It has been 2 years since I lived in Sarasota! (Tampa: sales, apartment)

[rachel.gamberg]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and very excited to read what everyone has to say about SRQ. I graduated from RSAD in 2007 and left at the end of the year to go back home to Vermont. My boyfriend that I met while I was in school followed me up here. We want to get married and move back to FL because we MISS it terribly and also because his whole family lives in SRQ and he grew up there.

To make things clear the job market is:
A. Hopeless?
B. Dead?
C. Bad idea to move back?

In Vermont the market is relatively untouched. He is a sales specialist at Lowe's and has the ability to transfer. I am a Marketing Coordinator for a magazine and would like to continue working for a magazine/advertising agency as well. I keep telling him that transferring to a Lowe's is fine and dandy but once you get there your sales would be down and you would be at a HIGH risk of losing your job. I am very afraid to move back and feel stranded after all the horror stories. Is it getting ANY better at all? Should we wait another year? Does it looks more like 5 years? We also love St. Pete and Tampa, better chances there? Renting here is really expensive, you would get an apartment that is somewhat renovated in an old old old house for $1200 but in SRQ we could be renting a one bedroom in a new complex for $7-800.

Can anyone give me guidance? We plan on visiting in December and are dreading another winter here, I want honest, real opinions. My plans are to print out the comments from this post and talk it over with him! He is deteremined to move back and doesn't want to hear the negatives, I am nervous and a realist. Etc.

Thank you anyone who can help.

[tommy-105]

Honest, real opinion? You would have to be nuts to walk away from what you have.

What type of work would he fall back on if he lost the Lowe's position? I hope it's not anything related to construction.

The Home Depot by me has employees standing around in groups of two or three in the isles every time I go in there. They seem to have nothing to do!

Does he have access to sales figures to compare different stores in different areas?

[gypsychic]

No one has a crystal ball, but if you have good jobs where you are I would stay put for now. No, it's no better in St. Pete or Tampa. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you should send out some resumes and see if you even get any bites on a job for yourself. Also, you would want to come down with a battle plan, like plenty of money in savings to get yourself established. Retail is WAY DOWN here. A big shopping center that was to be built has been put on "hold" until the economy gets better. I don't think the economy here will be bad forever, this is a very desirable place to live, and honestly, lately it seems to be picking up just a little, but not enough that I could recommend uprooting from a secure situation to move down right now. Maybe in a couple years.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Big House]

Hi rachel.gamberg,

Welcome to the site! You will find plenty of help and recommendations across the spectrum on your decision to stay or leave and head South to Sarasota.

Having gone to school in Sarasota and having relatives there is a big plus.
The economy is tough, and being able to meet your payment obligations is vital.

I tend to be more of an optomist than many. I feel that you will find something, and being able to work remotely will help. The construction market is not good now, but that will change - eventually. Lowe's certainly knows the market in Sarasota and although things are slow there, they intend to remain open, and will be a strong market share holder there for a long time to come. So if they are willing to transfer him there, I would feel positive about that.

The current economy is tough all over the country. Despite the tough times that you will hear about that, it is tough everywhere, and there are jobs and business issues everywhere. How long it will last - no one knows, so I would discount what you'll hear on that. Several people have relocated against the advice of others, and they have found satisfaction in thier move. The cost of living is lower in Florida than in Vermont, and so is the pay.

I just drove through Vermont this past weekend, I saw they had snow in the mountains as well when I drove down from Canada. The trees changing with the snow in the back ground was really beautiful, even though the tree foliage wasn't quite in full glory. I went to Prep. School there in Saxton Rivers. I loved it while I was there, but I can really appreciate where your coming from. I currently live in MD, and bought a house in SWFL last year.

I would recommend that you put two lists together one FOR and one AGAINST moving.

Reasons For:
1. You want to.
2. You have job offers that are familiar to you.
3. More sun and warmth.
4. You have family there, and know the area.
5. You went to school there, and have some contacts.
6. Its very artsy and trendy.
7. Great beaches
8. Outdoor activities year round

Reasons Against:
1. You want to keep the status quote job wise.
2. You have family there, and know the area.
3. It is not nearly as hot in the summer.
4. Opportunity for winter sports, skiing, ice skating, cross country skiing
5. All four seasons, and tree foliage. (I think it is countered by the palm trees and hibiscus).

I am sure that you will modify this list idea if you use it, but I hope it helps. You (and others here) will no doubt expand it and establish priorities differently than I have. I just jotted down some things to help get the ball rolling, which I hope will you reach a decision and will help others supplement the list(s).

Someone commented about the timing of a move. I always tend to be one that feels that it is best to jump in, figure things out, and move forward. I think procrastination, is never helpful, although working through a plan and thinking it through is very important - be deliberate and have resolve - either way. Sitting on the fence one way or the other will leave you unhappy and unfulfilled.

Good Luck!

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by rachel.gamberg

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and very excited to read what everyone has to say about SRQ. I graduated from RSAD in 2007 and left at the end of the year to go back home to Vermont. My boyfriend that I met while I was in school followed me up here. We want to get married and move back to FL because we MISS it terribly and also because his whole family lives in SRQ and he grew up there.

To make things clear the job market is:
A. Hopeless?
B. Dead?
C. Bad idea to move back?

