Action Plans for Florida

One benefit of five-hour drives back from visiting my family in Virginia Beach is that we have a lot of time to talk and brainstorm. Many of our major decisions about long-term planning come out of these discussions. Although we're still a year away from sending resumés off to get a job squared away before the big Florida move, we're starting to do some preliminary planning. In short, these are the major points to consider:

1. What things do we need to do to get my husband able to get a job down there.

Action Points: 

* Come up with a list of key words and certifications in desirable job descriptions -- DONE

* Get certifications

* Revise resumé

* Set up networking (LinkedIn, etc.)
* Locate job listing sites

* Apply for jobs

* Get job

2. Get a short-term place to live in Florida.

Action Points:

* Figure out what type of apartment will suit our needs

--Must be cat friendly

--Would need to be furnished if we're not hiring movers

--Must have a minimum of two bedrooms and enough space for me to have a home workspace

--Needs to have a fitness center

--Ideally offers short-term leases

--Needs to be close to the new job

--Must have W/D in unit

--Ideally on ground floor

--Must have at least 1.5 bathrooms

* Identify specific apartment complexes that meet those needs

* Visit in person on a trip to Florida (if possible) to see if the online description is realistic

3. Figure out the best moving method.

Action Points:

* Determine what items will move, replacement costs for things we are on the fence about, and what items we will not move

* Compare costs for sending palletized freight, hiring movers, or doing the $20 truck method

* Make a decision about the cost of getting the car(s) moved or buying new car(s)

* Figure out how to get down there with kid and cat

4. Other items to be done before a job offer.

Action Points:

* Locate a preschool for Lily

* Do last odds and ends to fix the house up for sale

* Research short-term lawn care services/snow removal/leaf raking for once we move but before the house is sold
* Make contact with the realtor 

5. Things to be done once the job offer comes through.

Action Points:

* Selling the house

* Selling everything that isn't moving with us (Yard Sale, Craigslist, etc.)

* Setting up everything in Florida (utilities, insurance, apartment, preschool)

* Using up all consumables without replacing them (esp. things like food)
* Scanning, sorting, and throwing out papers
* Donate, donate, donate -- sell, sell, sell -- toss, toss, toss

* Get medical records

* Deactivate everything in Maryland

* Sign up for a preschool for Lily

* Making it all happen

6. Settling down in the new place.

Action Points:

* Registering/buying car(s)

* Driver's licences

* Hiring a realtor to find a permanent house

* Buying necessities that didn't make the move

* Getting Florida resident annual passes for Disney and Sea World

* Starting social networking to make friends and provide for our group interaction needs

Of course this list is a work in progress, but it gives some idea of everything that's in the works. It is going to be a busy year!