[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

I grew up in working-class Italian-American family in Rhode Island and moved to Florida as a young adult nearly 20 years ago. I chose Florida because it was all that I knew. Aside from Florida, I had never been anywhere farther than New Jersey, but I wanted warm weather more than anything, so that's why I ended up there.

Over the years, I've known dozens and dozens of working-age New Englanders who have moved to Florida, and only one has been educated--me.

Most of my educated friends who didn't end up in Rhode Island moved on to states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and California among others. Many of them thought I was crazy for moving to Florida, and in many ways, they were right, as Florida isn't a place where educated professionals can grow and thrive from a professional standpoint, but I didn't want to hear it, especially as I was preparing to move.

In short, Florida has never attracted talented, educated youth and--at least for the foreseeable future--probably won't either, hence the reason why the majority of jobs that will be created in the state over the next decade or so will be low-wage, low-skill positions. Supply and demand.

Reputation point for you, very well said and spot on.

**Oops, I tried to rep you but wouldn't let me.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

...Florida isn't a place where educated professionals can grow and thrive from a professional standpoint...

That's a sweeping generalization that's not entirely true. The state has attracted tons of lawyers. And - today - at least where I am - we're getting lots of doctors and other health care professionals. Robyn

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

That's a sweeping generalization that's not entirely true. The state has attracted tons of lawyers. And - today - at least where I am - we're getting lots of doctors and other health care professionals. Robyn

I agree, that should probably be retracted to "non-essential" professionals. Given we're the fourth most populated state naturally there's a need for essential occupations to the general public, regardless of economic conditions.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

That's a sweeping generalization that's not entirely true. The state has attracted tons of lawyers. And - today - at least where I am - we're getting lots of doctors and other health care professionals. Robyn

Some folks dont understand that every occupation requires professionals who grow with their careers.
I cant think of a single industry or type of job where their are all indians and no chiefs.

I may also be the opinion of some folks that what they believe could/would/does only occur in Florida.

[8to32characters]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

That's a sweeping generalization that's not entirely true. The state has attracted tons of lawyers. And - today - at least where I am - we're getting lots of doctors and other health care professionals. Robyn

I'm probably 25-30 years younger than you, and I know plenty of kids who grew up in Florida, although mostly South Florida, who either moved out-of-state to attend law school or right after graduating from law school, passed the bar and launched their careers in the respective states they've moved to, and probably won't return to Florida until retirement. Even more surprising, most of these kids I'm referring to grew up in Florida, too (lots of kids who grow up in Florida don't really leave due to a fear of cold weather).

Since moving to Arizona, I've also met two individuals who grew up in Florida--a former co-worker (and friend) who grew up in Orlando and my neighbor (and friend) who grew up in Jacksonville--who both moved to Arizona to attend law school years ago. Both of these friends passed the bar in Arizona and have practiced here ever since.

Among attorneys who move away from Florida, there is a resonating theme--to secure a position at a law firm in Florida, especially in South Florida, you have to have some sort of connection because the legal field down there is so unbelievably saturated with attorneys. Lots of young attorneys in South Florida get into their parents/grandfather's/uncle's law firm because if they didn't have those connections, it would be too difficult to get hired/find work.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

I'm probably 25-30 years younger than you, and I know plenty of kids who grew up in Florida, although mostly South Florida, who either moved out-of-state to attend law school or right after graduating from law school, passed the bar and launched their careers in the respective states they've moved to, and probably won't return to Florida until retirement. Even more surprising, most of these kids I'm referring to grew up in Florida, too (lots of kids who grow up in Florida don't really leave due to a fear of cold weather).

I agree. I attended high school in South Florida and a map of graduates from my senior class shows 40% out-of-state and scattered across the country.

