Wanting to move here....Need help! (Springfield: college, place to live, restaurants)

[jordanm]

Right now I live in Springfield MO. About to graduate College with a degree in Culinary Arts. Missouri is getting boring to me and I am thinking southern Florida. I know it gets humid and about the bugs. My question is what is everyone's thoughts? Doing the move is a big step in my life. I want to live in a nice coastal town that is somewhat affordable and has plenty of CHEF jobs.

[ruski]

That probably would be NYC. Coastal. Lots of restaurants.

[jordanm]

I hate the cold though. Warm weather is needed lol

[ralanprod]

There are many factors to consider besides the weather.

Yes - it is warm here, but that is part of the reason why we are overpopulated and underpaid.

There are many great restaurants, but getting a job at one that will pay you enough to live decently on is going to be tough.

Also I think you will find that most of the higher end places down here have a very distinct local "flavor". There is a fusion down here of styles and tastes that takes a lot from caribbean and latin culture. It's not easy to step into a kitchen at one of those places without having lived the life - so to say.

Keep in mind also that south Florida is actually a pretty expensive place to live - if you don't want to live in what we would call a "sketchy" area.

I realize you have a culinary degree, but down here I think you will find it isn't a great asset. There's a glut of them down here. I've got friends with degrees from Johnson & Wales and Le Cordon Bleu that are having to fight for line cook jobs that pay crap. They have to compete with guys without any degree at all - but are willing to work for a couple of dollars an hour less.

In your situation, I would bite the bullet on the cold and just look for the best opportunity no matter where it was. Once you have developed some experience and a reputation, go back and reevaluate your options for location.