Post: #1

I've been hating DC for years (game and lifestyle) and trying to find a job somewhere else, Tampa, Atlanta, anywhere. My lease is ending soon and I think I'm done waiting for the job and am ready to just go now.

So looks like I'm off to Tampa!

I'll be quitting a decent salary government job, but I've saved up a little cash and can make it for a while without a job. I'm going to focus my time on game and building passive income, then eventually job search.

Figuring I'd have a job and some bankroll, I expected to live in Hyde Park. No reason I couldn't leave in Westshore, maybe get a couple roommates and pay $600 a month. Any other places I should be considering? El Mech, appreciate your thoughts since I know you prefer the less central areas of Tampa.

Does anybody else have any success stories or tips moving from DC to greener pastures?

Anything else I should be thinking about now? I'm fired up to leave this hell hole!

Post: #2

paging El Mech in 3, 2.......

Post: #3

The biggest thing is the job market. You might be looking at least 6 months to year to find something decently paying.

I moved out of DC and I don't really realize that jobs are not as abundant as you think.

In DC I could get a new job within in 90 days no problem, but it seems outside of the large cities you might be looking at least 6 months and you might even take a job that you don't even like.

The best part of it though it makes your less complacent. You don't become one of the DC dorks relying on the government for a job but rather someone who is looking for a passive income stream and becoming financially free.

Best of Luck man!

Post: #4

You ended up in Vegas, right Peterfoo? You glad you did it?

Post: #5

As a fellow DC hater tied to a nice job I'll be curious to hear how your experiences go

Post: #6

Why not find a new job before you quit? You can use your paid time off for interviews and networking trips.

Post: #7

I've been trying that for awhile. No dice from afar.

Post: #8

(06-02-2014 06:41 PM)Catch 22 Wrote:  I've been trying that for awhile. No dice from afar.

If you havent already try using a local address and local phone number. Make up an address and get a local phone number thru google voice or a burner app. If you get a quality interview just fly down and pretend you live there.

Post: #9

Coming from Govt. and depending on type of job/skill, if you want to move to Tampa consider the Govt. contracting route. It is one of the few sectors of the economy that is stable thanks to the printing press and tax base the States rely upon. Although it depends type of company and what line of business they are in (Cyber/Healthcare, Special Ops) Tampa is head to tons of Air Force (SOCOM) work. Lots of small business with the usual set-aside status operate out of Tampa. Maybe pick up a PMP cert, or look into acquisition, or segway into a slightly different track. Hell go the clearance route if you want stability.

Salary is generally going to be lower in Tampa. 100K in DC might get you 80K.

Also, the South is still under development and cost of living isn't as bad as DC. And you don't have to put up with the beltway traffic shit which makes DC unbearable.

And better to leave like all of the other Marylander's sick of this one party state and the continued ass raping (taxes).

Major aerospace moving into the South. (Boeing, Gulfstream, Spirit, Bombardier). Charleston has tons of Government work. Big US Navy area. (SPAWAR HDQ).

For the past 2 weeks I've been riding around looking at property and planning the same to : GTFO.

Post: #10

Yeah, I should have been using a local address and number. Mistake.

GD, I think you're right about contracting. That's where most of my networking leads have been. I think something will come around on that one.

I'm already a certified pimp. PMP would work but sounds boring as shit.

GTFO is the plan!

Anybody have anything on locations? From all the Tampa hype on this board, I'd think we'd have more details on the place.

Debating on this place:
http://www.postproperties.com/community....ity=202800

Post: #11

Don't do it. I was in your same position a few years back and high-tailed it back to DC after a year of stagnation in Tampa. I also got tired of waiting for a government gig (or something related) and saved money to move to Tampa without a job lined up. I had to wait tables for a bit and slang Internet marketing products to get by after my money ran out. Moved back after a year and had a better-paying gig than before within 2 weeks of moving back. Three interviews lined up in DC in a week versus a year of maybe 3 interviews and garbage phone calls from recruiters trying to tell you you are only worth $15 an hour and some change in Tampa's job market. LoL.

