Fell in love with Florida and am moving there!

Hi everyone! I posted a week or so ago, asking for advice on where to go in Florida as far as beaches. I found out last minute that I would be going to Florida and did some last minute research. You all were a huge help! We ended up driving to Siesta Key and staying there, at the Best Western. When I say I fell in love with the area, I can not express it enough. I absolutely adore that area and have decided I am moving! We had the time of our lives. We only stayed two days and it was the best two days of my life. Never have I felt so peaceful and at ease. It was such a wonderful experience. I was told that I was visiting at the worst time of year to see the beaches; that normaly, during the spring and summer, the water is an amazing temperature and color. Well, I thought it was great when I went so I can only imagine what it is like when it is at its best! We found tons of sand dollars (huge ones and the adorable bay ones) and beautiful shells. I came home with a nice little collection that I will soon be decorating my bathrom with. My friend found a flawless fighting conch shell; not a chip or crack at all. Perfect and so beautiful! While we where staying at Siesta Key, we decided to explore to a different beach and a nice guy suggested Venice beach, which I loved as well. We met so many wonderful people there! It was cool to see people looking for shark teeth! We were told that they are millions of years old. We were going to hit Caspersons (sp?) beach right near Venice beach, but had to get back to our hotel for dinner. We had the best dinner at Ruth Crisps!!! Filet Mignon and ceasar salad. Best food EVER! Very expensive, but so worth it! I am pretty sure that I will be looking in the Sarasota area to move to. I have never been more serious in my life! Any tips/advice about the area? It seems the cost of living is SO much more reasonable than where I am living now (In New Hampshire). While I do understand the salaries aren't what they are in N.H., the cost of living and the beauty of the area is worth it. Thanks so everyone for their tips and suggestions when I was researching which beach to go to. I am so glad we chose Siesta Key, though I am sure any gulf beach we chose would have been just as stunning. I am a case manager, working for a human service agency. I work with people with developmental disabilities. Do you know if this a field that is in demand in Florida? I also have taken a phlebotomy course, and would be interested in exploring this field as well. Is this an in demand field? I am going to start researching jobs and apartments in the Sarastota area, but would be willing to move to any other safe area within 25 miles from Sarasota. Any thoughts or suggestions on this? I have gone through a terrible seperation over the past year (the father of my daughter left me after a 13 year relationship..and continues to play head games with me about coming back to me, though he never does), and with my weightloss with the WLS, I am so ready for a fresh start. I know now that FLorida is where I want to be. Any replies would be helpful. Hugs, Denise

Hi Denise! I lived in Sarasota for about 3 years before I moved to Tampa and it is indeed beautiful!! My family lives there (i am only 1 hour away) and they love it. It is expensive, but any job in the medical profession is in high demand. My little sister got a job at a plastic surgeon's office as office manager straight out of highschool and gets paid around 15 p/hr which I don't think is too shabby for a 20 year old. The apartments range from around 600 p/mth to 1200 p/mth, depending on where you want to be. My mother lives on Longboat Key and loves it there, it's a little more pricey, but breathtaking. My father lives around Bee Ridge area which is much more affordable, and still about 15-20 min. from the beach. I have heard great things about Venice too, and I do know that Northport is much less expensive and very close to Sarasota. You'll find Florida is very alluring...my family first moved me here when I was a junior in highschool. For my senior year in 1999 i moved back to Michigan thinking i despised florida. But surprisingly, i found i wanted to go back and came back immediately after graduation. Ever since, I have had so many wonderful opportunities, and also surprisingly, I have converted 5 of my friends to move here as well!! I am sure you will be happy with wherever you choose and jobs do run rampant here. I would suggest coming here again and setting up interviews before sealing the deal on any appts though, that way you are all set and can settle into the Florida lifestyle with no worries! A good place to look for jobs in the Tampa Bay area is "tbo.com" and just click on Sarasota or whatever area you are looking for in the employment section. Good luck! -Phoenix p.s. my mom is a real estate agent that deals exclusively with Sarasota and she knows the area well--so if you need any help with anything, don't hesitate to email me and I'll get you in touch with her!

Hi Phoenix! Thank you SO MUCH for your reply!!! I would love to take you up on your offer to chat with your mom! I am so glad I posted here about this; you have been an awesome help. I am going to drop you an e-mail tomorrow if you don't mind. Thanks so much, Phoenix! Being a real estate agent, I assume your mom knows people with rental property. Does she get into rentals or just the purchasing of a home? I was thinking about looking online for jobs, then sending my resume out. That way, I could indicate when I could come back to the area for interviews. Do you think this is a good way to go? I am so confused about how to start this...look for an apartment first or get a job first? What you said makes sense about getting a job first, but this may be difficult when I am still in NH. If I lived there first, I would be obvioulsy more accessible for interviews. It is a tough call!! Any advice? YOu are a doll!!! Thank you so, so much! Hugs, Denise

welcome to florida.... im so very glad you had a good time on your vacation..... my advice for you would be.... move here first... then find a job... like you said you would be more accessible for interviews.... i wish you all the luck in the world alexa

Thanks, Alexa!!! ((hugs)) Denise

Hey Denise! yes you can email me! I say if you have the extra funds to allow it, move here then go job hunting. (Since it is high cost living down here, definitely make sure you can do so first!) It is much easier and that way you could go to numerous interviews. Also, if worse comes to worse, you can always take smaller jobs to get some income while you still look for your ultimate job. Good luck and hope to see you in the sunshine soon!! -Phoenix

When I made the jump to FL (Orlando) I was lucky that my aunt/uncle lived here. I packed up everything I could bring and settled in with them...in 30 days I found a job and shortly thereafter found an apartment. Good luck to you in Sarasota.

Hi Denise... I am with you about relocating expecially with the cold weather and snow we have had here in MA. I am actually going down next week to check out potential towns to move too. My mon lives on the east coast. My aint is going down with me next week to check out the area too. Good luck on your search. Tanya