Orlando, pros/cons?

[kdm31091]

So, should I stick with this plan and head to Florida (Orlando, maybe Lakeland as suggested also) in summer 2009? If I do it right, can I make it work (with roomate)?

 

[kdm31091]

So nobody thinks California is a better choice despite the huge expenses?

 

[MyGoofy26]

Ah. Well, a degree definetly does NOT equal a high salary, as Anne has shown even further.

Not trying to diminish Anne's accomplishments, but you can't dismiss the value of a degree because of one person's success. It doesn't always equal high salary, but that isn't a reason to competely dismiss the idea of college. If you have other (legitimate) reasons then great, but just because some are able to earn more money by working hard isn't a reason in itself. Statistically, you have better chances if you have a degree.

Here's an article that you may be interested in. You still have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do.

And a couple interesting things to note from the article:
In today's dollars, a bachelor's degree is worth more than $2.1 million over 40 years.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, all seven of the job categories that are predicted to grow faster than average during the next decade require a college diploma. These careers, which include teaching, healthcare and technology, will account for 42 percent of the nation's projected job growth by 2013.

The Department of Labor reports that employments for those with bachelor's degrees grew by 1.8 million during the past 10 years compared to a loss of nearly 700,000 jobs for those armed with a high school diploma.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Oh, and there are a number of free salary calculators out there that will allow you to look up average salaries for different jobs in just about every city or region in the country. Just google salary calculator and you can find out on your own what jobs tend to earn in the Orlando area.

 

[kdm31091]

I've used plenty of salary calculators. I see that despite the increading cost of living in Florida, the wages aren't very high, which kind of contradicts itself. In California, wages are higher, prices are higher. But at least things match in California.

I know I'd have more chances with a degree. The thing is though I'm not the type for classes with traditional type work. I hate it, and I have a bad enough time doing high school. I need something hands on - i.e. pastry chef, barber, computer support, real estate - no traditional, english/math/science/etc required stuff, but more specialized, works better for me. Yes I'd have a degree for most of those but a 2 year one.

I'm getting to off topic for the DIS here, but how's Colorado? It's sunny and bright like California (with a winter though) and much cheaper. I could start in Colorado with roomate and move up eventually to Cali. Or is Florida the best choice? I'm so confused by the choices!

 

[DMickey28]

Ok, you are 15 right? The dreams and hopes I had at 15 where so different from the ones at 18, which changed again and again and again. Now at 28 I am not even remotely where I thought I wanted to be and I couldn't be happier.

I would figure out what it is that you want to do... is it live in Florida? Is it work at Disney? IS it be a barber or pastry chef? Why are you set on 2 year programs?

I am all for following your dreams but I believe in doing so cautiously b/c the world is so much different then it was 10-20-50 years ago and following your dreams is a lot more difficult now. I wouldn't rely on anyone else (significant other, father etc) to help you get where you want to go. You should figure out a way to do it yourself. The odds of the friends/relationships in your life at 16 being the same ones at 18 or 20 are slim. It's not realistic nowadays... not to say it doesn't/can't happen, just not as common.

If you want to be a barber, why not get a business degree as well? Then you can open your own business and gain more control and more $$$... NOt that you can't w/o the degree, but you would have better grounds with it.

If you want to be a pastry chef, get out of McDonald's and find a job at a bakery in town, maybe work the weekends or mornings before school. Feel out the career. You can go to a 4 year school and get a culinary degree specializing in Bakery/Pastry as well as gain the business background.

You do not need a degree to make a lot of money, period. But you do need to have the personality to know what you want and go after. Someone that is only looking for 2 years of school or setting other parameters/limitations is probably not going to be pushing hard enough to make that money. I have my degree and am not currently working in my field. I make decent money, I started out of college making much more than $22K. My Dh is a few courses shy of his degree and he makes over 4-5x more than I do. He has had the drive his whole life to suceed and he has worked HARD for it. He has been building the experience in his choosen field for 10 years and he loves it... he didn't choose it, he fell into it. He is a sponge for all the knowledge and now he is a partner at his company and doing well. I firmly believe that it is as much about your drive and personality as it is about schooling....

