My Recent Trip To Florida

Snugglibumkins · May 9, 2007

Here goes...

I graduated nursing school in Florida and have worked at both Florida Hospital and ORMC. I really enjoyed both hospitals, however, I would have to say that my preference is Florida Hospital. And with all the new construction they are doing right now, there will be many new openings for nurses. I *think* the new hospital being built is a Nemours hospital, but that is further away from downtown Orlando - more out toward University of Central Florida (which is starting a med-school program soon, too, just FYI - I expect to see an influx of more teaching hospital type environment with hospitals in that area). Or you could be referring to the Winnie Palmer hospital - part of the ORMC family.

I lived in Jacksonville for 3 months (my husband's boat was stationed there for 3 months and I lived in temporary base housing - pre kids - I took a 3 month vacation over to the coast!). I don't know much about the hospitals over in that area.

I really enjoy St.Augustine - I do the walking ghost tour every time we visit and I love the little shops. It is close enought to drive to Jax or the other way to Daytona (which has a nice hospital as well).

Tampa - I've never lived there as a permenant resident. I did just recently spend some time there and I enjoyed it, but lots of traffic - maybe because I didn't know the back roads. Beautiful houses, beautiful beaches out by Clearwater. Don't know much about the work environement there.

We are moving back to the Orlando area next summer. My husband will be getting out of the military and it is time for us to return home. I've been researching areas as well and am torn between Winnie Palmer and Florida Hospital. I am a peds/ob nurse working primarily in Lactation Education right now. I can deal with the traffic in Orlando - there are plenty of alternate routes to avoid I-4. We have family all over the state and have choosen Orlando because of the hospitals and the ability to get to family if needed.

Good luck on your journey.

Galore · May 12, 2007

I don't think they're doing away with property taxes any time soon...where did you hear that?? Maybe what you're thinking of is the proposal to lower homeowner's insurance premiums. San Diego surely has a higher cost of living, but have you compared the differences in pay? I think if you crunch the numbers it might even out.

I grew up near Tampa, in Pinellas county, and I would probably not live in Hillsborough county at least based on what I've seen. Pinellas is where the nice beaches are located and I think the traffic is better. A lot of people commute back and forth between the two areas. I have only done the touristy stuff in the other areas you mentioned, but I know there are websites where you can compare the cost of living and statistics of different cities.

NursefromNY · May 13, 2007

any idea as to how much is the salary range in Jax or Orange Park area ? TY

MB37 · May 13, 2007

I live in Tampa currently, although I'm only a nursing student. I've only been in FL 1.5 years, so have no experience in other citites. However, the property tax thing is mostly true. There was a very complicated bill in the last session that didn't pass that would allow individual communities to do away with property taxes and increase sales taxes in return. In yesterday's paper I read about a new proposal to do away with Save Our Homes and instead increase the homestead exemption to 80% of the first $300,000 assessed, and a lower percentage of higher-valued homes. They are having a special session this summer to address this issue among others. Go to any FL newspaper website and you should be able to read about the property tax and home insurance debates. I get the St. Pete Times, but I'm sure other papers have similar stories. The current property tax situation favors people who have been in their current homes for years, and puts more of the burden on first-time (in FL) home buyers, business and second home owners, and renters.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 13, 2007

I agree that property has been a big issue here. It may be less than San Diego, but remember salaries are in the low to mid $20/hr range.

The property tax issue is tough. I bought a house for $150,000 that is valued now at $250,000 to $300,000. My income would not support the property taxes on a $250,000 house but it does a $150,000. So I'm all in favor of tax reform that keeps it somewhat fair to those of us who bought homes based on a certain price and income.

The other thing is the homeowners, renters, hurricaine insurance has gone up dramatically in Florida and is based on the higher valued homes. I have to insure my $150,000 home for $200,000 per my insurance company and the premiums went up $700 in one year (which is good compared to how others have faired).

