florida fan (Tampa, Orlando: sales, real estate, insurance) - (FL) - City-Data Forum

bettyuk · 06-06-2009, 01:15 PM

Tampa Vs Orlando. I would be really interested to know people's views as to which city would be the best place to live in terms of employment prospects, low crime and cost of living. My partner and I are in our 40s with no children and would probably be looking for office jobs in real estate and law.
Thank you

GLS2010 · 06-06-2009, 02:08 PM

to work in, tampa. to enjoy living, orlando

salmanalk · 06-06-2009, 02:37 PM

tough, both have advantages and disadvantages...what do you like doing?

Practice · 06-08-2009, 07:35 AM

Hi, There's some good information in this thread:
Orlando vs. Tampa
Hope that helps.

annerk · 06-08-2009, 01:43 PM

Will you be trying to get into the Visa lottery or do you have a company willing to sponsor you? I would imagine that would be the first thing you need to consider if you are coming from the UK.

dreamer003 · 06-09-2009, 10:48 AM

Crime is really high in Orlando. I wouldn't move here.

annerk · 06-09-2009, 10:57 AM

Crime is really high in some parts of Orlando. It is not at all high in some parts of Orlando and much of the surrounding area.

The same can be said for Tampa and the greater Tampa area.

bettyuk · 06-10-2009, 02:10 PM

Thank you to everyone for your input.
With regard to a green card, I was born in Philly, where my family is located and I have US citizenship. I understand my partner Andrew can enter on a fiancee visa and then we would plan to marry in 3 months.
Andrew's interests are boating and fishing and I enjoy walking along beaches, collecting shells, drinking cappuccino in trendy cafes and shopping !
It would be great to live by the golf but I assume you are more likley to suffer property damage by a hurricane in and around Tampa than Orlando? and as a result property insurance is higher?
We would both need to work. I am looking for employment as a paralegal. I am a property lawyer in England with 17 years experience. My partner would probably also look for employment in the property field, possibly as a realtor. Again, I assume there are more employment opportunities is Orlando?
We appreciate that the economic climate presently is terrible in the US, as it is here also, but it is our dream to relocate to Florida and so we need to pursue it. We are not getting any younger and I feel it is kind of now or never.
I would appreciate any advice on any aspect of our proposed move, as it is a bit step for us to take.

annerk · 06-10-2009, 02:23 PM

The paralegal field is saturated right now, and even though our system is based on English Common Law, it's still very different. I think you'll have a harder time getting a paralegal job than you think. You might be better off trying to clerk, which involves doing a lot of research and writing briefs, those jobs generally go to law students, but I think it would be a better option for you. Don't expect to make more than about $20K per year to start.

You're fiance will need to obtain a Florida real estate license prior to working in that field. It can be a lucrative field, but most business comes from referrals, so it can take several years to really get established.

bettyuk · 06-10-2009, 02:59 PM

Annerk, I do want to be realistic but now I feel depressed

I didn't think it would be easy at all for me to find employment as a paralegal, as I assumed my UK experience would not be relevant and I expect there are many people unemployed looking for jobs at the moment. I believe I would enjoy working as a clerk, as research and drafting is my thing, but I don't think we could survive for long on that salary!
Andy is presently working as a sales manager for a house builder. Is there any other area other than being a realtor that you could advise he investigates. Are house building companies struggling over in the US as they are here?