ETA: While DH doesn't currently hold his degree he is working one the last courses to finish it b/c he realizes that while he has made it pretty far without it, he wants it for himself and also the future. Who knows what will come down the road, and it will only help him A LOT.....

I am rambling.... Good Luck in your choices...

 

[kdm31091]

I'm set on 2-year because 4-year degrees require the regular classroom type stuff I hate and do not put effort into. See my last post.

 

[Traveliz]

Ok reading your last two posts I would take real estate out of the equation for you - lots of math there.

Barber -- if you are truly interested might be a good match for you. That is a specialized school and pwople need barbers all over the country (including at Disney World). Not sure of the pay but many barbers do make good tips as well and if you are interested in owning your own business this is an area where you can do so.

Liz

 

[kdm31091]

I am truly interested in barber! It was honestly my first consideration. I could play with hair all day. (I know, you can tell I'm gay, but whatever). Speaking of that, how's Orlando or florida in general for gays? I know California is good but how's Florida?

 

[PatriciaH]

I am from NY, DH is from Boston and we have friends from CA and CT here. All of us agree it is more expensive to live here in Orlando than in any of those areas! Housing was less 2+ years ago but that is not the case anymore. Rent, insurance and taxes are very high. Food is super expensive (tourist area) and not good quality. It is less expensive in places like Ocala, Mount Dora, etc., but then you are far from WDW (1 hour plus) and better paying jobs. That means a commute and I-4 is God awful

Other posters are right about WDW. Most hourly positions pay $7/hr and you need to be available nights, weekends, 6 days, doubles, etc.. DH is in Marketing with Disney and their professional positions still pay way less than other areas. He is making about $20,000 a year less than he was north of Boston! We love the weather here and being close to WDW but it is not worth that kind of pay cut!

Try to have a job lined up before you move. It took us both a long time to find anything decent. We have been here 2+ years and are still looking for something better. If it does not happen by the spring we will probably head back north. If you rent, CA may be a better option. You will be making a lot more there. DH's sister is in San Diego and she only paid $250,000 for her condo (nice area) 2 years ago.

If you really want to try FL- try it. It may work out. I think the state of FLorida and all the realtors love the tons of people moving here then leaving after a few years They make $$$$$$$$$$$$ off of our car registrations, license fees, taxes, etc.. and they keep turing houses over and over and over again.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I am truly interested in barber! It was honestly my first consideration. I could play with hair all day. (I know, you can tell I'm gay, but whatever). Speaking of that, how's Orlando or florida in general for gays? I know California is good but how's Florida?

If it makes you feel any better it was so depressing being a single gal in Orlando because all the cute guys I noticed were only interested in my guy friends! (and I have a pretty funny story about Mulan and Shang for another time, LOL)

Honestly, from your list of potential careers I think this one may have the most potential. If you find a good school, there are SO many spas and salons around Orlando. . . especially in the touristy areas like Disney and Universal from all the vacationers who want to pamper themselves with cuts, highlights, massages, facials, etc that you could make a decent base pay with nice tips if you're really good at what you do. Seriously, if you find a really good school that will teach all the trendy techniques for cuts, color and highlights you'll probably do a lot better than some of the other things you are considering. My old neighbor worked at Citricos (loved having him cook for us!) and didn't make much more than I did on the college program so anything involving cooking or pastries I wouldn't expect to pay much more unless it was for head chef.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I'll throw in that the guy I know who has the most money - millions upon millions - never went to college. He's a business genius. And, he always says that anyone who depends on someone else (works for someone else)for their living is, and I quote, "foolish."

So, there are two sides to every story. Some people think a degree is a must, others think making your own dough is the way to go. You can get rich or go broke either way.

Having a degree can't hurt, though!

 

[Amity 3]

I am truly interested in barber! It was honestly my first consideration. I could play with hair all day. (I know, you can tell I'm gay, but whatever). Speaking of that, how's Orlando or florida in general for gays? I know California is good but how's Florida?

