Amarillo TX to St. Petersburg FL? Oh Boi (Miami, Tampa: real estate, apartment)

[diebyhusky]

QUICK BACKGROUND:

Raised in small town, conservative, windy, dry, COLD winters & HOTT summers.

I'm currently a few months shy of 27, have a BBA in Business Management HR with a Minor in Social Psychology, and have worked since I was 16.

16-20: Walmart - Cashier ($9hr)
21-22: Cinemark - Usher Manager (hired and trained ushers, and ran the dep.) ($10.50hr)
23-Now: Enterprise Oil - HR Assistant/Recruiter (hired, posted, onboarded, etc Hazmat/Tanker Fuel Drivers, Dispatch, Mechanics, Welders, Billers, Construction, and Upper Management) ($15hr)

..that being said I'm not sure what I'd do in St. Pete job wise.. HR/Recruitment focus most likely

Have been out of college for 2+ years now (grad Dec2016), and have tried the 'staying in the area' and it's not clicking. I recently paid off my student debt, and have a reliable car.

I've always wanted to move to a coastal area, with warm water, warm year round, good city life, affordable COL, and good job opportunities! I'm an active / outdoors / parks type person.

No kids, single, and have a 40lb dog, but she will stay in Amarillo for the time being, until I have a steady job and a small fenced yard hopefully?

I will be moving to the area late April or early May, depending on if I find a job from afar sooner than later. If I haven't found a job, I can live comfortably for a month or 2 and look once I'm in St. Pete.

QUESTION(S): with all that said..

Job: Is it likely I will be able to find work in the St. Pete Dowtown Area, and not have a long commute? Will this be more likely a find when I'm in the St. Pete area versus applying from Amarillo? I know my pay is probably seen as low currently (15hr), but this small town has a low COS. I'm hoping to find atleast 40-60k with my above listed exp, college, and tenure in St. Pete area.. Thoughts?

Housing: I'm looking at 1bed 1bath, nothing fancy - but possibly with a very small yard, if that's something possible in the downtown area (uptown, old northeast, kenwood, downtown) If I get something close to my potential job, that saves me time/gas/wear+tear so I don't mind paying $800-1000 a month.

Dog: How easy will it be to find said yard? I hope to get her here sooner, but I can wait 1 year if needed and move into a place with a small yard after a 1 year lease. (I just HATE moving)

Weather: I know I know, the summers are going to be HOTT and HUMID, but the winters balance it. && SO much Rain in the summer is going to different. But I am looking forward to being able to be outside YEAR-ROUND. I play tennis, jogs, dog parks, beaches, and just sitting under a tree in a park sounds good to me! In Amarillo.. I don't get that weather but Half the year, and besides a few local parks, there is nothing to see/view.. I guess this isn't so much a question lol

Lifestyle: Amarillo social scene, it's either Western or Tejano Bars, and Country or Rap clubs.. I am more into PunkPop/EDM/Metal/Chill ... not only looking forward to the city life (AMA is VERY SMALL), but also the culture and night life that I will actually enjoy! Miami is too "party scene," and what drew me to St. Pete/Tampa area is the chill but active culture. I enjoy art, tennis, jogging, outdoors, parks, beaches/waterfront, festivals, and concerts.. the city will be new to me! Once my pup is here, even more to do with her outdoors wise! Any tips on a small town 'nothing to do' raised single guy looking for chill/active fun?

I would keep going.. I've done SO much damn research.. TOO MUCH probably.. and I think this is the right move. Any advice or questions welcomed

[MortonR]

Job market is probably OK, but do realize that many professional positions here pay much less than more progressive areas, as employers like to play up the “sun and fun” aspect over higher salaries. With minimal experience in HR you’re unlikely to find a job in your desired pay range.

St. Pete is probably one of if not the most expensive areas. You will pay top dollar for rentals if you can find one or real estate of any kind. You’re also looking at coming here during a peak time as far as real estate, which will make it even harder. I don’t know the apartment rental market in St. Pete, but if it’s similar to Tampa you’ll be hard pressed to find something decent in that range, and depending on the breed and size of your dog, you might not be able to find a rental, as most rental properties are becoming very restrictive on dogs.

If you don’t have a minimum of six months living expenses, don’t come. You can read through many of the relocation threads here over the years of people who came here with minimal resources that were unable to find jobs or housing and either left or ended up destitute or seriously underemployed. Lots of service jobs here that don’t pay living wages....

