[jimmyboy8301]

Well my parents are moving to florida probably by the end of the year and i can't decide if i want to stay in nj or move to florida. right now i'm single, 23, and have just under 1 year in with the new jersey dept of corrections and make 44k a year, next year i sould be making just over 50k, I will top out here in 10 years at 75k as the contract is now (but that will go up a lot in 20 years). My car is paid off and by next year my truck will be very close to being paid off also, and i have no credit card bills. I have some very very good friends here and a lot of friends in general. However i have always liked the idea of being a cop in florida whether it be for a town/city or sheriff's officer. My parents are looking into orange county about 30 minutes outside of orlando. NJ corrections officers are law enforcement and have full police powers 24/7 so it looks like my cert will carry over for corrections there and i would only have to take the crossover academy. I am looking into Orange County Sheriff's Office and Orlando Police, and also Miami-Dade Police ( i realize how far that is). Most of the departments there start out in the mid 30's and top out in the high 50's to mid 60's. Right now I have 5 years in the pension and can retire in 20 years at 43 years old. If i move to florida i will have to start all over again in the pension. THe bonuses is florida will be a new place for a new and exciting career and new friends plus being with my parents. The downside is i won't be making much money plus i will have to leave a lot of my very close friends behind ( i consider my close friends to be like my family) I think when my parents go down to florida i am going to take 2-3 weeks off of work and see how i like it down there and maybe if i want to move. I was wondering if anyone might give me their opinion on what i should do and also if they have any information on florida as far as insurance, property taxes, the cost of living or a job in law enforcement. any and all help will be greatly appreciated.