Why move to Florida?
Posted 03-09-2015 at 05:36 AM by Michael Koester
Florida rewards you with good weather, a fair cost of living, a wide variety of things to do for little money and a positive attitude by most of its residents. People are really nice. I remember when I first moved down here from New York in the early 2000's and a cashier at Publix said, "have a good night you two!" In my paranoid, over analytical New York mind, I wondered if she was mocking my wife and I. Was she calling attention to the fact that we were from out of town and this was some sort of the local inside joke? I was just not used to being wished good night by a total stranger with sincerity.
Another cool thing about Florida is that there are so many people from other places that there is almost a unified culture. On a daily basis I speak with people from Michigan, Toronto, Georgia, New York and people that were born and raised right here on the West Coast of Florida. Florida has a kind of all-inclusive vibe which makes you feel welcome. Add to that the great weather in your most of the way there!
One thing I would recommend though is that you should either have some money or be really good at something when you move here. Entry-level jobs are perhaps not the best rewarded here so it is good to have a niche that will help you to succeed. I am a trained chef and I study Europe where I did a three-year apprenticeship while eating at Michelin starred restaurants. However, that did not do much to impress my old Sarasota employers who wanted to pay me $10 an hour to crank out there "gourmet" food. A career change was afoot which led me to what I do professionally now. I opened the doors to my home inspection company - Direct Inspections and the rest is history!
Another cool thing about Florida is that there are so many people from other places that there is almost a unified culture. On a daily basis I speak with people from Michigan, Toronto, Georgia, New York and people that were born and raised right here on the West Coast of Florida. Florida has a kind of all-inclusive vibe which makes you feel welcome. Add to that the great weather in your most of the way there!
One thing I would recommend though is that you should either have some money or be really good at something when you move here. Entry-level jobs are perhaps not the best rewarded here so it is good to have a niche that will help you to succeed. I am a trained chef and I study Europe where I did a three-year apprenticeship while eating at Michelin starred restaurants. However, that did not do much to impress my old Sarasota employers who wanted to pay me $10 an hour to crank out there "gourmet" food. A career change was afoot which led me to what I do professionally now. I opened the doors to my home inspection company - Direct Inspections and the rest is history!
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Glad you like it.
And welcome to the blogs! 
Posted 03-09-2015 at 03:15 PM by case44
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I am in the beginning stages of relocating to Florida. Unlike you, I am only a state away so I grew up with Southern Hospitality...it's lovely isn't it? What area of Florida do you live? My primary areas of interest are Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice. If you have any advice to relatively safe areas to live in those places, that would be great. I'm looking to rent, preferably a Condo or small home until I get established and learn more about the areas.Posted 04-02-2017 at 10:37 AM by Floridabound17