[Sugah Ray]

Ok here is some data that confirms what we already know, there is a sunshine tax:

This is directly from the BLS website, I'm only listing some metro areas

Metro/labor force/median hours wage/mean hour wage

Orlando 1,042,150 ........... $14.13 ........... $18.94
Miami 2,280,990 ............. $15.03 ............ $20.73
Tampa 1,151,890 ............ $15.45............. $20.35
Jacksonville 586,900........ $15.53.............$20.38
Dallas 3,061,220............. $16.90 ............. $22.50
Phoenix 1,781,210 ........... $16.92............. $21.96
Atlanta 2,308,040.............$17.16..............$23.21
Houston 2,757,640 .......... $17.33 ............ $23.96
Chicago 4,347,580 ........... $17.63 ........... $23.66
Los Angeles 5,427,320 ..... $18.31 ........... $25.30
Philadelphia 2,666,990 ..... $18.84 ............ $24.64
Sacramento 837,960 ........ $19.62 ........... $24.96
NYC 5,242,070 ................. $21.53 ............ $29.14
Seattle 1,711,330 ............ $21.72 ............. $27.46
Boston 2,533,640 ............. $22.06 ............ $28.40
San Francisco 2,049,560 ...$23.43 ............ $30.59
DC 2,929,060 ................... $23.96............ $30.89

You have to pay State taxes in some of this metros. If you earn a wage close to the mean you would pay taxes in Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta Boston and DC.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I agree. I attended high school in South Florida and a map of graduates from my senior class shows 40% out-of-state and scattered across the country.

I attended HS in Brooklyn NY. Few are still in the area. Several people I either grew up with or went to school with are in FL.

[Spring Hillian]

Not only a state income tax, but a city income tax also. All those big cities have higher living costs too.

Originally Posted by Sugah Ray

Ok here is some data that confirms what we already know, there is a sunshine tax:

This is directly from the BLS website, I'm only listing some metro areas

Metro/labor force/median hours wage/mean hour wage

Orlando 1,042,150 ........... $14.13 ........... $18.94
Miami 2,280,990 ............. $15.03 ............ $20.73
Tampa 1,151,890 ............ $15.45............. $20.35
Jacksonville 586,900........ $15.53.............$20.38
Dallas 3,061,220............. $16.90 ............. $22.50
Phoenix 1,781,210 ........... $16.92............. $21.96
Atlanta 2,308,040.............$17.16..............$23.21
Houston 2,757,640 .......... $17.33 ............ $23.96
Chicago 4,347,580 ........... $17.63 ........... $23.66
Los Angeles 5,427,320 ..... $18.31 ........... $25.30
Philadelphia 2,666,990 ..... $18.84 ............ $24.64
Sacramento 837,960 ........ $19.62 ........... $24.96
NYC 5,242,070 ................. $21.53 ............ $29.14
Seattle 1,711,330 ............ $21.72 ............. $27.46
Boston 2,533,640 ............. $22.06 ............ $28.40
San Francisco 2,049,560 ...$23.43 ............ $30.59
DC 2,929,060 ................... $23.96............ $30.89

You have to pay State taxes in some of this metros. If you earn a wage close to the mean you would pay taxes in Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta Boston and DC.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

I'm probably 25-30 years younger than you, and I know plenty of kids who grew up in Florida, although mostly South Florida, who either moved out-of-state to attend law school or right after graduating from law school, passed the bar and launched their careers in the respective states they've moved to, and probably won't return to Florida until retirement. Even more surprising, most of these kids I'm referring to grew up in Florida, too (lots of kids who grow up in Florida don't really leave due to a fear of cold weather).

Since moving to Arizona, I've also met two individuals who grew up in Florida--a former co-worker (and friend) who grew up in Orlando and my neighbor (and friend) who grew up in Jacksonville--who both moved to Arizona to attend law school years ago. Both of these friends passed the bar in Arizona and have practiced here ever since.

Among attorneys who move away from Florida, there is a resonating theme--to secure a position at a law firm in Florida, especially in South Florida, you have to have some sort of connection because the legal field down there is so unbelievably saturated with attorneys. Lots of young attorneys in South Florida get into their parents/grandfather's/uncle's law firm because if they didn't have those connections, it would be too difficult to get hired/find work.

To be fair, the legal field is hurting everywhere for jobs these days. Some third and fourth tier law school students have even resorted to suing their old schools when jobs don't end up panning out

Law School Graduates Sue Schools Because They Can