Goodbye Ohio, Tampa here I come! (Spring Hill: health insurance, unemployment rate, school)

[PhotoProIP]

However, i do know that without ever having to see another snowflake(we got 2 inches overnight btw) again, or having to scrape ice off my car, that in itself is my own little paradise

Make that two! I could never deal with that! I am cold now that it got down to 60's...freezing in my bedroom! I need a floor heater.

Congrats and Enjoy Florida for what it is! Make your own path!

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by Beacher23

So now all i have to do is find a good apartment that is decent commuting distance of the International Plaza area since thats where my job will be located.

There are several apartments on Westshore blvd close to 275, that are really nice and close to Intl Plaza. One of the realtors in here knows their names...I drive by them all the time, and they look really nice and are convenient to the beaches too straight over 275; maybe if you Google Westshore blvd apartments they'll pop up. I really like them.

[Spring Hillian]

Congratulation Beacher!!!

Most of us already knew what you found out. Yeah, there is life beyond fast food, call centers and the other jobs that some will swear are the only jobs to be found. You have what takes. Qualifications and experience in your field. I wish you and yours an easy and swift relocation.

Originally Posted by Beacher23

So it is official, after months of research and job searches, i have accepted a pretty good job opportunity in Tampa! I flew down last week to meet with the hiring manager to check out the work environment and get a feel for what the day to day activities would consist of and if it would be a good fit for me, and sure enough it was. My official hire date is December 9th, so i have ALOT to do in the next month to get prepared for this, but i'm more ready than ever for this life changing decision.

[Pragmaticus]

Congrats!

As Optimus said a pay raise and higher quality of life is the best that can happen to anyone.

Glad we are able to help you.....we all are taking a pat in the pack.

[CravingMountains]

Originally Posted by Beacher23

So it is official, after months of research and job searches, i have accepted a pretty good job opportunity in Tampa! I flew down last week to meet with the hiring manager to check out the work environment and get a feel for what the day to day activities would consist of and if it would be a good fit for me, and sure enough it was. My official hire date is December 9th, so i have ALOT to do in the next month to get prepared for this, but i'm more ready than ever for this life changing decision.

I want to thank everyone on here that have given me all the information i was looking for in my countless hours of research. That goes out to everyone, even the "haters", because without their thoughts and experiences i would never know what to look for and prepare myself for. That being said, i certainly won't be coming down there with my "rosey colored sunglasses" on preparing myself to be living in a perfect beach paradise. However, i do know that without ever having to see another snowflake(we got 2 inches overnight btw) again, or having to scrape ice off my car, that in itself is my own little paradise

To those who think there are no good paying professional/tech jobs in Tampa, i will tell you that i am in fact getting a $8000 pay increase on my yearly salary paying well over $50k by taking this job there, along with much better medical benefits than i am getting up here in Ohio, and it is providing me with even more experience. The good jobs are out there, but you just have to be aggressive and make yourself marketable. It also doesn't hurt to have a degree, or in the case of my field in IT to have some extra certifications. So to those looking for IT jobs in the Tampa area, i found that System Admin/Network Admin and of course Developer positions are hot right now, paying very well and going quick! Just make sure you have a recruiter to work with you.

So now all i have to do is find a good apartment that is decent commuting distance of the International Plaza area since thats where my job will be located. So much to take care of in so little time, but i can't wait to get out of this cold, gloomy and boring place i've been stuck in for 30 years in Ohio. My whole life has been rooted here along with all my family, but its time for a change, and hopefully it will turn out to be a positive change.

Florida companies prefer to hire from a abroad rather than train new recruits. You took a job from someone who needed a chance to prove themselves.

Don't let your pay increase mislead you into thinking that Florida has high paying jobs. Rather, the managers and companies tend to be lazy and rather recruit from afar so that they don't need to spend time training.

[CravingMountains]

Originally Posted by PriusH8r

Congrats! And yet another person moving here and finding a great job paying MORE! That won't sit well with certain people trying to convince everyone that there are no good jobs here and they all pay less.

