Moving to Florida assistance thread.

[jsoren11]

So I need help! Wife and I are Ultrasound Techs in Colorado. We want to move to the magic so bad and finally have decided to do so in 5 years.(we have a plan).
so barring price increases, how much will we spend for 6 kids and ourselves to have annual passes to all three big resorts, (WDW, Uni, SeaWorld)?
What would be the best place to live close and possibly be able to see nightly fireworks in the distance, and also not die in traffic in commute to Orlando every morning?
What are proprty taxes and auto registration fees like in florida?
finally last question.... What would be the best route to take in my life to assure that when I retire from the medical field, I get to spend one day a week running the Dumbo ride as a volunteer, or paid, dont care, just always have wanted this!:hippie::rolleyes1
thanks podcasters for your help!! I know i'll get the best info here over the next five years cause you all are awesome!!

[ratherbeatdisney]

No.

[jsoren11]

no?

[safetymom]

You will love it in Fl. It sounds like you have a look of research to do before you move. My suggestion keep in mind that you don't want to use I-4 for your daily commute to work. Find someplace to live where you can avoid I-4 during rush hours.

[alebisi]

I don't live in Florida so I really can't help that much, but I just wanted to say congratulations on that! Sounds like a good plan! I'd love to live in Florida! :cool1: Let us know how things are working out! Good luck with everything!

[MAGGIED]

I am jealous!!!!

[PeterPan09]

I moved a year and a half ago and I don't regret it at all. I lived in NJ for my entire life and gradually my family started heading south. My cousins and aunts went first, then my parents and finally I was up there by myself-spending thousands of dollars a year to come down for the holidays. Finally after Christmas of 2007 I said "I'm not doing this anymore!" put the house on the market and left.

The most important issue is employment. I brought my job with me and worked at home for nearly a year, until my company had layoffs due to the economy. Once I got laid off, I got a fast education in the difference between FL salaries and NJ and how tough it is to find a job here. I have a temp job now, and I will be starting a permanent one in about a month-but at a FAR lower salary than I was making. I advise anyone planning a move to have a reserve savings and be ready to adjust your style of living if necessary-and the best plan is to have a job before you start packing. I second Kathy's comment-stay AWAY from I-4 if at all possible. During peak tourist visiting times you spend your life on that dang highway.

As far as the theme parks, I think the FL resident deals are pretty good. All of their websites list the FL resident costs for passes. Busch Gardens and Sea World seem to give you the most bang for your buck, but I do have a Disney AP and will soon be getting one from Universal.

Location....well, I live in Clermont and if you chose the right neighborhood in my town you can see the fireworks from your house.

Disney hires a lot of retired folks, I've met plenty of them there and some of my parent's friends work there. They love it.

[safetymom]

I live close enough every night to hear the fireworks. I would have to go up on the roof to see them. I can tell time in the evening by the fireworks. :)

[PeterPan09]

I live close enough every night to hear the fireworks. I would have to go up on the roof to see them. I can tell time in the evening by the fireworks. :)

I do that too! :lmao:

Of course, when they change the time it throws me off my schedule...

[mainegal]

Do the neighbors ever get annoyed at the sound of fireworks every night?

[PeterPan09]

Do the neighbors ever get annoyed at the sound of fireworks every night?

When I moved down here the rental/real estate agents made it clear if you were close enough to the theme parks to hear fireworks so you know going in. At my place you hear them, but it's a sort of thumping sound, I'm not close enough for the real BANG, BANG, BOOM sound. I'm not sure I'd want to be that close.

[DisneyKevin]

I would hold off on buying 8 annual passes to every theme park in Florida.

In my first year here...I had a pass for Disney, Pleasure Island, Universal, Sea World etc.

It's not long after you arrive that you realize that living here is not the same as vacationing here. When you live here...you have work, school, laundry, yard work, grocery shopping etc. Life intrudes. Ask yourself a question....how much rime do you have in your current life to devote to something that's just fun. With your current responsibilities.....could you drop everything and run off to a park every day. What about on your day off from work?

I pay about $49 to register my car every year...but that just went up after I registered last year. You have to register your car each year by the last day of the month of your birthday. Mine is April, so I'm niot sure what my new rate will be.

Folks have given VERY VERY Good advice. Try to make absolutely certain that you insure that you do not have to use I-4 during rush hour. I realize that it's hard when you have to find a place to live and a job....but if you can avoid this.....you will have a much happier day. I-4 becomes the worlds longest parking lot.

I'm not trying to discourage you. I LOVE living here.

Oh yeah.....dont mover here in the spring. You dont want your first months in FL to be in 100 degree range.;)

[PeterPan09]

I would hold off on buying 8 annual passes to every theme park in Florida.

In my first year here...I had a pass for Disney, Pleasure Island, Universal, Sea World etc.

It's not long after you arrive that you realize that living here is not the same as vacationing here. When you live here...you have work, school, laundry, yard work, grocery shopping etc. Life intrudes. Ask yourself a question....how much rime do you have in your current life to devote to something that's just fun. With your current responsibilities.....could you drop everything and run off to a park every day. What about on your day off from work?

I pay about $49 to register my car every year...but that just went up after I registered last year. You have to register your car each year by the last day of the month of your birthday. Mine is April, so I'm niot sure what my new rate will be.

Folks have given VERY VERY Good advice. Try to make absolutely certain that you insure that you do not have to use I-4 during rush hour. I realize that it's hard when you have to find a place to live and a job....but if you can avoid this.....you will have a much happier day. I-4 becomes the worlds longest parking lot.

I'm not trying to discourage you. I LOVE living here.

Oh yeah.....dont mover here in the spring. You dont want your first months in FL to be in 100 degree range.;)

Oh YES-very good advice!! I moved in September, and I recommend that time of year highly. It was still kinda hot, but the trend was to get cooler. By the time my first summer came around, I was ready.

[jpeka65844]

Sometimes I wish I had the nerve to just up and move to a new place. Leave all my old stuff behind (not my family, of course....) but all the trappings that make up my life (house, car, posessions). Pack like I'm going on vacation and leave the rest behind.

What a fresh start!!!!

[PeterPan09]

Sometimes I wish I had the nerve to just up and move to a new place. Leave all my old stuff behind (not my family, of course....) but all the trappings that make up my life (house, car, posessions). Pack like I'm going on vacation and leave the rest behind.

What a fresh start!!!!

It took me YEARS to get up the nerve, and now my only regret was that I didn't do it sooner. I lived all my life in a 10 mile radius from where I was born, except for college. Moving 1000 miles from that was a leap-even though I already had family here.

[jsoren11]

OK, no I-4.
I was just curious if anyone on these boards works in the medical field in Florida and knows how the salaries compare to Colorado..
We are looking 5 years out, so it could be completely different than it is now... Wife and I also have toyed with the idea of a company of our own to start and bring to the Orlando area.

What is the area between Orlando and the space coast like? Is it an easier commute into Orlando or is it like Denver, where everything east of town is crap?

The Winter Garden area also has appealed to us so far in our "web" searches.

As far as time to enjoy everything.. We get so depressed living in Denver where everything closes at 7pm for the night, (even on the weekends)!
We would love to be close enough to the parks to just go for a walk or enjoy the magic after work.
Is it fairly reasonable to get into like.. Sea World on a one day Florida resident pass? cheaper than online prices?
we probably wouldnt need annuals for Sea or Busch.

[BridetobeDisney]

We are planning the same thing in five years so thanks for asking this. We are currently 6.5 hours from Disney so we know about hot summers, humidity etc. I wish you the best!!

[MainStreetFireman]

My DW and I talk about this all the time. The biggest problem is that all of our family lives up here. Beyond that, there is NYC, which we have a love/hate relationship with every day.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know where I would find frank discussion about working for/at WDW? I know there is a CM board. But what about people considering a move or a specific job at WDW? TIA for any help.

[WDWtraveler27]

that there is a mighty long time from now!

[tinkerbelletreasure]

There is a little town called Apopka outside of Orlando. My exhusband and I spent a long period of time there about6 year sago. We could see the fireworks from where we were staying, but trafficwasn't too bad. I always thought if I decided to move in the area that is the first place I'd try.

[jsoren11]

thanks Tink. Its not really a long time from now in our rapid lifestyles. Unfortunately our years are flying by so fast, 2015 will be here before we even blink. Hopefully we can slow down and enjoy ourselves during our "golden years" in Orlando.
5 years ago, 2005, seems like 5 minutes ago.

[PeterPan09]

OK, no I-4.
I was just curious if anyone on these boards works in the medical field in Florida and knows how the salaries compare to Colorado..
We are looking 5 years out, so it could be completely different than it is now... Wife and I also have toyed with the idea of a company of our own to start and bring to the Orlando area.

What is the area between Orlando and the space coast like? Is it an easier commute into Orlando or is it like Denver, where everything east of town is crap?

The Winter Garden area also has appealed to us so far in our "web" searches.

As far as time to enjoy everything.. We get so depressed living in Denver where everything closes at 7pm for the night, (even on the weekends)!
We would love to be close enough to the parks to just go for a walk or enjoy the magic after work.
Is it fairly reasonable to get into like.. Sea World on a one day Florida resident pass? cheaper than online prices?
we probably wouldnt need annuals for Sea or Busch.

My best suggestion is to make a trip here for the express purpose of checking out the areas. Fly down, rent a car with a GPS and check out the areas that appeal to you.

I live close enough to be able to pop over to the parks after work or on a weekend afternoon and I LOVE that. Yesterday I went to EPCOT and MK after church and housecleaning! Still got in a couple rides in each park and a nice dinner. Living here and having an annual pass removes the pressure of having to do everything-if you get in a couple of attractions it's a successful visit.

I'm on the west side of Orlando, so I don't know much about the area btw Orlando and the Space Coast. Remember WDW is west of Orlando as well. If popping over for an evening is a goal, being on the eastern side might not be where you want to go.

Sea World and Busch Gardens have something called a Fun Card. Florida residents pay less than a single day ticket and can use the pass all year.

[MM32830]

Sea World and Busch Gardens have something called a Fun Card. Florida residents pay less than a single day ticket and can use the pass all year.

The only drawback to the SeaWorld Fun Card is that it does not include parking. Their annual pass does.

I just checked their website and their pricing hasn't changed since I purchased my SeaWorld annual pass last year. You can buy a 1 year SeaWorld AP for $99.95 or buy 2 years for $149.95 (that's only $75.00/year). Those prices INCLUDE parking.

I have APs to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. I just renewed my Universal AP for $119.95. It includes both the Studios and IOA and includes parking. That's a renewal rate. The first time you buy the AP it will cost more but as long as you keep renewing it, you get a substantial discount off the new rate.


___________________
Armand

[PeterPan09]

The only drawback to the SeaWorld Fun Card is that it does not include parking. Their annual pass does.