RM

[reasonablevoice]

Ditto on the advice above. Get the job first if you can. There are smaller, older rentals in that price range but don’t expect a modern city apartment. In my experience, salaries are pretty low here, so unless you score with a larger multi-national do not expect your upper range. You also may have to consider working in Tampa as there are a lot of corporate parks north of downtown. You have some experience so that should help.

That said, I would assume Amarillo is not Austin, and therefore, a move to St. Pete or Tampa would be a nice change. As many have said before, make the move now while you are young without kids. The regret will only be if you never come.

[gypsychic]

Normally I would kind of discourage someone in this scenario. But as others have said you are YOUNG so give it a shot. But I do agree with the above posters, lso be prepared to take a less than desirable job at least at first just so you can pay the bills. You will not be able to be picky about what type rental you get, this area is in high demand, so just realize that. You will probably need to be here to secure housing, anything good gets snapped right up. I would also suggest to try to save up a little more money before you come. At least to tide you over for a few months.

Good luck!

[diebyhusky]

Thank you guys for your replies! Are there better areas that offer what St. Pete offer (weather, near-beach, relative low col, and city life + views) that have a better job market? I feel like when I hear people's 'cons' about the area, it is either the humidity+heat during the summer and the lack of abundant well paying jobs.

I am guessing, like Amarillo to some comparison, the wages are lower because** of the low cost of living.

That's a fair correlation I'd trust? Which if that's the case then it balances out if** the culture/area offerings are worth it to me.

Thank you guys again for the encouragement!! I am young, and I may not be following the money, I am following my heart. (call Disney, that's warming)

[MortonR]

In Florida? No.

Employers have capitalized on people’s perceptions and desires of this as a “vacation paradise” to keep wages low. Maybe not intentionally, but when you have people wanting to be here they’re willing to make sacrifices and accept less money and benefits.

I can’t speak to the HR aspect, but in professional/technical disciplines, unless you have a high demand or unique skill set, salaries here are typically 10%-25% lower than in the Midwest or East Coast and benefits are no better.

Again, if you were going to choose the most expensive area around, it would be St. Pete. Also, the closer you are to water the more expensive it is, whether you’re looking to buy or rent. One thing you may not have realized is the rather excessive cost of insurance as well.

As I previously stated and others have agreed, coming here with no employment or housing lined up in advance with a couple months living expenses is, at best, reckless if not downright foolish. You won’t make it, or with the most optimistic outlook, you’re unlikely to make it.

We’ve seen this over and over again here, in varying ways, and the result is almost always unpleasant. Yes, you’re young and resilient/flexible, but the level of risk you’re undertaking is rather high.

RM

[diebyhusky]

Good morning! Moving anywhere without a job isn't the smartest decision, but I see what your saying.. Florida is even worse to try that move.

My last day with my current job is good friday (04/19/19) and so after that, I am free to move if* under your advice I can land a job prior!

I'm hoping to have about $6-7K saved up, and I'll be living with a family member for free for the month of April saving and packing my car for the drive (assuming I land a job), and can stay there as long as need be until I land a job.

I'll start applying for local jobs in the St. Pete area maybe next week? (a month and a half before I'm able to move).

Thank you for the advice, I will head it and really press myself to find something prior to moving.

[lavender]

Echo previous posters about job first. You are young, have a doggie and have a leaning towards music arts etc - I'd say downtown St Pete, you could possibly share a small house with yard for pooch close to downtown, won't be a palace, but could be decent. I know a young lady who shares her small 2/2 house with a room mate and he pays $850 a month plus bills and she has a dog and so I am sure there are more of those options.
Good luck

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by diebyhusky

I'll start applying for local jobs in the St. Pete area maybe next week? (a month and a half before I'm able to move).

Do be aware that most employers advertising a position such as the one you’re seeking probably won’t respond to someone with an address outside the area. The job market here is such that there are usually plenty of locals applying, and considering a candidate from outside the area is a lot more trouble for the employer unless you have some sort of unique qualifications they’re seeking.

As a former hiring manager I can say that when I had a pile of resumes to consider, the ones from outside the area would go on the bottom. Too many risks with an out of state candidate when I’ve got equally qualified ones right here.

RM

[diebyhusky]

@MortonR

So would you suggest putting on my Resume that I am located in the area about 2-4 weeks prior to me being able to move?

That way I can just explain once I gain some interest that I can be within 2-3 weeks to start if offered said position.

I am a recruiter and work closely with hiring managers and know exactly what your talking about!

If someone did that to myself, I wouldn't see it as dishonest if I placed "St. Petersburg / Tampa Bay" as my location rather than Amarillo if I intend on being able to be in the area within 2-3 weeks, or even sooner once 04/19 rolls around.