Moving to Florida

[lauradis]

Her allergies are one of the main reason why we do want to move and like I've said before we don't have to be in the Orlando area only if my husband got the job at Disney would we move there. We'd like to be around Deltona or maybe Lakeland. We've been feeling a pull to move to Florida for the past year, and when her allergist said a move there would improve her condition it felt like the push we needed to take a serious look at moving. It doesn't help much that we're snowed in currently with 15 inches and Thursday is going to be -25 degrees with windchill. We prefer much more warmer climate our girls have also asked several times if we could move to Florida.

And just to be clear our daughter will not be without insurance as she has two. One through her biological father's company and one through my husbands. And we will not move without a job that offers quality insurance. He's actually quite happy at his current job and will only leave if it's for a job in Florida.

I would think desert conditions would be best for tree grass pollen issues.

Fla is more of a tropical, wet, growth year round climate.

If she had any mold allergies she would go nuts in fla climate.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Her allergies are one of the main reason why we do want to move and like I've said before we don't have to be in the Orlando area only if my husband got the job at Disney would we move there. We'd like to be around Deltona or maybe Lakeland. We've been feeling a pull to move to Florida for the past year, and when her allergist said a move there would improve her condition it felt like the push we needed to take a serious look at moving. It doesn't help much that we're snowed in currently with 15 inches and Thursday is going to be -25 degrees with windchill. We prefer much more warmer climate our girls have also asked several times if we could move to Florida.

And just to be clear our daughter will not be without insurance as she has two. One through her biological father's company and one through my husbands. And we will not move without a job that offers quality insurance. He's actually quite happy at his current job and will only leave if it's for a job in Florida.

And by Saturday it should be in the 50s. While Florida doesn't have bluegrass, it does have an extraordinary amount of allergens. With as many as this child may react to, anywhere in Florida seems counterproductive - even though for brief vacation visits she may seem better. She'd probably see a greater, more permanent reduction in a dry climate like New Mexico or Arizona. Maybe Texas.

Really, it appears the allergies are being used to justify a move to Florida. While 62 is clearly a substantial number of allergies, what kinds of reactions does she have to exposure that prevent you from finding employment? Are you sure that neither insurance covers any allergy shots?

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

For IT jobs have your husband research the Melbourne area (Brevard County) - not far from Disney. The Harris Corporation and a lot of other big companies are housed in that area. It's a nice area to live and you have some great schools and colleges in that area. If you want on the coast check out Satellite Beach or Indiatlantic. You also have possibilities for him at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral.

I'd second this. DH just did a job search last year and I found a lot of jobs in the Melbourne/Palm Bay area.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

My family and I currently live in Kentucky, however our oldest daughter has developed serious allergies to almost everything in the state. She went last week to the allergist and was tested for 69 different things and out of all those she didn't react to 7 of them. The allergist had said moving to one extreme or the other (so either warmer or colder climate and I'm not moving where it's colder) would help or allergy shots. Sadly our insurance doesn't cover the shots and they're super expensive and we've been talking about moving to Florida for so long and just feel that God has been pulling us there as well.

Out issue now is finding a job for my husband, I stay at home due to her extreme allergies so that I can be close by. My husband has been frantically applying for jobs in the Orlando area even several at Disney itself which would be ideal for all of us. However, we haven't had much luck and was hoping for some guidance on where would a great place to start looking to expand our search for a job. We'd prefer to stay central as I have some family there but at this point we'd just like to be down there.

My husband has two bachelor degrees, one in computer science and the other in programming. He currently works at a company that develops an app for government agencies to use to track people using ankle monitors. He's consider a software engineer 2 and has been working with this company for a couple of years. Before that he work for the State government on software and hardware issues. He's extremely intelligent and a very hard and dedicated worker. Any help would be greatly appreciated to help jump start this move. Our daughter needs to be able to enjoy her childhood and she's really restricted here during allergy season.

My sister and her family are trying to move out of Orlando right now because her kids have terrible allergies there and there aren't any jobs. It isn't a great place to find employment.

 

[HeatherC]

Sounds like you want to move regardless of allergies...which can occur anywhere. I would seriously urge you to consider the allergy shots. My DD started them when she was 8 and we have seen a world of difference. Yes they are expensive and a pain to have to stick with the schedule. But it will allow her body to slowly build up a resistance to all those things causing her to react. This could have a positive effect for her entire life.