I just checked their website and their pricing hasn't changed since I purchased my SeaWorld annual pass last year. You can buy a 1 year SeaWorld AP for $99.95 or buy 2 years for $149.95 (that's only $75.00/year). Those prices INCLUDE parking.

I have APs to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. I just renewed my Universal AP for $119.95. It includes both the Studios and IOA and includes parking. That's a renewal rate. The first time you buy the AP it will cost more but as long as you keep renewing it, you get a substantial discount off the new rate.


___________________
Armand


Thanks for that. I only have the Disney AP right now so I wasn't up on the particulars of the other parks. I do want to get one for Universal because I know I will want to see the Harry Potter section when it opens. I'm trying to decide which one to get since they have a couple of different AP options.

[MM32830]

I was just curious if anyone on these boards works in the medical field in Florida and knows how the salaries compare to Colorado..
We are looking 5 years out, so it could be completely different than it is now... Wife and I also have toyed with the idea of a company of our own to start and bring to the Orlando area.

What is the area between Orlando and the space coast like? Is it an easier commute into Orlando or is it like Denver, where everything east of town is crap?

The east side of Orlando is beginning to turn into an area that locals are calling "Medical City". The area is expanding slower than expected, mostly due to the credit crunch and the economy. Planned for the next couple of years in East Orlando in Nemours Children Hospital and the VA Medical Center as well as UCF's College of Medicine.

Depending on where you locate in East Orlando will determine the ease of commute, As others have said, I-4 can be a problem at times. I drive I-4 often and the drive can be pleasant but there are times traffic can be heavy.

On the east side of the city we have the East-West Expressway (what the locals call the 408), the Beachline (the 528) and the Central Florida Greeneway (the 417). All carry traffic from east to west (and vice versa). The 417 is the best route to take if it's convenient to where you live since it comes out near Disney. The other two routes require you to take other roads to get you to Disney.

Keep in mind all these roads are toll roads and that can add up if you use them often.

I live on the west side of the city (in Clermont) and use back roads to get to Disney. I can be at Disney in about 30 minutes with just a few traffic lights.



___________________
Armand

[jsoren11]

thanks for all the great info. currently my wife and I work for Centura Health which is associated with Adventist Health. We are checking our options as far as transferring down there. That would be the best option. I am a veteran, however, so even the VA would be a good choice for me.
We are so excited to look into everything.
Kissimmee is a pretty nice looking area, kind of west of Celebration, house-price-wise. Bad commute though, Clermont might work.

[PeterPan09]

thanks for all the great info. currently my wide and I work for Centura Health which is associated with Adventist Health. We are checking our options as far as transferring down there. That would be the best option. I am a veteran, however, so even the VA would be a good choice for me.
We are so excited to look into everything.
Kissimmee is a pretty nice looking area, kind of west of Celebration, house-price-wise. Bad commute though, Clermont might work.

I live in Clermont too and like it very much.

[MM32830]

I live in Clermont too and like it very much.


Me too!




_________________
Armand

[Sleepy]

What would be the best place to live close and possibly be able to see nightly fireworks in the distance......

Be forewarned that living close to nightly fireworks can take away from the excitement you feel for occasional fireworks. I live near several firework factories. They are tested frequently. In addition, people set off fireworks for every occassion.....weddings, birthdays, etc. New Years Eve makes any 4th of July in America look weak. It is a 360 view of fireworks for no less than an hour. Are the fireworks beautiful? Absolutely. Do they become boring? Absolutely. Now, when we see fireworks, we acknowledge them like someone would acknowledge a cloud in the sky. Just saying this in case you turn down a place you would otherwise have preferred had it not been for the lack of seeing those fireworks.

[jsoren11]

sorry sleepy, I totally lost track of what you were saying after "nightly". I absolutely love fireworks and could watch them every night forever. Maybe its my A.D.D.

[shellynn24]

Thank you for posting this. I too am trying to move to FL and I was going to post here to ask a few questions so this thread has been very helpful. For those of you living in Orlando, does living near the World take any of the magic away, or do you still feel the same magic every time you go?

[jsoren11]

Anyone work in the medical field in central florida?

[SCDizneyDawn]

"""anyone work in the medical field in central florida?""
I do! We (DH & I) moved here in Jan and I am also an ultrasound tech!!!
I am working for Fl Hosp Celebration and so far I LOVE it. We live in Kissimmee in a beautiful apt. Did not want to buy a house until we lived thru one summer.
Did you know Fl Hosp is part of the Advenist Health System? You may be able to transfer and keep your years of service, you should check that out. I think there are 7 or 8 hospitals part of the AHS here in the greater Orlando area.
Good luck with your big move!

[safetymom]

Thank you for posting this. I too am trying to move to FL and I was going to post here to ask a few questions so this thread has been very helpful. For those of you living in Orlando, does living near the World take any of the magic away, or do you still feel the same magic every time you go?

I still feel the magic every time I go. I average 80+ visits a year and it never gets old.

[PeterPan09]

I still feel the magic every time I go. I average 80+ visits a year and it never gets old.

Me too! I still get a smile on my face every time I drive through the gates!

[kaligal]

I wish there would be an entire podcast devoted to "I moved to Orlando."

I want to hear about before the actual decision to move, what made it reality, the moving process, what you all thought it would be like...how it differed. I remember someone (Pete?) saying he'd thought he'd walk in the parks all the time, lol. A friend of mine and I had that same conversation even before Pete (or whoever) said it.

I've driven around. I know that once you're outside the touristy stuff it is VERY flat and plain. But I want to hear more.

There just can't be enough, "I moved to Orlando and..." talk for me.

[safetymom]

Moving to Florida has been so much better than I ever thought it would be.

When I put my house up for sale I did what every Disney fan does. I went to WDW for a week. The first person that wanted the house bought it. I was on Mars(Mission Space) when I got the call saying the house was sold. I had to come down for a long weekend to look for a house. I looked at 30 of them and bought house number 25. I had to buy a house and move in less than 3 weeks but I did it. The house is in the perfect location and I love it. I can look out my window to see cows grazing and orange trees. When the orange trees bloom in the Spring the air is heavenly here.

Packing up and moving nearly killed me. :) Sorting through 27 years of "stuff" was not fun, I hate to paint and after the painting I did I never want to paint again.

The day I moved it was bright and sunny and 70 degrees in December. I live on a hill and I was so worried that the weather would cooperate. The moving van left and an hour later it started to snow. The really heavy stuff, a thunderstorm snow. It snowed all weekend. My closing was on Monday and it was a nasty day. I got my check for the house, drove to the airport, and arrived in Orlando several hours later to sun and warmth.

I love the flat of Fl. I live close to a ridge where there is rolling hills but I don't need that anymore. The scenery here is beautiful. I can be to the beach in a little over an hour. If there is a shuttle launch I can drive down and see it. If I need to take a cruise it is 60 miles away.

When I first moved here I was running around doing outside chores. I soon realized it is sunny here all the time. I wasn't used to that. I love it here. It is one of the best decisions I ever made.

My job at the time transferred with me. As long as I was close to the airport I could be located anywhere. It is so much easier getting to the airport now. No need to time my trips so I am not trying to get to the airport during rush hour.

I think my move was one of the best things I have done in my life. Right behind my late husband and my kids.

[PeterPan09]

My family has been in Florida for over 11 years-we're all originally Jersey people but little by little everyone has migrated South. So, three or four times a year, I went to Newark Airport, got on a plane and flew down to visit my parents and relatives. Between the rising cost of airfare, the pet sitting, the limo and the fact that I was the only one left in Jersey, I finally decided in December of 2007 that I had had enough. Came back from that trip, called my realtor buddy and put the condo on the market. It took until August, but I finally got a buyer at a decent price, packed up my stuff, loaded cats and other valuables into my Toyota and headed south.

Like Kathy, I had to adjust to the fact that the sun shines here a LOT and that I don't have to go outside everytime it does or my inside the house chores will never get done.

I brought my job with me and worked from home, but then my company had layoffs and that was the end of that. Right now I have a temp job and hopefully will soon be starting a permanent one. However, the salaries here are MUCH lower than in the NYC/NJ area and that is something you have to adjust to.

I DO walk in the parks quite often. I go after dinner or on a weekend afternoon and get some fresh air and sunshine in my favorite place. Where I live, there is a lot of traffic and businesses so walking there isn't that much fun. A short drive and I'm over in EPCOT or MK and the walking is much more attractive.

Moving to Florida was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I don't regret it for a minute.

[jsoren11]

Thanks everyone for all the awesome coments. The afinity I feel for the parks and the area just reassures me everytime we talk about it that this is really what we are "supposed" to do.
Every time my wife and I speak, Florida is always in the conversation. No place has held our interest like this.
I am an avid planner / guide type person, I love to help anyone that talks about planning a Disney trip. I can't imagine how awesome it will be to have friends visit and tour them around "our area"

It would be great if both my wife and I were able to transfer with the Adventists. It would be the icing on the cake.
(as an Ultrasound tech, do you need to have a separate license to work in Florida like California does?)

I cannot imagine this being a bad choice for us. We are very excited.

Its too bad we have to wait for 5 years, but we also want to enjoy our children's last few years at home here in Colorado too. 5 years will sail by! The housing market is so much lower in Florida than in Colorado, we will be able to put a large amount down on whatever we move into in Florida. We have been looking at homes online in the area around "SPEER LAKE" just south of Winter Garden, anyone live around there?
OK ill shut up now.
Thanks everyone!!! :cloud9::cloud9:

[SCDizneyDawn]

***(as an Ultrasound tech, do you need to have a separate license to work in Florida like California does?)***

No. There is no seperate license in Fl for u/s, just for rad techs.

[WaltD4Me]

Moving to Florida has been so much better than I ever thought it would be.

When I put my house up for sale I did what every Disney fan does. I went to WDW for a week. The first person that wanted the house bought it. I was on Mars(Mission Space) when I got the call saying the house was sold. I had to come down for a long weekend to look for a house. I looked at 30 of them and bought house number 25. I had to buy a house and move in less than 3 weeks but I did it. The house is in the perfect location and I love it. I can look out my window to see cows grazing and orange trees. When the orange trees bloom in the Spring the air is heavenly here.

Packing up and moving nearly killed me. :) Sorting through 27 years of "stuff" was not fun, I hate to paint and after the painting I did I never want to paint again.

The day I moved it was bright and sunny and 70 degrees in December. I live on a hill and I was so worried that the weather would cooperate. The moving van left and an hour later it started to snow. The really heavy stuff, a thunderstorm snow. It snowed all weekend. My closing was on Monday and it was a nasty day. I got my check for the house, drove to the airport, and arrived in Orlando several hours later to sun and warmth.

I love the flat of Fl. I live close to a ridge where there is rolling hills but I don't need that anymore. The scenery here is beautiful. I can be to the beach in a little over an hour. If there is a shuttle launch I can drive down and see it. If I need to take a cruise it is 60 miles away.

