[mollybygolly]

There is tremendous growth in the Port Orange/New Smyrna Beach area.
Finding a job should not be too difficult, depending on what you choose to pursue.
Maybe stick with HVAC for now, and try something different after you get established in the area.

Good luck! If you really want to move to Florida, I am sure you can make it happen

[Fredesch]

A lot of service companies like HVAC, roofers, plumbers etc have shops in places as far away as Deltona, Edgewater or Deland. Look in the entire county for work. The shop may be far away, but you may take the vehicle home and not have to go to/from the shop.

For many of the companies older guys will do job bids while younger guys do more service work. Get familiar with Florida stuff you may not deal with in Connecticut like having to bolt down outdoor units to meet (hurricane) wind codes. Also we don't have much use for furnaces down here, an electrical heater strip by my blower is all the heat we need.

Labor costs are really low in Volusia County so don't expect east coast wages here. Good luck.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by JimG2

You must have not have looked for a job in the last 5 years. Rare that you have an opportunity to make a follow up call these days. You submit through a job board and have no resources to follow up.

Is it as easy as in the past, no, but if you want the job you can find who to call.

[sasie123]

Originally Posted by expatCA

The area is growing so work should not be a problem.

But, the wages are low.........

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by sasie123

But, the wages are low.........

And the cost of living is low as well. Far lower than most high paying States and no State income tax. Makes a major difference.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by expatCA

And the cost of living is low as well. Far lower than most high paying States and no State income tax. Makes a major difference.

Not anymore unless coming from the more expensive markets (NYC, DC, SF for example) given the spike in rental housing costs and stagnant wages. Throw in higher cost items also such as car insurance and groceries which really levels out budget differences in many instances.

[jambo101]

Did you say you were 56 years old? if so you are going to have a tough time getting a well paying job. Out of curiosity how much money are you looking to make on a job you are looking for?

Will this help?=https://www.google.ca/search?source=...ZqyDHAQ4dUDCAs

[JimG2]

Originally Posted by Fredesch

A lot of service companies like HVAC, roofers, plumbers etc have shops in places as far away as Deltona, Edgewater or Deland. Look in the entire county for work. The shop may be far away, but you may take the vehicle home and not have to go to/from the shop.

For many of the companies older guys will do job bids while younger guys do more service work. Get familiar with Florida stuff you may not deal with in Connecticut like having to bolt down outdoor units to meet (hurricane) wind codes. Also we don't have much use for furnaces down here, an electrical heater strip by my blower is all the heat we need.

Labor costs are really low in Volusia County so don't expect east coast wages here. Good luck.

I'm not a residential service tech. Commercial Project Manager. Schools,office buildings, medical facilities. In the office daily with site visits and project meetings with the entire construction team.

[JimG2]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Did you say you were 56 years old? if so you are going to have a tough time getting a well paying job. Out of curiosity how much money are you looking to make on a job you are looking for?

Will this help?=https://www.google.ca/search?source=...ZqyDHAQ4dUDCAs

Hahaha.... In CT what I do can easily get into 6 figures. Haven't filled out a time sheet in probably 30 years. Trying to reach a former coworker who now lives an hour from where I will have to be.

[lluvia]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Not anymore unless coming from the more expensive markets (NYC, DC, SF for example) given the spike in rental housing costs and stagnant wages. Throw in higher cost items also such as car insurance and groceries which really levels out budget differences in many instances.

You have to remember the OP is retired and has a house paid for so he's out of touch with what the average Floridian working Florida wages has to go through.