Moving back to the area. How is the economy? Are there jobs? (West Palm Beach: real estate)

[mmmeyer103]

Currently, I am a Property Manager up North. But I would like to return to West Palm Beach where I lived for over 10 years.

Is it a good or bad time to return. I would like to start an office cleaning business and be able to establish a good client base within 6 months. I will be insured and bonded and I am educated with an advanced degree.

What are my chances for success at this point, if I put in the leg work? What areas of Palm Beach County are the best areas to start a business such as this?

Thank you for your response.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by mmmeyer103

Currently, I am a Property Manager up North. But I would like to return to West Palm Beach where I lived for over 10 years.

Is it a good or bad time to return. I would like to start an office cleaning business and be able to establish a good client base within 6 months. I will be insured and bonded and I am educated with an advanced degree.

What are my chances for success at this point, if I put in the leg work? What areas of Palm Beach County are the best areas to start a business such as this?

Thank you for your response.

I would not suggest moving here now, currently 11.3% unemployment in PBC, the actual unemployment rate is higher if you ask me. Lot's of empty retail real estate and places going out of business every month. It's not total doom and gloom, but I would not suggest anyone moving here without a sound job lined up, and "sound" can be a misnomer.

Office cleaning is very competitive here, don't know if it's a good business plan or not? Also will take a long time to establish yourself as a new business in a tight market with ever tightening budgets it may be even more difficult.

[joanie55]

The previous poster is absolutely right! To be blunt, the economy sucks and there are very few jobs - Florida has taken one of the biggest hits in the economic crisis, unfortunately.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by joanie55

The previous poster is absolutely right! To be blunt, the economy sucks and there are very few jobs - Florida has taken one of the biggest hits in the economic crisis, unfortunately.

Yep and I was in the Wellington Mall tonight, I rarely go there, It was not too crowded, a lot of stores were empty. Walked by Williams Sonoma and there wasn't a sole in the place other then the employees. This on a Friday night was unheard of a few years ago. I think the double dip is starting to rear it's head.

[exmbdude]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

Yep and I was in the Wellington Mall tonight, I rarely go there, It was not too crowded, a lot of stores were empty. Walked by Williams Sonoma and there wasn't a sole in the place other then the employees. This on a Friday night was unheard of a few years ago. I think the double dip is starting to rear it's head.

THX, you are right on the money and very accurate. I left the state recently for greener pastures as the prospects for any manner of work were bleak at best. To the OP, although they are not as common in offices nowadays you may consider a plant rental/care business for small offices maybe with cleaning as an supplemental service. Whatever you do, have a large reserve of money to get you through a lean period or more than enough to relocate back because if things don't work out you will have a very hard time finding work.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by exmbdude

THX, you are right on the money and very accurate. I left the state recently for greener pastures as the prospects for any manner of work were bleak at best. To the OP, although they are not as common in offices nowadays you may consider a plant rental/care business for small offices maybe with cleaning as an supplemental service. Whatever you do, have a large reserve of money to get you through a lean period or more than enough to relocate back because if things don't work out you will have a very hard time finding work.

It's a bleak outlook, but I do not see things here turning around anytime soon and I still see retail space being built and sitting empty along tons of office space. I'm still shocked to come on here and read about people getting jobs here from elsewhere out of state. Now I know and have proof that some are, but they are a minority among the masses here.