[Ameriptian]

We are a young family of 4 (me and my husband are in our 20s and the children are 7 and 8) and a baby on the way. We currently live in Port Charlotte, FL and looking to move some time this year for various reasons. Mainly because of the lack of jobs... My husband works in construction and spends a whole month at a time with no work coming in. I hold a B.A. in English Studies, speak Arabic and English fluently, used to work as a Translator overseas, and now I am a temp Customer Service Rep. for a local company. I have been a temp employee for the last 7 months!! I am tried of being used and underpaid for my qualifications... I forgot to mention that I found my 'temp' position after 5 months of daily job search, and I am of course soon-to-be-laid-off because of my pregnancy.

We are looking to move to a place that has a nice town feel, low crime is a must, great school system, JOBS, low cost of living (we are by no means rich), we are not looking to spend more than $ 125,000 on a house, preferably close to the beaches - it is not a must though, we like going to parks and doing outdoorsy activities with the kids (walking, jogging, going to parks, fishing, etc.). We would like to be around younger people with children, it seems everyone around here is 50+ years old! I like older people, but would like to meet people our age too. We do not want to live in the city itself, rather family-friendly suburbs / towns.

Every time I type the word 'Arabic' in a job search website, Tampa always comes up in the search results. Although if I don't end up using Arabic or moving to Tampa, it would be fine. I just need a decent job. My husband will be the main bread-winner in the next 2 years though.

We looked at houses in North Port and we liked a few, but the lack of jobs drew us back. Most of my husband's construction work is in the Fort Myers, area, but I know the crime can be pretty bad there. I am not crazy about Cape Coral either. Sarasota is out of the equation for personal reasons.... We have been searching for almost 6 months now and we are tried of all the overwhelming conflicting information.

Any insight or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[sware2cod]

I would guess the need for the Arabic would be either US Govt work or a contractor that works closely with the US Govt. Go after finding a federal related job in Florida and move to where that job is located. Tampa has central intelligence and an air base. South of Jacksonville is a Navy base. Pensacola has a base of some sort, I think. Also another area in the FL panhandle. Go the the US govt job site and search often for jobs in FL. Also check other job sites for the contract related jobs.

All of those areas have places that match your criteria. But with the Tampa job, you might have to live east of I-75 in Hillsborough county to find areas in your price range.

[Ameriptian]

Originally Posted by sware2cod

I would guess the need for the Arabic would be either US Govt work or a contractor that works closely with the US Govt. Go after finding a federal related job in Florida and move to where that job is located. Tampa has central intelligence and an air base. South of Jacksonville is a Navy base. Pensacola has a base of some sort, I think. Also another area in the FL panhandle. Go the the US govt job site and search often for jobs in FL. Also check other job sites for the contract related jobs.

All of those areas have places that match your criteria. But with the Tampa job, you might have to live east of I-75 in Hillsborough county to find areas in your price range.

What are some nice neighborhoods around Tampa around our price range?

[TD*]

Tallahassee would work.

[kyle19125]

Check out the city of Seminole in southern Pinellas County. It's near the beach but on high ground so you don't have the flood insurance concerns. There are a number of homes in your price range (3 bedroom/2 bath). The schools are very good with the Seminole High School district among the top few in the Tampa/St Pete area. It's a fairly easy commute to South Tampa across 74th/Park Blvd to the Gandy Blvd Bridge across the bay. Check out the west side, south of Walsingham and west of 113th.

[HarryWho?]

At your age, I would seriously consider leaving Florida. I think you could do much better up north or out west. Not trying to bash Florida, just thinking it might be best financially.

[alfbroker]

Originally Posted by HarryWho?

At your age, I would seriously consider leaving Florida. I think you could do much better up north or out west. Not trying to bash Florida, just thinking it might be best financially.

Agreed. With nearly the highest unemployment rate in the US, it's going to be tough in FL but the rate is improving. Almost a million unemployed and just about the same amount of underemployed (working part time but need full time to pay all their bills). Pay for most jobs in FL is less than in most other states. Construction pay can be very good but it may be another 2 years before there is a significant pick up in home building. When it does pick up SWFL will be one of the hotter spots in the state.

Can't see how moving to NP would improve your situation. You may want to apply in different areas and only move after you secure something better. At Indeed.com you can set up a job search and they will email all jobs from all the other online sources everyday. Good luck.

[hiknapster]

I certainly wouldn't move to Fort Myers. The unemployment rate is high and the crime is through the roof the past year, especially recently.

But I wanted to comment because I am floored that your company is going to lay you off because you are pregnant. That's illegal and has been since the early 90s. You need to Google "FMLA." I know you want to move and I don't blame you. I use to live in Fort Myers 7 years ago and that was back when it was booming. But your company can't just kick you out the door due to a pregnancy.

[Sweetbottoms]

If you are willing to go 20 mins more south Estero is a much Better choice than Ft. Myers . It's clean safe , cheaper thsn Naples but you are till close enough to Nap,es to enjoy the zoo, children's museum, beaches, mall etc.

[Crane's Rooster]

Seminole county sounds like a good fit for you, particularly communities like Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Winter Springs and Oviedo which are great affordable options for young families. You will be about 45 mins to Daytona Beach and about an hour to the Space Coast beaches. If that's doable, than you should really consider Seminole county.