Midwest to West Palm Beach? Jobs? (Sarasota: fit in, apartments, find a job)

[dundermifflin]

Hello. I am 25 y.o. male from the Midwest. I am looking for entry level work - my B.S. degree is urban planning/ art and I am open to many fields. I would prefer something art related - a gallery or museum - but that is not always that easy to come by. I am in Sarasota now checking things out and it is really nice but really seems like most things are aimed for the 60 and up crowd. ex- many many medical ads and buildings all over. Nothing wrong with that but I just want an area I fit in well with and a job! I am laid back, Christian, and moderate to liberal politically. Do you think West Palm Beach would be a good fit and what do you think about jobs? I am thinking of driving over there tomorrow. I am probably going to go to Nashville if I can't find something in FL. I really like Nashville but I love the beach!! Originally from MO. Thanks in advance!!

[DaniellaG]

Do you have a job in your hometown? Do you have savings to be able to relocate and for time to find a job? I'm in Boca but my friend who is a guy moved to West Palm. He really enjoys the area and there is more to do for a younger person then where I am. Some of the areas though which I found in general in FL are shady so make sure to drive around to see. I do feel WP is more affordable then some parts. I am not sure what type of job you will be looking for with your degree. I guess in my eyes you should think of the place that will give you the best opportunities whether that be in Nashville,Fl,etc.

[notaBradfan]

To Dundermifflin:

First, you should make sure you have an emergency fund from which to draw in the event you fail to find a job here in W. Palm Beach. Our cost of living is well above the national average. Apartments for one person, either a one bedroom or studio, range from $600.00 a month and up. This usually does not include utilities.

As does the rest of the country, we suffer from high unemployment. Be sure you have a solid financial plan in place before moving. I suggest doing thorough research on the internet before just packing up and moving here, unless you have a place to live and a job lined up.

Best of luck and keep posting.

[joanie55]

Don't know about your career field but unemployment is high here. And you should know most of the entry level jobs down here go to minorities - mostly foreign. The thinking (my minority friends told me this) is that they will stay longer working for less and don't expect holidays off. West Palm has a lot of crime, you must be careful where you live. Also, South Florida in general is full of con artists, scammers, etc. It's a really dangerous place for a mdwesterner (trust me, I am one). As they say, "You pay a price to live in paradise." Think about it. I'd go to Nashville.

[susanra]

DunderMifflin,

I'm interested that you said Sarasota is very nice. Would you find it a lovely city to move to if it were not gearing to the 60 and older person?

Just wondering because I'm 61 and have been considering a move to Sarasota even though I've never been there. I've been reading up on the city.

Any comments you could provide about Sarasota would be appreciated!

[WilliamHarman]

My sis in law has applied to over 130 jobs so far, well over qualified. Got two interviews so far. It's tough! But if you're super determined, anything is possible. Can you say..........."Frys with that?" No joke, I know a PhD doing just that.

[haleyd79]

Originally Posted by dundermifflin

Hello. I am 25 y.o. male from the Midwest. I am looking for entry level work - my B.S. degree is urban planning/ art and I am open to many fields. I would prefer something art related - a gallery or museum - but that is not always that easy to come by. I am in Sarasota now checking things out and it is really nice but really seems like most things are aimed for the 60 and up crowd. ex- many many medical ads and buildings all over. Nothing wrong with that but I just want an area I fit in well with and a job! I am laid back, Christian, and moderate to liberal politically. Do you think West Palm Beach would be a good fit and what do you think about jobs? I am thinking of driving over there tomorrow. I am probably going to go to Nashville if I can't find something in FL. I really like Nashville but I love the beach!! Originally from MO. Thanks in advance!!

you sound just like me. nashville was my first choice for a long time, but i love the beach so much that i decided on west palm beach. but if the jobs are as hard to come by as i'm hearing they are down there, i may just end up in nashville... need a roommate? LOL!!!

[StilltheSame]

Originally Posted by dundermifflin

Hello. I am 25 y.o. male from the Midwest. I am looking for entry level work - my B.S. degree is urban planning/ art and I am open to many fields. I would prefer something art related - a gallery or museum - but that is not always that easy to come by. I am in Sarasota now checking things out and it is really nice but really seems like most things are aimed for the 60 and up crowd. ex- many many medical ads and buildings all over. Nothing wrong with that but I just want an area I fit in well with and a job! I am laid back, Christian, and moderate to liberal politically. Do you think West Palm Beach would be a good fit and what do you think about jobs? I am thinking of driving over there tomorrow. I am probably going to go to Nashville if I can't find something in FL. I really like Nashville but I love the beach!! Originally from MO. Thanks in advance!!

Hi Dunder,

One of the issues with SFL is the lack of urban planning. I have a close friend who was a planner and had to leave the area to find employment. But that was a decade ago and I would look closely into the opportunities in your field before making the move. You would think however with the lack of planning perhaps municipalities are thinking more and investing in planners. Good luck and keep posting!

[ubuntumatrix]

Stay in the midwest just move to a bigger city if you expect to find a decent paying wage.

I just left S. Florida because of lack of opportunities compared to cities like Chicago or Houston per say.

[StilltheSame]

Originally Posted by ubuntumatrix

Stay in the midwest just move to a bigger city if you expect to find a decent paying wage.

I just left S. Florida because of lack of opportunities compared to cities like Chicago or Houston per say.

I second that.