I want to relocate away from Buffalo, New York. I have three places that I can go and get some help from family/ friends. One place that I dont know anyone. Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas ( lived there before for 8 months). Tampa is the place where I dont know anyone. Love the tropical climate! I just want to know if anyone has been to any of these places and/or lived there! Also the job situation there. I run a construction crew here. I want to go back to school also. I think I might like doing construction more if I am in a better climate. Working outside in -10 degrees sucks!! I think that is whats making me hate my job. Plus doing all the work doesnt help! Thanks!!!

 

I live about 30 miles south of Tampa. Right now construction is booming in the area. Its hard to get any help at all let alone experienced help. Working outside this time of year makes it all worth while- Its gonna be almost 80 today. A cold front later this week will drop the highs way down to near 65 tho. I'm a commercial glazer mostly doing window systems on hi rise buildings and I couldn't imagine going back up north to work. The 9 months of summer sometimes gets brutal but it all evens out at the end of the day.

 

If you're a hard worker and pitch right in to get the job done, chances are you'll be doing most of the work no matter where you go! At least, that's been my observation.

Good luck in your search!

 

There's constant construction here in Atlanta too. It's cooler here than in Tampa, but it doesn't get as hot in the summer. The only thing that really sucks here is traffic, but you can learn alternate routes and avoid the worst of it.

I'm originally from Syracuse, so I understand you're motivation for wanting out of Upstate NY. I grew up in North Florida, lived in Tampa for a while, moved back north to PA, and made my way down here. This is my favorite place so far.

 

I lived in Atlanta for 2 years and it is the worst traffice problem I have encountered anywhere in the US and I've been just about everywhere. It was unbearable. I really don't understand how people there tolerate it. Worse yet, there were no plans to do anyhting about it. I would ot be surprised if you found yourself with a 90 minute + commute. All of that said, it is a beautiful place to live and the people were very friendly.

I also find the area to be full of racial stife but mostly directed at whites. The city of Atlanta is a mismanaged mess as is Fulton County. One airport and it's on the wrong side of town. No plans to build a badly needed second one. They are also almost totally dependent on Lake Lanier for water. When I lived there they had been dry for a couple of years and you were not allowed to water your lawn or wash your car. That was the solution to the problem enbd of story. Meanwhile, new houses were built daily and no plans were put in place to add to the water supply. Not a bunch of forwrd thinkers in charge there (at the time). Very much live for the moment and damn the consequences.

Also, Georgia has a nasty car tax that can run into hundres of dollars per year.

Tampa I like a great deal. I've been there a number of times and I have realives in the area. Great place to own a boat of any size and much less suceptable to hurricanes than most other portions of the state. I would move there in a minute if I could find a way to make a living there. Not much of an oil, gas, and petrochemical industry there or nearby.

Denver is cold in the winter and pretty expensive I'm told. I have no real opinion on Denver one way or the other. Always enjoyed myself when I was there but never had a burning desire to live there.

 

lots of work in Atlanta, plenty of construction jobs..if I had a choice I would take Tampa for the sunshine...

 

A good friend is a carpenter/framer in upper Michigan- I feel for you. I've been encouraging him to move for years- he really despises the weather, especially considering his occupation. Then he prices Real Estate and cost of living in the western US, and it's an eye popper. If you can stand the humidity, I think the Southern-Tier offers the best balance of climate and cost-of-living. I'd be looking at Texas too- I think the growth story has just started for that state.

 

Jimford1,

Your going to trade -10 degrees for 95+ with 90 - 100 humidity and a blazing hot sun.

But, like most of the tourists says, "it's not the heat, it's the humidity."

Not to mention the increased hurricane rate for the next 10 - 15 years. So be sure to get your hurricane supplies early.

Did you see the news video of the aftermath of a hurricane? Could you live in your home or apartment for 2 weeks, or longer, with no power (no A/C), no water and no sewer service? Remember, no water means you can't flush the commode...

Shoot, come on down. We need more people here with a total lack of understanding of the local problems. Like the over crowded schools, and road systems that are stressed to the max.

You could be one of 1500 people that move Florida very month. Move down now, that would be perfect, you can enjoy the snowbirds. They'll be here until Easter.

It's nothing personal, it's not. I sick of hearing new Florida residents bitching about what's wrong with the state, and then doing nothing to help solve the problems.

 

I'm just looking to move somewhere that I will like. I have always wanted to go to florida. I am going to atlanta in April for my uncles retirement. I need to figure it out. I just turned 30 and if I'm going to be a carpenter by trade I need to be in a better climate. I love the heat. I can deal with that. wildcard30 you seem a bit pi$$ed about me wanting to move to florida. Every state has its ups and downs. I'm coming up on blizzard season here. I'm not complaining! I deal with it! You seem a bit unhappy! I appreciate your honesty though. I'm just a bit stressed about figuring out my life thats all.

