Introductions and a request for relocation advice...

[OZZ1978]

Hi everyone! Ive been browsing this board for a few days now and I gotta say its phenominal

Im in real estate now, with a long standing work history in sales. Love diving, love the ocean, love it, love it, love it! Although Im about as far away from any ocean as I can be in Omaha, Nebraska! lol ...

I am certified, and have done quite a bit of diving and spearfishing in the few freshwater bodies of water in this state that has any kind of visibility whatsoever.

As I mentioned Im looking to relocate in about six months or so but I havent quite decided where yet. Ive looked at the caribbean. Belize, Caymans, bahamas, and florida.

Problem is finding the right combination of employment, housing expenses, and diving sites/accesibility that Im looking for. I really prefer Georgtown in Grand Camen since it has a good economy and diving to go along with it. Even though theres no taxes and the economy is good Im not sure how hard its going to be to find something with my sales experience (12+ years upper level sales) there since I dont have a degree. I need at least 40 - 50K a year to make it work there, does NOT have to be in real estate and in fact Im looking for other sales opportunities or tell you the truth anything in general that can bring in the 40 - 50K I'ld need. Problem is it seems like if your not in the banking or financial industry your SOL. I have ordered a subscription (overseas) to the newspaper thats there to review the classifieds.

Any input on this is greatly apprciated. Ive looked at Nassau, or possibly somewhere on Andros but again, from what little info I can find Im not sure of the economy, employment vs. living expenses.

So a very far second best is of course Florida. Looking at South Miami as its as close to the keys as I can get. Of course there jobs and housing is no problem, but other than the keys I really have no idea about the quality and variety of diving locations around there.

So my 2 questions from a newbie to the board.

1 - Any suggestions, input, or opinions on Georgetown, Grand Cayman .. specifically housing and employment info would be greatly appreciated as I have no doubts the diving locations are 100% there

2 - As far as Florida is concerned housing and employment is a non-issue but Im not certain of the diving locations being sufficient. Some deep water stuff is ok, but I have a feeling Ill like more free diving, reef, or shallow water dives (60-80ft or less).

Granted, Im in the mid-west so anything will an improvement :P

Guys .... I really appreciate any input you can give me Ive been reading and searching about everywhere, trying to get through the tourist targeted info is exhausting.. Need some first person input!

Thanks again guys.... will REALLY help as I am looking to do this soon...

[sanso]

OZZ1978, Welcome to DB and good luck with the relocation! Keep us posted on Your whereabouts!

[maytag]

Originally Posted by OZZ1978

Granted, Im in the mid-west so anything will an improvement :P

Yep. Welcome to DB OZZ1978. There are lots of Floridians here who could probably provide good advice regarding living and diving in FL. JimDoe2Us (JimDoe2You) and Cdavis, I think, both live in FL for starters.

Best wishes on your move! And, congratulations on escaping the frozen tundra.

[OZZ1978]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it ... been doing lots of homework and have found MOST of the technical answers that I need. However, first hand input and experiences are hard to come by so again ... Im all ears if anyone has any input ..