When I first moved here I was running around doing outside chores. I soon realized it is sunny here all the time. I wasn't used to that. I love it here. It is one of the best decisions I ever made.

My job at the time transferred with me. As long as I was close to the airport I could be located anywhere. It is so much easier getting to the airport now. No need to time my trips so I am not trying to get to the airport during rush hour.

I think my move was one of the best things I have done in my life. Right behind my late husband and my kids.

What a great story Kathy. It gave me a big smile reading it. You did exactly what I would love to do.

I've thought about it and thought about it. I would love to move, I live in Cleveland, so we get similiar weather as you did in Pittsburgh, I have come to HATE the snow, it just gives me anxiety all winter, plus I feel I would be like you, visit the park 80+ days, but it would never lose the magic for me.

The thing that holds me back is the humidity in Florida. I don't mind HOT, I went to Vegas once when it was 114 degrees and it didn't bother me a bit, but the icky sticky humidity? I hate it. And I hear you guys talking on the podcast saying how you have to put black out curtains on the windows to keep the house cool or one time Kevin said going outside was like walking around in a thick heavy wet blanket, then I'm not sure I could do it. Since you are from a similiar climate, how did you assimilate to the summer heat? I've never been in the summer or even in September, walking around dripping is just not my idea of fun. I worry I would hate it more than the cold and snow here, although I can't imagine that could be true.

[safetymom]

The humidity reminds me of Pittsburgh. When it's hot it's hot. I can put up with that to live here. You just do things differently than you did up North. It's the other months of the year when you are out doing a lot outside.

I love the fact that during the winter I can be out at the parks, beach etc. My late mother used to hate being cooped up in the house. She hated it. I used to joke to my neighbors I would see them in the Spring.

I love when my friends from up North call this time of year. It is beautiful here. I moved here because I don't like the cold. At least here I have a/c. I didn't have it up north but I can remember many 100% humidity days in Pittsburgh. I also like going to the water parks here in the Summer.

To me putting up with the summer heat and humidity is a small price to pay to live here.

[PeterPan09]

Living in Florida is the opposite of living up North. In the North-you hibernate from November to March. In Florida, we hibernate from June to October.

I have always been a person who HATES being hot. I simply detest it. However, I found that my first summer here was less miserable than most summers in NJ. I think it's because the buildings here are built to stay cool, the buildings up North are built to stay warm. That's why we have so many issues down here when it does get even a little cold-our houses aren't built for it.

[kaligal]

I used to joke to my neighbors I would see them in the Spring. It's no joke! We laugh about that, too. We're all out and about in the summer. I visit and listen to gossip and we go for ice cream and such. Then we start visiting inside...we have the Halloween party...and that's that.

A few drop offs of presents and treats at Christmas and then we all see each other when it warms up...which is usually May.

It would be so nice to be able to visit year-round.

I moved here because I don't like the cold.
To me putting up with the summer heat and humidity is a small price to pay to live here.I hate the cold, snow and ice. That is the #1 reason I want to move South.

I've selected Orlando as my DPTL (Dream Place To Live) because I do like theme parks. I'm not one of those people for whom the parks are "magical" and don't really see losing anything...except the pressure to do a gazillion things in a few days or feel like we've spent lots of dough for nothing. And I could live without that. :)

I know it is very hot and humid in the summer. But you don't slip on hot and humid and fall down. You don't have to put on a bunch of extra clothes for hot & humid. Hot & humid does not make a big mess in the garage. It doesn't slow you down on the roadways and cause accidents. And the sun can still shine when it is hot & humid.

Hot & humid is uncomfortable, but I'll take it over freezing and dark.

Thanks for sharing, everyone!

[shellynn24]

[QUOTE=kaligal;35359016]I know it is very hot and humid in the summer. But you don't slip on hot and humid and fall down. You don't have to put on a bunch of extra clothes for hot & humid. Hot & humid does not make a big mess in the garage. It doesn't slow you down on the roadways and cause accidents. And the sun can still shine when it is hot & humid.

Hot & humid is uncomfortable, but I'll take it over freezing and dark.
QUOTE]

::yes::...I totally agree!!

[MM32830]

Something to consider about the heat & humidity down here in the summer is that it CAN be dangerous if you don't take precautions.

Sunscreen is a MUST if you are going to be outside as well as drinking LOTS of water. Use a little common sense. If you begin to feel nauseous find some shade or, better yet, go inside an air conditioned building.

Summer heat in Florida can be as deadly as the winter cold up north.

Once the sun goes down in the summer (around 8 pm), it is just lovely outside.




_________________
Armand

[jsoren11]

Sold! Ill meet you at imagination Kathy.

[Miss Monorail 1971]

We have been throwing the idea around a lot about moving south especially on days like today when there is no school and we are suppose to get 10 inches of snow. I am not too worried about the heat as I am uprooting DD from all her friends and her great school.
So how are the school systems in the area.

[Miss Monorail 1971]

Oh and I am afraid gators will eat my dogs when they are in the back yard lol

[thesupersmartguy]

Celebration is the best place to be. Not far from any of the parks and very Disney!

[MM32830]

We almost bought in Celebration. Even took out copies of the Covenants to read. When we returned 1 week later prices increased $60,000 (you read that right... 60 thousand in one price increase). We bought elsewhere.

Celebration is nice but it is a little pricey.




___________________
Armand

[DisneyKevin]

Celebration is very nice.

It's no longer owned by Disney.

[kaligal]

I actually looked in Celebration. I didn't think it was all that nice. It's cute - like if you were watching it in a movie, "Oh, how cute," - but the houses are all crammed in there. You'd be right on top of your neighbors.

It'd be great if you're one of those dippy women who want to know everything about everyone. There'd be tons to gossip over. But I don't need to know when my neighbors are arguing and sure as hell don't want to hear it.

Celebration is cute to drive through, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[MainStreetFireman]

Having been born and then lived in NYC for the first 22 years of my life, I knew nothing but apartments. Because of that, I grew up with and enjoyed many close relationships with the wide diversity of people that the city has to offer. Proximity to my neighbors was a good thing.

Having since moved to the suburbs in a house, I am in daily interaction with a dramatically smaller and much more "homogeneous" population. I find it much less interesting and far more isolating.

To each their own.

[safetymom]

Celebration is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

[disneydad78]

since we are on this topic,LOL
we also would like to move to area around WDW. I have looked into celebration,,house to close together and way to $$$. I looked around Davenport also...want to spend around $250-$300 for a house
but here is the deal,
I graduate will be an RN in 2 yrs associates degree ,,my wife is one also.
She has been working in the NICU for 8 yrs and she is also a supervisor Part time over the womans hospital. We have always talked about moving to Disney area when im finished with school. She is worried about taxes, neighborhood dues,,which we dont have in Louisiana, cost of living(we did a website,said we need to make %8 more $$ to have life style we have now in FL) also Florida Hospital (employer),,they way people have talked about them on some websites ,scares us. Pay is weak for such a great area. She gets overtime alot(sometimes 60 hrs a week)heard no overtime at florida hospitals) and she makes (with night dif,charge nurse and weekend dif) right at $43 an hr.she made $120,000 last yr. she is PRN plus and we do have to pay for our own insurance. She said she will not move unless she finds a nursing job with close to or around that pay. does anyone that lives there ,and is an RN tell me if she can ,with her RNC ,she is specialized in NICU care also. Starting RN's here in Alexandria ,Louisiana make around $21-$23 and hr,so my pay would pretty much be the same in Florida for new nurses. But she did say she will go down to $37, no less...
So will my WDW dreams ever come true??

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Starting RN's here in Alexandria ,Louisiana make around $21-$23 and hr,so my pay would pretty much be the same in Florida for new nurses. But she did say she will go down to $37, no less...
So will my WDW dreams ever come true??

I just moved and found healthcare pay to be lower in FL than the NE (philadelphia area) About 1/3 less BUT my house was half the cost of the one in DE. Cost of living is def lower for us. My insurance is half. The community dues include trash and lawn maintence so we find it worthy of the cost $50/mo. It is give and take. Write a list of pros and cons and see what works for you. While Celebration is cute I cant see paying those prices. JMHO. My house here was $190,000 which is very inexpensive compared to the northeast.

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I still feel the magic every time I go. I average 80+ visits a year and it never gets old.

Yeah we still yell we are in Disney every time we cross the gates. No magic lost for us. Only now we can go when the crowds are low and weather is nice. I loved the summer here and didnt find it much worse than DE in July.

[PeterPan09]

Yeah we still yell we are in Disney every time we cross the gates. No magic lost for us. Only now we can go when the crowds are low and weather is nice. I loved the summer here and didnt find it much worse than DE in July.

I do agree with the podcast team though-the magic doesn't end but it does change. I am very picky about the weather when I go-it has to be just right-not too cold, not too hot, not too sunny, not too windy...rainy is ok, but not too rainy.....:lmao: And once I'm there, if the lines are over 10 minutes for anything-forget it.

I agree about the summers. I was actually far less miserable here this past summer than I was during MANY summers in NJ.

[kbelle8995]

Oh and I am afraid gators will eat my dogs when they are in the back yard lol

As long as your home not on a canal you should be okay.:cool1:

The houses are low in cost right now because our housing industry went bust. There still a lot of foreclosures. South Florida especially Miami is always expensive.

Don't panic over hurricanes just be prepared and use common sense.

In my hometown in south Florida apartments are now over $1,000 dollars a month. And its not even close to Miami.

Oh and please visit some of our wonderful State Parks. There's more here than just theme parks. Although theme parks are fabulous

[zulemara]

Something to consider about the heat & humidity down here in the summer is that it CAN be dangerous if you don't take precautions.

Sunscreen is a MUST if you are going to be outside as well as drinking LOTS of water. Use a little common sense. If you begin to feel nauseous find some shade or, better yet, go inside an air conditioned building.

Summer heat in Florida can be as deadly as the winter cold up north.

Once the sun goes down in the summer (around 8 pm), it is just lovely outside.




_________________
Armand
What part of FL are you living in? Last time I was getting off work at 4am in the summer, it was muggy and miserable. Sure, there is no sun, but it's sticky and gross. Don't get me wrong, I moved here by choice and I take it any day over the cold, but I wouldn't classify it as lovely.

Now spring time, when it's 80 degrees and sunny every day, that's lovely.

[MM32830]

What part of FL are you living in? Last time I was getting off work at 4am in the summer, it was muggy and miserable. Sure, there is no sun, but it's sticky and gross. Don't get me wrong, I moved here by choice and I take it any day over the cold, but I wouldn't classify it as lovely.

Now spring time, when it's 80 degrees and sunny every day, that's lovely.

That's where some people say I'm "different" (not sure if that's good or not)!! I love the humidity, especially when it's not sunny out. It just makes everything feel "warm". These past couple of months of below average temps are certainly better than the temps up north but I'd rather have 70s than 50s.

