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Old 07-10-2012, 04:59 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles, CA
78 posts, read 265,716 times
Reputation: 36

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Hello everyone,

I am currently a Los Angeles native and weighing out two job offers. I have one in Waco Texas and another Stuart Florida.

I have been out to Waco and know pretty much what is there (as at one time I was debating between Waco and Patuxent River, MD). However now I have been offered a position in Stuart with Triumph Aerostructures and I am wondering about several things...

1. What is the cost of living like?
I have looked online and it is cheaper than LA but more expensive than Waco. However, is the increase in the cost of living worth it? What is the quality of life like?

2. What are the schools like? For my 7 year old...
3. Are there any universities close by to get my Masters? Or for my fiance to get her BSRN...

4. Coming from LA, will we be in for a big shock? Will life be so different we will find it hard to adapt?

We dont really party a lot, but we do go to the beach.. we go to the mall and the movies... we go to kids places... What is in Stuart?

Its a HUGE choice and I appreciate any and all insight you may offer.

Jorge
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Old 07-10-2012, 07:48 PM
 
517 posts, read 1,092,480 times
Reputation: 1468
Here's a link that may help answer some of your questions about colleges/universities:

State University System of Florida | Board of Governors : University

Contact Lists

The Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida

Don't know too much about Stuart except that I've been there a couple of times (a few years ago) and it seemed like a nice enough small city. Hopefully someone else will have more info.

Either of these places will involve a bit of culture shock coming from LA--it kind of depends what you and your family are looking for whether it will be a change for the better or for the worse for you. A lot of people relocate to Florida only to decide to leave; others are very happy and hope to never have to leave.

Congratulations on having more than one job opportunity worth considering in this economy, and best of luck!
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Old 07-14-2012, 12:54 PM
 
Location: South Florida
5,023 posts, read 7,450,618 times
Reputation: 5471
Quote:
Originally Posted by JorgeZepeda View Post
Hello everyone,

I am currently a Los Angeles native and weighing out two job offers. I have one in Waco Texas and another Stuart Florida.

I have been out to Waco and know pretty much what is there (as at one time I was debating between Waco and Patuxent River, MD). However now I have been offered a position in Stuart with Triumph Aerostructures and I am wondering about several things...

1. What is the cost of living like?
I have looked online and it is cheaper than LA but more expensive than Waco. However, is the increase in the cost of living worth it? What is the quality of life like?

2. What are the schools like? For my 7 year old...
3. Are there any universities close by to get my Masters? Or for my fiance to get her BSRN...

4. Coming from LA, will we be in for a big shock? Will life be so different we will find it hard to adapt?

We dont really party a lot, but we do go to the beach.. we go to the mall and the movies... we go to kids places... What is in Stuart?

Its a HUGE choice and I appreciate any and all insight you may offer.

Jorge
It'll be very important where you land as far as schools for your 7 year old.
I would strongly suggest you use a realtor whether you rent or buy so you get in a decent school district.
I have some friends who just relocated from San Antonio to Jupiter with 2 kids.
Their realtor really put them in a perfect spot as far as friendly neighborhood and good schools.
Feel free to contact me if I can help with anything else.
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Old 08-23-2012, 10:58 AM
 
Location: Los Angeles, CA
78 posts, read 265,716 times
Reputation: 36
Default Update on Offer

Ok, I have recently finalized my offer with a good aerospace company in Stuart Florida. In Los Angeles the salary I am being offered would be Ok, not great but acceptable... with a salary of $90k+ in Martin co, can I acquire a decent place to live? Will a family of 3 be able to make it? Or will we be pay check to pay check?

I was considering Jupiter as a possible location to live. Between Stuart, Tequesta or Jupiter where would be a good place to consider?
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Old 08-23-2012, 11:44 AM
 
Location: Palm Beach, FL & Napa, CA
2,093 posts, read 5,595,507 times
Reputation: 1010
LA to Stuart, prepare for major culture shock. Although Stuart is a nice area if your looking for a slower paced lifestyle in comparison. Just look a a Google satellite view to get a feel for it.

