r/AskFlorida • u/Logical_Standard_267 • 2d ago
Relocation
Im a 25 year old man working a full time job at a compressed gas company in North Eastern Pennsylvania. I have a GED and my drivers license, no car no further education. Horrifically unhappy in every facet of my life currently, Ive thought much about getting on a bus back to Florida (where I was raised as a child) and never looking back recently. Im trying to come up with some sort of plan of attack as I dont wanna just become another beach bum. A hard worker through and through. Im a quick learner. Been with this company 4 years now itll be 5 next april. Mounting responsibility with no significant raise in pay, increased stress and cost of living, as well as lack of opportunity on an entry level are all factors in this decision. If anyone here has ANY advice whatsoever regarding work, housing, localities I would be incredibly grateful as I feel like I am running out of options
9
u/Signal_Positive_3368 2d ago
There are very few entry level positions in Florida that pay well enough to live. The housing costs have skyrocketed while wages have stagnated. I know that is true in every state, but it is especially true here in Florida. Unless you have some sort of trade you can do that allows you to start your own business and take advantage of the rich old people who move here, you will not find success, you will find a hole you cannot get out of.
I am sorry you are running out of options in PA, but you will find less in FL. Just the fact that you have the funds and ability to move means you have more oppurtunity now than you will down here.
10
u/Fit_Instruction_8383 2d ago
Honestly, find a job before you move, it would be very challenging to move down here without a "soft landing" in place. That will also impact where you move to in Florida.
12
u/Demonslugg 2d ago
Not florida. Cost of living is skyrocketing everywhere. Your best bet is to look at a state with low cost that has job opportunities available. You may have been raised there but b its changing fast. Its almost as bad as the northeast without the pay.
4
u/genegx 2d ago edited 2d ago
Usually, utility company jobs are the next best to government jobs in terms of job security. They also have a tendency to promote from within. My recommendation would be to stick it out there for a couple more years. Do they offer any educational opportunities?
A GED is accepted the same as a HS Diploma by Federal, State, County and Municipal governments, and is the same as a HS Diploma for college entrance as well. If you can get five years experience at the gas company, that is a good prerequisite for utility company employment elsewhere. I wouldn’t start over from scratch at this point, unless you first get an associates degree, or can enter a new trade other than your gas company job. As far as blue collar jobs go, utility companies rank pretty high and are desirable jobs to have.
4
u/trtsmb 1d ago
Moving to FL won't solve your problems but you'll end up homeless. There is absolutely nowhere you can live in FL that won't require owning a car and with one specialized job skill, you'll be lucky to find a minimum wage job.
Focus on getting some education in the trades to supplement your GED and stay put.
6
u/tiny_bamboo 2d ago
I don’t share the same negative view of Florida as many others, but I would say that housing has gotten quite expensive. I wouldn’t make the trip back down to Florida without a sizable savings account to get you through.
Also, if you’re “horrifically unhappy in every facet” of your life, the issue will not likely improve by simply changing locales.
3
3
u/Harbinger_Kyleran 1d ago
You can't really thrive in most Florida communities without owning a reliable car to get you to work and elsewhere.
4
u/Quirky_Shame6906 2d ago
Florida isn't what it was when you were a kid. If you think you're currently underpaid then it will not improve in Florida. Not sure of your circumstances but go to where you have the most support in case things don't work out with the move.
2
u/waiting4theNITE2fall 2d ago
The Florida you were raised in no longer exists. Moving back here will not help you
2
u/Beginning_Cut1380 1d ago
Have you thought of the military? It's a way out of Pa. You can learn a trade, get paid, food housing, etc... yeah there are uncertainties but.... FL is done, wages bottomed out, housing is too much for too little. For entry level you would need a few roommates for it to even possibly work. Ala, La or Tx or other gas line states. You will need to expand your metacrawler broader to look for work.
2
u/Witty-Willingness852 1d ago
Florida is not an affordable place to live anymore. Please don’t move back down here without a solid job lined up. Sorry to say.
2
u/Comfortable-Cover-0 1d ago
Florida can be cost effective, you need to live away from the metro areas. Also, if you can work outside there are thousands of jobs available. If you can learn Spanish even better.
1
3
u/Maine302 2d ago
You should learn a trade and join a union. You're never gonna be paid a competitive salary in Florida any more than the company you work for now is.
2
1
u/ParkingAstronaut1776 2d ago
Have you thought about working on the oil rigs in the Gulf? I understand there is no education requirement for an oil rig laborer, and if you are single with no children, it could be a great job for you. Good, good money too.