I live in Clermont and am about 30 minutes from the parks, but if you draw a straight line from Magic Kingdom, I'm only 11 miles away. I can't see Wishes from the house but if I go down the road just a bit I can see them very well.



________________
Armand

[AnninIowa]

This is a fun thread to read through! I myself can't see myself ever moving from Iowa (I have a lot of roots here and love the change of seasons), I can certainly see why moving to Florida appeals to so many. If I had the money, I could see myself being a snow bird. No way could I handle the summer heat and humidity. Anything above 80 degrees is too hot for me, LOL!!

House Hunters had some Orlando shows on last week - just out of curiosity, I went online and looked at property. I can't believe the taxes in Celebration - $9000 a year on a $250 house?! Taxes here are so low in comparison.

Best wishes to those of you who wish to make the move!!

[dpuck1998]

We recently began discussing making a move. I've been checking out the job fields and housing. Looks like there are some great deals on housing right now. My wife can work from anywhere, so I'd have to find a job myself, sell our current house (could take a long time here in Michigan) and find a house down there. Our oldest child is going into MS next year, so we have to make a move quickly, before he gets close to HS.

I do have a few questions, we'd love to live in a gated community with pool, etc. Anyone live in one of those? What area has the best schools near Orlando? We looked in Winter Park area, among others so far. I'd love to work for a school (since I currently do right now), anyone currently teach or work for a school down there?

Some things holding us back, Floridians are crazy! All the crazy crap on the news seems to happen in Florida. I know its all rare, but how come all the pshycos seem to strike down there.

We love our small town community feel we have right now and would want to find something like that down there.

I currently have 10 years in my job with 4 weeks of vacation. The idea of starting over at a new job, retirement, vacation, etc is daunting.

Friends, we have a few close friends, I'm sure they would visit us in Florida, but of course its hard to leave. Honestly, family isn't hold us back at all. The ones we are closest to are already in Florida at least half the year.

As much as I'd love someone to just tell me to move, we have been going back and forth for some time. All you Floridans, feel free to convince me ;)

[DisneyKevin]

We recently began discussing making a move. I've been checking out the job fields and housing. Looks like there are some great deals on housing right now. My wife can work from anywhere, so I'd have to find a job myself, sell our current house (could take a long time here in Michigan) and find a house down there. Our oldest child is going into MS next year, so we have to make a move quickly, before he gets close to HS.

I do have a few questions, we'd love to live in a gated community with pool, etc. Anyone live in one of those? What area has the best schools near Orlando? We looked in Winter Park area, among others so far. I'd love to work for a school (since I currently do right now), anyone currently teach or work for a school down there?

Some things holding us back, Floridians are crazy! All the crazy crap on the news seems to happen in Florida. I know its all rare, but how come all the pshycos seem to strike down there.

We love our small town community feel we have right now and would want to find something like that down there.

I currently have 10 years in my job with 4 weeks of vacation. The idea of starting over at a new job, retirement, vacation, etc is daunting.

Friends, we have a few close friends, I'm sure they would visit us in Florida, but of course its hard to leave. Honestly, family isn't hold us back at all. The ones we are closest to are already in Florida at least half the year.

As much as I'd love someone to just tell me to move, we have been going back and forth for some time. All you Floridans, feel free to convince me ;)

Hey Don....

If you have the ability to buy a home in FL....now is the time to do it. Between foreclosures, short sales and regular lower prices, you probably wont find better deals than you will now. The house John and I live in is currently valued the same as it was in 1990.

As for where to live....that's harder to quantify. Orlando is a small city (the actual city center is small) but it's made up of many smaller towns.

It's hard to explain but Winter Park has some of the nicest and most expensive homes in central Florida. We found what we considered to be a beautiful home that we were excited about. It looked like it would for John and I plus my folks. We went and saw it several times and finally called a real estate agent.....1.6 million:scared1: for what we thought was a $200,000 house.

Dont get me wrong.....there are beautiful and less expensive homes available and since this was several years ago....I'm betting that house is now half of the original price.

There are some terrific places to live around Central Florida. Some of the places that we think are terrific are the Hunter's Creek area of Kissimmee, The Dr Phillips area of Orlando, Windemere, Celebration, Clermont, Winter Garden, Winter Park.....all nice areas, but because they are nicer, with more amenities....prices will be higher.

We live in St Cloud, which up until just a few years ago would best be descibed as a sleepy little place. That has changed. St Cloud has grown treendously in the last couple years....but it still has a small town feel.

Another area that seems to be booming is the Narcoossee area. It's adjacent to St Cloud but closer to the airport. Up until recently, it was rather rural and woodsy and something you traveled through to get to the airport.

This has all changed with the recent announcement that a new hospital complex is being built. I believe it's Nemour hospital, with a research facility and if I am not mistaken a Veteran's hospital.

This is going to be a happening place for a while.

As for the school districts....the one we hear about (at least for high school) is the Dr Phillips school district. The high school is supposedly one of the best in the state if not country. The high school sits right behind Jurrasic Park at Universal. There are other well regarded school districts in the area, but I'm not well versed as I dont have any stake in that area.

Most (not all...but most) people that live in Central Florida, moved here from somewhere else. I think the feeling is that while I live here, my roots are somewhere else. I've never felt that way. I brought my roots with me.:) I think John feels the same way although his family lives back in NJ. We've made this home. Florida can also be a bit transient. We often hear about someone moving "back home".

I think Florida has a certain romance about it. People love to vacation here. All of the stresses of home and work and relatives are 1000's of miles away. Life is a Jimmy Buffet song. Grab a beer, put on your flip flops and hang by the beach or pool.....or better yet....go to Disney.

I think people need to have a realistic expectation of what living here is like. It's just like where you live, but hotter and without good pizza or a decent deli. I'm joking but I'm not. Life follows you here. All of the things you have to do where you live now, have to be done here as well.

You still have DR appts, trips to the dry cleaner, housework or repair, taking the dog to the vet, laundry....you get the idea. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from moving to FL...trust me. I'm just pointing out that very few of live Club / Concierge level. No one puts out appetizers and drinks during the day and the maid service is non-existent. :rotfl2:

The better side of all of that is that the sun shines most of the time....even when it's cold. That was a huge thing for me. I lived in the Albany area of New York State and it seemed that from October 1st through the end of May....it was dark, cold, dreary and the sky was usually a dull steel gray. Thats diffenet in FL. It;s usually a bright sunny day outside.....so bright and sunny that the rare rainy day is almost a welcome change.

Before I get emails and posts telling me that you have snow to your armpits.....I understand. I lived that for 35 years. That being said.....it does occasionally get very cold here. It was 35 degrees last night. That's cold in FL. Our houses are built for WARM weather. They are built to stay as cool as possible. They are not highly insulated. Our windows are not energy efficient thermal, double paned windows. Our windows are a sheet of glass....period. They are built to be window and storm resistant....but they are not built to keep us WARM...we are almost always too warm.

Florida also has a change of seasons. It is FAR more subtle than other parts of the country and it may take you a year or two to notice the subtle changes, but they are there. The Cyrus tree leaves turn a dark reddish bron and then fall. Magnolia leaves go from a beautiful deep, dark green to a brown leathery feel. The seasons change....you just have to be more mindful of it.

To finish up.....here is a random list of things I love about living here:

- I live near Disney World
- The beach is an hour away in either direction
- The weather...even though it's been a chilly winter
- You can be outside all year long
- Your friends and family always want to visit
- There is no state income tax
- I'm within a day's drive of some great cities Miami, Tampa, Naples
- It does snow nor do I have to deal with sleet or freezing rain
- Houses are less expensive
- Having a convertible makes sense
- We have an awesome airport
- Port Canaveral is an hour away making Disney cruises very easy.
- There are tons of outdoor events (farmer's markets, street fairs, art shows,
etc)

And to be fair and honest....a list of things I'm not crazy about:

- Traffic can be horrible.
- Florida police do not believe in moving even the most minor of traffic
accidents out of the road. A fender bender can tie up traffic for hours.
- Our local news is basically tabloid journalism
- I cant find a decent radio station.
- I miss GOOD ethnic food. It's hard to find good pizza, chinese, deli etc
- The assumption that because you live here, you are on permanent vacation
and can drop everything and go to the parks for a whole day.
- Florida can be a bit behind in "liberal issues". There is a still a "good ole
boy" mentality.

With all of that being said......I'm not moving from Florida. As Jimmy Buffet so elegantly sings...."I have found me a home">

[WaltD4Me]

Some things holding us back, Floridians are crazy! All the crazy crap on the news seems to happen in Florida. I know its all rare, but how come all the pshycos seem to strike down there.

I laughed when I read this because I've wondered this myself. Seems like everytime I happen to watch Nancy Grace for a minute she is talking about some horrific or bizarre crime that happened in Florida. Just on Thursday it was about the poor Hooters waitress shot in broad daylight. And if I ever did decide to take the plunge, I know I wouldn't move anywhere near Satsuma, that whole town seems to be the craziest of the crazy. :laughing:

[mrzrich]

. She gets overtime alot(sometimes 60 hrs a week)heard no overtime at florida hospitals) and she makes (with night dif,charge nurse and weekend dif) right at $43 an hr.she made $120,000 last yr. she is PRN plus and we do have to pay for our own insurance. She said she will not move unless she finds a nursing job with close to or around that pay. does anyone that lives there ,and is an RN tell me if she can ,with her RNC ,she is specialized in NICU care also. Starting RN's here in Alexandria ,Louisiana make around $21-$23 and hr,so my pay would pretty much be the same in Florida for new nurses. But she did say she will go down to $37, no less...
So will my WDW dreams ever come true??

There is overtime in FL hospitals, just depends on where you work. I will say you have a better chance at OT in the winter when the snowbirds are here. Some hospitals give contracts (between $1500- $6000) if you agree to work a certain # of days a week during the busy months. I've seen less of these contracts in the past few years. The hospitals are usually less busy during the summer, and some don't use their PRN staff during this time. (During the summer I've even seen FT nurses cancelled when census dropped forcing them to use PTO or take the time without pay)

$120,000 a year for an RN in FL is gonna be tough to find. If she finds work at that salary please let me know where. Most RN's in FL don't even make half that. I was recently offered a DON position with a salary of $54,000. I turned it down because it was a salaried position for which OT wasn't available. More responsibility and less pay.

[disneydad78]

I laughed when I read this because I've wondered this myself. Seems like everytime I happen to watch Nancy Grace for a minute she is talking about some horrific or bizarre crime that happened in Florida. Just on Thursday it was about the poor Hooters waitress shot in broad daylight. And if I ever did decide to take the plunge, I know I wouldn't move anywhere near Satsuma, that whole town seems to be the craziest of the crazy. :laughing:

WOW my wife and I said the samething!!:rotfl2: Seems like all the kidnappings happen in FL. alot of crazy things happen in FL.What's in the water.:confused3:rolleyes1

[dpuck1998]

Hey Don....

