Economics in South Florida - How do people survive down here- do the majority move with extensive savings (Miami: lease, homeowners insurance)

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by cantusmellthatsmell

The truth is you can't unless your meaning in life is struggle. I was recently called by a company to do a project in FLL and was asked what I felt was fair compensation. I was asked "Is that NC money, or FL money?" Huh? NC money......we're already beat up here enough. I just laughed it off and said "you can't afford me". They want skilled workers but wont pay. He called me back 3 mos later and offered me a little more. I acted like I didn't know him. My Brother lives in Los Olas Isles, makes +- 140K, and still calls for money. Live beneath your means. I live in the outer banks, make right a 100K, live waterfront and boat often. Its a short run into the triangle and they pay for skilled craft.

If your bro makes $140k/year and "still calls for money" - then he's probably got a serious cocaine habit you may want to address. Or simply living WAY beyond his means. $140k/year is more than enough to live well on Los Olas or beach front, and have a boat, etc.

And really, who would want to live in the outer banks? There is a reason your money goes so far... no demand.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by l22

This is so true. And to the original poster, you're not the only one who asked what you did in the initial post. First of all, living in South Fl year-round is about a million times different from just visiting as a tourist. For the people who live here year-round, there are essentially 'haves' and 'have-nots.' Unless you work a job that you would be paid well for anywhere due to having the skills and education most don't - i.e. Doctor, Dentist or something that just pays well anywhere, like UPS Driver or being a manager of a service business like Publix, etc., you are screwed here, unless you were lucky enough to be born really rich. And in my experience, those people often have the most distorted worldviews. South FL isn't normal. And if you're lucky enough to be well-off, you will still be affected by that lack of good jobs, horrible school systems, the uneducated people, drug/alcohol problems, etc. You can't be away from it when it's around you everywhere. If you move here, I'd just tell you, don't let South Florida change you and bring you down. It has a way of doing that to people once they come down here. If you don't let it get to you and you make enough money, it's decent.

Publix managers such as assistant managers and managers of stores make really good money and can do well on bonuses. Dept managers make okay money. Store managers in busy stores make good money, just like owning your own business only getting stock options and benefits.

However, it takes years to become a store manager or assistant manager. It could take you 4 years before you became a department manager or more. Until then you're stuck stocking shelves for 9-11 bucks an hour and they only hire within so you have to work for those low wages for a long time. I work at Publix so I know. They told me in the front end in my district it takes almost 5 years to get full-time and go for management and it's the lowest paid dept in the store.

I don't know how they expect you to survive working for 8.50-12 an hour for years until you can get full-time and take management test. Many at my store work second jobs.

I notice that a lot here in Florida people working two jobs and I don't even live in Southeast Florida.

I was talking to a customer yesterday she told me she's a salaried manager at her office and how she's had to put in a lot of hours and is stressed and complained about not getting a raise and her boss told her that she was already being overpaid by "Florida standards."

The biggest complaint I hear about here in Florida is people who work in a technical field and education field about their low pay compared to even nearby states.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by BNBR

If your bro makes $140k/year and "still calls for money" - then he's probably got a serious cocaine habit you may want to address. Or simply living WAY beyond his means. $140k/year is more than enough to live well on Los Olas or beach front, and have a boat, etc.

And really, who would want to live in the outer banks? There is a reason your money goes so far... no demand.

Yea because it seems they always get hit or brushed by hurricanes on a regular basis there and then you have to evacuate too.

[l22]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

Publix managers such as assistant managers and managers of stores make really good money and can do well on bonuses. Dept managers make okay money. Store managers in busy stores make good money, just like owning your own business only getting stock options and benefits.

However, it takes years to become a store manager or assistant manager. It could take you 4 years before you became a department manager or more. Until then you're stuck stocking shelves for 9-11 bucks an hour and they only hire within so you have to work for those low wages for a long time. I work at Publix so I know. They told me in the front end in my district it takes almost 5 years to get full-time and go for management and it's the lowest paid dept in the store.

I don't know how they expect you to survive working for 8.50-12 an hour for years until you can get full-time and take management test. Many at my store work second jobs.

I notice that a lot here in Florida people working two jobs and I don't even live in Southeast Florida.

I was talking to a customer yesterday she told me she's a salaried manager at her office and how she's had to put in a lot of hours and is stressed and complained about not getting a raise and her boss told her that she was already being overpaid by "Florida standards."

The biggest complaint I hear about here in Florida is people who work in a technical field and education field about their low pay compared to even nearby states.

Yeah, I know. I have no idea how people how people make it down here when those are the only jobs available. Also, not everyone can be a manager, regardless of the business - there are only so many management positions available. South FL lacks any major industries that would be truly good for it's full-time residents who live and work here year-round. The only major industry here is the service industry and those jobs often pay very poorly.

[TBonzie]

SFL used to have low housing costs (other than on the beach or intercoastal) and low wages. No problem.

Then real estate went nuts but wages stayed stagnant. Problem.

Housing here is about the same as in SFL (Raleigh NC area) but wages are much better.

[MidwestBlondie]

Originally Posted by BNBR

If your bro makes $140k/year and "still calls for money" - then he's probably got a serious cocaine habit you may want to address. Or simply living WAY beyond his means. $140k/year is more than enough to live well on Los Olas or beach front, and have a boat, etc.
.

hahahah I knew BNBR wrote this before I even looked. Such truth.

[MidwestBlondie]

I mean, isn't this an issue anywhere you live? I think so. How do people live well down here? Well how do they live well anywhere. Become a professional. Trust me, there are plenty of professional six figure jobs in south Florida. Took me just 3 weeks to land one, and got calls from many others.

[MidwestBlondie]

Originally Posted by l22

The only major industry here is the service industry and those jobs often pay very poorly.

Uhhhh, do you seriously think South Florida doesn't need engineers? IT? Marketing? Like ... what??

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by MidwestBlondie

I mean, isn't this an issue anywhere you live? I think so. How do people live well down here? Well how do they live well anywhere. Become a professional. Trust me, there are plenty of professional six figure jobs in south Florida. Took me just 3 weeks to land one, and got calls from many others.

What pro job is this? Not everyone is a doctor or lawyer. Even being a professional depending on the pay still might not be a lot. Sure 100k is a lot but in south FL it would be making like 70k a year elsewhere. Here in Southwest Florida housing isn't cheap but it's not as bad as southeast FL and they still have trouble finding doctors wanting to move to this region.

My dad's doctor moved from Miami to over here. He was tired of the congestion and the high cost of living down there. Rent for Dr office and everything over in this county is much cheaper than Dade county.

Making 170k a year in a high cost of living place like Dade county will still affect the quality of life you want to live.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by MidwestBlondie

Uhhhh, do you seriously think South Florida doesn't need engineers? IT? Marketing? Like ... what??

They do but those fields pay nowhere near what they pay in other states and with the high cost of living it isn't good.