have always boasted of relocating one day and well, we are not getting any younger and time waits for no one. I will be leaving a white collared job and have no trouble telling my critics that, "No. I don't have a job waiting for me in Florida." I do have plenty of dreams and passions and a lot of faith. I will be stepping out on faith and driving to my dream in September. I have posted on craigslist for a rental home and we plan to visit Florida in late July to find a home for our grand move in September. Thank you so much for being so blatantly and refreshingly nonsensical.

You probably just made one of the worst decisions of your life by not knowing anybody there and not having a job lined up. Sorry to say but your "dream" move most likely will turn to a nightmare.

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

You probably just made one of the worst decisions of your life by not knowing anybody there and not having a job lined up. Sorry to say but your "dream" move most likely will turn to a nightmare.

I agree. I lived in Orlando most of my life and have a college degree, but moved out of state in 2006 so I could finally get a job that paid above $14/hour. And times have gotten tougher since then. Good luck to you though, some people love Florida, it just wasn't for me anymore.

[love1812]

I know it sounds like a radical, unthoughtful plan but as I indicated, my husband is retired, has a pension and receives Social Security Disability. Our income is set whether I'm working or not. I currently have a very demanding professional career and have worked during our entire married life. My husband encouraged me to take some time off when we move, to rethink whether I want to continue in my current profession or change careers or pursue one of my passions. I have been the primary bread winner and now, he agrees and wants to support our family. It won't even be a strain. If it becomes necessary for me to return to work, I do have some options. Also, we have plenty of family in Florida. An older son, cousins and an aunt. For me, there really aren't any excuses not to do it. And at last, no fears. The same God that takes care of us in Indiana will be in Florida! There are some people out there that operate on faith (believing without seeing). Where are you? Confirmation that this is the time for us has come from every where. Thanks everyone.

[Dalt10]

Make the move! You have nothing to lose. I sure wouldn't listen to the negative comments on here.

[blackgold73]

What is funny is that I have no degree and get paid over $23 an hour.

[bdpop]

Originally Posted by blackgold73

What is funny is that I have no degree and get paid over $23 an hour.

I used to get that too, without a degree, but not here in Central Florida.

[saintlover313]

Unfortunately, the pay is so low, because there are soooo many people wanting employment that some people will take anything, just so they can eat. That's what drives the salary costs down.

The company I work for is beginning hiring next week, we are opening our 3rd office here, and the major reason why we decided to open up here is because of all of the people that need jobs. We will be leaving our staff in other cities the same but growing our business in Orlando, because it will be cheaper to hire people here. It sounds sad, but it benefits the company's bottom line.

But honestly, I don't think you should go around saying I have this degree, and I have that degree and I should make $30 an hour blah blah (exageration of course) because it really just doesn't mean much anymore, and definitely doesn't entitle someone. I am 22, no degree, and I'm a Manager of Ops for the Orlando office. I have worked my butt of to get to that position at such a young age.

If you get a job at a good company, you're not going to start off at $20 an hour just because you have a degree, and I think that's hurting a lot of people my age because they think they attended college for 4 years and they should immediately go into a management position making boocoos of money. You have to work your way up. So if you are with a good company, hopefully there is room for advancement, and future pay raises.