If you have the ability to buy a home in FL....now is the time to do it. Between foreclosures, short sales and regular lower prices, you probably wont find better deals than you will now. The house John and I live in is currently valued the same as it was in 1990.

As for where to live....that's harder to quantify. Orlando is a small city (the actual city center is small) but it's made up of many smaller towns.

It's hard to explain but Winter Park has some of the nicest and most expensive homes in central Florida. We found what we considered to be a beautiful home that we were excited about. It looked like it would for John and I plus my folks. We went and saw it several times and finally called a real estate agent.....1.6 million:scared1: for what we thought was a $200,000 house.

Dont get me wrong.....there are beautiful and less expensive homes available and since this was several years ago....I'm betting that house is now half of the original price.

There are some terrific places to live around Central Florida. Some of the places that we think are terrific are the Hunter's Creek area of Kissimmee, The Dr Phillips area of Orlando, Windemere, Celebration, Clermont, Winter Garden, Winter Park.....all nice areas, but because they are nicer, with more amenities....prices will be higher.

We live in St Cloud, which up until just a few years ago would best be descibed as a sleepy little place. That has changed. St Cloud has grown treendously in the last couple years....but it still has a small town feel.

Another area that seems to be booming is the Narcoossee area. It's adjacent to St Cloud but closer to the airport. Up until recently, it was rather rural and woodsy and something you traveled through to get to the airport.

This has all changed with the recent announcement that a new hospital complex is being built. I believe it's Nemour hospital, with a research facility and if I am not mistaken a Veteran's hospital.

This is going to be a happening place for a while.

As for the school districts....the one we hear about (at least for high school) is the Dr Phillips school district. The high school is supposedly one of the best in the state if not country. The high school sits right behind Jurrasic Park at Universal. There are other well regarded school districts in the area, but I'm not well versed as I dont have any stake in that area.

Most (not all...but most) people that live in Central Florida, moved here from somewhere else. I think the feeling is that while I live here, my roots are somewhere else. I've never felt that way. I brought my roots with me.:) I think John feels the same way although his family lives back in NJ. We've made this home. Florida can also be a bit transient. We often hear about someone moving "back home".

I think Florida has a certain romance about it. People love to vacation here. All of the stresses of home and work and relatives are 1000's of miles away. Life is a Jimmy Buffet song. Grab a beer, put on your flip flops and hang by the beach or pool.....or better yet....go to Disney.

I think people need to have a realistic expectation of what living here is like. It's just like where you live, but hotter and without good pizza or a decent deli. I'm joking but I'm not. Life follows you here. All of the things you have to do where you live now, have to be done here as well.

You still have DR appts, trips to the dry cleaner, housework or repair, taking the dog to the vet, laundry....you get the idea. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from moving to FL...trust me. I'm just pointing out that very few of live Club / Concierge level. No one puts out appetizers and drinks during the day and the maid service is non-existent. :rotfl2:

The better side of all of that is that the sun shines most of the time....even when it's cold. That was a huge thing for me. I lived in the Albany area of New York State and it seemed that from October 1st through the end of May....it was dark, cold, dreary and the sky was usually a dull steel gray. Thats diffenet in FL. It;s usually a bright sunny day outside.....so bright and sunny that the rare rainy day is almost a welcome change.

Before I get emails and posts telling me that you have snow to your armpits.....I understand. I lived that for 35 years. That being said.....it does occasionally get very cold here. It was 35 degrees last night. That's cold in FL. Our houses are built for WARM weather. They are built to stay as cool as possible. They are not highly insulated. Our windows are not energy efficient thermal, double paned windows. Our windows are a sheet of glass....period. They are built to be window and storm resistant....but they are not built to keep us WARM...we are almost always too warm.

Florida also has a change of seasons. It is FAR more subtle than other parts of the country and it may take you a year or two to notice the subtle changes, but they are there. The Cyrus tree leaves turn a dark reddish bron and then fall. Magnolia leaves go from a beautiful deep, dark green to a brown leathery feel. The seasons change....you just have to be more mindful of it.

To finish up.....here is a random list of things I love about living here:

- I live near Disney World
- The beach is an hour away in either direction
- The weather...even though it's been a chilly winter
- You can be outside all year long
- Your friends and family always want to visit
- There is no state income tax
- I'm within a day's drive of some great cities Miami, Tampa, Naples
- It does snow nor do I have to deal with sleet or freezing rain
- Houses are less expensive
- Having a convertible makes sense
- We have an awesome airport
- Port Canaveral is an hour away making Disney cruises very easy.
- There are tons of outdoor events (farmer's markets, street fairs, art shows,
etc)

And to be fair and honest....a list of things I'm not crazy about:

- Traffic can be horrible.
- Florida police do not believe in moving even the most minor of traffic
accidents out of the road. A fender bender can tie up traffic for hours.
- Our local news is basically tabloid journalism
- I cant find a decent radio station.
- I miss GOOD ethnic food. It's hard to find good pizza, chinese, deli etc
- The assumption that because you live here, you are on permanent vacation
and can drop everything and go to the parks for a whole day.
- Florida can be a bit behind in "liberal issues". There is a still a "good ole
boy" mentality.

With all of that being said......I'm not moving from Florida. As Jimmy Buffet so elegantly sings...."I have found me a home">


Thanks Kevin for the well thought out and thorough response. I'm sure you are well aware, this is a life changing and tough decision. We waffle almost every day trying to decide what is best for us and our family. I have 10 years in at the school now, so at least I'd qualify for retirement if I choose to leave the school. Hard to leave a job you enjoy though and risk getting a job that feels much more like work. For me that is what is holding me back right now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, we are going to talk to the kids (at least the boys) and see what the say about moving. I think they are a good age where they can make friends quickly in a new location.

Sidenote, spent the morning outside playing in the show and sledding.....it was nice (snow isn't bad when the sun is out and temps aren't crazy cold)

Anyone wanna buy a nice house in Vicksburg?

[kaligal]

The Dr Phillips area... I often take a few hours out of vacation to drive around (just me) and look at the area. And I always end up here at some point. I always wonder just who the hell Dr. Phillips is/was, lol. Before I get emails and posts telling me that you have snow to your armpits.....I understand. I lived that for 35 years. That being said.....it does occasionally get very cold here. It was 35 degrees last night. That's cold in FL. Our houses are built for WARM weather. They are built to stay as cool as possible. They are not highly insulated. Our windows are not energy efficient thermal, double paned windows. Our windows are a sheet of glass....period. They are built to be window and storm resistant....but they are not built to keep us WARM...we are almost always too warm. Kevin, cry me a river, why don't you. ;) We get so much snow here that we're all making fun of these big babies who do the news and whine for a week every time they get a real snow in New York or Washington.

A week or two of having to - gasp - run the heat!...will not phase me.

:thumbsup2 I live near Disney World
:thumbsup2 The beach is an hour away in either direction
:cool1: The weather...even though it's been a chilly winter
:thumbsup2 You can be outside all year long
:) Your friends and family always want to visit
:thumbsup2 There is no state income tax
:surfweb: I'm within a day's drive of some great cities Miami, Tampa, Naples :cool1: It does not snow nor do I have to deal with sleet or freezing rain
:) Houses are less expensive
- Having a convertible makes sense
- We have an awesome airport
:) Port Canaveral is an hour away making Disney cruises very easy.
- There are tons of outdoor events (farmer's markets, street fairs, art shows,
etc)

And to be fair and honest....a list of things I'm not crazy about:

:surfweb: Traffic can be horrible.
:eek: Florida police do not believe in moving even the most minor of traffic
accidents out of the road. A fender bender can tie up traffic for hours.
- Our local news is basically tabloid journalism
:mad: I cant find a decent radio station.
- I miss GOOD ethnic food. It's hard to find good pizza, chinese, deli etc
:headache: The assumption that because you live here, you are on permanent vacation
and can drop everything and go to the parks for a whole day.
- Florida can be a bit behind in "liberal issues". There is a still a "good ole
boy" mentality.

With all of that being said......I'm not moving from Florida. As Jimmy Buffet so elegantly sings...."I have found me a home"

-------------------------------

I like that song, too. A lot. I'll start you a radio station. I know you like show tunes and Jimmy, so we're in synch there. The station will also have a lot of Motown (heavy on the Supremes), lots of "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes" type songs from the 60s and 70s, a little George Thourogood, MANY peppy girl songs and some 80s hair bands. Scattered assorted hits from the '90 and today, but not much. You can call in an request a song, too. I'll put your voice on the radio. ;)

If you don't join me, I'll be the ONLY person listening to that station, lol.

I'm sure some people think that if they move to where they vacation, their whole life will be a vacation. But I don't. I wonder why you guys always mention that. Were you one of those folks? Did you think it would be "All Magic, All The Time?" Was real life a big disappointment?

You don't miss all that snow, do you?????

[MM32830]

I always wonder just who the hell Dr. Phillips is/was, lol.

The Dr. Phillips area of Orlando is named after Dr. Phillip Phillips. He was a very well known person in the citrus back in the late 1800s/early 1900s. He bought land in the Sand Lake area (now known as the Dr. Philips area) to start his citrus business. He continued buying more and more land. He was also recognized for creating innovative solutions for processing and packaging citrus.

He died in 1959 but his wealth continues to enrich lives of people living in Orlando and surrounding areas. His philanthropy continues through the Dr. Phillips Foundation.





___________________
Armand

[DisneyKevin]

I'll start you a radio station. I know you like show tunes and Jimmy, so we're in synch there. The station will also have a lot of Motown (heavy on the Supremes), lots of "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes" type songs from the 60s and 70s, a little George Thourogood, MANY peppy girl songs and some 80s hair bands. Scattered assorted hits from the '90 and today, but not much. You can call in an request a song, too. I'll put your voice on the radio. ;)

If you don't join me, I'll be the ONLY person listening to that station, lol.

I'm sure some people think that if they move to where they vacation, their whole life will be a vacation. But I don't. I wonder why you guys always mention that. Were you one of those folks? Did you think it would be "All Magic, All The Time?" Was real life a big disappointment?

You don't miss all that snow, do you?????


My musical taste runs the gamut. I like many different styles of music.

I'm not a fan of the recent trend to synthesize the singers voice until they sound like robots on helium (almost any Brittany Spears song). I'm also not a fan of hip hop. I know that that makes me an old fogey and I'm willing to own that. I like singers who can sing.

As for the reason we keep telling folks that life in FL will not be a constant vacation.....because that's what we hear from people.

"You can go to the parks whenever you want."

"We'll be in town for 8 days.....would you like to come to the parks and hang out with us while we're there?"

"I can spend all of my time at the _____ (fill in the blank....beach, pool, spa, water park)."

