I am an an RN w/ 18 yrs. experience-vents/onco/supervision. Husband is an RT. We have 3 school age kids- 13, 11, 10 and are ready to leave Chicago.
We like Florida but know very little about areas good for kids and I am concerned about salary. We have outgrown our home and and have to move D/T this. We don't want to work primarily to afford our home(which is what happens in the Chicago area). I would like to enjoy my life a little.:)
Any information would be greatly appreciated. My father says if we move to FL he is coming with us- maybe he can pay some bills.:)
I am moving to Florida this year as well...I've been in ICU at a level 1 Trauma center for 8 years. My mom recently moved to North Port and built a beautiful home there! I can't wait to go back! It truly is a beautiful area!
Hi Cindi ~ Florida is a really beautiful state and there are plenty of opportunities for work. I would recommend that you look into the North Port area if you are interested in raising kids and buying property. My Mom just had a beautiful house built in North Port and the costs were less than $100,000. That is unheard of in many areas of Florida. North Port is one of the quickest growing towns in Sarasota county and the property values are sure to appreciate. It is located just south of Tampa in Sarasota county. A beautiful part of Florida also known as the Gold Coast.
As far as job opportunities, there are several major hospitals in the area that are always looking for nurses. Visit the web sites for the following hospitals to get some of their employment information:
In Port Charlotte (a few miles south of North Port):
Charlotte Regional Medical Center
Bon-Secours of Port CHarlotte
I hope this helps. If you want more information on the area, please feel free to email me privately and I will share as many links about North Port as I have. Good Luck on your move. I just recently moved away from Florida and know that a major move like this can be stressful.
Do you know much about the Port Charlotte area? I am considering moving there w/ my grandparents to attend nursing school--most likely in Fort Myers--which I believe is about an hour away...anyhoo..the neighborhood my grandparents live is primarily retired people, but I'm curious about other activities close by. I'm 21, and when I move I'm not going to know anybody my age...any thoughts on that area?? any feedback much appreciated
ummmm.... you aware that a hurricane went thru there over a week ago and blew the city practically off the map? It was also reported that 3 hospitals in and around the area are closed for repair...They do not expect that area to be back up and running fully until one year.Of course, it will never be the same. many people from the north said they want their insurence money and want to get the heck out of there...
Do you know much about the Port Charlotte area? I am considering moving there w/ my grandparents to attend nursing school--most likely in Fort Myers--which I believe is about an hour away...anyhoo..the neighborhood my grandparents live is primarily retired people, but I'm curious about other activities close by. I'm 21, and when I move I'm not going to know anybody my age...any thoughts on that area?? any feedback much appreciated
Do you know much about the Port Charlotte area? I am considering moving there w/ my grandparents to attend nursing school--most likely in Fort Myers--which I believe is about an hour away...anyhoo..the neighborhood my grandparents live is primarily retired people, but I'm curious about other activities close by. I'm 21, and when I move I'm not going to know anybody my age...any thoughts on that area?? any feedback much appreciated
I think the payrates in these areas are competitive with Sarasota. Actually, my mother (who lives in North Port) said that Charlotte Regional is paying a decent sign on bonus. Also remember that these hospitals are very seasonal and offer seasonal contracts. I have several friends that are working in the area and they have a contract for $37.00 per hour for nights with a $5,000 completion bonus. Days is paying at $34.00 per hour.
Of course, I am not certain what the status of these hospitals are right now given the hurricane that just came through the area, but it is worth looking into.
My spouse lived in Port Charlotte and didn't really like it much. Not much to do except golf. There are a few restaurants and bookerstores. Ft. Myers is more of a happening place for young people. It is ineed seasonal in SW Florida, with wintertime bursting at the seams with people and summer a bit more slower.
A friend down there says Fawcett hosp. is open for business, but the others aren't yet, except for emergency rooms.
My spouse lived in Port Charlotte and didn't really like it much. Not much to do except golf. There are a few restaurants and bookerstores. Ft. Myers is more of a happening place for young people. It is ineed seasonal in SW Florida, with wintertime bursting at the seams with people and summer a bit more slower.
