Debating to relocate to Florida from NY...

[Smitherines]

Hey guys, bear with me on this one. I've been thinking a lot lately, and I'm starting to figure out that I need a change in scenery and a fresh start in life. I'm currently living out on the east end of Long Island, and while I love NY, and all the things it stands for, I also loathe some of the things it stands for. Vehicle regulations, firearms regulations, insane taxes, insane prices of houses, insane cost of living, insane cost of home heating oil, insane cost of fuel, insane cost of everything to do with this island/state. Motorsports sucks as well! Closest circuit? 4 hours. Closest drag strip? 4hrs. Nothing close at all!

I've had a thing for Florida ever since I was younger, and even when deciding where to go to for college, I heavily considered UoT, UoM, and CFU. I never pulled the trigger and wound up going to a community college up here as well as Stony Brook University. I have a degree in biology, and I'm in the automotive field working as a C-tech for Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Fiat. Depending on whether or not I'm able to move up to a B position if a slot opens up at this dealership, or I switch over to BMW, I think I'll be in a position where I can consider moving.

I've been thinking about central Florida. I love palm trees, I want to be around a warmer environment, I'm sick of this cold crap. How are jobs down there in the automotive field? Pay? Has anyone else made a move like this? How do you guys like it down there? I'm looking for all honest opinions and criticisms. Please lay down all the info you can! How's the car scene down there? The Audi scene? Euros in general?

I would definitely need a place with a garage, I have to bring down my M3, S4 and my Ninja.

Much appreciated,
John

I'm going to repost on Bimmerforums as well to see what they think over there as well. Thanks so much guys.

[coachvtt]

Jobs are jobs depends on what $$$ your looking at..Central Fl is nice...gets chilly in the winter 60-70..well chilly for us..No Humidity in the Winter time. Summer like a Sauna! But I love it...
I moved here from Central PA. In the summer of 89' never looked back. But I'm in South Florida East Coast,
Jupiter, Just north of West Palm Beach. I would never move back North way too damn cold.
Now don't get me wrong I snow skii etc, but I just don't want to live in that shit anymore 8mos out of the year gray and gloomy...
Here sun and fun all the time.
Good luck!

[Amsterdamned]

The further south you go the more opportunity you have. I would focus on Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach county. Also known as "Tri-County"

[BITRBO]

The further south you go the more opportunity you have. I would focus on Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach county. Also known as "Tri-County"

Um, I think you have it backwards actually. There was even an article in the news the other day that Miami was one of the worst places in the US for job opportunities (next to LA and Las Vegas IIRC)... There are approx. ~8-point-something applicants per job listing IIRC, which is the highest in the US right now. I've considered relocating back to JAX or West Palm for better pay cause things are still shitty here in Miami (at least in my industry).

[Hyphy]

Orlando is nice. You won't like how people drive here though. It's the opposite of new York. Minus the bumper to bumper traffic.

[split71]

Well i grew up in Central Florida and lived there for 24 years. 3 years of which consisted living in Orlando (and also did my undergrad @ UCF). Most people from up north will always think it's better than what they have. Like you are wanting to do, I did earlier this year and moved for a change of scenery. I didn't go too far north as NC is a good mix of both the south and north, with beaches and mountains and 4 seasons!

Back on topic..FL is hot. If you don't mind getting in your car for 7 months out of the year and instantly sweating, then FL is the place for you. In the summer you force yourself to find parking spots in the shade to avoid having a heatstroke when you sit inside your oven of a car lol. There are a TON of old retired people in FL. Wherever you go they are all over, beach communities are the worst. Tourists are just as bad and living in the Orlando area will easily teach you that. Very very frustrating, but you get used to it. There are no seasons in FL, it's just sauna then pleasant then back to sauna.

As for the job market...I can't really say for the auto industry. Orlando and any major area in FL (tampa, jax, boca, ft laud, miami) all have enormous markets for car dealerships. I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem finding a spot similar to what your doing. I would absolutely advise against moving any further south than Ft Lauderdale, it seems to get progressively shittier the more south you move. Miami is dirty and nothing but a party town, Orlando is getting there but the tourist side of things hold it together. I always tell people that FL has no real culture, it's a melting pot of people from everywhere but there. There aren't a lot of small town business/restaurant type things like you get up north. It's all commercialized and spread out ALOT. It takes me 30-45 minutes to travel across orlando alone.