"Don't you love to be able to just go walk around the Magic Kingdom after work?"

The podcast team has said many times that we all thought...."oh...this will be great. We'll get annual passes and every night we'll walk around the lagoon at Epcot. It'll be great excercise."

That just doesnt happen...especially if you want clean clothes for work the next day, food in the house, the dogd to go for a walk....I could go on, but you get the idea.

I just want folks to think about their reasons for moving here so as to avoid disappointment or being disillusioned by the reality of the situation.

Several people did this for me prior to my moving here....and I appreaciate everything they did. I moved to Florida and have never regretted it or considered leaving.

Hope that helps.

[mrzrich]

I've lived in FL for the last 15 years. I did not move here for WDW. I would NEVER suggest that anybody move here for WDW, but truthfully, WDW IS one of the things that keeps me from moving away. Does that make sense?

[denise]

The Dr. Phillips area of Orlando is named after Dr. Phillip Phillips. He was a very well known person in the citrus back in the late 1800s/early 1900s. He bought land in the Sand Lake area (now known as the Dr. Philips area) to start his citrus business. He continued buying more and more land. He was also recognized for creating innovative solutions for processing and packaging citrus.

He died in 1959 but his wealth continues to enrich lives of people living in Orlando and surrounding areas. His philanthropy continues through the Dr. Phillips Foundation.


___________________
Armand

So it has nothing to do with Dr. Phillip's Milk of Magnesia? We looked at homes there 18 years and were told that by the real estate person. Guess we should have moved there then?
So now the plan is in 2 years to move there.....when we retire. We are starting to get rid of stuff now to make the move easier :thumbsup2

[kaligal]

The Dr. Phillips area of Orlando is named after Dr. Phillip Phillips. Philip Phillips.

Thank you for sharing that info. I really did wonder that a lot!

As for the reason we keep telling folks that life in FL will not be a constant vacation.....because that's what we hear from people.

"You can go to the parks whenever you want."

"We'll be in town for 8 days.....would you like to come to the parks and hang out with us while we're there?"

"I can spend all of my time at the _____ (fill in the blank....beach, pool, spa, water park)."

"Don't you love to be able to just go walk around the Magic Kingdom after work?"

The podcast team has said many times that we all thought...."oh...this will be great. We'll get annual passes and every night we'll walk around the lagoon at Epcot. It'll be great excercise."

That just doesnt happen...especially if you want clean clothes for work the next day, food in the house, the dogd to go for a walk....I could go on, but you get the idea.

I just want folks to think about their reasons for moving here so as to avoid disappointment or being disillusioned by the reality of the situation.

Several people did this for me prior to my moving here....and I appreaciate everything they did. I moved to Florida and have never regretted it or considered leaving.

Hope that helps.Who needs clean clothes when you can spend all your time at the beach? ;)

I just mention to people that I want to move to Orlando and they talk about visiting me and going to Disney, lol. I can see that being a chore.

I don't think I'd regret it, either...but I'd love to find out!

Thanks for sharing. It's so nice to hear people talk about what it is actually like to live your dream. :)

[PeterPan09]

Philip Phillips.

Thank you for sharing that info. I really did wonder that a lot!

Who needs clean clothes when you can spend all your time at the beach? ;)

I just mention to people that I want to move to Orlando and they talk about visiting me and going to Disney, lol. I can see that being a chore.

I don't think I'd regret it, either...but I'd love to find out!

Thanks for sharing. It's so nice to hear people talk about what it is actually like to live your dream. :)

It's great to have friends visit-but you have to talk them into spacing their trips! If they all come at once, you can't get anything done. Not only do you have to remember that you have a job and no maid service, your friends do too.

When I first got here, I went to the parks once or twice a week! I went after work, I went on Sundays...and slowly I began to realize that the parks weren't going anywhere and at some point I was going to run out of food and clean clothes and the Board of Health was going to condemn my bathroom if I didn't clean it. I do still go over often, but I've got a little better balance in life now. ;)

Living here is not a permanent vacation (unless you're very well off and/or retired) but it is still a lot of fun.

[kaligal]

It's great to have friends visit-but you have to talk them into spacing their trips! If they all come at once, you can't get anything done. Not only do you have to remember that you have a job and no maid service, your friends do too.

When I first got here, I went to the parks once or twice a week! I went after work, I went on Sundays...and slowly I began to realize that the parks weren't going anywhere and at some point I was going to run out of food and clean clothes and the Board of Health was going to condemn my bathroom if I didn't clean it. I do still go over often, but I've got a little better balance in life now. ;)

Living here is not a permanent vacation (unless you're very well off and/or retired) but it is still a lot of fun.Do you let them all stay with you? I'm thinking that I wouldn't. Family, close friends, yeah. The rest of them...no.

I hate to sound totally uncharitable, I think a lot of people I'm not close to would call me up to get a cheap hotel, maid, cook. I think I'd tell them No.

I would LOVE and WELCOME the opportunity to get tired of parks. But I doubt it. Being able to go see Shamu, watch the flamingoes and go home is much more heavenly to me than having to spend day after day running from one thing to the next. The pace of a tourist is more hectic than enjoyable. To me, anyway.

Go often when I feel like it, skip it when I don't - THAT is the best.

And SUNSHINE. More than any of it, I want to go somewhere warm. Of all the warm places where I don't know a soul, Orlando seems the best...so why not?

I think that as I read all this, I'm just convincing myself to move, lol.

[jeanigor]

I think that as I read all this, I'm just convincing myself to move, lol.

Me, too.

[PeterPan09]

The sunshine is the best, but as Kathy said upthread somewhere-you have to get used to that too. Like Kevin, I came from a place where it was pretty grey for about 5-6 months out of the year, so when the sun did come out we RAN outside. It took me a few months to realize that down here, the sun shines a LOT and I don't have to run out every time it does. I can take a sunny day and get some housecleaning done and still get another sunny day to do something fun later on.

The only person who has ever stayed at my house has been my DN. My friends are usually on packages at WDW, so I go over to visit them and hang out at their hotel pool! (love it when friends stay at Yacht and Beach Club!!)

And yes-the end of commando Disney is wonderful. I love being able to look at a line over 20 minutes and say "nah...I'll go next time!"

When you all finally do move down here-we should have a "Townie Meet" over at the parks! :lmao:

[kaligal]

The sunshine is the best, but as Kathy said upthread somewhere-you have to get used to that too. Like Kevin, I came from a place where it was pretty grey for about 5-6 months out of the year, so when the sun did come out we RAN outside. It took me a few months to realize that down here, the sun shines a LOT and I don't have to run out every time it does. I can take a sunny day and get some housecleaning done and still get another sunny day to do something fun later on.

The only person who has ever stayed at my house has been my DN. My friends are usually on packages at WDW, so I go over to visit them and hang out at their hotel pool! (love it when friends stay at Yacht and Beach Club!!)

And yes-the end of commando Disney is wonderful. I love being able to look at a line over 20 minutes and say "nah...I'll go next time!"EXACTLY! I don't want Olive Garden for every meal, but it is nice to have it available when I do want it. OMG, there. I just thought of another bonus. Every fast food and chain restaurant in the world is there. See, the PRO column just keeps getting longer while I'm pretty much "Who cares" about the CON one.

Just having the sunshine in the house would be nice. Even the house is dark in the winer. Everything is dark. I do not think I'd miss the change of seasons and I WOULD NOT miss snow.

My apologies to Kathy, but I don't care for the term "townie." Carries a negative connotation in my brain. Would never call myself that. Love to be a "local" though. :)

I wonder how long it would take before I'd feel like I actually belonged in Florida. :confused:

[thesupersmartguy]

Well said Kevin.

If you are looking for a good place to live, try Celebration. It's 1 mile from the Magic Kingdom, you can hear Wishes if you sit on your front porch, Radio Disney is right on Main Street, the town is quiet, the people are great and we have good food.:goodvibes



My musical taste runs the gamut. I like many different styles of music.

I'm not a fan of the recent trend to synthesize the singers voice until they sound like robots on helium (almost any Brittany Spears song). I'm also not a fan of hip hop. I know that that makes me an old fogey and I'm willing to own that. I like singers who can sing.

As for the reason we keep telling folks that life in FL will not be a constant vacation.....because that's what we hear from people.

"You can go to the parks whenever you want."

"We'll be in town for 8 days.....would you like to come to the parks and hang out with us while we're there?"

"I can spend all of my time at the _____ (fill in the blank....beach, pool, spa, water park)."

"Don't you love to be able to just go walk around the Magic Kingdom after work?"

The podcast team has said many times that we all thought...."oh...this will be great. We'll get annual passes and every night we'll walk around the lagoon at Epcot. It'll be great excercise."

That just doesnt happen...especially if you want clean clothes for work the next day, food in the house, the dogd to go for a walk....I could go on, but you get the idea.

I just want folks to think about their reasons for moving here so as to avoid disappointment or being disillusioned by the reality of the situation.

Several people did this for me prior to my moving here....and I appreaciate everything they did. I moved to Florida and have never regretted it or considered leaving.

Hope that helps.

[safetymom]

EXACTLY! I don't want Olive Garden for every meal, but it is nice to have it available when I do want it. OMG, there. I just thought of another bonus. Every fast food and chain restaurant in the world is there. See, the PRO column just keeps getting longer while I'm pretty much "Who cares" about the CON one.

Just having the sunshine in the house would be nice. Even the house is dark in the winer. Everything is dark. I do not think I'd miss the change of seasons and I WOULD NOT miss snow.

My apologies to Kathy, but I don't care for the term "townie." Carries a negative connotation in my brain. Would never call myself that. Love to be a "local" though. :)

I wonder how long it would take before I'd feel like I actually belonged in Florida. :confused:

It depends on where you are located in the Orlando area. I don't have a lot of restaurants and stores near me. It is a ride to everything.

I don't like the term local because if you read the threads on the theme parks and other boards here local is a negative. Oh the locals are going to be there, will it be crowded because the locals are there? In my mind I have as much right to be anywhere on Disney property or a theme park as the next person.

[kaligal]

It depends on where you are located in the Orlando area. I don't have a lot of restaurants and stores near me. It is a ride to everything.

I don't like the term local because if you read the threads on the theme parks and other boards here local is a negative. Oh the locals are going to be there, will it be crowded because the locals are there? In my mind I have as much right to be anywhere on Disney property or a theme park as the next person.Of course you have a right to be wherever you feel like being whenever you feel like being there. I do understand why you prefer to be a townie and will happily call you that and try very hard not to feel like I'm insulting you. :) But if I'm ever there, I'll be a local.

What I mean about the restaurants is that they're there. If you don't want to take the ride, you don't. But you CAN if you want to. Bonus.

I know a guy who once would drive hours to get to a Taco Bell, lol.

[VanessainWonderland]

Hi everyone. living in Florida really IS as amazing as it sounds. I was born and raised in Miami, went to Disney every month, and practically lived on the beach.

