Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hi everyone, I feel like I know you because I have been reading these posts for quite a long time. My turn to ask for your great advice. I know you're probably thinking then "why am I asking about jobs"? Everything has been said.
My husband and I are putting our Chicago suburburban house on the market March 23rd and as soon as it sells, we are headed for Sarasota. We have done a ton of research and know that is the place for us. We are coming down without employment but with some cushion money until we get jobs. That is my question, if we are very dilligent and willing to compromise (knowing that we are forfitting a great paycheck for quality of life) is it unheard of to find a job in or around the area? My husband is a commercial plumber (who would rather work at a golf course) and I have a ton of bookkeeping/office managing experience also I owned my own mobile dog grooming business for 4 years. I know that the construction scene is awful but he is willing to do something else.
Everytime I look on Monster or Careerbuilder it seems that there are jobs available. I did read that Pavchek found a city job in 3 weeks. That actually doesn't sound bad at all and I'm sure it has benefits if it's with the city.
I just really want to know what to expect and I do realize that this isn't an issue for some of you but I'm sure you are aware of what is going on around you. If we are making "finding a job" our first job, do we even have a chance? Thanks for any insight you can give!
Yes, it really is tough out there. You may see jobs posted but with unemployment at an alarmingly high number in the region (the most recent I can find is 11/08 at 7.9%) each job posted receives hundreds and hundreds of applicants. Last year, I had a position posted for a PT receptionist paying under $10, and received over 125 applications. And some companies that have been holding on tight through the recession to this point are starting to lose their grips. As an example, a friend just found out yesterday that all salaried positions at his place of employment are taking a 20% pay cut until things get better. 20% is a lot, but at least he still has a job.
I won't tell you not to put your house up for sale, since you've thought it through and have reserves. Just spend your reserves wisely and work on your resume! Good bookkeepers are hard to find.
I wish you and your husband the best (though, this morning, we have a wind chill of 21 ourselves )...!
Thanks for your honest reply, Another Day. Unfortunately, not the best news to hear but we just feel the best time to make this move would be now with the houses priced like they are. We will just have to have faith that we will be able to land some kind of employment. Thank you for your best wishes as this will be a long standing dream come true for us.
I have to believe that good jobs are difficult to find everywhere. I do know that people with unique skills are finding opportunities here. One of our recent clients has been able to get job offers with just a few phone calls.
Having an entrepreneurial leaning may be the best way to be successful.
Good luck with the sale of your home.
I think you are right that good jobs are tough to find anywhere. My husband said the word on the street for some of the trades around here is, if you get laid off, expect to sit on the bench for at least 12 months!! We are so forunate to not have kids and have to worry about them. I would much rather contemplate my next job move sitting on the beach instead of wrapped up in a blanket looking out at the 3 feet of snow in my yard!! If it's white, it's got to be sand!!
Hi everyone, I feel like I know you because I have been reading these posts for quite a long time. My turn to ask for your great advice. I know you're probably thinking then "why am I asking about jobs"? Everything has been said.
My husband and I are putting our Chicago suburburban house on the market March 23rd and as soon as it sells, we are headed for Sarasota. We have done a ton of research and know that is the place for us. We are coming down without employment but with some cushion money until we get jobs. That is my question, if we are very dilligent and willing to compromise (knowing that we are forfitting a great paycheck for quality of life) is it unheard of to find a job in or around the area? My husband is a commercial plumber (who would rather work at a golf course) and I have a ton of bookkeeping/office managing experience also I owned my own mobile dog grooming business for 4 years. I know that the construction scene is awful but he is willing to do something else.
Everytime I look on Monster or Careerbuilder it seems that there are jobs available. I did read that Pavchek found a city job in 3 weeks. That actually doesn't sound bad at all and I'm sure it has benefits if it's with the city.
I just really want to know what to expect and I do realize that this isn't an issue for some of you but I'm sure you are aware of what is going on around you. If we are making "finding a job" our first job, do we even have a chance? Thanks for any insight you can give!
OK, first the bad - it is true that the employment situation is VERY bad here - it's always been tight in this area since so many want to live here, and with this economy, it's even worse.
But now the good! You both have some marketable skills. I am going to say that you will probably have more luck going into the dog grooming business - maybe even pet sitting for folks here. The fact is, there are people in the area with money, and they will spend it on things like their pets!
I also think there are always opportunities for a good plumber, but there again it might be good to think outside the box and perhaps be an independent contractor.
Lastly, coming from the Chicago area, your expenses should be a lot less down here, of course depending on whether you can live somewhat frugally or have to live "high on the hog." lol There are some incredible deals on real estate right now, and despite what some people here would have you believe, the weather is pretty great, I only run my AC full-time for about 4 months out of the year. Six months it doesn't get turned on at all, and I rarely need heat! And there are a lot of recreational and cultural opportunities here which are low-cost or free.