In Vermont the market is relatively untouched. He is a sales specialist at Lowe's and has the ability to transfer. I am a Marketing Coordinator for a magazine and would like to continue working for a magazine/advertising agency as well. I keep telling him that transferring to a Lowe's is fine and dandy but once you get there your sales would be down and you would be at a HIGH risk of losing your job. I am very afraid to move back and feel stranded after all the horror stories. Is it getting ANY better at all? Should we wait another year? Does it looks more like 5 years? We also love St. Pete and Tampa, better chances there? Renting here is really expensive, you would get an apartment that is somewhat renovated in an old old old house for $1200 but in SRQ we could be renting a one bedroom in a new complex for $7-800.

Can anyone give me guidance? We plan on visiting in December and are dreading another winter here, I want honest, real opinions. My plans are to print out the comments from this post and talk it over with him! He is deteremined to move back and doesn't want to hear the negatives, I am nervous and a realist. Etc.

Thank you anyone who can help.

What department is he in? What would he be selling down here?

I'm surprised more people aren't weighing in on this.
(pro or con)

[MrsTommy]

Maybe this will help:

Sarasota's unemployment rate is 11.6%. Unemployment in Vermont is 6.1%.

Sarasota's violent crime rate is 1.74 times the national average
Burlington's violent crime rate is .59 times the national average
Sarasota's property crime rate is 1.67 times the national average
Burlington's property crime rate is .81 times the national average

Florida's graduation rate is 58%
Vermont's graduation rate is 79%

Florida's household income is $47,778
Vermont's household income is $52,104

Pretty much a no-brainer, hu?

Oh well...they pay us in sunshine here.

[tommy-105]

Very long thread, with a lot of good posts:
//www.city-data.com/forum/flori...mployment.html

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by rachel.gamberg

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and very excited to read what everyone has to say about SRQ. I graduated from RSAD in 2007 and left at the end of the year to go back home to Vermont. My boyfriend that I met while I was in school followed me up here. We want to get married and move back to FL because we MISS it terribly and also because his whole family lives in SRQ and he grew up there.

To make things clear the job market is:
A. Hopeless?
B. Dead?
C. Bad idea to move back?

In Vermont the market is relatively untouched. He is a sales specialist at Lowe's and has the ability to transfer. I am a Marketing Coordinator for a magazine and would like to continue working for a magazine/advertising agency as well. I keep telling him that transferring to a Lowe's is fine and dandy but once you get there your sales would be down and you would be at a HIGH risk of losing your job. I am very afraid to move back and feel stranded after all the horror stories. Is it getting ANY better at all? Should we wait another year? Does it looks more like 5 years? We also love St. Pete and Tampa, better chances there? Renting here is really expensive, you would get an apartment that is somewhat renovated in an old old old house for $1200 but in SRQ we could be renting a one bedroom in a new complex for $7-800.

Can anyone give me guidance? We plan on visiting in December and are dreading another winter here, I want honest, real opinions. My plans are to print out the comments from this post and talk it over with him! He is deteremined to move back and doesn't want to hear the negatives, I am nervous and a realist. Etc.

Thank you anyone who can help.

He doesn't want to hear negatives, eh?

Unemployment is double what you see reported.

Come down, visit & poke around.

This will be the season of the homeless snowbird.

[rachel.gamberg]

I appreciate all of your information, VERY much. He an amazing sales person and has good experience in commercial sales, retail sales and media sales. I am not as good at sales but want to do anything that I can to get a taste of the publishing world. {Goal is "Photo Editor" but, the arts is always last so I really don't know if a. realistic and b. even remotely realistic in Florida.} I love art, culture and lifestyle publications. SRQ mag. is great but is very down in numbers, duh, I like Creative Loafing which has multiple locations and LOVE Florida International Magazine which is on the other coast. I think it's smart to save, then move. We are thinking of Asheville, NC. Very similar to Burlington, VT but not expensive to live in and the weather is just right. I haven't been, I'm on the fence. It is very expensive to live in Vermont!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by rachel.gamberg

I appreciate all of your information, VERY much. He an amazing sales person and has good experience in commercial sales, retail sales and media sales. I am not as good at sales but want to do anything that I can to get a taste of the publishing world. {Goal is "Photo Editor" but, the arts is always last so I really don't know if a. realistic and b. even remotely realistic in Florida.} I love art, culture and lifestyle publications. SRQ mag. is great but is very down in numbers, duh, I like Creative Loafing which has multiple locations and LOVE Florida International Magazine which is on the other coast. I think it's smart to save, then move. We are thinking of Asheville, NC. Very similar to Burlington, VT but not expensive to live in and the weather is just right. I haven't been, I'm on the fence. It is very expensive to live in Vermont!

Asheville is similar to Sarasota, but there are even LESS job opportunities there, I can't stress this enough. At least here in Sarasota you are near enough to commute to the Tampa Bay area if needed, it is not very commutable to anywhere from those mountains. We had a place there (a second home) and entertained the thought of moving there but believe me NO JOBS, huge waiting list of people wanting anything they can get. Housing and cost of living is higher there as well. I know people think it is bad here and it is, but Asheville is far worse. If you are persistent and your husband can transfer you may do all right here but maybe not the job of your dreams to start off. This is a great place to live - many similarities to Asheville, but I think Sarasota has the edge. JMO of course!