[HarborSeal]

Hey there Florida folk,

Another soon to be mid-20s graduating student thinking very seriously about a move to Florida in May. I've been out in Boston for the past 4 years getting a degree, but more importantly getting lots of work experience in my field instead of just a piece of paper. I'm not from the Northeast at all, and honestly while I like a lot of things about Boston, there's just something about it that makes me want to move and not come back. Everyone here says I look and act like I'm from a warm beach, although I'm not sure what that necessarily encompasses. A love of sandals and being outside? Guess that's not a Boston thing, haha.

Anyway, my questions revolve around where I should look around the state for renting/any place that has reliable public transportation. I won't be able to secure a car for awhile because I'll actually need to get a FL license (I used the MBTA out here the entire time, so never bothered). I'm more interested in rooming with others to bring my costs down, and because more than likely I won't have a job right away and will have to find something outside of my field temporarily. Most of my work has been with marine animals and undergrad research, and I'd love to continue that at a local aquarium or with some sort of research/conservation/etc opportunity. A coworker from this past summer's aquarium internship told me not to worry and that I'll find something very quickly, as she recently did. I'll be fine financially for awhile, and I'm not very materialistic… just as long as I'm healthy and outside, I'm happy. I've got a varied skill set and good people skills, so I'm not worried about finding a full-out job if I just give myself some time.

So yeah! For the short version, ideally I'm hoping to be within close access to beaches and a workable public transit system (not long-term, will have a car eventually). I'm not sure how to start narrowing down my search save for job opportunities. If I decide that Florida has the most going for it, after graduation in a month or so I'm going to just take a hotel room and look around if I haven't secured housing already. Thanks for your insight and assistance.

[willow wind]

I think you've answered your own question about where to live. You said you wanted to work in a marine/aquarium type situation.

Florida is a big state geographically and such facilities are comparatively few in number. Here's a link to them.

Attractions - Aquariums, Zoos & Animals

Thus, you'd want to check what jobs might be available and then look into housing in any area where there might be a job. Most are in built up areas, so transportation should not be too much of a problem.

[bmw335xi]

It will be very difficult to live and work in Florida without a car. It's completely different than Boston. I'd even say Los Angeles is still light years ahead of Florida in terms of public transit. I would save money until you can at least buy a cheap car.

[Mike1306]

The research aquariums and marine laboratories are numerous in Florida along with the public aquariums which would give you many choices through out Florida.
Dependent upon which you are able to find work at the transportation options will vary widely. Mote in Sarasota has decent public transportation and Clearwater Marine Aquarium you can find a 2 bedroom rental within walking distance of work, supermarket and, depending upon how far you like to walk, even the beach.
I am sure the larger cities like Miami and Ft.Lauderdale could accommodate even more options but of course the cost to rent would be higher.