We've Decided To Relocate To Florida!

[Tink10]

Well, after what seem like 4 long cold years here in Wisconsin, our family has decided that Florida is the place that we really want to be......Not necessarily Orlando....Just Florida.

So, we've decided to take the necessary steps to eventually relocate. In preparation, my hubby has started working on his resume, he's brushing up on some of his less-used IT skills and is even learning a new one.

It sort of a scary plunge to take, but I suppose we have time to rethink this should we have any doubts. My hubby was in the Air Force, so we're used to moving......

I was wondering if any of you have done this......How did it work out? Any regrets? Any Tips?

Thanks In Advance!

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Hope to do this myself one day Good luck to you!

 

[FINFAN]

I think the hardest part is getting employment...DH has been applying to ANYWHERE in Fl for 3 years now...but his field isn't really a marketable one there. He would probably need to make a full career change, and at 43 that is hard to do..but we havn't ruled it out yet! I think it is great that your DH is looking at what types of jobs are to be had there and then taking care of the requirements he needs. One thing I can offer, and this is only what we've encountered so far....not too many co. are willling to pay to relocate you, and look to interview local candidates. That has closed a few doors for us...and my folks live down there, we have stated that we could be there in a heartbeat....but no luck. I hate winter too....one day...one day....
Best of luck to you, there are so many wonderful things about Florida!

Pam

 

[TINKTWINS]

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, we hope to go someday as well!

 

[Tink10]

Hi Finfan.....I know what you mean about the "no relocation"....There are so few companies offering assistance, but we expected that.....Working in IT isn't what it once was.

We've decided that it/when a good offer comes in, we'll go ahead & put our house on the market, send him down and I'll handle things at this end.

We're hoping that with my hubby's skill set, combined with the new technology he's learning, it won't take more than a year to find a good position. I really don't want to spend another winter here.

Good Luck To You & Your Family.....I'll Keep My Fingers Crossed That Something Comes Along For You Soon!

 

[Feralpeg]

Tink10, making the decision to move is the hardest step and you've already made that decision. I recently retired after 30 years in the IT industry and will be moving to Orlando in June.

I have no idea what IT area of expertise your husband has, but there are many new areas that have opened up recently. I worked in a shop with large mainframe computers running, for the most part, COBOL code. If I were to go back to an IT job, I think I'd try something different. There are many jobs for people with JAVA, HTML, webpage skills. This is an area that will continue to grow. I looked into learning CGI. There is a school in Orlando that teaches CGI. It is actually located on the Universal Studio grounds. Of course, you need to be somewhat creative, but any prior IT experience could only help. Adobe Photoshop experience is very helpful. It is called the DAVE (Digital Animation and Visual Effects) School.

I hope he finds something he enjoys and that your move goes smoothly!

 

[s&k'smom]

I just wanted to wish you luck. My husband's friend just transferred to Orlando and he's like why are we there!

 

[issa]

we just recently relocated to orlando area

my husband is in IT and applied for florida jobs for years before we moved..without a nibble....we took the plunge after him being laid off and no job prospects in Ma, we were here less than a week and he had 2 interviews and was hired within 4 days of our arrival!


from what we have heard..most FL jobs wont consder out of state cause many people dream of living here..but dont follow through, its easier to hire locally. There is a job market...for local canidates only though


good luck with your plans

 

[dvcgirl]

A couple of you guys mentioned that you work in the IT field. I was just wondering exactly what those of you who have mentioned IT jobs actually do in that field? My husband is a senior software engineer (java, .net) and it appears that there's a pretty good amount of jobs in that area. He recently found an article saying that high tech jobs are exploding in Orlando. Same thing is happening in Las Vegas.