All this stuff is being passed on to the consumer in the end. Compared to Calfironia it might be nice. But it might have been nice that as all these living expenses went up, my income did.

Still, I love Florida and recommend to anyone. Good living and good people here.

NurseguyFL · May 15, 2007

I don't think they're doing away with property taxes any time soon...where did you hear that??

There has been a lot of talk in political circles about property tax reductions but no bill has yet been passed in either the house or the senate. Also, the governor has said that any bill that is passed will not automatically result in a change in the property tax statutes. A constitutional amendment is required for that to happen, which means that Floridians will have to vote the measure up or down in a special election.

However, I suspect that even if they reduce the taxes homeowners will end up paying that money in some other way. Already, the municipalities are complaining that if they have to roll back taxes the resulting budget shortfalls will force them to cut back services to the community. And I already see a couple loopholes that they can jump through to squeeze more money out of property owners if a tax reduction initiative passes in Tallahassee.

To the OP, just keep in mind that comparing property values and the cost of living in Florida to most places in California is like comparing apples to oranges. San Diego nurses don't make as much $$$ as most nurses do in other parts of California, but they still make more than the average Florida RN. Also keep in mind that what you will be paid as a traveler working in Florida is likely going to be more than what you will make working staff any place in the state.

Also, that $110,000 three bedroom house that your friend's mother bought in 2004 has probably quadrupled in value by now. Even in today's stalled real estate market you won't find a house anywhere (even in Florida's worst ghetto) for $110,000. And, as Tweety mentioned, on top of the taxes, you have to pay high insurance costs (and may God help us with these insurance costs if even one major hurricane passes through here this year)!!!

You have to really research these things. Living in Florida is a very different experience than coming here on vacation.

cherinski · May 18, 2007

Cost of living vs pay scale is the real way of checking out your options. There are numerous options related to facilities and what you want to deal with. Florida has the hurricanes while San Diego has the earthquake issues and border issues. Read your newspaper articles for whatever cities you are reviewing for relocation. Real estate prices - taxes -actual cost of living -utilities-food costs versus take home pay. Good luck!!

cherinski · May 18, 2007

I had a major culture and pay scale shock when I left San Diego and moved to Palm Bay, FL. Spent 5 yrs there and up north now mainly for the pay rate for the short term and then back to FL because of the property taxes/costs.

KellieNurse06 · May 18, 2007

I have a friend who lives in the Deltona/Sanford area who is a Dr in speech pathology....she is from Chicago, went to college in Fla & has been there for years...she has said to me ...not to smush your happy thoughts about Fla.....that she doesn't know why anyone would want to move there...and especially the Orlando/Osceola county area...she said it's mostly all very low income people...and not the good people....she said that the neighborhoods have a high turnover & not for the good and it's just so congested and so much stores & stuff like that...not to mention the crazy traffic which is all the time......

Another friend of mine from where I live is moving down there actually in one month when her kids are done with school..so thats what I was told when I asked my girlfriend who lives there about it....my friend who is going there comes from NE...she's a school nurse up here...her hubby is an asst principle ( was teaching beforehand) and apparently is going to be teaching 4th grade there........I don't know what she's going to do in nursing but she just got her MSN so I'm sure her options are wide open.........but it's just a different lifestyle there all together from what I have heard from everyone so far.....I think it's nice to visit but for living there....no thanks! My fav part of Fla is Naples,hands down...and the first time I ever went to Fla I wanted to move there......now that I've been several times...I can honestly say no thanks....I love the season changes & everything up h;) ere.......if I were to move south I think I would go to SC ..........but that's just me...lol!

Well good luck there anyway! I guess you either love it or you hate it there.....

p.s.....I forgot...my other half is a police officer & one of his co workers lived in Tampa (originally from NE) and they are both cops ...they wanted to have kids so they both said that down there is no place to be raising kids, so they moved back to NE.....

anyway.....sorry for the negatives but I guess to each his own??lol! Good luck if you DO go & hopefully it works out for you!