Your son, is another example of what the economy of Florida is like. They would rather recruit from afar than offer opportunities to those who were born and raised here. It is just testimony to the laziness of the corporate environment in Florida.

[Beacher23]

Originally Posted by CravingMountains

Florida companies prefer to hire from a abroad rather than train new recruits. You took a job from someone who needed a chance to prove themselves.

Don't let your pay increase mislead you into thinking that Florida has high paying jobs. Rather, the managers and companies tend to be lazy and rather recruit from afar so that they don't need to spend time training.

Funny you say this because the hiring manager told me he couldn't believe the lack of talent and unprofessionalism from the local candidates he interviewed down there. He was shocked that he couldn't find anyone that was qualified enough or presented themselves in a professional manner until he interviewed me. So in fact, i'm bringing more of the young "professional" attitude that so many people on here have complained is missing down there and actually contributing to the growth and future of Tampa.

[believe007]

Originally Posted by Beacher23

So it is official, after months of research and job searches, i have accepted a pretty good job opportunity in Tampa! I flew down last week to meet with the hiring manager to check out the work environment and get a feel for what the day to day activities would consist of and if it would be a good fit for me, and sure enough it was. My official hire date is December 9th, so i have ALOT to do in the next month to get prepared for this, but i'm more ready than ever for this life changing decision.

I want to thank everyone on here that have given me all the information i was looking for in my countless hours of research. That goes out to everyone, even the "haters", because without their thoughts and experiences i would never know what to look for and prepare myself for. That being said, i certainly won't be coming down there with my "rosey colored sunglasses" on preparing myself to be living in a perfect beach paradise. However, i do know that without ever having to see another snowflake(we got 2 inches overnight btw) again, or having to scrape ice off my car, that in itself is my own little paradise

To those who think there are no good paying professional/tech jobs in Tampa, i will tell you that i am in fact getting a $8000 pay increase on my yearly salary paying well over $50k by taking this job there, along with much better medical benefits than i am getting up here in Ohio, and it is providing me with even more experience. The good jobs are out there, but you just have to be aggressive and make yourself marketable. It also doesn't hurt to have a degree, or in the case of my field in IT to have some extra certifications. So to those looking for IT jobs in the Tampa area, i found that System Admin/Network Admin and of course Developer positions are hot right now, paying very well and going quick! Just make sure you have a recruiter to work with you.

So now all i have to do is find a good apartment that is decent commuting distance of the International Plaza area since thats where my job will be located. So much to take care of in so little time, but i can't wait to get out of this cold, gloomy and boring place i've been stuck in for 30 years in Ohio. My whole life has been rooted here along with all my family, but its time for a change, and hopefully it will turn out to be a positive change.

Just when I needed some inspiration, I find it!
I'm still researching apartments in the Tampa area as well......
sometimes I feel like it's taking a shot in the dark, though.
Nevertheless, your post proves that it can be done & I'm glad I just stumbled upon it
I'm genuinely happy for you- congratulations!!

[CravingMountains]

Originally Posted by Beacher23

Funny you say this because the hiring manager told me he couldn't believe the lack of talent and unprofessionalism from the local candidates he interviewed down there. He was shocked that he couldn't find anyone that was qualified enough or presented themselves in a professional manner until he interviewed me. So in fact, i'm bringing more of the young "professional" attitude that so many people on here have complained is missing down there and actually contributing to the growth and future of Tampa.

I bet the hiring manager did say that. The bottom line is that hiring managers are just too lazy to train new talent. With all the qualified people that want to move to Florida from the North there is an endless supply of labor from which they can choose from.

Congrats on your job. But don't let it fool you that Florida has a good economy. It doesn't. And you are now only part of the problem with Florida's job market. That companies would rather look abroad than train a new college grad.

[HWTechGuy]

Congrats. I moved here one year ago myself. I also work in IT, and am making more here than I did up north. However, I relocated due to getting a promotion. As others have said, you can't beat a better quality of life along with a higher salary.