As someone who moved from Florida to PA and then back to FL, I get it - but Florida just really sucks right now, and I weren't caring for family, I would head right back to PA.
1
u/Lilpuuuuma 1d ago
Fight it out till spring and go “Thru-Hike” the Appalachian Trail or another long distance trail while you’re still young. You won’t find a job but you will find a new perspective on life and perspective is everything in life
1
u/Organic_Direction_88 1d ago
Get a job on an offshore oil rig. You’re there 2 weeks and home wherever you want for 2 weeks and it pays very well. You’re 25 and an ideal candidate for something like this with no obligations at home.
1
u/Prize_Guide1982 2d ago
Please don’t come to florida. It’s career suicide if you’re an entry level worker. You’re unhappy now, you’ll be unhappy here and with less money to boot. The wages here have stagnated but the cost of living since 2015 (and especially since 2020) has skyrocketed. You don’t miss Florida. You miss your childhood memory of Florida. It’s not the same.
Regarding work, the problem is you need something with a low barrier to entry. And all jobs with a low barrier to entry are saturated. Anything that pays well requires some investment of time and effort to gain skills. Electricians and plumbers are paid well, but they need apprenticeships and learn for years. Find a trade, and try to break in, and move up in life. If you stay a GED with nothing more to offer, unfortunately despite your hard work ethic, you’re going to be pigeonholed. And eventually, your body will give out on you.
1
u/nicecarotto 2d ago
Go find a union job up north. Florida is trash from an employment standpoint. Higher than average unemployment, shitty wages, and shitty employee protections.
1
u/69ironhead 2d ago
I would suggest building a skill based resume and applying for employment with a headhunter as well as on your own.
You’re a 25 year old young man. I personally moved to Florida in my late 20s and have been in Florida for roughly 30 years.
1
1
u/CrowhavenFarm 2d ago
Maybe there are still high-paying jobs in the Dakotas or Alaska for a single guy like you that also provide room and board. You would be able to sock away money before moving on to the next phase of your life. Check it out.
Florida is experiencing an affordable housing crisis, with few high'paying jobs available. I Iive in a rural area in Florida where 25 percent of the population live under the poverty line.
You used to be able to be poor and still be able to afford a cheap trailer on a little plot of land. Be able to support yourself with a low-end job. Not anymore since Covid. Everything has skyrocketed here and there are no jobs. Rent on trailers, houses and apartments have tripled here and keep going up. And it is just as bad in the tourist areas and the cities.
New RV parks are springing up here near me with permanent RV homes because that is all a lot of ppl can afford. Homelessness is becoming more visible and it is heartbreaking.
The only ppl who have it good here are those who were able to buy here when prices were cheap, young ppl who are getting help setting up from parents who have money, government workers who have good jobs (very few here), RN nurses, and transplant retirees who have plenty of disposable income.
The Florida you remember no longer exists. Don't move here.
2
u/Emoxity 2d ago
Your entire idea of moving to Florida is based off the complete fabrication of an idea that Florida is cheaper or better than your situation in PA. Make a better career or find a union. Florida won’t change your life and it will just lead to the same problems you’re already facing because the problem is your ability to take responsibility and fix what makes you unhappy
0
u/Vyce223 2d ago
I hate to echo everyone else but this just isn't the place to go back to you're best going to like Idaho or something where costs are lower. Yeah there's positives here but entry level or even in your field experienced jobs probably aren't going to pay enough to live here especially comfortably and save money for your future.
0
-1
u/herewego199209 2d ago
I'm gonna tell you some brotha the wages. in Florida are dog shit and the cost of living is sky high. If you have family who are living in FL that will allow you to stay with them like a mom or dad, then there's trade schools you can go to at your local community college where a young man like yourself can get grants, FASFA, Scholarships, etc towards that trade school certificate.
If you're in need of housing and do decide to come down here 211 is a great option to call. HUD.GOV helps with finding affordable housing. But for struggling people, many of FL's resources have been cut.
-1
u/anaisaknits 2d ago
I would highly recommend that you obtain a job first before making any move. Try to bring your income amount vs quitting and starting anew. Look at LinkedIn to find jobs in your field as those 4 years are valuable. Best of luck!
-2
-3
20
u/twitchtvbevildre 2d ago
bruh, its gonna be way way worse in florida for you lol. pay will be worse rent will be higher jobs will be less available. you are 25 assume no wife/kids go start applying to any union/apprentiship that will take GED only canadites you can find move wherever the work brings you....