Bring that 24 down to the Sarasota area and you won't regret it. I know a few people with businesses in your field in the St Pete area maybe we can hook you up.

should i tow my 31 ao down. are it lamb boys going to come down too???????:D

Good Desision, I did the same thing 20 years ago. I'm in car business and was an employee at the time. Lived in Philadelphia, PA area. To much snow and cold.

Searched here, in Florida, for around 2 months. Spent my own money on flights, two, here for interviews. Had several offers.

I didn't have any kids then, just wife. We made the desision on December 23rd. I moved on January 6th and wife followed 5 or 6 weeks later. She handled selling house, etc. Moved to Orlando, FL. Really would of prefered the east coast, but it wasn't happening.

We lived in an apartment for 7 months then bought a house. Reason for the apartment is that you don't know if the first job is going to gel and be a long lasting one. You also really don't know where you want to live in your new town. Or what area you should live in.

I was lucky and the job went 10 years plus. Now I have my own business, auto/tk repair, and don't look back.

Good luck, if you need anything I can help with let me know. If you want an Orlando newspaper email me. I'll send it on up.

If you like the party scene/fast life/traffic...East coast, Lauderdale south to Miami.
For a more laid back lifestyle SW is the place to be. I moved to Ft Myers a year ago and still feel like I'm on vacation. Bought a house on the river for 1/10 what it would have cost me for waterfront in Cali. Very low crime rate. Growing daily. More people here in the "season"
Tampa/St Pete is a busy city, but prob more oppurtuities, same w/ Sarasota/Bradenton. NO state/city income tax!!!!!!! and no friggin snow!!! It dont get much better.
Good Luck

Dan

My wife and I almost moved to Miami just before the recession hit. We had our house up for sale and everything. Had a home picke out in the Falls/Kendell section just next to Coral Gables. Although I sometimes regret not going, I happy I did not. The job market down there is teriible especially if you are in tech. I am a top-level (IMO) tech director and technical architect, I was interviewing for CTO, CIO, and Tech Ditrctor jobs... they all evaporated with the change in the economy. What's worse almost all tech jobs are 1099 now and pay bargin basement. Another consideration is that we have kids, I would have certainly have had to send them to private school, almost eveybody recommneded that to us while we were down there. Jersey might be cold part of the year but at least I'm not out in the cold!

I still actively look but there is NADA. Real estate is really rocketing also according to my broker down there.

If you you're single or newly married it's more acheivable.

If you need to stay above 65 degrees I would avoid the northern parts of the state like Jacksonville. It can get right chilly in those parts. I would concentrate on the areas from Tampa to the south on the gulf coast and probably Fort Pierce and south on the east coast. All areas of FL will get below 65 degrees at some point and time during winter week. Winter in the Tampa area usually lasts a few weeks and gets down into the 50's for a high for a few days. Then its over with. Perfect weather for boating!

Mike

I hear you..I am also thinking of doing the same...same crappy stuff(weather) in MI. best of luck keep us posted....

this should tell all Seattle vs St. Pete
 

Climate Seattle St. Petersburg National Average

Altitude 20 19 770
Rainfall 34.0 46.7 34.5
Snowfall 9.00 0.10 23.8
Precipitation days 148 107 108
Sunny days 136 238 214
Days warmer than 90 degrees 3 81 34
Days colder than 32 degrees 32 4 82
Average temperature in July 74.0 90.0 86.0
Average temperature in January 36.0 50.0 27.2
Average wind speed 10 7 9

ragtop
 

Exactly,
Look at what I am dealing with~

Columbus, OH vs. St. Pete vs. Nat'l avg.

Altitude 812 19 770
Rainfall 37.9 46.7 34.5
Snowfall 28.0 0.10 23.8
Precipitation days 136 107 108
Sunny days 181 238 214
Days warmer than 90 degrees 15 81 34
Days colder than 32 degrees 122 4 82
Average temperature in July 85.0 90.0 86.0
Average temperature in January 20.0 50.0 27.2
Average wind speed 8 7 9

We are also looking for warmew climate. Heres a link to a neat site that asks you alot of questions i wouldnt have thought of. It gives you a list of locations that fit your needs.

www.findyourspot.com