Planning to move to West Palm Beach from Los Angeles

[THX 1138]

I noticed there is no mention of employment needs or a job requirement?

If you are planning on moving here or other parts of South Florida with hopes of landing a job after the fact, I would think again on that idea. The job market here is not the best for a lot of sectors and the salaries tend to be lower on average.

Home prices have dropped but as mentioned, property taxes are high and also cannot forget the high cost of property insurance here.

Lastly, I would suggest you visit the area prior to relocating (if you have not already), the weather now till April or so will remind you if CA but after that, it will be the direct opposite and many transplants cannot deal with it.

[FloridaHawkeye]

If you are buying a home with cash - then you might get a great house for that price but may need to make some upgrades and what not.

[SAKIRAV]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

I noticed there is no mention of employment needs or a job requirement?

If you are planning on moving here or other parts of South Florida with hopes of landing a job after the fact, I would think again on that idea. The job market here is not the best for a lot of sectors and the salaries tend to be lower on average.

Home prices have dropped but as mentioned, property taxes are high and also cannot forget the high cost of property insurance here.

Lastly, I would suggest you visit the area prior to relocating (if you have not already), the weather now till April or so will remind you if CA but after that, it will be the direct opposite and many transplants cannot deal with it.

Off topic, but aren't the RE taxes on homes here 2%? is that high? Is California, (ie. san diego - silicone valley) paying less than 2%? woaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by SAKIRAV

Off topic, but aren't the RE taxes on homes here 2%? is that high? Is California, (ie. san diego - silicone valley) paying less than 2%? woaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Property taxes affect "home affordability" for the average person with a mortgage and monthly payments with escrowed taxes.


California has high home prices, and property taxes at approximately 1%.

A place like Texas has lower home prices, and property taxes at about 3%.

Florida is in the middle between both states (though really, some GREAT bargains to be had right now), with property taxes about 2%.

[howgr8]

I live in New York, and desperatley want to leave here, and move to Florida. I have done an extensive search, for the past year, and have a trememdous amount of info, and knowledge about area's, and neighborhoods, Thanks to the kind people from this site, and others, plus I have family members that live there which have contributed with their advice. I am very sympathetic, and understanding with what you are going through, so thats why I am reaching out to you, because so many have helped me. I am going down to Florida in March and plan on spending 3-4 weeks there, where at that time will confirm my selection of area's, and buy my home, and my Max is 160,000, for a home. Feel free to contact me through e-mail, and will help you out

[blacksmith76]

I would make sure you visit a lot first, especially in the summer, to make sure you know what you are getting into. We came down from Denver a little over 2 years ago, and are trying to move back. Unfortunately, I couldn't convince my wife to rent first, so we are stuck trying to sell our house. Our move is about 50% family related and 50% wanting to get out of here. We are doing okay, but would like to leave.

We were very experienced with Florida and love the lifestyle overall. So, we basically couldn't resist the dirt cheap real estate prices and didn't plan too well, like so many others. I can't stress enough how grim the employment market is right now unless you are in something in high demand in this region, like health care or something. It's like that in most places right now, but still, that is the reality in Florida. I think things seem to be slowly turning around, but who knows.

When Rick Scott announced that's he's planning to slash funding for the liberal arts in Florida schools recently, my wife and I knew it was really time to go, no matter how long it takes to sell. We don't belong here and aren't wanted. All I can say is be careful.