Moving to the US

[Zeppo 0]

Hi All

I'm interested in moving to the US (from Toronto, Canada). In particular, I wanted to move to Florida, and get away from cold winters and only 6 months of jumping.

I thought I'd ask here any opinions of the job market currently in that area. I'm an accountant/bookkeeper by training.

What are the main industries in that Area?

What is the cost of living? Rent for a small apartment? Food & fuel costs, etc? What sort of salary should I be looking for to have a reasonable living?

Although I'm still very far away from getting a job skydiving, it is something I would like to work towards, and I have heard Florida is a significant hot spot for skydivers.

I think my plan would be to quit my current job...move, and start hunting for work down there. Is that practical in the current job market? Would it be better to find a job before I move (considering the 2000 mile distance)

Maybe there's a DZ there that needs a full time bookkeeper.

You input is appreciated.

Thanks.

What goes up, must come DOWN!!!

[ladyskydiver 0]

Florida - good place to live. Great DZ's. Windtunnel's there. No state taxes.
Here's a good cost of living calculator - http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html and here's the version that includes Canada and other countries - http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/intsalcalc.html?cid=homefair.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[CSpenceFLY 1]

Quote

Maybe there's a DZ there that needs a full time bookkeeper.

Everyone knows theres no money in the dropzone business.

[skymama 37]

There have been news stories lately that say FL is a hot job market and will continue to be that way. I have also read reports that it is very hard to find affordable housing, especially apartments, after the big building boom the last few years. Many apartment complexes were converted to condos and the units that are left are often as expensive as a home mortgage per month, unless you find one in a somewhat undesireable location. I'm sure you'll still be able to find something, it's just not as easy as it was in past years.

Check out the job listings on Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com to find out what is available in your profession. If you want to be convenient to the most dz's, I'd recommend you keep your search to Central FL.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[apollard24 0]

Job market is ok, just need to find something that pays decent. Stay North of Palm Beach County and you should find something decent in the housing market that's not too much money. Anything South of Palm Beach you are going to have to fork over the money for.

Edit: As far as salary, it will all depend on what YOU can live off of and without. If you dont mind being in a small apartment vs. house, eating mac n' chesse, etc. then you may be able to live off less than someone else.

Breathe out so I can breathe you in...

[alw 0]

Option 2.

Stay in Canada and just send your money to Florida.

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Every day is a bonus - every night is an adventure.

[racer42 0]

It's way easier to be poor in Texas. There are also four or five drop zones( all turbine ) within a few hours of the Austin/San Antonio area.
Job market is pretty good right now and housing is very reasonable compared to Florida.

We jump year around here and you don't have the torrential rains every afternoon in the Spring and summer. In fact it doesn't rain at all in the spring and summer.

L.A.S.T. #24
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[Remster 30]

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I'm an accountant/bookkeeper by training.

By training, or by degree?

Getting a work visa isnt that straight forward unless you are a licenced professional in Canada, and then get a TN Visa (have a look at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1274.html#15)

The H1B is another option, but its more work for emplyers.

Note that both these visas require you to get the job BEFORE you move to the US.

Remster

[CanuckInUSA 0]

As Remi has already pointed out, you will need a temporary TN1 or H1B work visa if you're not American or a permanent resident of the USA (aka already in possession of a Green Card). So do you possess an American passport/birth-certificate and/or a permanent residency of the USA? If no, then just moving down south and assuming you can work legally at any old company will not be legal and if caught, you could be permanently banned from the USA.

I personally didn't want to risk a permanent ban when my TN1 work visa expired (the very second I was laid off), so I obtained a temporary B2 vistors, and once my 6 month visitors visa expired it was time to move back home.

It's your arse, but be careful what you do in the USA. Big Borther is watching you closer than you think ever since 9/11 and the INS and the IRS's computers do interact with each other more than you'd think.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[Zeppo 0]

Quote

Quote

I'm an accountant/bookkeeper by training.

By training, or by degree?

Getting a work visa isnt that straight forward unless you are a licenced professional in Canada, and then get a TN Visa (have a look at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1274.html#15)

The H1B is another option, but its more work for emplyers.

Note that both these visas require you to get the job BEFORE you move to the US.

It's by training, I just went to college for my accounting certificate, and never managed to get to university for my degree (too damned expensive)

I know I'll have to get some sort of Visa before I move there. I'll be sure to speak with an immigration agent just to make sure everything is legit. It's gonna be a tough move to get there, and having to find a job before I leave...well...maybe I can do that when I visit.

It seems to be tradition for a bunch on Canucks around here to pack up and head to Z-Hills for christmas, so I think that'll help me get familiar with the DZ, and maybe I can even arrange for a couple interviews.

What goes up, must come DOWN!!!

[Zeppo 0]

Quote

There have been news stories lately that say FL is a hot job market and will continue to be that way. I have also read reports that it is very hard to find affordable housing, especially apartments, after the big building boom the last few years. Many apartment complexes were converted to condos and the units that are left are often as expensive as a home mortgage per month, unless you find one in a somewhat undesireable location. I'm sure you'll still be able to find something, it's just not as easy as it was in past years.

Check out the job listings on Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com to find out what is available in your profession. If you want to be convenient to the most dz's, I'd recommend you keep your search to Central FL.

Would it be possible to get a link to an apartment rental website, at least then it'll give me a figure I can use to estimate my cost of living expenses for an apartment that I feel that I can live in.

I'll be sure when I visit to stop by grocery stores for food prices.

Thanks for your advice, and I'll certainly start hunting Monster for jobs.

What goes up, must come DOWN!!!

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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I know I'll have to get some sort of Visa before I move there. I'll be sure to speak with an immigration agent just to make sure everything is legit.

Don't be showing up at a border asking an INS or worse Customs official about what visa you need for work. I'm afraid it doesn't work that way and the agent(s) may prevent you from entering the country if they believe you're entering it to go job hunting. When you ask to speak to an INS agent at a border crossing about work visas, you better already have your job offer, basic knowledge of what visa you're applying for and of course all your paper work must be in order.

So, if you don't know exactly what sort of work visa you may qualify for ahead of time, check out this immigration lawyer's web site. It's one of the best sources for US immigration info for us Canadians. The home page looks a little sparse, but don't let the home page fool you. There is tons and tons of info accessible from this site.

PS: You can always go down as a visitor for 6 months and try to work under the table in the US illegally. But know the consequences of what happens if you're caught before you venture down this route. It can be pretty harsh. Especially in today's post 9/11 world.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[Remster 30]

Steve pretty much has it right on.

Option 1: you have a job offer in hand, and meet the TN or H1B Visa requirements (which, I dont think you do since you are not a CA or the like). When you show up at the border with your offer of emplyement AND you Bachelors certificate, you pay your $50 and get the Visa.

Option 2: You go for a 6 month long vacation and are not legally able to work. If you do work, and get caught, dont expect to be allowed back in the US ever again.

Option 3: Put your name in the Green Card lottery; BUT, canadians haven't been allowed in the lottery for a few years since a lot have been getting them via the Job Certification route after a few years in country with a H1B.

Remster