[ellia10]

Ok,I may possibly have an opportunity to relocate for a job from South Florida.From some research,I determined that the cost of living would be roughly the same.I just have to decide if I should make the move for the job or not if it is offered to me.What would be the lowest acceptable salary one should accept to make the move to Vermont?Also are there any reasonably priced places to rent with fairly low security deposits?I would be coming with a ten year old daughter,so I really don't want to make a mistake here and regret the relocation.Thanks for any advice.

[ellia10]

Also,I have one dog.

[joe moving]

depends on your lifestyle but somewhere around 45k i'd say for comfortable but on the minimalist side. Where in VT would you be moving? What kind of housing do you expect--apartment, condo or home?

[thunderkat59]

Not trying to be a negative or anything, but I moved from Vermont to South Florida, and I can assure you that VT is probably a third more in COL. Maybe even more depending on some factors such as if your house is oil heat, etc. This is just my experience as someone has made that exact move, but in reverse.
On a possibly good note, if you are not a die hard "Florida Person", ie, bothered by the crime, box stores, cars and traffic there, you will think you went to heaven when you get to Vermont. There is simply no comparison in quality-of-life. Worth every penny more for what you get in return.

[ellia10]

I am from Fort Lauderdale so thus far,housing looks about the same.Iwould want to rent in the beginning.Unfortunately,there areno other jobs in my field down here this one may possibly be open in Vermont but just want to know if 45 to 50K would be worth the move

[thunderkat59]

Originally Posted by ellia10

I am from Fort Lauderdale so thus far,housing looks about the same.Iwould want to rent in the beginning.Unfortunately,there areno other jobs in my field down here this one may possibly be open in Vermont but just want to know if 45 to 50K would be worth the move

In that respect, VT and FL are very similar. One has sand, one has snow, but realistically, they are both troubled, service based economies. I would NOT consider a move to VT unless you had a job and a healthy savings account beforehand. No exceptions. If you found a 50k job in Vermont, I would say you are the very rare exception to the rule.

A few other things to consider because of the vast cultural differences between the two areas . . .
If you enjoy the S.Fl lifestyle of shopping malls and corporate eating establishments everywhere, you are going to be disappointed in VT. There is none of that stuff. Also, as sunny as FL is, VT is that dark a lot of the time. Some people it doesn't bother, some people find it very disconcerting. I enjoyed living in Vermont, but my stay in Florida(WPB) was the absolute worst time of my life. I seriously suffer PTSD just thinking about it. If you like that lifestyle, I would do my research carefully before you made a definite decision. Vermont is as far away from Florida in mindset as it is geographically.

[ellia10]

Originally Posted by thunderkat59

In that respect, VT and FL are very similar. One has sand, one has snow, but realistically, they are both troubled, service based economies. I would NOT consider a move to VT unless you had a job and a healthy savings account beforehand. No exceptions. If you found a 50k job in Vermont, I would say you are the very rare exception to the rule.

A few other things to consider because of the vast cultural differences between the two areas . . .
If you enjoy the S.Fl lifestyle of shopping malls and corporate eating establishments everywhere, you are going to be disappointed in VT. There is none of that stuff. Also, as sunny as FL is, VT is that dark a lot of the time. Some people it doesn't bother, some people find it very disconcerting. I enjoyed living in Vermont, but my stay in Florida(WPB) was the absolute worst time of my life. I seriously suffer PTSD just thinking about it. If you like that lifestyle, I would do my research carefully before you made a definite decision. Vermont is as far away from Florida in mindset as it is geographically.

No,I would be recruited from a company that just shut its doors in my area and has openings in Vermont.The job is technically based,not service based.The salary is a little below 50K but based on the looks of the high cost of living in the Vermont area(45K to 50K doesnt take you very far down here in Fort Lauderdale), and the company is not offering any relocation help, I would probably have to incur at least 5K in debt to move.It might serve me better to look in other,cheaper areas of the country, although I need a job.

[FrugalYankee]

Where in VT? Like another poster said, 50k is a princely yearly salary by VT standards. Depending on where you are and what accomodations you are prepared to make, you could make it go a long way. There is a lot to be said for having a job these days.

[ellia10]

Originally Posted by FrugalYankee

Where in VT? Like another poster said, 50k is a princely yearly salary by VT standards. Depending on where you are and what accomodations you are prepared to make, you could make it go a long way. There is a lot to be said for having a job these days.

This is a good point.It is unlikely I will get another job in my field in my current location,I have tried.If this job at this other company site is offered to me it would be a job and right now I am unemployed.It is close to Georgia Vermont.

[VTtoPA]

Georgia, VT is a cheap area to live in...not sure if you WANT to live there or commute. If you want to be closer to Burlington - you will spend more $$$ on living. You will be able to live in Georgia and those areas for cheap.