Need advice! Michigan to Florida move (West Palm Beach, Delray Beach: to rent, condo, homes)

[MichiganMan20]

Greetings my fellow Americans!

My name is Cody, I'm 20 years old, currently in school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. I'm from Southeastern Michigan, and for years I've been having a urge to move somewhere warmer. Either Florida, South Carolina, Texas or California. Oregon is also one of my favorites.
I have done tons of research, looking up information places to live have sort of became a hobby, its like a journey to find the best place to live.
Here's what I'm looking for, warm! warm! warm weather! even hot! lol as long as I'm close to a beach! I'm just so tired of the Michigan winters, I keep on telling myself, just two more winters and I'll be on my own.
When I graduate I'll be a Physical Therapist Assistants, I've done some research and turns out home health care and Skilled Nursing homes pay the best for PTA's, close to $60,000 annually. I'd probably start out somewhere in the 50K a year. My question is, I need to hear from some Floridians. If you guys were in your early 20's, just graduated college, could make atleast $50,000 a year, love the beach, looking for a safe enviroment, reasonable cost of living, steady economy, where would you move? Right now I'm very interested in Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach. Could a single man making that much live comfortably?

Thankyou very much!

[ssclulow]

Yes. You can live comfortably in either place you have mentioned and you are in a good field to get a job. There are lots of older people living in that area of Florida and a PT assistant should have no trouble getting a job if you have some experience and great references. I moved from S.E. Michigan to Florida 15 yrs ago and totally understand your desire to leave there. The downturn in the economy has left MI extremely economically depressed. My niece moved to the West Palm Beach area 18 months ago after getting her masters degree in Music Therapy. She loves it there. I don't know what kind of lifestyle you live, but there's something for everyone in Palm Beach County. If you like nightlife, I would recommend looking into renting a condo in the City Place area of West Palm Beach. If you really want the beach lifestyle, take a look at Juno Beach or Delray Beach. Good luck with your move.

[skylinet]

I moved from WI a few years back and love it down here. Royal Palm really isn't by the beach so I would rule that out. The Gardens sounds like a nice fit for you. West Palm and Delray would work as well.
Your income shouldn't be an issue especially if you can find a good roommate.

[MichiganMan20]

Thankyou, Palm Beach Gardens looks beautiful, atleast from the pictures. I've heard its a bit pricey, but I've learned that spending some extra money on something can be worth it, mostly just somewhere safe, but still around people my age. The real only downside I've about South Florida living is the humid, sticky summers, but couldn't the beach and having access to a pool take care of that? lol Either way, the humid sticky summer overides the long, bitter Michigan winters haha.

[flguy123]

Check out Jupiter if you want to be in the Palm Beach area. Jupiter is a great mix of young and middle aged professionals, very laid back, same access to beaches and other amenities for less $. Scripps Institute is based there so lots of med opporunities.

Btw, I am originally from Michigan and after living in FL for the past 5 years, would never go back!! I also thought about California, but just went on a vacation there and it seemed a lot less desirable to me now than it did when I was younger...too expensive and crowded. Also, I'll take hurricanes over earthquakes any day, at least you know when they're coming!

[MichiganMan20]

You guys are from Michigan too!? Man I guess I'm not the only one who feels like this! Even the Wisconsin guy, you guys basically have the same weather. Thanks for the advice, I'll check out all those places. How about parks? I really enjoy running and going on long bike rides. As long as the weather is warm, I'll be outside all the time down there haha

[skylinet]

If you like running the Abacoa area in Jupiter has some nice sidewalks that go for miles. Of course there is always the beach too. On a nice day theres lots of people out running.
If you can move in the end of Summer so you can get used to a month or two of it and than get the nice "winter" weather. I still can't really call 76 and sunny winter.

[DaniellaG]

I am also from MI but have lived in S FL and CA. I understand hating the MI winters but FL 7 months of the year is so humid it is gross. I am always cold so it is not the heat but the sticky and bugs galore. Even inside you feel it and often the windows will fog. PBG is a nice area though and at least has a mix of young people so you would have more of a chance of meeting people. Jupiter I feel is more for retired or families.
I am not saying to stay in MI but I would research the other options too for states you have listed. I really like CA the weather is great,the people are much friendlier,of course the cost of living is really high. Some of the other states you listed the cost of living would be much less.
On a side note I am surprised nursing homes pay better then a major hospital. I would keep in mind though in a hospital the benefits plus being able to get promoted.

[Swimmom32]

Michican I can tell you the PT field here is quiet large, and certainly in Demand...Our son is heading to college soon and majoring in Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine/Orthopedics however he would start as a PT assistant before going to Graduate School..Anyway, You should have no issues as we have spoken with a few colleges here and some PT's that we know in South Florida and the Salaries are pretty good for that industry
We are here from Up North and let me say we love it here, we love the weather and well what more can one ask for!! My sisters Brother In law moved here recently from NYC and loves it too...

Good Luck to you...

[MichiganMan20]

Thanks everybody!
DaniellaG, thanks for the advice, I'll take everything you said into consideration. The humidity does seem to be a issue down there, which is why I probably won't live more inland lol Having access to the beach, pool; someway to cool down seems to neutralize the humid, sticky weather. And right now my top choices are Florida, California or Texas. From what I have learned about California living is that its very expensive, but very good living. Florida just seems better with the warmer beaches, less people, and a stable economy.
Swimmom32, first of all I wish the best of luck to your son when his career also, maybe one day we'll work together in a sports rehab clinic! lol Thanks for the advice, I'm listening to everything you guys say, you guys seem to understand Florida living pretty well.

How about Churches? I'm Catholic so I'll be looking for a good Catholic church down there, is Palm Beach County known to have any strong christian communities?