Job opportunities in Naples,FL (Cape Coral, Fort Myers: fit in, rentals, unemployment rate)

[Bubchub68]

We've a potential job opportunity in Naples. It's a good opportunity and nothing to complain about. But my only concern is if I'll have other options just in case this one doesn't work out. My other issue is if my wife will be able to find a new job out there. Both of us are in the IT field. I checked some job sites and couldn't find more than 2-3 positions for both of us. Is there any cities closer to Naples where there are more IT opportunities?

Thanks for all of your help!

[motordavid]

Fort Meyers is commutable, and a larger city/area, though I have no idea if other/more
IT situs are there.
GL, mD

GOOG Maps is your friend:
Fort Myers, FL to Naples, FL - Google Maps

[hiknapster]

Naples unemployment rate: 13.3

Fort Myers/Cape Coral: 13.5

The area is a retirement mecca and not know for its jobs. Through this recession/depression it has been particularly hard hit since it relied heavily on tourism, retirees in good financial shape and construction. You may have to get by on the one job.

You can compare unemployment rates here, including where you live now.

Table 1. Civilian labor force and unemployment by state and metropolitan area

[Lattitudes]

Additionally checkout employflorida.com There is a tool on there where you can enter your profession and have some idea of the percentage of applicants to positions. If you are meeting ends where you are now, I would heavily suggest staying put for now. People are desperate and the employers know it, read "slave wages".

[Nortport Jim]

Originally Posted by Lattitudes

Additionally checkout employflorida.com There is a tool on there where you can enter your profession and have some idea of the percentage of applicants to positions. If you are meeting ends where you are now, I would heavily suggest staying put for now. People are desperate and the employers know it, read "slave wages".

“take it or leave it, there’s someone in line behind you.”

[Catherine SW]

Be really, really careful before you pull up stakes to move to Naples. Finding a job is brutal. I was used to getting any job I wanted and beating out hundreds (literally) of other applicants. In Naples, I was relegated to going after menial, low-paying secretarial jobs and every time I lost out to younger women. I'm 38, graduated summa *** laude and am considered very attractive. I think the Naples way is to hire 'em young 'cause they'll work cheaply. It's not a good place to live unless you have a lot of money. If you go, make sure you have a back-up plan. One other thing - it's a terrible place for dogs. It's flea infested, there are no beaches or parks where you can take them, and trust me, there are no rentals for families with dogs.

[Beth Mone`]

Yes it cost more to live in Naples. It's a community of mostly successful well educated people, many of whom are retired. A lot of these people do enter the job force just because they're worked their whole life and find retirement boring.

There are some good opportunities here but like any community, your skills have to fit into the local economy. Agribusiness is big here, so is the hospitality industry. The service industries and the medical professions also offer a lot of opportunity.

Naples is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. I raised mine here.

Beth