I miss it VERY MUCH. Have been away for 3 years now and plan on moving back one day.

The real drawback on moving back would be pay. I am a teacher, and Florida does NOT pay teachers fairly AT ALL. They consider it a give and take for the 'style of living', but really, who could afford to live in Miami on a 35,000 salary?

And the other HORRENDOUS thing is traffic. I have been stuck in the same spot on I-4 for at least an hour.

[safetymom]

I do consider myself a local. This is my home now. It just gets old when I hear people complaining about the locals at different events.

[PeterPan09]

I wonder how long it would take before I'd feel like I actually belonged in Florida.


Didn't take me long at all! Of course, it helped that I had family here, but I was very comfortable very quickly.

One thing I've noticed in the area I live in is that most of us are from somewhere else. The first question people ask when they meet you is "Where are you from?" and usually the answer is NOT Florida. I think because there are so many people who moved from elsewhere, it's easier to make new friends. You either are new yourself or you remember what it was like to be new and you're more open to the next newcomer.

[Zuzu03]

Hi everyone, jumping in here too! DH and I are working on this plan too. I grew up all over the world and have been in central Vermont for 12 years (the longest I've lived anywhere) due to a divorce and ex relocating here (was NOT going to have my DD go back and forth between Ohio and Vermont). So, DD is getting ready to graduate and go to college and we're thinking it's coming up on time to skedaddle. So tired of snow and cold and DH's cousin is in Windermere and working high up for the mouse. We come down a lot and absolutely love it. We probably won't be able to go for a few years (I want to have our house up here paid off before we jump). I'm a French and Theatre teacher and DH is a toolmaker, so we certainly won't be looking in Windermere! ;) Are there any teachers out there who can let me know how salaries are? I am an MA plus 30, certified in French and Theatre Arts and working on the Spanish endorsement. I'm just so excited to get back to civilisation! I'm tired of having to drive 2 hours to do any kind of real shopping!!! Good luck to everyone making the move!

[hookedonears]

I guess I can't understand the wanting to move to Florida thing. The Pod Squad hit the nail right on the head during the last show. What ever problems people have where they currently live, they'll have similar problems there also, but different. Living in Orlando from May until October is like living on the face of the sun with humidity. You don't even want to leave your house, because your car heats up to 125 deg. when you park for just a few minutes. It's a very transient city, where nobody is actually from Orlando. Disney is paradise, but it's where we go on vacation. If you live there, it's no longer a vacation. The thrill of walking through the concourse at MCO when you arrive will be gone.

[kaligal]

I guess I can't understand the wanting to move to Florida thing. The Pod Squad hit the nail right on the head during the last show. What ever problems people have where they currently live, they'll have similar problems there also, but different. Living in Orlando from May until October is like living on the face of the sun with humidity. You don't even want to leave your house, because your car heats up to 125 deg. when you park for just a few minutes. It's a very transient city, where nobody is actually from Orlando. Disney is paradise, but it's where we go on vacation. If you live there, it's no longer a vacation. The thrill of walking through the concourse at MCO when you arrive will be gone.The car being hot is, for me, much better than being cold. Heat also doesn't cause you to stand outside with your little toes going numb hacking away at the windshield...and side windows...and rear window. Don't have to get that brush up on top of the car and get all the heat off the roof so it doesn't go flying onto other folks' windows. Also don't have to back away as the heat falls down and try not to get it all over your pants.

And heat doesn't clog up the wiper fluid thingy so that you can't clean the windows.

Heat is uncomfortable, but far less time-consuming than cold, ice and snow. And while it sucks to be out in the heat, it has never actually prevented me from getting anywhere.

Around here, the sun leaves in September/October and doesn't come back until May. It's a myth about the snow ending in March. We've had Easters where the snow was 2 feet deep.

The #1 thing about central Florida is the lack of snow. Theme parks are just the icing on the cake. I don't think Disney is paradise. I just like theme parks. Always have.

[WaltD4Me]

I guess I can't understand the wanting to move to Florida thing. The Pod Squad hit the nail right on the head during the last show. What ever problems people have where they currently live, they'll have similar problems there also, but different. Living in Orlando from May until October is like living on the face of the sun with humidity. You don't even want to leave your house, because your car heats up to 125 deg. when you park for just a few minutes. It's a very transient city, where nobody is actually from Orlando. Disney is paradise, but it's where we go on vacation. If you live there, it's no longer a vacation. The thrill of walking through the concourse at MCO when you arrive will be gone.

While I totally understand what Kevin is saying about still having to deal with life if you move to Florida, I think dealing with life in Florida would still be better than dealing with life here. Yes, I would still have bills to pay, laundry to do, grocery shopping, home maintenance, ect, ect, but I deal with all that now without having the possibility of going over to MK to watch Wishes if I have some free time or going to the beach for a few hours on my day off or going to Epcot just to take a stroll around WS. Even if it turned out that I didn't actually do those things all that often, the opportunity is there. Yesterday when I was bored and wanted to get out, I went and strolled around Target, I'd much rather have strolled around MK (even though it was only 45 degrees) but didn't have that option.

[PeterPan09]

I guess I can't understand the wanting to move to Florida thing. The Pod Squad hit the nail right on the head during the last show. What ever problems people have where they currently live, they'll have similar problems there also, but different. Living in Orlando from May until October is like living on the face of the sun with humidity. You don't even want to leave your house, because your car heats up to 125 deg. when you park for just a few minutes. It's a very transient city, where nobody is actually from Orlando. Disney is paradise, but it's where we go on vacation. If you live there, it's no longer a vacation. The thrill of walking through the concourse at MCO when you arrive will be gone.

Honestly, I've been hotter in NJ and DC than I have been in Orlando. Down here, our homes are built to keep us cool and it makes a huge difference. Summers in NJ were pretty hot and humid, and I spent a TON more on AC there than I do here.

I don't do the concourse at MCO anymore-but the thrill of driving through the gates at WDW hasn't diminished one bit.

[safetymom]

I agree. I had just as humid a summer as I did in PA. At least here I have a/c. I do go out in the summer, love going to the beach and water parks.

I still get a thrill going through MCO. I know I am home when I hit the airport after a trip.

I would much rather be hot than cold anyday. My quality of life is much much better here in FL. Florida may not be for everyone but it is heaven for me.

[WaltD4Me]

Kathy...I know it's hard to say, but I'm curious, how much do you think you would visit the parks if it wasn't part of your job? And do you think it would change your perception of living there if you had a job that was not Disney related?

[MM32830]

May I answer that question, too?

When I am in the area (I commute to Maine for work about once a month), I am at either the parks or DTD 4-5 times a week. I like to go to DTD if I don't have a lot of time since it's easy to get in and out. Give me an hour at DTD and I am refreshed!!




_________________
Armand

[safetymom]

I visited the parks just as much when I wasn't working for Dreams as I do now. I didn't have a job that dealt with Disney when I moved here. I had a job that I traveled around the US.

It just worked out perfectly that now I have a job that deals with Disney. :)

[Pig Pen]

We have already sold our house and are renting until January 2011. At that time my DH will qualify for early retirement, which includes full medical benefits for both of us, plus a small pension to begin immediately. My job will officially be over in January as I am a political appointee and my boss is not running for re-election.

We have a small summer camp on a lake in Vermont and will buy a small condo/trailer/house in FL. We are relatively young (will be 55 and 52 when we move) so plan to work many more years...hopefully at WDW.

We have already changed our lifestyle in preparation for our move. Got rid of tons of material possessions, paid cash for our vehicles, etc. After years of high pressure jobs, we want to simplify and relax!

We are looking at the Davenport/Winter Haven area which is southwest of WDW and Orlando. It's a quick commute to WDW plus it's near relatives who live in the Lakeland/Tampa areas.

Hopefully, this time next year, we will be there!

[DisneyKevin]

While I totally understand what Kevin is saying about still having to deal with life if you move to Florida, I think dealing with life in Florida would still be better than dealing with life here. Yes, I would still have bills to pay, laundry to do, grocery shopping, home maintenance, ect, ect, but I deal with all that now without having the possibility of going over to MK to watch Wishes if I have some free time or going to the beach for a few hours on my day off or going to Epcot just to take a stroll around WS. Even if it turned out that I didn't actually do those things all that often, the opportunity is there. Yesterday when I was bored and wanted to get out, I went and strolled around Target, I'd much rather have strolled around MK (even though it was only 45 degrees) but didn't have that option.

Lisa has conveyed exactly what I was trying to say and she did it much more eloquently than I did.

I have tried to be as honest as possible in my description of what life is like here in Fl including the good and not so good.

I have had several friends "head home" because Florida didnt offer the lifestyle they expected....meaning that while we might have a lanai, we dont get to hang out on it eating cheesecake every day (my Golden Girls reference for the day). It's something I keep mentioning because moving someplace and being disappointed is costly, and not just in a monetary sense.

That being said....I have also stated that I LOVE living here and would not consider moving anywhere else.....well, maybe Paris....but we'll see.

Something to consider.....my folks actually bought a home here long before we actually moved here. We owned their house for 6 years before I made the move and then they followed me 2 years later.

Housing in FL is at an all time low and we just heard that FL will probably not rebound as fast as the rest of the country. If you are looking for a second home, a vacation property or someplace in which to eventualy move....the timing is good.

Again...be it townie...local...whatever....I'm here for a while. This is home and I love it.

[DisneyKevin]

Kathy...I know it's hard to say, but I'm curious, how much do you think you would visit the parks if it wasn't part of your job? And do you think it would change your perception of living there if you had a job that was not Disney related?

I realize that you did not ask me...but I can say that in the last few years, my responsibilities and situation have changed.

I used to spend more time in the parks and will again....but as I've said before.....life intrudes.

[WaltD4Me]

I realize that you did not ask me...but I can say that in the last few years, my responsibilities and situation have changed.

I used to spend more time in the parks and will again....but as I've said before.....life intrudes.

From the way you talk on the show, it almost seems like you visited the parks more before you started working for DIS and Dreams? Although, you still go enough to make me jealous. The "We are at the Polynesian Sushi Bar and you are not." post comes to mind. :teeth:

Life intrudes, I said something similiar last week when my sister asked me why I haven't been scrapbooking lately. I used to do it alot, I just haven't had time lately. I hope to get back to it soon.

[Zuzu03]

We have already sold our house and are renting until January 2011. At that time my DH will qualify for early retirement, which includes full medical benefits for both of us, plus a small pension to begin immediately. My job will officially be over in January as I am a political appointee and my boss is not running for re-election.

We have a small summer camp on a lake in Vermont and will buy a small condo/trailer/house in FL. We are relatively young (will be 55 and 52 when we move) so plan to work many more years...hopefully at WDW.

We have already changed our lifestyle in preparation for our move. Got rid of tons of material possessions, paid cash for our vehicles, etc. After years of high pressure jobs, we want to simplify and relax!