I hear what you're saying about needing to actually be in the area though. I do think that lots of people end up in Orlando thinking that it will be one long vacation or something. I guess that's why we're feeling the need to really research the area to make sure this indeed a place we'd like to live. We do know that we're sick and tired of the weather here in NJ. We have no kids, and so we don't need to worry about kids changing schools and all of that. Property taxes are about 60% less than I pay here. Home prices are *way* less than here. We both like the heat and don't mind humidity (we have hot and humid summers here too). Anyway, we've decided to head down in May for a long weekend to begin the research process. No sense in talking about it and dreaming about it if we're not sure that we can live there. I'm hopeful that we'll like what we see!!

 

[Feralpeg]

You asked what we do in the IT field. I worked as a programmer analyst and then a systems manager for 30 years at a company that does record keeping for mutual funds. I am not qualified for JAVA or web based programming. That is the future. Although the very large financial systems will continue for some time to use the large mainframe languages (MHO), everything is going internet. Since your husband is a Java programmer, I can't imagine that he would have a problem getting a job in Florida.

 

[Tink10]

Although I don't quite understand what he does , my Hubby's official title is Senior Systems Analyst. He says that he functions as more of a Unix administrator.

He's working on getting certified in VB.Net (I think that's what it's called).

He want's to wait until he's certified before he REALLY starts looking, but I'm the "there's no time like the present" kind of gal.

My mom lived just north of Tampa until late last year and every time we were there we checked out areas & we really loved it. Before moving to Wisconsin, we lived in Alabama for several years and actually enjoyed the heat & humidity.

The company he works for has an office in Boca & he's tossed the idea out about working out of that office....We'll see if that ever happens.

I'm so anxious, but all I can do is sit back & be patient & with a little Magic...........The right opportunity will come along.

 

[tailfethrs]

we did this a few years ago. we lived in san jose ca, and hubby was in IT. he got a job right away making the same that he was in the bay area, so needless to say are standard of living went way up. however we did not relocate to orlando, but Jacksonville. i know his company, which is one of the largest employers here in Jax is always looking for IT people. hubby does at least 3 to 4 interviews a week. so there are jobs here.

 

[dvcgirl]

Feralpeg and Tink10,

You guys sound like you've got a good handle on the job market and what you/hubby need to market yourselves. My husband has been a software developer for 15 years now...has been a manager/director for the past 5. He is always getting new certifications and reads constantly to keep up with the pace of technology. Although the salaries are lower in Orlando, it seems to me that they're not so low that you can't live a much higher quality of life there vs. the northeast. Especially in the techology jobs. There isn't such a drastic drop in those areas as in other fields. Good luck to you both!!

 

[Tink10]

Hi tailfethrs,

I'm so glad that your move went so well. How do you like Jacksonville? I've seen quite a few positions there & have always wanted to talk to someone who knows it.

I know so many people who just want to move to Orlando.....We, on the other hand, just want to go to Florida. There are too many reasons to list......

 

[dvcgirl]

Wow tailfethers!!

We also lived in the Silicon Valley for a few years. I'll never forget the cost of living there!! Well, it's very bad where we are now too, but back in 99' the housing market in that area was insane. That's pretty much why we moved back here. To keep the same salary in Fla that you had out in Ca is huge! Hopefully there will be some nice jobs waiting for us when we get down there.

 

[tailfethrs]

Originally posted by dvcgirl
Wow tailfethers!!

We also lived in the Silicon Valley for a few years.

oh where, I love to talk to anyone from home

 

[cmatt]

Both employment companys and Employers alike you need to live there,

atleast for sure at keywest and west palm beach

and they say the cost of living is twiced as high as where I live I dont get that, we have alot of 300,000 to 600,000 houses here in the ozarks,, cmatt

thats ok Because I really want to live on a island anyway

 

[jimmytammy]

I say go for it!! We hope to do this at least as semi retirement in the cold mos here in NC.

 

[Otimon]

I'm sure you'll find it one of the best decisions you ever made.

Best wishes and happy dreams.

 

[Micca]

All the Best We're right behind you. Well we're not RIGHT behind you but we hope to be there someday