Planning a move to Orlando from Memphis - questions (Dover: sales, rentals)

[leanneburton]

I've been to this forum many times while considering a move to Orlando from Memphis and I really appreciate that the members here are willing to share opinions and experiences about Orlando. So here's my story & questions:

I've read on this forum that it can be almost impossible to find a job in Orlando if you currently live out of state. Is that correct?

I'm thinking of moving to Orlando this fall and renting a single family home until I find a job and then a house to buy. I plan to pay the full amount of my lease up front, which I hope will make up for the fact that I won't be employed when I move. A 12 month lease would not be a problem and I realize they are the norm, but by paying up front is it likely I could find a 6 month lease that would go month to month thereafter?

I am a young 45 year old with an excellent work ethic and have 20+ years experience in business management with the same company, starting out in the accounting dept and ending up as the Operations Manager. I do not have any degrees beyond a high school diploma. The last several years I earned between $50,000 & $75,000. However, I'm relocating to Orlando to be closer to family and hoping to leave my stressful work life behind. I would like to find a job doing AP, PR, AR, or possibly office management in a small company, for around $36,000 per year. The unemployment rate in Memphis is about the same as in Orlando, but here I could find a job in a matter of days given my experience and what I'm looking to earn. In Orlando I'm likely to be competing against younger candidates with degrees. Is it likely I will be able to find a job in Orlando within a few months?

I've been doing as much research online as possible and I know Orlando's housing market wouldn't be as seasonal as in Memphis, but is there a certain time of year when it's a little better to buy than other times? Maybe that would depend on the area I'm looking to buy in, so this is where I'd like to be located:
pretty much anywhere in 32803
32806 above Curry Ford and west of Semoran (West Dover Shores area)
There are possibly some other areas I would consider, but all of them would be near the above


Thanks in advance!

Leanne

[poodlestix]

I can't really answer the job question, but I wouldn't think finding a rental would be a huge issue if you plan to prepay the entire lease period. What landlord wouldn't love that? As for house prices, it's hard to predict. I know they've been steadily rising for the past 3-4 years. Most moving takes place during the summer months due to the kids being out of school, so competition for homes is higher normally at that time. I hope that at least helps a little!

[tinytrump]

after April 15 - once the snow birds have gone home easier to locate- in May/June one the shift comes from "school" people they move- graduate etc etc after school is out

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by leanneburton

I've been to this forum many times while considering a move to Orlando from Memphis and I really appreciate that the members here are willing to share opinions and experiences about Orlando. So here's my story & questions:

I've read on this forum that it can be almost impossible to find a job in Orlando if you currently live out of state. Is that correct?

I'm thinking of moving to Orlando this fall and renting a single family home until I find a job and then a house to buy. I plan to pay the full amount of my lease up front, which I hope will make up for the fact that I won't be employed when I move. A 12 month lease would not be a problem and I realize they are the norm, but by paying up front is it likely I could find a 6 month lease that would go month to month thereafter?

I am a young 45 year old with an excellent work ethic and have 20+ years experience in business management with the same company, starting out in the accounting dept and ending up as the Operations Manager. I do not have any degrees beyond a high school diploma. The last several years I earned between $50,000 & $75,000. However, I'm relocating to Orlando to be closer to family and hoping to leave my stressful work life behind. I would like to find a job doing AP, PR, AR, or possibly office management in a small company, for around $36,000 per year. The unemployment rate in Memphis is about the same as in Orlando, but here I could find a job in a matter of days given my experience and what I'm looking to earn. In Orlando I'm likely to be competing against younger candidates with degrees. Is it likely I will be able to find a job in Orlando within a few months?

I've been doing as much research online as possible and I know Orlando's housing market wouldn't be as seasonal as in Memphis, but is there a certain time of year when it's a little better to buy than other times? Maybe that would depend on the area I'm looking to buy in, so this is where I'd like to be located:
pretty much anywhere in 32803
32806 above Curry Ford and west of Semoran (West Dover Shores area)
There are possibly some other areas I would consider, but all of them would be near the above


Thanks in advance!

Leanne

It's going to be a tough road applying from afar as there are many applicants per job here typically. It would also be difficult to utilize executive search (headhunters) or other employment resources minus a college degree. I would plan on having to move here joblessnand allow at least six months of budget to find a job. A good number of rental properties offer six month leases so perhaps if you had budgeted for a year of rent you can make it work with six months of total living expenses saved, though I would again suggest that as the MINIMUM.

[leanneburton]

Thanks for all the responses.

I've been watching the home sales since last summer and did seem to notice that houses possibly go for a bit less in the fall or over the holiday season. At least the ones that need a bit of updating, which I'm fine with.

Thanks for the job info. Competition sounds fierce for jobs and I like being able to set my expectation to a realistic level before I move. I'd prefer not to spend it, but I do have funds available for 6-12 months of living expenses in addition to a down payment for a house already saved.

Here in Memphis we have agents that just deal with rental housing and will look for a rental house for you even if it's managed by a different company. Is it the same in Orlando?

Thanks!

[poodlestix]

Our office has somebody that does pretty much nothing but find rentals for people.