Looking to relocate...

[bsbrady]

My wife and I are looking to relocate from New York to Florida. I have been looking for a job but I cant seem to find the right opportunity. I was wondering if there was anyone out there that would know of anything. I currently work for IBM in the Enterprise Data Center field. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Can you get a transfer to FL with IBM? That is the only way we would do it. That still puts you "at the bottom".

The economy is so shaky. DH's corp is laying off people again. They just "surplused" a bunch of jobs.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

Do make sure you have a job before leaving IBM. I worked for a global seller/servicer of postal systems for 15 years, recently left that job to move to another state after I remarried. I've been looking for a job for more than 2 years. There's nothing out there. I'm overqualified for lower paying jobs (I could lie about my background, but I think that's very risky).

I thought I would have no problem finding a job, being right outside Philadelphia...boy was I wrong!

 

[FireDancer]

Back in 2003 I graduated with a degree in Information Systems from college. The company I was working for at the time offered me the I.T. director job if I was willing to relocate to the Tampa area. I jumped on it and spent 2 years down there and enjoyed it a lot. Good luck finding something but I agree that the best option would be to stay with IBM or a subsidiary. Definitely find the job before moving.

On a totally different note, make sure you really think about what living in Florida entails before moving there. I'm not trying to say you won't like it but living there is a much much different experience than going there for a week at a time. The insurance is ridiculous, the traffic bipolar, and the humidity pretty bad. It may not seem so bad when you are walking around in flipflops on vacation but try getting in that hot car or walking from the parking lot into work in a suit with it is 90 degrees with 100% humidity.

I would spend some time talking to people who relocated there and make sure that the FL living experience is what you are looking for.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

My wife and I are looking to relocate from New York to Florida. I have been looking for a job but I cant seem to find the right opportunity. I was wondering if there was anyone out there that would know of anything. I currently work for IBM in the Enterprise Data Center field. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

Where in Florida are you looking to relocate?

It's a tough time to be looking for a job, esp. in Florida, but it's a great time to buy a house.

I would search large corporate websites for job openings to get a sense of what's available. If you're looking at central Florida, start with Lockheed, Disney, and Universal, but also look at the tech corridor around UCF (Siemens and other companies have a big presence in that corridor).

 

[RadioNate]

Welcome to FL...we have no jobs.

Seriously, unemployment in the Orlando is nearly 11% and above the national average.

The Florida average is 10.7% for comparison New York is at 8.6% (according to the Bureau of Labor Statists.)

It is a dismal time to be looking for a job in Florida.

I really don't mean to be terribly discouraging but I see these treads every few days and I think people need to be realistic about what a move here is really like.

Like FireDancer said, living here and vacationing here are very different.

Disney is pretty much in a hiring freeze. They are hiring CPs and some part time hourly positions.

I think Marriott or Hyatt was hiring not to long ago.

The bottom line is that you need a job before you move here. It is a must have.

Best of luck to you.

 

[bsbrady]

I appreciate all the advice. I know the job market is bad. I'm just ready for a change. I am willing to wait it out, I actually have a good job so its not bad. I guess for now, Orlando will just be my vacation spot!