[JimG2]

Wife's stepfather is very ill and needs an "adult" close by to make sure he is taking care of his medical needs, grocery shopping, etc. Wife's mother is not up to the task. I can't find work up here in Connecticut anyway, so I volunteered to go down if she wants me to to make sure their needs are taken care of. They have a spare room that I could use temporarily. Then hopefully I find work, our own place then get her to move down. She's a banker so I don't think she would have any problems changing jobs.

Area is Daytona.

How is the job market down there for a middle aged guy, I'm 56? I've worked in the HVAC industry my entire career, mostly in commercial project management, but the last 15 years in equipment sales. Honestly would like to try something different at this point.



I'm a huge outdoorsman as well. Looking forward to the saltwater fishing opportunities down there and the hunting as well.


Thanks


Jim

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by JimG2

Wife's stepfather is very ill and needs an "adult" close by to make sure he is taking care of his medical needs, grocery shopping, etc. Wife's mother is not up to the task. I can't find work up here in Connecticut anyway, so I volunteered to go down if she wants me to to make sure their needs are taken care of. They have a spare room that I could use temporarily. Then hopefully I find work, our own place then get her to move down. She's a banker so I don't think she would have any problems changing jobs.

Area is Daytona.

How is the job market down there for a middle aged guy, I'm 56? I've worked in the HVAC industry my entire career, mostly in commercial project management, but the last 15 years in equipment sales. Honestly would like to try something different at this point.



I'm a huge outdoorsman as well. Looking forward to the saltwater fishing opportunities down there and the hunting as well.


Thanks


Jim

The area is growing so work should not be a problem.

[jghorton]

Jim, you make it sound like work is optional. Such is the case with most retirees who move to Florida with sufficient resources to live wherever they want. If you want to live in a spare room 'temporarily' (with your wife) -- and hope for the best, it sounds like you are good to go.

In reality, Florida is a lot like anyplace else. If you are having trouble finding work in Connecticut, where you have lived, worked and networked with others over many years, Florida isn't going to be any easier. OTOH, so many 'warm bodies' with no real skills or money, move to Florida for the sunshine and beach, and are willing to take any job at any pay, that the real jobs get quickly snapped-up. Of course, there are a ton of 'service sector' jobs that serve the tourists.

Limiting yourself to the Daytona market also limits your options (Daytona isn't known as a 'hotbed' of commerce). Have you at least done some research to determine what might be available in your field? Your willingness to help out your FIL is admirable, but, unless that can become a full-time 'gig' with a future, it's time to seriously start looking-out for your own retirement and well-being.

[JimG2]

Originally Posted by jghorton

Jim, you make it sound like work is optional. Such is the case with most retirees who move to Florida with sufficient resources to live wherever they want. If you want to live in a spare room 'temporarily' (with your wife) -- and hope for the best, it sounds like you are good to go.

In reality, Florida is a lot like anyplace else. If you are having trouble finding work in Connecticut, where you have lived, worked and networked with others over many years, Florida isn't going to be any easier. OTOH, so many 'warm bodies' with no real skills or money, move to Florida for the sunshine and beach, and are willing to take any job at any pay, that the real jobs get quickly snapped-up. Of course, there are a ton of 'service sector' jobs that serve the tourists.

Limiting yourself to the Daytona market also limits your options (Daytona isn't known as a 'hotbed' of commerce). Have you at least done some research to determine what might be available in your field? Your willingness to help out your FIL is admirable, but, unless that can become a full-time 'gig' with a future, it's time to seriously start looking-out for your own retirement and well-being.

Oh, heck no. NOT working is NOT an option for me. Here in Connecticut I cannot even get a job interview to just get gas money if nothing else. Connecticut is in a downward spiral and although it appears that it has low unemployment it's because unemployed fall off the tax rolls and others are moving, mostly to Florida and the Carolinas.



Daytona is where the inlaws are. Where the spare room is. So even after finding work, settling in, finding a place for me and my wife, we need to be really close to South Daytona (minutes from the Walmart). They bought an older trailer home that has a $600 nut on the space in the park. Not sure if he's been back to work yet and if he's not he's behind on his rent. If he passes, there is no $600 for the rent. If he goes moving her mom back up here will mean finding her senior housing that will be way more than $600.



Need a job 45 minutes from South Daytona that pays. Looking at the real estate prices in the region, it needs to pay what I could get doing what I can do in CT. Retail won't cut it and if I apply retail my skills won't even get me an interview.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by JimG2

Need a job 45 minutes from South Daytona that pays. Looking at the real estate prices in the region, it needs to pay what I could get doing what I can do in CT. Retail won't cut it and if I apply retail my skills won't even get me an interview.

One thing I learned years ago is not just to apply, but a day or two later call and follow up. This shows real interest in THAT job not just any job. Getting a job can be as much work as doing a job, so plan on more than just applying.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by JimG2

Oh, heck no. NOT working is NOT an option for me. Here in Connecticut I cannot even get a job interview to just get gas money if nothing else. Connecticut is in a downward spiral and although it appears that it has low unemployment it's because unemployed fall off the tax rolls and others are moving, mostly to Florida and the Carolinas.



Daytona is where the inlaws are. Where the spare room is. So even after finding work, settling in, finding a place for me and my wife, we need to be really close to South Daytona (minutes from the Walmart). They bought an older trailer home that has a $600 nut on the space in the park. Not sure if he's been back to work yet and if he's not he's behind on his rent. If he passes, there is no $600 for the rent. If he goes moving her mom back up here will mean finding her senior housing that will be way more than $600.



Need a job 45 minutes from South Daytona that pays. Looking at the real estate prices in the region, it needs to pay what I could get doing what I can do in CT. Retail won't cut it and if I apply retail my skills won't even get me an interview.

Have you been to Daytona Beach before? It's a retirement community mostly, not a good location for someone needing to work. I wouldn't make the move without a job lined up, which will be hard as the job market isn't good there, so the odds of being hired from another state are even lower. Orlando would have more opportunities.

[JimG2]

Originally Posted by expatCA

One thing I learned years ago is not just to apply, but a day or two later call and follow up. This shows real interest in THAT job not just any job. Getting a job can be as much work as doing a job, so plan on more than just applying.

You must have not have looked for a job in the last 5 years. Rare that you have an opportunity to make a follow up call these days. You submit through a job board and have no resources to follow up.

[projectmaximus]

Daytona puts you kinda within striking distance of the northeastern portions of Orlando and the southern portions of Jacksonville. Don't know what the opportunities are like in HVAC sales but certainly lots of building continuing to happen in these areas.

Good luck to you and your family!

[JimG2]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Have you been to Daytona Beach before? It's a retirement community mostly, not a good location for someone needing to work. I wouldn't make the move without a job lined up, which will be hard as the job market isn't good there, so the odds of being hired from another state are even lower. Orlando would have more opportunities.

I was there two weeks ago so my wife could go with her stepfather to doctors and make sure he had his meds lined up and his follow up care in place. Daytona/Port Orange is the center of the universe. No matter where I work, I need to home base out of this area. Normal for me, and most of CT actually, is 20-40 minute drive to/from work, including normal traffic.

[lluvia]

Advice? Bring money and lots of it.
And patience, too.