There is a mall in the Stuart area, Treasure Coast Mall it's okay but nothing like what you may be use to in the LA area, near the mall is where most of the box stores and chain restaurants are. Downtown Stuart is nice, quaint and has some good restaurants and is very Florida and not overly commercialized. All depends on what you and your wife desire in stores and etc.?

Truimph use to be Vought, well do you research on them, they have had some layoffs in the past, as well they have multiple shift requirements with many of their jobs. I knew someone who once worked there when it was Vought, was a Structures Engineer and had to work rotating shifts, said he hated it.

Cost of living is lower than LA, but the property taxes and homeowners insurance can be steep if you buy a home.

Traffic will be a big shock, it won't even be comparable.

There are really no universities in that area I can think of, FAU has a campus in Jupiter, but they may not offer Graduate level courses there and only at their Boca Raton main campus.

Stuart is probably a good choice for families, but keep in mind that there isn't much else to fall back on if things go sour at Triumph compared to living in the LA area or someplace else that has lot's of jobs, Aerospace is fairly large here, Piper in Melbourne, lot's of Turbine companies in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, also Pratt and Sikorsky, but many have layoffs and depend on government contracts which will soon be cut.

Defense cuts would devastate Florida | devastate, florida, scott - Scott to Congress - Northwest Florida Daily News

Pratt says "hundreds" of jobs at the defense contractor could be cut - Sun Sentinel

$90K is doable, as long as you don't much debt. Home prices are lower here than LA as are the rents. You probably can't get more salary elsewhere as companies in Florida tend to pay less.

Thing is, do you enjoy LA living, more people along with amenities or do you desire a more quiet setting? When you say Jupiter, it will be around 20 miles or so a drive from Jupiter, Jupiter is a nice area it is also very seasonal and is close to the amenities of Palm Beach Gardens. The further South you go the more of LA you will experience both culturally and in terms of amenities, restaurants and etc.

You would not want to live in say West Palm Beach and drive 50+ miles to Stuart everyday, unless you don't mind commuting, you will have more options in Central Palm Beach County and South, culturally speaking it's more ethnic and more happening if you know what I mean?
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Old 08-23-2012, 01:48 PM
 
35,309 posts, read 52,305,052 times
Reputation: 30999
Got Beach
Saint Lucie Inlet - Stuart Photo Album - [domain blocked due to spam]
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Old 08-23-2012, 03:08 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles, CA
78 posts, read 265,716 times
Reputation: 36
I appreciate the advice. Yes, I am aware that Triumph was Vought and also NGC. I feel pretty comfortable with the work, and they did mention the rotating shifts (Saturday a month w/o O/T). That part will be rough. The work seems like something I will be able to handle without too much stress...

Currently, I m in Waco Texas... Here the life style is also very very slow... and it has been a pretty big culture shock. One of the main reasons is that in order for me to do anything I have to driver 2 hours in either direction to Dallas or Austin. So it has to be a weekend event. Also, the housing is pretty new outside of the city but very old inside the city...

We tend to not be big party animals but we also do not want to live in the sticks among bad element or retired people. We are still a fairly young couple who would enjoy some life... How far is Central Palm Beach Co??

Where would you recommend living? I am willing to commute like 30 minutes....
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Old 08-23-2012, 03:33 PM
 
Location: Palm Beach, FL & Napa, CA
2,093 posts, read 5,595,507 times
Reputation: 1010
Jupiter would be within 30 minutes, Palm Beach Gardens would a little further a drive.

You will probably be going South on the weekends since that's where everything is at, Jupiter has some shopping, dining and etc., but a lot of the typical stores, Target, Costco and etc are all south and in general the further south you go there more there is to do. It all depends on what you enjoy doing?
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