A friend down there says Fawcett hosp. is open for business, but the others aren't yet, except for emergency rooms.
to the OP.. Naples is really nice but it's also one of the most expensive areas in FL. Since Chicago is so expensive, it may still be cheaper for you. But as far as FL goes it's $$$.
You can also look up school grades here: http://www.firn.edu/doe/schoolgrades/ (although be cautioned that they are very controversial... I wouldn't rule out a school based on just one or two years' worth of grades...but over time it is one consideration along with other factors, IMO).
There are a lot of nice areas in FL. I think it just depends on what specifics you are looking for. What kinds of activities does your family do? Are you kids into certain things that may have better offerings in certain areas? Do you prefer the east coast or west coast? Will you consider an inland area? What size city?
My sister lives in Naples, and it's very expensive. If it weren't for her job (interior designer - she's gotta be where the money is) she would move further up in a heartbeat. I'm moving from NJ next month. I chose the Gainesville/Ocala area - still reasonably priced, lots to do because of U of FL, and ocala is a big horse area if your kids like horses. I'm gonna be west of Gainesville in a very rural area cuz I'm a country girl and want to be near the water, but like going to the big city once in a while. I got a job with a hospice and will be visiting patients in rural Levy county. They gave me what I asked for, which was less than I make in N.J. but what I needed to get by down there. Little over $25 hr.
I have lived in central Florida for 12 years and love it for my kids. I suggest South Lakeland area. It's a new upcoming area and the homes are very nice and affordable. It's a short drive to Tampa where salaries are competitive. I liked it there because we were 40 minutes from Disney and 40 minutes from the beach. We moved to Tampa 3 years ago and while I like it here, I liked the Lakeland area better for the kids. We spent lots of time at the theme parks, they always offer year passes and usually some kind of resident discount, but Tampa is just to far for a day at the park. And Lakeland doesn't have the crime, etc as Tampa does. Just don't get caught up in the "redneck" reputation Lakeland can get because there are just as many in the urban Tampa.
A home comparison (my personal experience) is 4BR/2.5 bath 2500 sq ft in Master Planned Community: Tampa 269,000 plus taxes, CDD 6,000 a year; Lakeland 189,000 plus taxes, No CDD 2500 a year
We recently were almost transferred to Denver and either of these home prices were wonderful and I realized Florida had more to offer than great weather and beautiful beaches and no income tax.
It seems in all my looking that we, in the Northeast are paid WAY better than anyone in Florida in comparable positions.Here in CT as a staff nurse, I make what managers make in Florida.
I am an an RN w/ 18 yrs. experience-vents/onco/supervision. Husband is an RT. We have 3 school age kids- 13, 11, 10 and are ready to leave Chicago.
We like Florida but know very little about areas good for kids and I am concerned about salary. We have outgrown our home and and have to move D/T this. We don't want to work primarily to afford our home(which is what happens in the Chicago area). I would like to enjoy my life a little.:)
Any information would be greatly appreciated. My father says if we move to FL he is coming with us- maybe he can pay some bills.:)
Thanls, Cindi
i left illinois for florida......pay rates are wayyyyy less and house payments wayyyyyy more...but it is beautiful on the gulf coast
We won't move for about another year. My husband likes the Naples area, I still need more research. I would like the freedom of changing jobs and hours if I need to (very EASY to do in Chicago). Basically, I don't want to get tied into being "stuck" in a job somewhere.
Anyone have any ideas about hourly rates anywhere?
Happy New Year! Gotta work tonight:(-had Christmas off.
Cindi
naples is really expensive but fort myers is beautiful and just a few minutes north of naples......lee memorial in ft myers is an awesome place to work....i love it
gwlillith
164 Posts
I am moving to Florida this year as well...I've been in ICU at a level 1 Trauma center for 8 years. My mom recently moved to North Port and built a beautiful home there! I can't wait to go back! It truly is a beautiful area!