[justjawni]

I graduated high school a year ago. In that amount of time I've come to be absolutly sure that I do not belong in Central Illinois. I need warm weather ASAP! What I want to do is pack my bags and pick a spot in florida (The keys would be ideal) and figure out the job and housing thing from there....BUT, I know that isn't the best idea. People have suggested I get a waitressing job at a "la te da" restaurant/harbor where people have so much money they don't know what to do with themselves. Any one have suggestions as far as location, employment, housing?

p.s. i don't have a whole lot of money, but i'm content with about anything.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by justjawni

I graduated high school a year ago. In that amount of time I've come to be absolutly sure that I do not belong in Central Illinois. I need warm weather ASAP! What I want to do is pack my bags and pick a spot in florida (The keys would be ideal) and figure out the job and housing thing from there....BUT, I know that isn't the best idea. People have suggested I get a waitressing job at a "la te da" restaurant/harbor where people have so much money they don't know what to do with themselves. Any one have suggestions as far as location, employment, housing?

p.s. i don't have a whole lot of money, but i'm content with about anything.

Make sure you pick the right location as our FL servers are hanging onto their jobs for dear life....If you move now, also realize that we're coming to the end of snowbird season....your tips are flying back north...we do, however, have a summer season that restaurants do put out feelers for come May...but, realize that the competition is stiff....otherwise, you will end up homeless & broke...like the rest of the unemployed here....and it's not a pretty sight...

You'd do good to research the four & five star restaurants, call them regarding hiring months & take it from there....otherwise, your application will be in the rotating file...i.e. trash.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by justjawni

I graduated high school a year ago. In that amount of time I've come to be absolutly sure that I do not belong in Central Illinois. I need warm weather ASAP! What I want to do is pack my bags and pick a spot in florida (The keys would be ideal) and figure out the job and housing thing from there....BUT, I know that isn't the best idea. People have suggested I get a waitressing job at a "la te da" restaurant/harbor where people have so much money they don't know what to do with themselves. Any one have suggestions as far as location, employment, housing?

p.s. i don't have a whole lot of money, but i'm content with about anything.

First of all, do you have a lot of server experience at upscale establishments? You will never be hired if you don't. Also keep in mind that the people who have "lots of money" are sometimes the stingiest - I have plenty of friends (and family) in the restaurant biz who have told me so.

I really think you need more of a plan before you come down here and "wing it." Times are really tough here; and you will have tremendous competition for what few jobs do exist.

Good luck to you.

[121804]

You are young & unattached. Now is probably the best time to make a move to where you'd be happy.

That being said, there is a hard cold reality to face: the US economy is in shambles & the job market is **** poor for many.

Have you ever been a waitress before? Those who appear to have money are usually the worst tippers. I waitressed my way through college. Found the best tippers to be young kids who were doing the same thing as me.

To get a job in the best restuarants requires experience & usually knowing someone to get the interview.

Most who are waiters/waitresses are also working another job to make ends meet.

Find a place that you'd love to live.
Figure out how much rent is; utilities; food; etc
Find a job.
If that job can pay for the bare essentials, then make a go at it.

Never move anywhere without a job & no money. You'll be on a Greyhound bus heading back to IL in less than 6 months.

Also, reports are coming out that with gas averaging in the area of $3.50 & possibly to see $4.50-$5/gl by summer, min wage workers are working just to pay for gas.

Good luck but take the time to do really extensive research & find a job before moving ANYWHERE!

[RMD3819]

This is a very bad idea. Listen to what we are saying.

Your story fits a very, very common pattern we see on this forum.

Someone gets sick of the cold. They see Florida as paradise because they saw it on TV or maybe even visited. They pack up and move with no job, no money, no place to stay, and no family.

They get here and reality hits. They can't go to the beach everyday. The payscale is very low and cost of living very high. Two or three jobs become the norm just to pay the bills. Housing, although coming down now, is still expensive.

Waitressing--It is impossible to get a waitressing job in a "la-ti-da" restaurant without significant experience. My kid used to be a waitress. It's very hard work and while you can make good money, it is very unsteady income.

The Keys- Forget it. The Keys probably have the highest cost of living in the state.

Good intentions and enthusiasm are not enough. We don't want to bursts your dream but you have to be realistic.

Have you considered going to college in Florida?