Originally Posted by nicky_b

hi guys, thanks for your comments. My children are 5 and 11 yrs. I am looking at relocating over the next 2 yrs. As everyone at the moment l do not have a huge amount of money, but l am going to do a couple of house renovations to help the money pot. I am an estate agent and would very much like to learn more about florida property and perhaps maybe look at purchasing a holiday home management company, maybe aimed at brits who own holiday home rentals. This seems a natural business for us to purchase as we are very used to property management. We would like to employ a couple of maintenance people to take care of domestic cleans, pools cleaning, maintenance etc.. My husband and l would obviously run the office, marketing, advertising and taking on new work etc.. We would rent our own property until we become established as we would not have the funds to buy and obviously would not be able to secure a us mortgage for the first couple of years. I would also want to have the e2 visa extended for a further5 yrs before purchasing.
I am aware the florida has been hard hit with the recession, but there will come to a point when things will get better. I am an optomistic! but l do not view things through rose tinted glasses, this is why honest comments will really help. Thank you.

Originally Posted by nicky_b

hi guys, thanks for your comments. My children are 5 and 11 yrs. I am looking at relocating over the next 2 yrs. As everyone at the moment l do not have a huge amount of money, but l am going to do a couple of house renovations to help the money pot. I am an estate agent and would very much like to learn more about florida property and perhaps maybe look at purchasing a holiday home management company, maybe aimed at brits who own holiday home rentals. This seems a natural business for us to purchase as we are very used to property management. We would like to employ a couple of maintenance people to take care of domestic cleans, pools cleaning, maintenance etc.. My husband and l would obviously run the office, marketing, advertising and taking on new work etc.. We would rent our own property until we become established as we would not have the funds to buy and obviously would not be able to secure a us mortgage for the first couple of years. I would also want to have the e2 visa extended for a further5 yrs before purchasing.
I am aware the florida has been hard hit with the recession, but there will come to a point when things will get better. I am an optomistic! but l do not view things through rose tinted glasses, this is why honest comments will really help. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Hot weather all the time is overrated if you actually want to get things done. It's lovely when you're on holiday but otherwise it's a pain.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

I asked about family because Florida schools are noted for being...well let's just say not the best schools in the US. Also when they reach 18 uni here is very expensive and if they wanted to go to the UK to attend uni...international school fees would be applicable. Also when they reach 21...unless they qualify for their own visa...they would have to leave the US.

Edit: Another downside to moving with children is something many of us didn't think about at the time...it's removing them from their family. Growing up without grandma and granddad...aunts and uncles...cousins etc. My daughter was 11 when we moved here...I often regret depriving her of family and I regret depriving them...especially her grandparents. Just something to think about.

Originally Posted by nicky_b

Hi Jerseygirl,
setting aside all the downsides, how are you finding life in Florida -

Originally Posted by nicky_b

Hi Jerseygirl,
setting aside all the downsides, how are you finding life in Florida - l take it you are in florida? was it worth the up heaval? are you finding quality of life any better?

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

No we're still in New Jersey...have lived here for 14 years.

As I said we were quite amazed by what we found on our trip to Florida last year...so we decided not to relocate there and look at other options...we're in no hurry.

Nicky I noticed in another thread you stated you're an estate agent/realtor and said they're in demand. With the depressed housing market in the US...I would think there are too many realtors to go around.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

What is the point of 'setting aside the downsides'? That's what you should be most concerned about.

Originally Posted by nicky_b

i was setting aside the points jersy girl had stated, as l was trying to see whether a us move had overall been positive for her.

Originally Posted by nicky_b

we have created apackage in the uk that has helped during the downturn, but with regards to the us market, as l did state l would need to research. You mentioned you were going to move over to florida, but swiftly changed your mind, is this due to work reasons?

Originally Posted by Sugarmooma

Jersey Girl didn't come to the US on an E2 though so it is hard to compare.

You may have to alter the direction of your dream honey...it aint easy

Originally Posted by Bradford Lass

Look up the term "underwater".

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...19&ft=1&f=1006

Florida is not the dream state when you live here! terrible economy, low paid jobs. Dont mean to rain on your parade but I do live here and the rose coloured specs came off pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by nicky_b

Hi bradford lass,
Thanks for the link, it is astounding!
Are you from bradford uk by any chance?