Moving from ct to florida (Tampa, Orlando: apartments, to rent, car insurance)

[justNancy]

I agree with Hiknapster. Even in good economic times, the job market in Florida was terrible. I was only answering posts because, no matter what anyone says, some people will still come here for the sunshine. Maybe this article will have a little impact on your decision. I'm not sure what field your in, so it's difficult to say how/if this applies to you.

[URL="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/yourmoney/sfl-paycut-072409,0,5477660.story"]Pay rates in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach Shrinking -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com[/URL]

"For those in the market for a new job, it's next to impossible to find full-time work that pays what it paid a year or two ago."

"Local recruiters say salaries are down 10 percent to 50 percent."

Keep in mind that, even in good economic times, the average wage in Florida was much less than other areas.

[seain dublin]

Six months can fly by and then what?

You don't move anywhere unless you have a job lined up.

With the exception of being retired or extremely wealthy.

[tommy-105]

Might want to read this thread from the Sarasota area forum:
WOW! The Job Market is WAY worse than I thought! //www.city-data.com/forum/saras...orse-than.html

[RMD3819]

The OP is being told the same things over in the Tampa forum.

[LDROXY525]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Apparently, she didn't believe me!

I'm from New England. I lived in Florida for almost 10 years. I left during the boom. I can't imagine moving down there now.

Anyway, one last time...

Don't move without a job.

CT's unemployment rate is 8.3 to Fort Myers' 13.7.

Yes, you'll move next year and maybe it will be better, but Fort Myers will always be behind CT when it comes to job opportunities and pay.

Good luck to you and best wishes.

Of course Ft Myers will always be behind CT in pay and jobs, but CT sucks, we cannot live there, we are not living life if we stay in CT, by the way today it's 15 degrees! and it's not only weather reasons why we are moving. Again, almost everything in Florida is cheaper, that is why the pay is lower in Florida. A house in CT goes for 400k while a comparable house in Florida is 200k, why would you need to make the same money as you do in CT? To add a little more for insurance rates??

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by LDROXY525

Of course Ft Myers will always be behind CT in pay and jobs, but CT sucks, we cannot live there, we are not living life if we stay in CT, by the way today it's 15 degrees! and it's not only weather reasons why we are moving. Again, almost everything in Florida is cheaper, that is why the pay is lower in Florida. A house in CT goes for 400k while a comparable house in Florida is 200k, why would you need to make the same money as you do in CT? To add a little more for insurance rates??

Don't forget taxes, food and gas are also way less in SWF!

[RMD3819]

Please don't take these comments as harsh. I am trying to be constructive here.

"Almost everything in Florida is cheaper, that is why the pay is lower in Florida." This is a myth. Some things are cheaper, others more expensive, and much depends on your lifestyle choices. If you search around long enough you will find comparisons from folks who have actually done it and the conclusion is nearly always the same-the same standard of living costs the same in FL or the NE/MW. The lower COL=lower pay is the companion myth. Your pay will be lower, but the COL (even if lower) will be way out of proportion to your pay cut.

You sound desperate to get out of CT. I'm not trying to discourage you. Florida is a great place. Millions of people live here. The key is realistic expectations. Your post follows a very common theme we see here (especially in the winter):

Desperate to escape the cold, they figure Florida is warm so it must be utopia. They are cold and miserable so might as well be warm and miserable. They post here with the following requirements (this is an exaggeration, but not by much):
-Good jobs
-Good schools
-Low crime
-Low COL
-Low housing costs
-No hurricanes
-And last but not least...close to the beach!

They have no job skills, money, or family support. They are "open to anything", "hard workers", "need a fresh start", or "need to cleanse my soul".

They don't want to believe the responses that contradict their dream of Florida from people who actually live here. If they can only just get here, life will be puppies and rainbows. They pack up the car and move. They get here and the dream evaporates. The payscales don't match the COL. Jobs, even if you can find one, won't pay more than $10/hour. The school system standards are WAY lower than what they are used to. Life here is not like it is on the postcards. They are not going to the beach everyday.

I know you didn't post here asking about all those things. I typed that just as an example of unrealistic expectations. Don't fall into that trap.

The success stories here-and there ARE success stories-also follow a pattern. These people moved here with jobs lined up, are retired with a pension income, or are wealthy.

It all comes down to realistic expectations.

[chaotix]

Originally Posted by RMD3819

Please don't take these comments as harsh. I am trying to be constructive here.

"Almost everything in Florida is cheaper, that is why the pay is lower in Florida." This is a myth. Some things are cheaper, others more expensive, and much depends on your lifestyle choices. If you search around long enough you will find comparisons from folks who have actually done it and the conclusion is nearly always the same-the same standard of living costs the same in FL or the NE/MW. The lower COL=lower pay is the companion myth. Your pay will be lower, but the COL (even if lower) will be way out of proportion to your pay cut.

a very common theme we see here (especially in the winter):

Desperate to escape the cold, they figure Florida is warm so it must be utopia. They are cold and miserable so might as well be warm and miserable. They post here with the following requirements (this is an exaggeration, but not by much):
-Good jobs
-Good schools
-Low crime
-Low COL
-Low housing costs
-No hurricanes
-And last but not least...close to the beach!

They have no job skills, money, or family support. They are "open to anything", "hard workers", "need a fresh start", or "need to cleanse my soul".

They don't want to believe the responses that contradict their dream of Florida from people who actually live here. If they can only just get here, life will be puppies and rainbows. They pack up the car and move. They get here and the dream evaporates. The payscales don't match the COL. Jobs, even if you can find one, won't pay more than $10/hour. The school system standards are WAY lower than what they are used to. Life here is not like it is on the postcards. They are not going to the beach everyday.

I know you didn't post here asking about all those things. I typed that just as an example of unrealistic expectations. Don't fall into that trap.

The success stories here-and there ARE success stories-also follow a pattern. These people moved here with jobs lined up, are retired with a pension income, or are wealthy.

It all comes down to realistic expectations.

Great response, about sums it up!

[chaotix]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Don't forget taxes, food and gas are also way less in SWF!

This is a fallacy, I can't vouch for food prices, but fact is kilowatts, gas prices and property taxes are less in many states north of Florida.

[kroeran]

should there be a sticky read-only posting that summarizes the discussion and conclusion?

it could be called "How to loose your shirt moving to SWF"

or "Moving to SWF FAQ"