Cost of living isn't bad per se, it's probably on par or slightly lower than what you pay. BUT keep in mind, the pay down in FL is lower than what you are probably making. Your electric bill in the summer will be high if you like to keep things at a moderate temperature (~75), and during "winter" it's practically nothing. Property tax in FL is extremely high and housing prices are falling and are very affordable. Insurance rates for auto/home/etc are much higher in FL as well because of hurricanes, flooding, retarded drivers. Everything else retail wise for pricing seems about average with wherever you go.

OP- Shoot me a PM if you have any more specific questions about central Florida, I'm sure i can answer them for you.

[coachvtt]

Yep! Split71 hit the nail on the Head. I have been here in South Florida for 22yrs out of PA.
I have lived in Ft Lauderdale and West Coral Springs and Sunrise West of Ft Lauderdale.
After every Hurricane I moved North. Now I'm in Jupiter Just North of West Palm Beach.
I have also Lived in Jensen Beach North of Jupiter. Melting Pot for sure. Most are from Jersey or NY.
I love the heat and beach and sun. So its a perfect fit for me. Dealerships are a dime a dozen no doubt.
So ditto to Split71. Not many people move here and stay due too the heat or just miss the change of seasons.
The longer you stay the more acclimated you become. I just could not take the snow and gray and gloomy weather of the north 8mos out of the year period. Good Luck.

[Amsterdamned]

Different strokes for different folks. A lot of the negatives posted are my positives. It's all up to you OP.

[Frankie b5]

I recently did this move myself, from eastern long island to northeast Orlando, I don't regret it at all. I left my entire family in NY and moved down here by myself to get away and start over. I love it down here, playing football on Christmas day in shorts and a t-shirt never felt so warm!!!

[S4_Phantom]

Split 71 made a lot of good points. If you are still debating on moving to South Florida I am a Realtor in the greater Palm Beach County area. I've also been here nine years so I would be happy to give you the pros and cons of living here plus answer any questions you have.

Send me a PM if you are interested in talking and I will give you my cell number.

Good luck!


- Neill

[Akrion]

To each their own. I moved from CT and I love it!

[Warranty225cpe]

If your moving down and looking for a job in automotive, I say west palm beach. Lots of good dealerships if your a tech. look for a place in boynton beach to live and WPB for the job. Very doable situation. Especially now since its the first of the year and alot of business are hiring.

[S4_Phantom]

If your moving down and looking for a job in automotive, I say west palm beach. Lots of good dealerships if your a tech. look for a place in boynton beach to live and WPB for the job. Very doable situation. Especially now since its the first of the year and alot of business are hiring.

^^ +1

Just about every car manufacturer has a dealer on Okeechobee Blvd. Plus, there are a lot of good, reasonably priced housing options in Boynton both for rent and purchase.

I moved from Chicago to get out of the bitter cold winters and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

[Amsterdamned]

I read this article some time last year and found it hilarious. I dug it up for this thread.

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/culti...is_the_bes.php

[SCuattro NYC]

I lived in South Florida (North Miami Beach) for a couple of years before moving back to NYC due to an job offer i couldn't refuse. I'll say the following, stay AWAY from Miami, as some of the other members have mentioned, Ft. Lauderdale should be there southernmost city you should consider. In addition to cost of living, one of the other deciding factors I took into consideration when moving down was State Income Tax. As an example, I was making $75k living in NYC, however, in Miami I was making $50k and bringing home the same bi-weekly pay, why? Answer: State Taxes and a lower tax bracket, sh*t adds up.
Gas is cheaper, roads are better, water is warm, women wear less. The car scene is better. Overall it's a great change of pace.

I plan on going back. My wife wants to try San Diego, but I don't want to pay state income tax anywhere else.

Just my .02