Moving to Tampa, St. Pete area w/ savings. How is the job market? (living, cost of living)

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by daveyboy1225

I think jujy said she/he works at progressive. Where did you work before flipping burgers?

I wasn't flipping burgers... Was looking for something. People can find many positives about this city... Blantly lying about the economy doesn't do anyone any favors though. Tampa has the same struggles with the economy that every other city does. I wouldn't move unless you have something lined up. Forbes ranked Tampa the worst city for young professionals for having so few jobs that paid so little compared to other major metropolitans. Keep that in mind. There will be plenty of positive things you can find here... The economy will be dead last on that list.

[jzcrandall]

Originally Posted by druthb00

...sick of rude Chicago people invading our beaches in the summer...

I know this is off-topic, but really? I found Chicagoans to be some of the nicest people around, and this is coming from someone who lived in Virginia for ten years, where "Southern Hospitality" simply doesn't exist anymore.

[mjstclair74]

I just moved here a little over a week ago from Northwest Indiana. I did exactly what you're going to do in Nov: bit the bullet and left without a job. Sick of the cold, sick of rude Chicago people invading our beaches in the summer, just sick of everything. So, for as many people who are bound to tell you you're an idiot for moving with nothing but your savings and no job lined up, I say go for it! You only live once right?

Hello, I just read this post and have to ask you how things are going for you? I am about to do the same thing. We have saved about 4 months of living expenses and are moving to the Tampa/St. Pete area with no jobs. I am in health care and my husband does drywall, I think with persistence we will both find a job. I just have a few questions for you if you don't mind answering. First how is the economy now? Has it picked up at all? How long did it take for you to find a job once you got there? Did you have a place to live lined up before you got there or did you find one after you got there and was it hard? I have so many questions. I have never lived any where but where I live right now, which is a small village in northwest Ohio. I am 35 and I dreamed of living in Florida since I was 12. I think I would regret it if I never tried. I am a little scared, a friend of my mothers moved to Florida and returned 1 year later because they said it was to expensive. This has scared me a little but I still need to try. Sorry so long but I just thought you would be a good person to get advice from since you did what we are about to do.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by mjstclair74

I just moved here a little over a week ago from Northwest Indiana. I did exactly what you're going to do in Nov: bit the bullet and left without a job. Sick of the cold, sick of rude Chicago people invading our beaches in the summer, just sick of everything. So, for as many people who are bound to tell you you're an idiot for moving with nothing but your savings and no job lined up, I say go for it! You only live once right?

Hello, I just read this post and have to ask you how things are going for you? I am about to do the same thing. We have saved about 4 months of living expenses and are moving to the Tampa/St. Pete area with no jobs. I am in health care and my husband does drywall, I think with persistence we will both find a job. I just have a few questions for you if you don't mind answering. First how is the economy now? Has it picked up at all? How long did it take for you to find a job once you got there? Did you have a place to live lined up before you got there or did you find one after you got there and was it hard? I have so many questions. I have never lived any where but where I live right now, which is a small village in northwest Ohio. I am 35 and I dreamed of living in Florida since I was 12. I think I would regret it if I never tried. I am a little scared, a friend of my mothers moved to Florida and returned 1 year later because they said it was to expensive. This has scared me a little but I still need to try. Sorry so long but I just thought you would be a good person to get advice from since you did what we are about to do.

You should be scared, and you should have at least 8 months to a year of savings. If your a nurse you should find work, drywall for your husband is another story. If your a CNA that might be harder.

Four months is not enough.

You need to go online and do your own research, FYI Tampa Bay has one of highest unemployent rates in Florida, and FL has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

[DoctorRain]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

You should be scared, and you should have at least 8 months to a year of savings. If your a nurse you should find work, drywall for your husband is another story. If your a CNA that might be harder.

Four months is not enough.

You need to go online and do your own research, FYI Tampa Bay has one of highest unemployent rates in Florida, and FL has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

It should be decent to find jobs in Massage therapy though if thats your field. I hear Tampa is strong with that sorta thing.

[ozlo]

Originally Posted by DoctorRain

It should be decent to find jobs in Massage therapy though if thats your field. I hear Tampa is strong with that sorta thing.

Sure, lots of "Asian" massage parlors around the area, which provide "extra" services.

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by mjstclair74

I just moved here a little over a week ago from Northwest Indiana. I did exactly what you're going to do in Nov: bit the bullet and left without a job. Sick of the cold, sick of rude Chicago people invading our beaches in the summer, just sick of everything. So, for as many people who are bound to tell you you're an idiot for moving with nothing but your savings and no job lined up, I say go for it! You only live once right?

Hello, I just read this post and have to ask you how things are going for you? I am about to do the same thing. We have saved about 4 months of living expenses and are moving to the Tampa/St. Pete area with no jobs. I am in health care and my husband does drywall, I think with persistence we will both find a job. I just have a few questions for you if you don't mind answering. First how is the economy now? Has it picked up at all? How long did it take for you to find a job once you got there? Did you have a place to live lined up before you got there or did you find one after you got there and was it hard? I have so many questions. I have never lived any where but where I live right now, which is a small village in northwest Ohio. I am 35 and I dreamed of living in Florida since I was 12. I think I would regret it if I never tried. I am a little scared, a friend of my mothers moved to Florida and returned 1 year later because they said it was to expensive. This has scared me a little but I still need to try. Sorry so long but I just thought you would be a good person to get advice from since you did what we are about to do.

Just so you are aware sean dublin and ozlo always paint a picture of gloom and doom. I'm moving to Tampa in July.

[Pragmaticus]

I think letting people know about the local economy and the hardship they might face bringing entire family without a job is appropriate.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by MeInDenudinFL

I think letting people know about the local economy and the hardship they might face bringing entire family without a job is appropriate.

Exactly and four months savings will be gone in no time.

There was a poster who moved her family down from Indiana because she HAD to live in Florida....well after running low on money and driving from the west coast of Florida to the east coast of Florida( for a nursing job) she ended up going home.

The upsetting thing is she uprooted her kids only to end up going back home. It is called a lack of planning.

A few of us tried to give her some insight but she didn't want to hear anything, got here and didn't work out.

It is scary when people say they're bringing children with them and have no jobs and limited savings.

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Exactly and four months savings will be gone in no time.

There was a poster who moved her family down from Indiana because she HAD to live in Florida....well after running low on money and driving from the west coast of Florida to the east coast of Florida( for a nursing job) she ended up going home.

The upsetting thing is she uprooted her kids only to end up going back home. It is called a lack of planning.

A few of us tried to give her some insight but she didn't want to hear anything, got here and didn't work out.

It is scary when people say they're bringing children with them and have no jobs and limited savings.

That is a shame. Surprising that she had such a hard time finding a nursing job. Now in regards to the person moving down with her husband doing drywall. Well, I doubt he is going to find any jobs doing drywall. Even if he is fluent in Spanish, there is no construction going on right now..... hence the high unemployment rate.

I suppose I am one of the lucky few who will move down. I already have my job, I'll have savings and the cost of living is less than what I am used to now. I do suppose I am more of the exception than the rule.

OP, do a search on this forum for Economy or Employment. This subject has been brought up many, many times and I am sure you will find more or less the information you are looking for.