Key West would be #1, Miami, #2. Orlando and Tampa are on the bottom of the list.

 

[kdm31091]

If it makes you feel any better it was so depressing being a single gal in Orlando because all the cute guys I noticed were only interested in my guy friends! (and I have a pretty funny story about Mulan and Shang for another time, LOL)

Honestly, from your list of potential careers I think this one may have the most potential. If you find a good school, there are SO many spas and salons around Orlando. . . especially in the touristy areas like Disney and Universal from all the vacationers who want to pamper themselves with cuts, highlights, massages, facials, etc that you could make a decent base pay with nice tips if you're really good at what you do. Seriously, if you find a really good school that will teach all the trendy techniques for cuts, color and highlights you'll probably do a lot better than some of the other things you are considering. My old neighbor worked at Citricos (loved having him cook for us!) and didn't make much more than I did on the college program so anything involving cooking or pastries I wouldn't expect to pay much more unless it was for head chef.

Awesome - maybe I can live as a barber and be happy. It's always been my #1 choice, I'm just scared of the low pay. The base pay is usually 16-20k which I don't call livable. Can someone estimate how much $ tips would add up to? I would hope for like $5k in tips yearly - is that too lofty a hope?

Since I will be renting, does anyone have any more insight regarding the person who said "CA may be a better option". Is that really true?

 

[Amity 3]

even if you rent, a nice apartment will set you back $1500.00 per month/$18,000 per year.

 

[ducklite]

Ah. Well, a degree definetly does NOT equal a high salary, as Anne has shown even further.

What are the highest paying jobs for 2 year degrees, in general? I've researched; but I'm just asking about the general Orlando area.

I wouldn't worry about that. I would look at careers that interest you and find a way to make them profitable enough to live a relatively comfortable life.

You said you were interested in Real Estate. Well, being a Realtor isn't necessarily the most lucrative gig, and when the market is bad, you'll starve. But think outside the box at jobs that involve real estate. Paralegal specializing in commercial Real Estate for example. A two year paralegal degree and internship during your studies should allow you to land a job that starts around $25K and can rise to well over $50K in time.

You mentioned being a barber--how about massage therapist? It's a growing field, and you can find jobs in spas, hospitals, with chripractic practices, you can start your own proactice, or a combination. A friend of mine is friends with a girl who works at one of the local swanky spas that caters to tourists enough hours a week to get her health benefits, but runs her own mobile practice on the side with local clients. She's doing quite well. My guess is she works 45 hours a week or so, and is making in the $40K+ per year range.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Ah. Well, a degree definetly does NOT equal a high salary, as Anne has shown even further.

I want to touch on this seperately. I do'nt have a degree, but I do have enough credits to have an associates. I also have two certificates from career programs.

Making my way through life wasn't easy, and there were some doors shut in my face because of the lack of a degree. But I'm smart and fast on my feet and a very quick learn, and frankly the careers that interested me didn't require a degree.

But for many years I was starving until I gained enough experience to be "emplyable." If I had a degree or even one of those certificates, I would have been a lot more emplyable earlier in my career. Im' now in my mid-40's, and with the type of work I do, my experience is far more important than a degree would be.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

even if you rent, a nice apartment will set you back $1500.00 per month/$18,000 per year.

Actually you can get a nice 2BR apartment here in the Orlando area for a lot less than that. Heck you can rent a 3BR 2BA 1600s/f under air house in a great neighborhood for that these days. Many of the people who have been unable to sell their homes are turning to renting them to cover thier carrying costs. Of course your utilities will be another $400-600 per month.

Anne

 

[kdm31091]

I think Amity3 was referring to an apartment in California. There's no way I could afford $1500 a month, so I said yes, I still choose Florida.

 

[DawnCt1]

I forgot one career I was considering: realtor. ().

Realtor would be tough. Buyers and Sellers both want the appearance of maturity, whether its an allusion or not. They are selling or buying one of the biggest investments of their lives and your youth would be an obstacle for many people.