My DD literally was stuck in bed in her room sealed off during allergy season. She now is 18 years old. She takes one Zyrtec a day and if there is a day that they seem to get bad, she takes an occasional tsp of Benadryl. Before the shots I can't even tell you how many meds she was on...including steroids which didn't even really help.

Good luck to you!!

 

[Happy Snowman]

I'm really surprised that she has 2 insurance plans and neither cover allergy shots??

 

[NewRVLady]

I am curious WHAT exactly allergy shots cost?
If this would help her, pay for them??? (Instead of uprooting family)

My brother did allergy shots for a while , but finally decided the benefits were not that great and it was a big hassle, so stopped them and just deals with it.

 

[okeydokey]

I am curious WHAT exactly allergy shots cost?
If this would help her, pay for them??? (Instead of uprooting family)

My brother did allergy shots for a while , but finally decided the benefits were not that great and it was a big hassle, so stopped them and just deals with it.

For my son it was just the cost of the co pay for the visit, which at that time was maybe 15 or 20. For the first month or so it was twice a week, then once a week and then every other week, then finally after about 6 months it was once a month for about five years. It sure added up the first month or so, but once they were more spread out it was certainly doable and worth it. He is so much better now. IT was certainly less expensive then moving across the country.

 

[kasedroz]

I am curious WHAT exactly allergy shots cost?
If this would help her, pay for them??? (Instead of uprooting family)

My brother did allergy shots for a while , but finally decided the benefits were not that great and it was a big hassle, so stopped them and just deals with it.

They would be $800 (insurance does pay $100 of it otherwise it would $900) for a once a week 4 month supply. But her doctor would put her on them twice a week so that's actually a price for 2 months and she'd be on twice a week for 6 months! Plus we have to pay to have the doctor give her the shot as well.

I feel like I'm repeating myself and having to justify our decision. Our Allergist has already compared her allergies to those in Florida and did a test on the most common ones (those were the 7 that didn't have reaction!) and she would be fine in Florida. Yes, she could develop them over time there and she can grow out them here and grow into new ones! I didn't ask for opinions on how to treat my daughters allergies I asked for some direction for finding employment. I'm not trying to be rude but reading the same thing over and over again isn't helping me! I don't need or want any opinions on her allergies as we have a DOCTOR for that! I came here because I can usually get great advice on things, however instead of giving me advice on what I'm asking about, I feel as if I'm being judge.

And to clarify I do actually have a job I just work at home so that I can be a stay at home mom. She is also not my only child I have another who's only in school until 11 each day and need to be here for her. And my girls are involved in numerous extra curricular activities that they couldn't do if I worked a normal 9-5.

 

[Luvchefmic]

They would be $800 (insurance does pay $100 of it otherwise it would $900) for a once a week 4 month supply. But her doctor would put her on them twice a week so that's actually a price for 2 months and she'd be on twice a week for 6 months! Plus we have to pay to have the doctor give her the shot as well.

I feel like I'm repeating myself and having to justify our decision. Our Allergist has already compared her allergies to those in Florida and did a test on the most common ones (those were the 7 that didn't have reaction!) and she would be fine in Florida. Yes, she could develop them over time there and she can grow out them here and grow into new ones! I didn't ask for opinions on how to treat my daughters allergies I asked for some direction for finding employment. I'm not trying to be rude but reading the same thing over and over again isn't helping me! I don't need or want any opinions on her allergies as we have a DOCTOR for that! I came here because I can usually get great advice on things, however instead of giving me advice on what I'm asking about, I feel as if I'm being judge.

And to clarify I do actually have a job I just work at home so that I can be a stay at home mom. She is also not my only child I have another who's only in school until 11 each day and need to be here for her. And my girls are involved in numerous extra curricular activities that they couldn't do if I worked a normal 9-5.

OP you asked for advice/opinions on employment and you got answers. "I asked for some direction for finding employment."

Some of us never said anything about your daughters allergies or insurance or anything but the job situation here. ( see page 2 posts 36 and 37 to name a few) I'm sorry but you are kidding yourself if you think jobs with benefits are plentiful here. They are not, we have not recovered since 2008. You will likely find employment for part time/no benefit/crappy hr rate positions and be damn glad to get it.

I had linked the FL government job openings on page 2, don't kid yourself there either, there are many applicants for few positions. This is not the promised land that people think it is. If someone is hell bent to leave jobs with benefits and move to FL there is nothing further anyone can say.

