..Everyne tells me to FL sucks.. (Tampa, Orlando: property taxes, wages, jobs)

[AshantaeG]

Heyy Florida friends -

My fiancee and I are looking into moving to Orlando from ATL, or mostly likely a nice outskirt of Orlando.

We are both in love with Florida ... but all I hear is negativity coming from everyone who has something to say to our choice to move there. Everyone thinks that Atlanta, GA is where it's at! BUT - I'm not impressed. I had fun here for the time that I was here - but it's time to move on. I would love to live where there are lots of palm trees and beaches nearby

I hear that the job market sucks there. He is a Personal Trainer and I am in school to become an Ultrasound Tech. I feel that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, because I think the job market sucks here! So who's to say what is real and what is not. Everywhere that I have lived, most jobs were based on who you knew and what you knew. As bad as that sounds, its my experience.

What do you all think?

Is there a truth to the bad job market rumors in Orlando, FL?

[Alphaman]

IMO I love Florida and so do many others but just as many think Florida is not for them, it`s a preference but there is some truth about the job market, get jobs before you move to be safe but you should be able find something in your fields.

[cmj_fla]

I agree with Alpha...definitely look for jobs before coming down. The job market in the medical field is not that bad in our area but the real problem might come with your salaries. They will probably be lower here than in Atlanta.

I think that you might want to broaden your search to other areas like Tampa if you are looking for night life and a beach nearby. Our closest beach is 45-60 minutes away. However, I enjoy Central Florida and never get bored!

[cfIfan]

You will generally find the people who constantly complain about the area are the ones who want to leave and wernt realistic in their expectations before they moved here. You have to be realistic and know what you want. Florida isnt for everyone. IMO i love it here and i have lived in a number of coutries and for me and my family Florida offers us more than everywhere else we live. People moan about crime, but no matter where you live crime is everywhere. The only thing i would agree with is just make sure you have work before commiting to move here.

I wish you both the best of luck

[thebalogas]

One thing that I noticed was that a lot of people that didn't like it, didn't like the heat, but moved there in the middle of the summer. If possible, just a suggestion, move in the fall or winter. That way you have time to adjust to the temperature change and it is not so overwhelming. I moved the day after Christmas, left 4 feet of snow in WV and hit 70 degrees in Orlando. It was so funny, me and my roommate were laying out in the sun and my friends cousin came over in sweats! We thought that was so funny. But after being there for a few years, I did the same. LOL Now if it is below 75, I am freezing.

[TrishP7]

Yes, do lots and lots of research! Orlando is not for everyone such as myself. Its a different ball game when you come here for a visit as oppose to living here. Very very different.

[markhunt]

Since you are engaged to be married, maybe children are in your future? If so, and you plan to raise them here, I would FULLY research the educational system down here. I don't know much about how the schools are in Atlanta, but for me this is probably the single most important factor next to crime when choosing a place to raise children.

Yes "crime is everywhere". LOL... I hear that phrase so much here in Florida it should be the new state motto. And when I say crime, I mean the FREQUENCY in which crime occurs and what the crime index is in comparison to the national average per population of a particular area. For example, are you more likely to be a victim of crime in Orlando FL or Roswell GA? The same could be asked for Lake Mary Florida or Atlanta as well. But also take in account the whole metro area. Again, I don't know much about Atlanta, but hear it is a hot bed for crime as well so that aspect may be a wash. But for sure... Education (if kids will be involved).

[ohiominnie]

We are moving from Ohio to the Orlando area next month!

Woo-hoo!

Most of our friends and family are excited and supportive of our move (I think they want a free place to stay when they come to FL, but that's OK because that means I get to see them)

My mom, on the other hand, has come up with a very long list as to why it sucks to live in FL.

Including, but not limited to:
hot weather
hurricanes
bugs
poisonous snakes
gators
high property taxes
too many elderly drivers on the roads
too many tourists on the roads
traffic
lightning strikes
crime
fire ants
sink holes
UV exposure
cost of living
high water table
droughts
sandy soil

The list goes on and on. I've learned just to basically ignore her when she brings these things up. It's just her way of grieving the loss of having us 3 hours away from her. NO place in the world has perfect living conditions. We're going in with a realistic view of what's good and what's not. Something may be a negative for some people, but it doesn't really bother others.

[VaNative]

Originally Posted by ohiominnie

We are moving from Ohio to the Orlando area next month!

Woo-hoo!

Most of our friends and family are excited and supportive of our move (I think they want a free place to stay when they come to FL, but that's OK because that means I get to see them)

My mom, on the other hand, has come up with a very long list as to why it sucks to live in FL.

Including, but not limited to:
hot weather
hurricanes
bugs
poisonous snakes
gators
high property taxes
too many elderly drivers on the roads
too many tourists on the roads
traffic
lightning strikes
crime
fire ants
sink holes
UV exposure
cost of living
high water table
droughts
sandy soil

The list goes on and on. I've learned just to basically ignore her when she brings these things up. It's just her way of grieving the loss of having us 3 hours away from her. NO place in the world has perfect living conditions. We're going in with a realistic view of what's good and what's not. Something may be a negative for some people, but it doesn't really bother others.

Just remember that when Ohio gets a foot of snow and FL is basking in the 70's and 80's. That's why I live here.

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by ohiominnie

We are moving from Ohio to the Orlando area next month!

Woo-hoo!

Most of our friends and family are excited and supportive of our move (I think they want a free place to stay when they come to FL, but that's OK because that means I get to see them)

My mom, on the other hand, has come up with a very long list as to why it sucks to live in FL.

Including, but not limited to:
hot weather
hurricanes
bugs
poisonous snakes
gators
high property taxes
too many elderly drivers on the roads
too many tourists on the roads
traffic
lightning strikes
crime
fire ants
sink holes
UV exposure
cost of living
high water table
droughts
sandy soil

The list goes on and on. I've learned just to basically ignore her when she brings these things up. It's just her way of grieving the loss of having us 3 hours away from her. NO place in the world has perfect living conditions. We're going in with a realistic view of what's good and what's not. Something may be a negative for some people, but it doesn't really bother others.

Add very low wages, road rage, Moderator cut: unnecessary to the list, and your mom is exactly right.