 

I'm not pissed that your coming....

Not at all. You can live where ever you want. I'm glad the west coast will get to have you as a local. I live on the east coast.

I know you'll love it here in the winter. More blue hairs driving 20 in the fast lane then you can handle.

Tampa/St. Pete....

Where old notherners come to die... Or at least spend the winter.

I live in a rural area, and I like it. I work from home. I have lived in Florida most of my life (except for some of my military career).

With the increase of "new" residents and snowbirds comes new problems. Urban crowding being one of them.

About 5 years ago developers starting building zero lot line houses near where I live. Housing like that looks horrible. Our corner of the county was able to make it mandatory to have lots of at least 5 acres to build on. This worked great for me and my neighbors. And it keeps the developers out of the area. That means just about no snowbirds and no tourists.

Florida does not have a state income tax. So the state is depends on "other taxes" for the budget. These other taxes are in the form a tourist taxes, gas taxes and so on. Most people moving to this state can not afford to buy a house. Therefore, they do not pay property taxes.

Right now, there is a real estate boom in Florida. Developers are building and prices are rising so fast that ordinary guys, girls or families can not afford a house.

Kinda tough to buy a house that was worth 80,000 2 years ago, but is now worth 140,000, on a 15 dollar or less an hour job.

In the past year, the average value of a home in my area has gone up 5000 - 7000 a month! Not a bad gain for someone who owns a home, sucks if your trying to buy.

What fuels alot of this is the amount of people moving here, and the number of snowbirds. More people need more housing, prices go up. Snowbirds want to be here for 5 months, they need housing, the prices go up. And thereby displacing families that need affordable housing.

Tampa does not have much industry. Most of Orlando's is tourist related. Palm Beach County is one of the highest paying areas of the state. Average cost of a home in Palm Beach County......380,000! That's as of 3 or 4 months ago. I just had a friend buy a 2 bedroom, 1 bath house on an 1/8 of an acre outside of Miami....Cost 450,000!

So come on down! We need more carpenters! More housing needs to be built.

BTW...Be prepared to compete for jobs with guys from Mexico, Cuba, Central America and the islands, both legal and illegal aliens. They tend to work for less money, and that drives down the pay scale for everyone else.

I have a friend, in West Palm Beach, that's an electrician. He runs jobs and is a supervisor, pay---$25.00 an hour.

Please come down! I look forward to you adding to the tax base and in helping the good people of Florida solve some of these pressing problems..

 

You succeeded in makeing me not want to move there!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! I work construction in a city that is pooor. Dont talk about taxes until you move to new york. We are the highest taxed state. Its rediculous here. I just wanted some input on moving. Thats all. You like hate new people in your state because it hurts your life or something. At least where you live isnt in the negatives for population growth per year. We need jobs here. Our crime rate is rediculous for the size of our city. I just want to make a good living. I want to go back to school to teach. I want to contribute to that. Our childrens future. Sorry I'm not 80 years old. I am a hard working 30 year old man from a rust belt city that busts his a$$ everyday. From what I hear any place down south likes guys from up north to work for them. We bust our buts everyday without complaint. No matter what the weather or conditions. You got a chip on your shoulder that I dont understand. I just wanted some unbiased opinions. If you dont like the situation where you live then what can I say! I'm sorry for that. Thanks for you input!

 

Check out NC there's alot of construction around Raleigh and Charlotte also in SC in the larger cities like Columbia and Charleston.Housing is affordable here in NC.Depending on the City you can find nice 3 bd homes from the 60's-120', again depending on the town

 

Good luck on your move, being retired I am able to get out of NY during the winter. Some of the states have a property tax on vehicles and tools. It's not too bad here in VA west of Martinsville, unemployment is up a bit ( not as bad as Erie County) but carpenters always seem to have work. Taxes are low, and teachers are needed. Check newspapers online to help give you a feel for the area, also realtordotcom has a section on info about areas. We did a lot of looking before coming down here, if you need any other help PM me, always glad to help someone get out of NY...

 

Jimford1,

I have no chip....

It may sound like that, but I don't...

These are the realities of Florida.

You want to teach? That's great! Florida does not pay their teachers worth a damn. So you may want to re-evaluate that profession at least in this state. Teachers and police are some of the lowest paid careers here. And some of the most important!

As for the "snowbird/tourist", new resident stuff, that's normal home grown Floridian talk. You will find that most people that have been here all their lifes talk this way...Well at least in my area.

Just one last thing....

I believe New York is a closed shop state. Florida is a right to work state. This means the employer rules. Unions and bargaining units are scarce here. So the words "union scale" are meaningless.

Sorry...

 

Thanks for your help guys! Wildcard I really do appreciate your help. I know teachers dont get payed good anywhere. I feel like I am going through a early mid-life crisis. Thanks for all the info guys!!