We do say that dogs will always need haircuts in the heat and people will always have to "use the restroom" if you know what I mean!
We are really ready to scale down on the difference between our "wants" and "needs". The want to be somewhere we could be outside year round has much more gravity than the need to have a couple great vacations a year and live somewhere you feel you aren't getting the most out of. Like my user name states: Life is Short. We are ready to start living it somewhere we will love and appreciate. It is amazing the difference of mind set when you are able to see palm trees in the breeze, let alone in your front yard!!!
I don't live in FL but have daughter in Venice S of sarasota--I agree that there are plenty of pet lovers--and frankly I think if you could afford to start a mobile dog grooming business you could do very well...don't know how many there might be already in Sarasota proper but you could consider some of the smaller outlying areas as well
that entire area has so many senior citizens who might actually prefer to have you come to them vs going to groomers......(I say that because people in my own neighborhood who use a mobile pet groomer are all retired people) and anything that keeps them off the streets has got to improve the quality of driving around there
I would suggest that you try to make contact with some of the over 55 gated subdivision that have community activities/club house on site--the country club type of places-- Just make sure they allow pets because some don't and try to negotiate a concierge type of deal where you come to their facility one day a month or week and groom dogs--(can you do cats???)
find out what the market price is for pet grooming in the area by calling some local shops around the communities you think would fit this concept--and set your price about 10% cheaper to start--
some people will drive a LONG way to a groomer they like who is good to their pets--they have a real relationship with them like with their doctors so if you can bond with customers and create a good impression you will likely get return business...
you could say you are giving a discount for people who sign up for 3 or 5 groomings over the course of XX months/weeks--I would try to get deposit up front to lock them in...
You might even consider working the first time for free to generate word of mouth or have the 4th grooming for free...senior citizens (actually anyone) LOVE anything for free especially with the economy like it is--I saw the crowds at Denny's free grand-slam offer...
and while there is always competition for getting work as a plumber there is ALWAYS a need for a good plumber...and golf courses need maintenance/irrigation people--I think some of the immigrants who were doing this type of work have gone back to their home countries because business has slacked off for them--I know in TX because of the downturn in home construction our friend who builds one-two homes or small commercial bldgs a year has lost his trim carpenter--moved back to Mexico...
so if your husband has any knowledge of irrigation that would help--he might also consider getting his license to be irrigation contractor--don't think it is that difficult--might be info on line
In TX the community colleges have classes in course work that leads to the test...
don't forget the power of Craig's list --
on the Sarasota board it matters how you search--to get info about postings--I saw one for mobile grooming, several for same groomer in North Port, one for place that offers pick up/delivery to their shop---
groomer in North Port and others prices are about what I pay here in suburban town in DFW area for my min schnauzer--but I go to older, not-upscale or new groomers like PetSmart store
frankly I don't know if older customers would be looking on Craig's list but you never know--
church bulletins, posting on local community service boards IN TOWN--at Publix if they have a community want ad type board...
would definitely go by vets in the area and ask if they have groomer or would consider adding that service--some vets already do but some might not--maybe they would let you do a free groom to show how good you are and post your flyer in their place...
make contact with the local chamber of commerce and your local city animal shelter--ask them if you can leave cards or sign on their desk regarding pet grooming--while lots of people are abandoning pets there are people who are taking them out of animal shelters and might require grooming...
just my 2 cents
good luck
if you wanted someplace to rent/buy and you don't have any pets--PM me about a possible...
Thank you for all of your awesome ideas!! Unfortunately, I no longer have my grooming van and am not in a position to purchase a new one. I'm also starting to kick around the idea of pet sitting or dog walking, thanks to gypsychic. Your above ideas would work great for that, too! I love the dogs (no cat grooming, just never learned how) and would really like to continue something in the pet industry.
Thanks also for the great info for my husband. It is always so refreshing to hear ideas from others. As long as he is close to a course, he is a happy man!
We don't have any animals now, we lost our little shih tzu, Sparky, last year but hope to get another pup when we are settled. We are hoping to rent a friend's place until we can buy a house but if that falls through, I may be contacting you. Thanks for your help.
I guess because of the need for equipment and drying space it would not really be feasible to just drive to a clubhouse and do grooming there
probably there are places looking for groomers--
good luck to you and really keep my offer in mind to put you in contact with my daughter--their condo is small but is great condition, has lanai that faces the Gulf just half block from Venice Beach--that is really nice town south of Sarasota---
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
)...!
You both have some marketable skills. I am going to say that you will probably have more luck going into the dog grooming business - maybe even pet sitting for folks here. The fact is, there are people in the area with money, and they will spend it on things like their pets!
