[lookingforgreatweather]

Hi, my name is Merrie and I am trying to find a place to get me out of where I am now. I am mainly looking to get away from the long winters, need a safe place as I will be moving by myself and really enjoy being near the ocean as it is the only place I have found true happiness. I will be looking for bookkeeping jobs and a room to rent. Please tell me about the cost of living, prices of gas and how much I would need saved up before I move. Also, please describe the winters and summers, how friendly people are and I should also mention I am looking for someplace where there are things to do. Where I am now it is unusual to hit 95 and I think that is hot, but of course my roommate does not like to have the door open to get a breeze and there is no a/c in the house. Right now I am researching my move and would very much like for this to be my last long winter!!!


Thank you for your time and input,
Merrie

[jambo101]

You may want to research Floridas west coast areas from Clearwater/St Pete area down to Naples and Fort Meyers area ending up in the area where you ultimately get a job..
You may not like northern Winters but you may not like Floridas summers either as temperatures from April to November can be in the mid 80's to mid 90's with unrelenting humidity the whole time.if your room mate thinks he/she is going to live in Florida with no air conditioning and no ventilation you may want to dump the room mate before you get to Florida..

[seeriously]

As jambo mentioned, the humidity during the summer and shoulder months is unrelenting. Let me put it this way... When our house was being built they installed the cabinetry before the a/c unit and in a few short weeks the cabinet doors torqued from the humidity and needed to be replaced. There's no living without a/c here. No one can tell you how much money to save, and by gas, I'm guessing you are referring to gasoline because very few homes have gas as a utility down here, at least this is true in my area. I'll let someone else address the lack of jobs down here.

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

Originally Posted by lookingforgreatweather

Hi, my name is Merrie and I am trying to find a place to get me out of where I am now. I am mainly looking to get away from the long winters, need a safe place as I will be moving by myself and really enjoy being near the ocean as it is the only place I have found true happiness. I will be looking for bookkeeping jobs and a room to rent. Please tell me about the cost of living, prices of gas and how much I would need saved up before I move. Also, please describe the winters and summers, how friendly people are and I should also mention I am looking for someplace where there are things to do. Where I am now it is unusual to hit 95 and I think that is hot, but of course my roommate does not like to have the door open to get a breeze and there is no a/c in the house. Right now I am researching my move and would very much like for this to be my last long winter!!!


Thank you for your time and input,
Merrie

Finding a job first is important.

Many here do not like the heat and compare it to being cold. Myself I can handle the heat and humidity but like you cannot handle the cold, ice and snow any longer.

I suggest the Gulf Side around the Tampa St Pete area, north or south a bit, then again it is all going to come down to you finding a job.

Many small towns with a great breeze along both coast that might fit your liking.

General rule of thumb is to have 6 months living expenses put back before you move.

[007.5]

Whatever part of Florida is appealing to you, secure a job first before moving down here. Florida has very high unemployment . You best job opportunities are going to be in or near major cities .

[THX 1138]

The job market here sucks basically, in Palm Beach County it's 12.4% Unemployment, Florida statewide is 12%. Salaries are not climbing proportionally to the high cost of living. You may find a lesser expensive place to live close to the beach, but the job (if you can get one) won't pay too much depending on where it is. I live in Palm Beach County which is a beautiful area but is very populated and falls into the South Florida MSA.

Rents are high here, gas prices are high as are food, taxes and car insurance. Sales tax is 6.5%. Also during the summer months, utility costs can be high to run the A/C.

Not sure where you are now, but if you never have been to Florida I suggest you visit select parts in the Summer months and see how you like it. Don't come down here right now because most people that do can't handle the summer weather.

[lookingforgreatweather]

Thank you everyone for your input, I haven't made a final decision but I think Florida might be a good place to visit and not live. I do want to visit in the summer to the places mentioned, again thank you

[Ken E]

That would be a smart decision. It is a beautiful place to visit.