One other thing: you may be hard-pressed to get someone to rent to you in Tampa without a job. Go the roommate way if you're going to do it and lie about a job. You're going to have to pull out proof of wages earned to get your own spot in Hyde Park (don't do Westshore). If you're going to go through with it, get something by Bayshore and within walking distance to the bars on South Howard.

It ain't DC when you're looking for work. Not even close.

Post: #12

(06-05-2014 11:28 PM)Catch 22 Wrote:  Yeah, I should have been using a local address and number. Mistake.

GD, I think you're right about contracting. That's where most of my networking leads have been. I think something will come around on that one.

I'm already a certified pimp. PMP would work but sounds boring as shit.

GTFO is the plan!

Anybody have anything on locations? From all the Tampa hype on this board, I'd think we'd have more details on the place.

Debating on this place:
http://www.postproperties.com/community....ity=202800

Rocky point is a good spot. I was waiting for Momas thoughts on the job front as I've never really applied for one

Post: #13

Florida economy is generally bad.

I think a good bet is to get a google voice and a tampa address and then take interviews over the phone.

You might want to compare the same effort with Orlando and see what your percentages are looking like.

Not too sure about Tampa's economy because I have been applying for jobs and for someone of my experience, I expected the doors to be knocked down. I've had a few offers here and there but if you lot say DC is booming, Tampa will definitely pale in comparison.

I like to call Florida the DIY state. You gotta do it yourself, build up your connections the manual way..not too sure about what they put online and resumes. You will not make the same pay in Tampa but the cost of living is lower so that compensates.

Mechanico says that the people here are lazy and you have a lot of useless transplants who make all these big promises and don't deliver so that might be a factor.

On a good note, the lizards here are approachable and rather easy to bang.
All you need is a furnished apartment (doesn't have to be fancy), car and a mattress (or bed).

Post: #14

(05-31-2014 10:41 PM)Catch 22 Wrote:  I've been hating DC for years (game and lifestyle) and trying to find a job somewhere else, Tampa, Atlanta, anywhere.

I'm moving there in a month for the Coast Guard, after leaving Seattle (another gaming wasteland). Yippie

Post: #15

Love them low end markets!

Post: #16

Lots of negativity on the job front. Don't let the man hold you down! I'll tell you right now, I *won't* be coming back to DC. If nothing comes up in Tampa, it'll be somewhere else after that.

Well, I'm off to Tampa in July one way or the other. I have started networking and that seems to be the way on the job front. I'm not too worries about that...yet

Sounds good on the lizard front, at least. That'll be a refreshing change.

Post: #17

(06-06-2014 12:42 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 11:28 PM)Catch 22 Wrote:  Yeah, I should have been using a local address and number. Mistake.

GD, I think you're right about contracting. That's where most of my networking leads have been. I think something will come around on that one.

I'm already a certified pimp. PMP would work but sounds boring as shit.

GTFO is the plan!

Anybody have anything on locations? From all the Tampa hype on this board, I'd think we'd have more details on the place.

Debating on this place:
http://www.postproperties.com/community....ity=202800

Rocky point is a good spot. I was waiting for Momas thoughts on the job front as I've never really applied for one

Yep, Rocky Point is a good place to hang. I've spent lots of time in that area when I'm in town - Chase Suites, Sailport, et al. Only problem is that if you're staying at Post Rocky Point, you're only within walking distance of Bahama Breeze and Aqua at the Westin. It's a good area if you're down for driving - you are pretty central to South Tampa and you've got a straight shot across 60W to Clearwater Beach.

For something slightly more urban and walkable, you might want to consider Post Hyde Park. You're right next door to Irish 31 & Timpano, and a 5 minute cab or 15 Minute walk to the bars on South Howard.