Does anyone know out there job opportunities for Admin/Exec.Admin positions in Lakewood Ranch or nearby.

If so, I will bring my resume with me.

thanks so much

Salaries in Sarasota SUCK. I've lived here for 20 years, have a degree in Public Communications from Boston University, graduate studies, years of experience in pr and office admin - and make less than $25K a year. Am now in graduate school to get masters in counseling and planning to move to Sedona, AZ to practice. Job possibilities here are awful.

I've heard that. Especially, where you the degrees, I'm surprised it's that low. I do not have the degrees but do have 20 years experience. How do people make it out there?

I don't want to give up my dream, I'm still going to move and if I pay cash for my place then the low salary won't be so bad...I guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Where are you moving from? I can give you some comparisons. I was lucky and bought a house 10 years ago - it had doubled in price so when I sell it, I'll make a good profit (which I will need to in turn try to buy a house in Sedona or Santa Fe. Most 'regular' people such as exec ass'ts, sec'y, etc cannot afford to buy a house here and apartment rentals are thru the roof too. However, in comparison with other parts of the country, it might be considered still reasonable - but not in line with normal salaries. Lots of downtown condos going up starting at half a mil.

I disagree--that's a very broad statement. If you have 20 years of experience in executive administration, assuming that you are good at what you do and considering how fast this area is growing, I think you will find A LOT of opportunities in the area. Even executive assistants are in high demand and can make excellent salaries. It took my husband a couple of years to find a good executive assistant and he pays her well above 25K and thinks she's worth every penny. My sister is an executive here and makes over 100K a year. When I worked PART TIME, I made $35,000 a year.

If you are looking at upper echelon jobs I suggest you retain a head hunter.

The facts are dismal. Pay scales in Florida are lower than other parts of the country, particularly the northeast where a lot of transplants are from.

The good news is that Florida real estate appreciates at a healthy clip. Be sure to buy a place so you can sit back and watch your equity build.

Thank you for your encouragement. I live in northern Virginia just outside of DC.

I have experience in the medical, corporate and telcom areas.

I have heard there are 2 hospital opening up in the Fall in LWR. I hope to apply there.

I plan to pay cash or have very little mortgage once I decide on the location of where to purchase. Yes, I have noticed rent is very high.

One development that looked very appealing is "Waterlefe Golf & Resort".

I'll be down there next week to start searching again.

I can't thank you all enough for your input. I'm not discouraged!

TandooriGirl: you have responded in the past to my questions about relocating to Florida when I first started asking about the different areas. i.e. Palm Harbor, Bonita Springs, et al. in the your very helpful in my quest.

I'll keep checking in for more helpful advice from all above who have responded.

Thank you all so much.

floridabound, I'm happy you've found a place -- or at least think you have. Sarasota is a growth area so not to worry. And anybody in the health care industry will do well here (or anywhere it seems)

Keep us posted!

Tandoori_Girl: I will certainly keep you posted. Who knows, once I get down there for good (hopefully, end of summer). We fodorites can meet, this way I can thank you all inperson.

Drinks on me. smile

The building industry is going great guns in Florida so why not try to find a position there? Another way to get in the door of other areas (good friends have tried this and found it to work) is to volunteer - yes - you meet more people and connections.

Lakewood Ranch is a beautiful place and supposedly has good schools. I wouldn't be able to help there as I don't have any schoolage kids nor do I have a home in Lakewood Ranch. I'm over on Longboat Key and quite happy there with everything but the taxes.

tandoori Girl is correct about the job market - it's pretty low paying - especially when you're coming from the DC area where jobs are paying pretty well. I'm also from the DC area and have seen salaries listed in Sarasota/Bradenton in the mid $20's. But then you won't have those high heating bills will you?

Good luck - keep us posted!