As far as the allergies, I think your allergist is wrong.

 

[Happy Snowman]

They would be $800 (insurance does pay $100 of it otherwise it would $900) for a once a week 4 month supply. But her doctor would put her on them twice a week so that's actually a price for 2 months and she'd be on twice a week for 6 months! Plus we have to pay to have the doctor give her the shot as well.

I feel like I'm repeating myself and having to justify our decision. Our Allergist has already compared her allergies to those in Florida and did a test on the most common ones (those were the 7 that didn't have reaction!) and she would be fine in Florida. Yes, she could develop them over time there and she can grow out them here and grow into new ones! I didn't ask for opinions on how to treat my daughters allergies I asked for some direction for finding employment. I'm not trying to be rude but reading the same thing over and over again isn't helping me! I don't need or want any opinions on her allergies as we have a DOCTOR for that! I came here because I can usually get great advice on things, however instead of giving me advice on what I'm asking about, I feel as if I'm being judge.

And to clarify I do actually have a job I just work at home so that I can be a stay at home mom. She is also not my only child I have another who's only in school until 11 each day and need to be here for her. And my girls are involved in numerous extra curricular activities that they couldn't do if I worked a normal 9-5.

$800 for every month?? What type of insurance plan do you have (co-pays, HSA???). It's very, very unusual for insurance not to cover allergy shots and to have 2 plans with 2 different companies that do not pay is very, very odd. Is your allergy doctor not in network or something???

We are not trying to be rude either, but if ragweed is one of her top allergens, she will have issues in Florida. After a year of LIVING there, there is a very good chance she will be in the same boat she is now. She might not have reacted to those 7 allergens because she hasn't had enough exposure to those allergens, but given her history, she is very likely to develop them after actually living there for a year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Pollen count in Orlando next four days: 9.8, 6.4, 9.8, 10.1 http://www.pollen.com/allergy-forecast.asp?PostalCode=32801&Logon=Enter
Pollen count in Lexington: 0.5, 0.1, 0.5, 0.8 http://www.pollen.com/allergy-forecast.asp?zip=40509
How much investigating have you done to determine job availability, pay rates, cost of living...?


This http://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-relief-10/best-cities-for-allergies?page=3 article provides a lot of excellent allergy handling information, especially the last paragraph.

 

[Belle0101]

OP you asked for advice/opinions on employment and you got answers. "I asked for some direction for finding employment."

Some of us never said anything about your daughters allergies or insurance or anything but the job situation here. ( see page 2 posts 36 and 37 to name a few) I'm sorry but you are kidding yourself if you think jobs with benefits are plentiful here. They are not, we have not recovered since 2008. You will likely find employment for part time/no benefit/crappy hr rate positions and be damn glad to get it.

I had linked the FL government job openings on page 2, don't kid yourself there either, there are many applicants for few positions. This is not the promised land that people think it is. If someone is hell bent to leave jobs with benefits and move to FL there is nothing further anyone can say.

As far as the allergies, I think your allergist is wrong.

As an example of Florida not being the promised land that people think it is - my sister was very unhappy here (IN) for a variety of reasons and decided, against my advice, that Florida was the place to be. She moved 6 weeks later.

It took her 2 months to find employment and she makes less than what she was making back home and she has no benefits whatsoever. None. Groceries, gas, car insurance, renters insurance and tags (plates) for her car are all more expensive compared to back home. Her drive to work is 23 miles and takes just about an hour (last night it took 74 minutes).

I won't go so far as to say she's miserable but she's unhappy at times. She hasn't been able to make new friends because of the transient nature of where she's renting. She thought she would be able to go to parks (Disney, Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc) often but she hasn't been inside a park once since she moved (October 2014).

She got sick in mid-October and was sick off and on through January. She didn't have insurance so she didn't go to the doctor but to me, it sounded like allergies. She rarely was sick back home.

Don't get me wrong, I love Florida and can't wait to get back, but there's just so much more to consider when relocating. How much more things will cost, schools, neighborhoods, traffic, employment, even the weather (her normally beautiful straight hair was frizzy October through December).

 

[LisaR]

They would be $800 (insurance does pay $100 of it otherwise it would $900) for a once a week 4 month supply. But her doctor would put her on them twice a week so that's actually a price for 2 months and she'd be on twice a week for 6 months! Plus we have to pay to have the doctor give her the shot as well.

