Deciding on moving to Jacksonville, FL

[apvbguy]

if you don't have a job you really shouldn't come to jax to find one, fla is not really a place that people come to in order to make their fortunes, they're either xfered here or they've made their money elswhere and than came here.
If you're having a tough time finding a job or making money in NJ it more than likely wouldn't be any easier in JAX

[joninclay]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

if you don't have a job you really shouldn't come to jax to find one, fla is not really a place that people come to in order to make their fortunes, they're either xfered here or they've made their money elswhere and than came here.
If you're having a tough time finding a job or making money in NJ it more than likely wouldn't be any easier in JAX

I agree with this part: "if you don't have a job you really shouldn't come to jax to find one." Line a job up from afar before moving, if possible.

I disagree with this part: "If you're having a tough time finding a job or making money in NJ it more than likely wouldn't be any easier in JAX." If the job market in NJ is depressed, you should check other job markets. Just because NJ jobs are scarce doesn't mean FL jobs are, too.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by joninclay

I agree with this part: "if you don't have a job you really shouldn't come to jax to find one." Line a job up from afar before moving, if possible.

I disagree with this part: "If you're having a tough time finding a job or making money in NJ it more than likely wouldn't be any easier in JAX." If the job market in NJ is depressed, you should check other job markets. Just because NJ jobs are scarce doesn't mean FL jobs are, too.

one thing you are missing about NJ is that it is adjacent to NYC in the north and Philadelphia in the south. Both those places are huge employment centers.

[joninclay]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

one thing you are missing about NJ is that it is adjacent to NYC in the north and Philadelphia in the south. Both those places are huge employment centers.

That's probably true, but it's not the point. Job markets are different everywhere. You'd have no trouble getting a job in Apalachicola (in the panhandle) if you were looking for a shrimping, fishing, or oystering gig. Anything else there, though, is scarce.

Also, my hometown of Memphis is bigger than Jax (population-wise), but the IT market in Memphis is bad compared to Jax.

Plus, I didn't catch where the guy lives in NJ. If he doesn't live near NYC or Philly, then he may be hosed.

[Coffeecake]

I agree with what everyone said here. Cost of living is much cheaper in Jax and you don't have the high property taxes. The availability of the beaches are awesome. Depending on where you choose to live, you can be anywhere from a few feet to 20 minutes away from the beach. And just wait until you lived in Jax during the months of February, March and April. You'll feel like you died and are living in heaven. The weather is absolutely glorious. No doubt about it, summers are very hot and can be humid. But unlike the Northeast, it rains like clockwork in Florida every afternoon around the same time cooling everything down. (You'll quickly discover why Florida seniors consistently do all their errands in the summer early in the morning and at dusk.) And the thunderstorms are pretty spectacular. And don't forget, most of the newer homes and apartments have central air.

We lived 7 years in Jax area and wish we didn't have to leave. I should say, jobs are very, very tough to find unless you work in the medical or banking industry. Especially banking.............jobs are abundant. Citicard is huge employer and they are always looking. It sounds like Jax maybe a great fit for you guys. Also, I don't know what your wife was getting paid, but, you should expect a lower salary. However, I should say, that all the jobs we found in Jax within the banking industry paid pretty well.

Ideal situation......would be to get transferred down with a Northeastern salary while living in Jax. Perhaps your wife works for one of the banks that run up and down the east coast and she could transfer down.

[dizliz0925]

While Citi is hiring in some areas, they are also laying off a lot as well. It's not impossible to find a job being from out of market...I did it when we moved to VA, but we moved back because our house didn't sell (it's ok, we missed Jax anyway). However, if you have the skills and experience, companies are always looking to hire quality people.