High Cost of Gasoline vs Low Orlando Wages

[Magnulus]

Originally Posted by TrishP7

Just so I'm clear, my question is, how does one manage their lifestyle here when their paycheck doesnt compensate?

Maybe the state gives out alot of food stamps, perhaps? I notice alot of people shop at Wal-Marts here, Big Lots, and flea markets. Also, many people share apartments, it's not that uncommon unfortunately. In some parts of town its not unheard of to have several families families sharing motel rooms or rundown apartments. People find all kinds of ways to "get by". 3rd world living standards, etc.

The rich people here are going to have to learn to flip their own burgers. Alot of restaurants in Orlando are closing, too, because the costs here are just too high and the economy is doing poorly. Legions of poor people don't tend to go out to eat much, ya know... Honestly the growth in this part of Florida in the last ten years has been nothing but a credit/speculation fuelled bubble. They've brought in only a few good companies to the area, the rest is the same as always- not too many good paying jobs.

[luvthatmouse]

A friend was just offered a management position at a Michaels craft store here. $8/hour! I made $8.15/hour in 1986 at Lord and Taylor in NY in retail (not management.) Over 20 years ago and the same rate of pay!!! For management. Florida is not much cheaper than up north either. Only homes are slightly cheaper. Everything else is MORE.

[dbansal]

Originally Posted by luvthatmouse

A friend was just offered a management position at a Michaels craft store here. $8/hour! I made $8.15/hour in 1986 at Lord and Taylor in NY in retail (not management.) Over 20 years ago and the same rate of pay!!! For management. Florida is not much cheaper than up north either. Only homes are slightly cheaper. Everything else is MORE.

That is surprisingly low, even entry level positions at Disney pay $8/hr. Houses have gotten more expensive, but are still significantly lower than NY, unless you're talking about upstate. And other than homeowner's insurance I would have to say most things are cheaper than in the northeast. My sister paid $5000 to heat her small house in Western Mass. over the winter due to the cost of oil. And of course the tax situation is much better here than over there.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by luvthatmouse

A friend was just offered a management position at a Michaels craft store here. $8/hour! I made $8.15/hour in 1986 at Lord and Taylor in NY in retail (not management.) Over 20 years ago and the same rate of pay!!! For management. Florida is not much cheaper than up north either. Only homes are slightly cheaper. Everything else is MORE.

This is the disgrace in pay that so many Floridians have to live with and survive. I trully hope that these families are able to put food on the table, some just can not afford to leave the state.

[TrishP7]

Everyone's situation is different. If your salary compensates your lifestyle..then youre good to go! If not, then Orlando is really not the place to be..mainly if you are single.

This thread really is based upon one's experience or lifestyle..financially what they can and cannot tolerate.

[englishguy123]

Hi
I'm new to here.
Thinking of opening an operation in Florida based on my UK business. Quite suprised by some of the comments raised here. Although the minimum wage in the UK is FAR higher than in the US so are the costs!! For example minimum wage is $10-11 per hour but yet our Gas prices are $11-12 per gallon. Average house prices are $250K+
My question is, does the quality of life and lower cost of living offset the lower wages paid in Florida?

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by englishguy123

Hi
I'm new to here.
Thinking of opening an operation in Florida based on my UK business. Quite suprised by some of the comments raised here. Although the minimum wage in the UK is FAR higher than in the US so are the costs!! For example minimum wage is $10-11 per hour but yet our Gas prices are $11-12 per gallon. Average house prices are $250K+
My question is, does the quality of life and lower cost of living offset the lower wages paid in Florida?

Your gas prices may be high but neighborhoods in England and Europe in general are very walkable with extensive public transportation. That is not the case in Florida, you NEED a car to get to work and pretty much do anything, Orlando is a big suburb.

[marypoppins]

Originally Posted by englishguy123

Hi
I'm new to here.
Thinking of opening an operation in Florida based on my UK business. Quite suprised by some of the comments raised here. Although the minimum wage in the UK is FAR higher than in the US so are the costs!! For example minimum wage is $10-11 per hour but yet our Gas prices are $11-12 per gallon. Average house prices are $250K+
My question is, does the quality of life and lower cost of living offset the lower wages paid in Florida?

You can't really compare the two. For example, when I lived in the UK, I averaged 15,000 miles a year in my car AND I was a District Nurse so this included my mileage as part of my job. Here in Florida, I've done 30,000 miles in a year, and I haven't left the Central Florida area.

But to answer your original question......no, you're not really any better off here financially. A lot of Brits (and I was one of them) make the mistake of 'converting' costs into pounds and think everything's a bargain here....not so when you're earning dollars, not pounds.