I feel like I'm repeating myself and having to justify our decision. Our Allergist has already compared her allergies to those in Florida and did a test on the most common ones (those were the 7 that didn't have reaction!) and she would be fine in Florida. Yes, she could develop them over time there and she can grow out them here and grow into new ones! I didn't ask for opinions on how to treat my daughters allergies I asked for some direction for finding employment. I'm not trying to be rude but reading the same thing over and over again isn't helping me! I don't need or want any opinions on her allergies as we have a DOCTOR for that! I came here because I can usually get great advice on things, however instead of giving me advice on what I'm asking about, I feel as if I'm being judge.

And to clarify I do actually have a job I just work at home so that I can be a stay at home mom. She is also not my only child I have another who's only in school until 11 each day and need to be here for her. And my girls are involved in numerous extra curricular activities that they couldn't do if I worked a normal 9-5.

Why would you include any of the information about your DD's allergies? Why not just post, "We want to move to FL. DH has this and that work experience. Any suggestions on places to look for a job?" Your first post made it about the allergies and that is one of the worst reasons to move to FL. If you didn't think people wouldn't comment on that, you haven't been on the Dis long enough.

I've never heard of allergy shots costing $400 a month when someone has two insurances. We have seen dozens upon dozens of allergists over the years and I've never met a single one who gives the shots themselves. All allergy clinics have an allergy nurse who gives the shots so there aren't any office visits or doctor fees. And I would seriously question any doctor who feels he can predict allergies in another state. Allergy testing is grossly inaccurate. Testing someone for something they have never been exposed to and determining they aren't allergic is laughable. Sorry, I know you don't want to hear any of that.

If you want to move to FL, come on down! Best of luck to your DD. My son suffers tremendously. I would do almost anything to fix him.

 

[smadath]

It's sounding like OP's best move might be to find a new allergist and get a second opinion. Totally uprooting your life on the opinion of one doctor seems a bit risky. Doctors have been known to make mistakes, or be flat out wrong.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

We are not moving any more North than what we already are, it's too cold as it is here. My body literally aches when its cold outside, I can't do any colder than what we have here. This is another factor that we are taking into consideration for a move down south. And I want to stay within 13 hours of KY due to her biological father will not be moving and I'd like for him to have more than just summer visitations and anything farther away would not be feasible .

Maybe we will pass each other in moving vans on the interstate! I moved here (Lexington) 12 years ago. My ragweed allergy makes me miserable every spring and summer, I sneeze nonstop, eyes swell, it's the worst. And the cold, oh the the cold. I haven't left the house since Sunday, snowed in and going stir crazy! I dream of the day we can move south. I grew up in florida and Alabama. Bless the deep south.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

It's sounding like OP's best move might be to find a new allergist and get a second opinion. Totally uprooting your life on the opinion of one doctor seems a bit risky. Doctors have been known to make mistakes, or be flat out wrong.

It's hard to find a good pediatric allergist in this area. DD has a peanut allergy and when she had her first reaction, we were presented with 2 options for pediatric allergists.

 

[bcla]

I was staying at a hotel once for several days while I started a contract job. The same guy who checked me in also worked the bar one night. He was talking about moving to Florida. He figured the pay in the service industry wouldn't be so bad that he couldn't come out ahead through housing. He said he was researching the price of homes, and found 2 BR homes in decent neighborhoods for about $70,000. Of course at that price I suppose there's no need for the mortgage interest deduction.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

And by Saturday it should be in the 50s. While Florida doesn't have bluegrass, it does have an extraordinary amount of allergens. With as many as this child may react to, anywhere in Florida seems counterproductive - even though for brief vacation visits she may seem better. She'd probably see a greater, more permanent reduction in a dry climate like New Mexico or Arizona. Maybe Texas.

Really, it appears the allergies are being used to justify a move to Florida. While 62 is clearly a substantial number of allergies, what kinds of reactions does she have to exposure that prevent you from finding employment? Are you sure that neither insurance covers any allergy shots?

Texas was horrible for my son's allergies. We've lived in Florida, Texas, and now New York. Texas was the worst and New York has been awesome.

This is why:
http://www.texasmedclinic.com/news/symptoms-remedies-cedar-fever-and-allergies-austin-san-antonio/
LOTS of cedar.
Sorry to be off topic.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Providing information about potential allergic reactions in various parts of the country absolutely 100% ON topic.