[ajcowing]

Ideally, I would've like to have gotten on at either the Fort Myers or Sarasota towers, simply because I have a mortgage in North Port, however when I had applied that wasn't an option. There were something like 10 different states, with open announcements, and Florida wasn't one of them. I had thought seriously about finishing up my CTI degree, so that I would have a shot at staying in the area, however the 6 hour, roundtrip drive, to Miami was killing me. So, I applied for several states, up North, that I could see myself living in. I'm originally from Nebraska, and have only lived in Florida for 3 years, so moving isn't as big of a deal to me, as it may be to the next person. Obviously, I have my home to deal with it, here in North Port, but it looks like we'll be renting it out, until we can get it sold. Florida has a lot of perks, for sure: weather, beaches, amusement parks. But, raising 2 kids it also has it's disadvantages: a lack of good paying jobs (for my husband), a poor school system (compared to other states), and it's fair share of pedafiles. So, if I didn't have kids, I would be devestated to leave, but having kids, and living 1800 miles away from their grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins, I think that the move will be a blessing. That's not to say that Sioux City is where I would've chosen to move, had I the option. I would've loved to have been slated to Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines, or Denver, but apparently that's not "in my cards" right now. I'm planning on going to Sioux City, to certify, and then would like to transfer to one of those other locations, until my kids get older. I love Florida, and once my kids are grown, will probably look at it as a permanent location, but until then, I want to transfer back closer to family. I believe that Fort Myers is in need of a couple of controllers, right now, so maybe you'll get lucky, and get to stay put. Have you filled out a geographical preference sheet yet?