Have settled on Sarasota, and now I need major help (Jacksonville: to rent, home)

[SoFLGal]

I'll add a few places to that. My ex worked as a chef at Euphemia Haye out on Longboat Key. I know the servers and bar tenders made really good money. I don't know how much experience you have under your belt but if you're looking to pull in some pretty decent money you might want to apply there. Also Darcy and Ray Arpke, the owners, are pretty good to work for. Their staff usually stays with them for a long time. The Mar Vista is another option out on Longboat Key. Eric, one of the bar tenders at The Haye, worked at Mar Vista for about 10 years and now has been at The Haye for over 20 years.

Pop's in Nokomis seems like it might be a decent place to work as well. It's pretty laid back and casual.

[Sunshinejack]

Yes, we do have nice beaches, but unless you live on one, good luck getting to one in the summer months.

If you like hot - you will have that - we had many close to or over 100 degree days last summer with almost solid humidity with it - so I guess those sleeveless shirts will come in handy. Make sure you pack the bug spray though.

Sounds like you want the sun and the sand, and probably should stick to those areas as far as living is concerned. Places like Lakewood Ranch are very nice, but it would be a min. 45 minutes drive to any beach, maybe more depending on traffic.

My brother in law vacated an apartment he found on Craigslist right on Lido Beach looking out over the gulf, furnished for $1000 a month. They can be found. If you are wondering why he left it? Went back to Tahoe - loves it better there.

Good Luck

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by Sunshinejack

Yes, we do have nice beaches, but unless you live on one, good luck getting to one in the summer months.

If you like hot - you will have that - we had many close to or over 100 degree days last summer with almost solid humidity with it - so I guess those sleeveless shirts will come in handy. Make sure you pack the bug spray though.

Sounds like you want the sun and the sand, and probably should stick to those areas as far as living is concerned. Places like Lakewood Ranch are very nice, but it would be a min. 45 minutes drive to any beach, maybe more depending on traffic.

My brother in law vacated an apartment he found on Craigslist right on Lido Beach looking out over the gulf, furnished for $1000 a month. They can be found. If you are wondering why he left it? Went back to Tahoe - loves it better there.

Good Luck

Is there anything you or your brother actually like about the area, and, if now, why do you still live here (you said "we have nice beaches," so I assume you live here)?

[Sunshinejack]

Originally Posted by Rushmore

Is there anything you or your brother actually like about the area, and, if now, why do you still live here (you said "we have nice beaches," so I assume you live here)?

I have been here since 1956 if that helps any. Used to like it, but not anymore. Sorry if that offends anyone, but just not what it used to be.

We thrive here on tourists, the arts and the elderly. That pretty much sums it up.

My point being, just because Sarasota might be a nice place to visit, you may not really like living here year round. My BIL, went back to Tahoe because he still owned a condo there, and missed the weather, etc. (He is a skier).

You obviously like warm weather and the beach, etc. so you might like it here, but just really do your homework before deciding. I have talked to so many people that have come from the north thinking that it would be an easy transition, but hated the bugs, humidity and unbearable heat in the summer (mostly the bugs). Hurricane season, fire season, etc. not things some will tell you about.

Our moving away from the area is a culmination of many different things that have made the decision a little easier.

Many places have gone out of business in this economic climate, we have a 12 % unemployment rate in the county, and tourist traffic is way down which also affects employment, so just be aware.

Don't want to sound like a downer for the area, but I have seen many answers on this forum that sound more like a advertisement to visit than real truths. I have lived here long enough to know what really goes on here.

Again, I wish you luck in your decision.

[Florida Relocation]

Originally Posted by Sunshinejack

I have been here since 1956 if that helps any. Used to like it, but not anymore. Sorry if that offends anyone, but just not what it used to be.

We thrive here on tourists, the arts and the elderly. That pretty much sums it up.

My point being, just because Sarasota might be a nice place to visit, you may not really like living here year round. My BIL, went back to Tahoe because he still owned a condo there, and missed the weather, etc. (He is a skier).

You obviously like warm weather and the beach, etc. so you might like it here, but just really do your homework before deciding. I have talked to so many people that have come from the north thinking that it would be an easy transition, but hated the bugs, humidity and unbearable heat in the summer (mostly the bugs). Hurricane season, fire season, etc. not things some will tell you about.

Our moving away from the area is a culmination of many different things that have made the decision a little easier.

Many places have gone out of business in this economic climate, we have a 12 % unemployment rate in the county, and tourist traffic is way down which also affects employment, so just be aware.

Don't want to sound like a downer for the area, but I have seen many answers on this forum that sound more like a advertisement to visit than real truths. I have lived here long enough to know what really goes on here.

Again, I wish you luck in your decision.

I appreciate your honesty and welcome it. That's why I came on to this site, I wanted the honest truth: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I realize that there may be things I don't like about Sarasota, but I find it hard to believe that there is a place anywhere that doesn't have both pro's and cons. People love Maine, and think it's such a pristine vacation spot. They advertise our gorgeous coastline, cheap lobster straight from the boat, but what they don't tell you is that there are black flies the size of your fist, the sidewalks roll up after 9, and that on any given day from October to April it will take you over an hour to get your car out of your 30 foot driveway due to the massive snowfall.
I'm not ignorant to the fact that this transition will be tough and who knows maybe I'll even one day regret doing it but I find it hard to believe there's NOTHING good about it, after all you're still there.
Again thanks for your input, every bit helps!!

[Florida Relocation]

"You obviously like warm weather and the beach, etc. so you might like it here, but just really do your homework before deciding."

As for my homework before deciding: this is what I am trying to do here...

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Florida Relocation

I appreciate your honesty and welcome it. That's why I came on to this site, I wanted the honest truth: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I realize that there may be things I don't like about Sarasota, but I find it hard to believe that there is a place anywhere that doesn't have both pro's and cons. People love Maine, and think it's such a pristine vacation spot. They advertise our gorgeous coastline, cheap lobster straight from the boat, but what they don't tell you is that there are black flies the size of your fist, the sidewalks roll up after 9, and that on any given day from October to April it will take you over an hour to get your car out of your 30 foot driveway due to the massive snowfall.
I'm not ignorant to the fact that this transition will be tough and who knows maybe I'll even one day regret doing it but I find it hard to believe there's NOTHING good about it, after all you're still there.
Again thanks for your input, every bit helps!!

Hey, Florida Relo - it's the nature of these websites to give pro and con - some of us (like me) are ridiculously happy here, and even I will acknowledge there is some negative here (too many old people, bad drivers, and bugs!). But what is negative for me might be positive for others and vice versa. So I always say glean what you can and then try it yourself and form your own opinions. Yes, it may not be perfect, but for me darn near!

[pgrabar]

What kind of bugs exactly? Flying/stinging bugs, or ground bugs? Thanks.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by pgrabar

What kind of bugs exactly? Flying/stinging bugs, or ground bugs? Thanks.

All of the above - You name it, we got it!

[Iamrita]

Originally Posted by pgrabar

What kind of bugs exactly? Flying/stinging bugs, or ground bugs? Thanks.

Well, right now it's Lovebugs, a temporary seasonal phenomena. At least they don't bite!