Job market/cost of living in Orlando vs Tampa bay area vs Miami (Clearwater: middle-class)

[Abukhaled]

I've been thinking about moving out of New York for some time now . It hasn't been any place in particular , I just want to move somewhere with a lot of job opportunity and an affordable cost of living . If Idaho were such a place, I'd go there if it allowed me to have a better life. My wife though is crazy about Florida , which is due to a combination of photos she has seen , hearing about life in Florida from my relatives there ( I have a lot of family in Tampa , st Pete, Miami , and other places.) So my wife isn't really interested in moving anywhere else in the USA except Florida . Now it worries me because I'm not sure the kind of work I do pays well enough. I'm a structured cabling technician and I get paid 20 an hour. I make about 40000 a year but after talking to some recruiters in Florida , the average pay for a tech with my experience is around 17 an hour maybe 18 tops . Is this kind of income enough to afford a decent life in Florida . Decent meaning to have my own studio apartment , pay all bills and have some money saved . Also is this income enough for two of us?

[kyle19125]

Orlando isn't the place as the rental market here isn't conducive to most. The average one bedroom rents for around $1100 a month. Orlando rent increase second highest in the country, study says

And places where it runs a good bit less aren't places generally recommended as desirable, or safe.

Tampa/St Pete is probably your best bet given you can find nice one bedroom apartments in decent areas like Brandon, Clearwater, Temple Terrace, South Tampa and NE St Pete (Gateway) in the $750-$850 a month range.

[cjairo191]

I believe your best bet would be Orlando or Tampa or maybe a smaller city in between like Lakeland. I think average rent has gone up in Tampa Bay, but Pinellas county appears to have cheaper options than Hillsborough. Miami is too pricey unless you have a lot of money. For bargain prices you have to live in the far out areas like Homestead or near Everglades.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by cjairo191

I believe your best bet would be Orlando or Tampa or maybe a smaller city in between like Lakeland. I think average rent has gone up in Tampa Bay, but Pinellas county appears to have cheaper options than Hillsborough. Miami is too pricey unless you have a lot of money. For bargain prices you have to live in the far out areas like Homestead or near Everglades.

To be fair, in either of the three areas, one has to live in the far-out areas. In Orlando, one can find cheaper rent in Northern Seminole/South Volusia or Lake County, but then your commute into town can be a nightmare.
As for Miami, how are prices in places like Tamiami and Kendall? I was just down there a few weeks back and it looked very middle-class-ish. The drive into town using the 836 wasn't bad at all.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

As for Miami, how are prices in places like Tamiami and Kendall? I was just down there a few weeks back and it looked very middle-class-ish. The drive into town using the 836 wasn't bad at all.

They're about what the average is here in Central Florida, and you would be hard pressed to find anything below $1000-$1100 a month for a one bedroom....that you'd want to live in anyway.