Do YOU think I'm prepared? (Pensacola, Destin: rental, movers, credit)

[acampbell2229]

Hello members of CD, here's my situation.

I currently live at home and I have to move out by next year. I decided since the world's my oyster and there's no limits as to where I can go, I might as well save up some extra cash and take a move to Florida from Cincinnati, OH.

What I've considered:

I'm currently building up credit so I'll be able to rent without a co-signer.
I have reliable transportation.
By the time I'm moved out, I should have around $10,000 saved.
I made calls about how much it would cost to rent a moving vehicle, the mileage involved, the price of gas involved, towing my vehicle, the daily fee, what movers charge per hour, and how long it would take to unload the vehicle. After everything is said and done, I'm looking at roughly $2,600 to move.
I've calculated how much it would cost to live there per month, and I'm looking at around $2,545.
I will visit down there for 4 days to get an idea of what's around the area, to look at the rental property itself, to get an idea of what jobs are located in the area and how long it would take to commute from the rental property to work. It's always good to be prepared.

Therefore I'll be able to get down there, I'll be able to afford the costs of moving there, I'll either put down a security deposit or have enough credit to rent without a co-sign, and I'll have enough money saved to live off of for 4 months while looking for work, although I expect to line up a job first.

I would either work as a waiter (tourist area = more $$$!) or as an Automotive Technician at Firestone/competitors. Either I figured would bring in around 30k a year, so I'd be living on a tight budget for a while.

So, as the title states - do YOU think I'm prepared? Why or why not? I'd like valid reasoning. Thanks for reading.

[JJAF]

Not to discourage you but we tried this in 2012. But we both had Military retirement checks and my wife got a 10$ hour job. It was tough. We lasted 9 months until a job paying double came up in Tennessee and we relocated. When we registered our 2 vehicles and got driver licenses it was 950$. Keep that in your budget also. Having a job ahead of time would be very important in my opinion. You can PM and I will answer any more of your questions.

[JJAF]

But it does sound like you are doing your homework and kudos for you for it.

[mollybygolly]

Are you still thinking of South Florida or Pensacola?

[acampbell2229]

Originally Posted by mollybygolly

Are you still thinking of South Florida or Pensacola?

I certainly am, thanks for asking - but I'd like to be closer to family. I know, I know, 11 hours instead of 18...

That and I'm more familiar with the Destin area. Since it's also more of a tourist area than southern FL (excluding Keywest), I figured as a waiter, if I were to go that route, I'd do much better off.

[acampbell2229]

Originally Posted by JJAF

Not to discourage you but we tried this in 2012. But we both had Military retirement checks and my wife got a 10$ hour job. It was tough. We lasted 9 months until a job paying double came up in Tennessee and we relocated. When we registered our 2 vehicles and got driver licenses it was 950$. Keep that in your budget also. Having a job ahead of time would be very important in my opinion. You can PM and I will answer any more of your questions.

I appreciate your input. Glad to hear about your experience. Wouldn't you have had a pension on top of the $10 an hour? Unless you were living a pretty fancy lifestyle, I'm surprised to hear it didn't work for you. Also, I forgot to factor the vehicle in. Thanks!

[JJAF]

Originally Posted by acampbell2229

I appreciate your input. Glad to hear about your experience. Wouldn't you have had a pension on top of the $10 an hour? Unless you were living a pretty fancy lifestyle, I'm surprised to hear it didn't work for you. Also, I forgot to factor the vehicle in. Thanks!

Yes we both have pensions. And we did not live a fancy lifestyle. It is hard to explain unless you have tried/lived it. Best of luck to you.

[osufeth24]

Originally Posted by acampbell2229

I appreciate your input. Glad to hear about your experience. Wouldn't you have had a pension on top of the $10 an hour? Unless you were living a pretty fancy lifestyle, I'm surprised to hear it didn't work for you. Also, I forgot to factor the vehicle in. Thanks!

good luck, Can always use more Ohio people in Destin!!

wait, that depends what sports teams you're a fan of

[acampbell2229]

Originally Posted by JJAF

Yes we both have pensions. And we did not live a fancy lifestyle. It is hard to explain unless you have tried/lived it. Best of luck to you.

Could you elaborate on what made it difficult to afford living there? I looked to check the COL in Destin, and it's not much higher than it is in Cincinnati, surprisingly.

[SilverMeteorMan]

Originally Posted by acampbell2229

Could you elaborate on what made it difficult to afford living there? I looked to check the COL in Destin, and it's not much higher than it is in Cincinnati, surprisingly.

You might want to look at base pay for Destin and compare that to the "Nati". Chances are it's lower. Good luck!