We are looking at the Davenport/Winter Haven area which is southwest of WDW and Orlando. It's a quick commute to WDW plus it's near relatives who live in the Lakeland/Tampa areas.

Hopefully, this time next year, we will be there!

Sorry, read your message before your post! Lucky you! You're doing exactly what we plan to do - downscale, downscale, downscale! Good for you!

As for everyone talking about the weather: The heat and humidity do NOT bother me. I lived in Omaha for 4 years, competed in equestrian events all over the midwest (in over 100 degree heat with ridiculously high humidity - black wool hunt coat et al) and loved every minute of it. The cold, on the other hand, I cannot take it and the older I get, the worse it is.

[zulemara]

I didn't realize just how much I can't stand not going to Disney until I was home for 2 weeks. Aside from being with my DBF, I was absolutely MISERABLE. By the time I came back, I wanted to do nothing than hit the parks.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm going to MK to get my haircut, dyed, and sprinkled with pixi dust, then going to dinner at Whispering Canyon. Being able to do that every year, and go to the parks when I want is awesome.

As Kevin said, life does get in the way, but the option is always there. And if you're bored...well then the option is REALLY there. Or when you need to relax and have fun, the option is always there. I'm looking forward to tomorrow because I'm getting burnt out at work and need to relax.

Anyway, I think the point has been made. I will say I've been a little angry about the cold weather this year. Boating in 30 degrees is not my idea of fun.

[WaltD4Me]

I didn't realize just how much I can't stand not going to Disney until I was home for 2 weeks. Aside from being with my DBF, I was absolutely MISERABLE. By the time I came back, I wanted to do nothing than hit the parks.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm going to MK to get my haircut, dyed, and sprinkled with pixi dust, then going to dinner at Whispering Canyon. Being able to do that every year, and go to the parks when I want is awesome.

As Kevin said, life does get in the way, but the option is always there. And if you're bored...well then the option is REALLY there. Or when you need to relax and have fun, the option is always there. I'm looking forward to tomorrow because I'm getting burnt out at work and need to relax.

Anyway, I think the point has been made. I will say I've been a little angry about the cold weather this year. Boating in 30 degrees is not my idea of fun.

I'm not sure I could do what you do. Work in the parks and still go all the time for recreation. I pretty sure I could live in Orlando and not get bored with Disney, but I don't think I could work there and still enjoy it the same way.

[zulemara]

I'm not sure I could do what you do. Work in the parks and still go all the time for recreation. I pretty sure I could live in Orlando and not get bored with Disney, but I don't think I could work there and still enjoy it the same way.

yes it does present its challenges. That is a whole other conversation I suppose. Since I technically work outside the park, once I'm inside I generally don't have a problem getting stressed out from ppl. I have my park pet peeves, but we all have those. I LOVE sitting on Main St with a donut and coffee and watching all the newbies try to navigate the park. I don't even remember the last time I used a park map at MK:rotfl::rotfl:

My park of choice is usually EPCOT though. WS + alcohol =fun pretty much everytime. I went to DHS for a TSM run, got 202k on my first time through(DAP winner is goin DOWN next time around).

Some ppl, even locals, find it odd that I follow Disney so closely. To them, Disney is just a job. To me, Disney is a hobby. So when the guests ask me(non stupid) questions, I'm full of information.(note: the boat doesn't go to universal and there are no dolphins in the lake)

And the ironic thing of it all is that I was here for the first time in 1995 at 10 years old and ya know what? I hated the Magic Kingdom.

[jsoren11]

It amazes me how many people here reply how moving to Florida is like the surface of the sun with humidity. Let me tell you how the dryness of Colorado has ruined my skin and how great I feel after just a few days with humidity. Alot of people hate the humidity, I am literally scratching the skin off my itching legs and arms when I come home from work because of the cold dry days we have here. My wife's back and arms turn red and peel all the time if she doesnt lather in lotion 24/7. Staying inside when the weather is uncomfortable is normal for anywhere you live with seasons, here we hide from the snow and cold and in Florida you hide from the heat. In Florida you go out at night, in Colorado, you go out in May. In Florida you get hot so you jump in your pool, In Colorado you get cold so you get in bed.
The main reason we are moving to Florida is the major DUMP the housing market took there and the prospect of transferring jobs and maintaining nearly the same income. Living near beaches, Universal, WDW, Sea World, Busch, Kennedy Space Center, and last minute cruise deals is all icing on a very large, (yes hot and humid) cake. mmmmm cake! Boston Cream Pie is actually cake isn't it? I love Boston Cream Pie. Especially with lots of chocolate on the top layer......
I will just sum this up by saying, I wish the people I work with would just shut up about their poo-pooing the idea of moving to Florida. Yes I love WDW but I'm not thinking I'm going on a permanent vacation. Im not moving in with Mickey, I dont think in my head that I'll be at the parks every single day.
I honestly just want a better lifestyle than I have here and I think we will find that in Florida.
Besides, Colorado is BORING!!

[jsoren11]

I have another question::
What is the availability of international flights out of Orlando like?

From Denver, we usually have to fly to San Fran, Atlanta, or Newark to get out of the country. Are there any good directs out of MCO?

Cancun?
London?
Paris?
Rio?

[arielrocks]

You can def fly direct to London from mco!

[Figaro1]

This has been a question of my for sometime. I see pools in Florida with what I will warmly call a "cage" and pools without a cage. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of both? I think I understand it is to keep bugs out? But can someone please educate me more?

I'm loving this thread, taking notes and day dreaming of my move to FL :surfweb:

[mrzrich]

This has been a question of my for sometime. I see pools in Florida with what I will warmly call a "cage" and pools without a cage. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of both? I think I understand it is to keep bugs out? But can someone please educate me more?

I'm loving this thread, taking notes and day dreaming of my move to FL :surfweb:

You'll want the cage. My neighbor didn't have one, and a family of raccoons used her pool as their personal toilet. Also, remember wherever there's water in FL, you have the potential for gators...that includes your pool.:scared1:

http://media.naplesnews.com/media/img/photos/2008/03/20/080321cc-a-alligator_t607.jpg

[DisneyKevin]

It amazes me how many people here reply how moving to Florida is like the surface of the sun with humidity. Let me tell you how the dryness of Colorado has ruined my skin and how great I feel after just a few days with humidity. Alot of people hate the humidity, I am literally scratching the skin off my itching legs and arms when I come home from work because of the cold dry days we have here. My wife's back and arms turn red and peel all the time if she doesnt lather in lotion 24/7. Staying inside when the weather is uncomfortable is normal for anywhere you live with seasons, here we hide from the snow and cold and in Florida you hide from the heat. In Florida you go out at night, in Colorado, you go out in May. In Florida you get hot so you jump in your pool, In Colorado you get cold so you get in bed.
The main reason we are moving to Florida is the major DUMP the housing market took there and the prospect of transferring jobs and maintaining nearly the same income. Living near beaches, Universal, WDW, Sea World, Busch, Kennedy Space Center, and last minute cruise deals is all icing on a very large, (yes hot and humid) cake. mmmmm cake! Boston Cream Pie is actually cake isn't it? I love Boston Cream Pie. Especially with lots of chocolate on the top layer......
I will just sum this up by saying, I wish the people I work with would just shut up about their poo-pooing the idea of moving to Florida. Yes I love WDW but I'm not thinking I'm going on a permanent vacation. Im not moving in with Mickey, I dont think in my head that I'll be at the parks every single day.
I honestly just want a better lifestyle than I have here and I think we will find that in Florida.
Besides, Colorado is BORING!!

No one is trying totalk you out of moving here. Just trying to give you. a realistic look at life in FL:thumbsup2

I have another question::
What is the availability of international flights out of Orlando like?

From Denver, we usually have to fly to San Fran, Atlanta, or Newark to get out of the country. Are there any good directs out of MCO?

Cancun?
London?
Paris?
Rio?

Orlando is an international airport. That being said, some flights do go through one of the major hubs onm the east coast. (Atlanta, NYC etc)

This has been a question of my for sometime. I see pools in Florida with what I will warmly call a "cage" and pools without a cage. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of both? I think I understand it is to keep bugs out? But can someone please educate me more?


Besides larger critters, they keep out bugs and leaves. It saves you from cleaning as often and from getting bitten by mosquitos and other flying critters.

[MM32830]

This has been a question of my for sometime. I see pools in Florida with what I will warmly call a "cage" and pools without a cage. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of both? I think I understand it is to keep bugs out? But can someone please educate me more?

I'm loving this thread, taking notes and day dreaming of my move to FL :surfweb:


Keep in mind that depending on where you move, your community may have a pool and you won't need one at home.

My first house in Florida had it's own pool and it had a cage around it. If you get your own pool, you definitely want a cage.

My current home (been here 5 years now) doesn't have a pool but our community has three pools. I MUCH prefer this over owning your own pool. No maintenance. Just drive down to one of the community pools and jump in. You also get to meet lots of people. A couple of our pool areas also have grills so you can even have a little picnic. Call it a mini vacation.




___________________
Armand

[Figaro1]

Thanks everyone!

Mrzrich - I so would want a cage after seeing that photo, I did not even think of "visitors" like him!!!

Does the cage have an offical name, or just pool cage?

[tenaseewalker]

It's sure looks like Florida's population will be growing within the next 2 to 5 yrs. My DH, DS and I have been thinking the exact same thing. I was wondering if anyone could tell me of an area close to Disney (orlando) that's not to expensive that allows horses? Since our horses are a very big part of our family, we need somewhere that's suitable for them too.

[jsoren11]

Kevin, Im not saying anyone there in Florida is trying to talk us out of moving there. It's the people here in Colorado that are poo-pooing the idea.
I know you want us to move there!! We're going to have soooooo much fun together when we get there!! :thumbsup2

:goodvibes

[PeterPan09]

It's sure looks like Florida's population will be growing within the next 2 to 5 yrs. My DH, DS and I have been thinking the exact same thing. I was wondering if anyone could tell me of an area close to Disney (orlando) that's not to expensive that allows horses? Since our horses are a very big part of our family, we need somewhere that's suitable for them too.

Well, the Ocala area is MAJOR horse country, but it's not that close to Orlando.

[mrzrich]

Thanks everyone!

Mrzrich - I so would want a cage after seeing that photo, I did not even think of "visitors" like him!!!

Does the cage have an offical name, or just pool cage?

Its a called screen enclosure, but lots of people do call them bird cages. Keep in mind that if a gator wants to get in your pool, he with bust through the screen. At least the racket of him busted through will alert you. I love swimming after dark, and finding one of them in my pool after jumping in at night.

It really is more to keep leaves and branches out though.

[Zuzu03]

It's sure looks like Florida's population will be growing within the next 2 to 5 yrs. My DH, DS and I have been thinking the exact same thing. I was wondering if anyone could tell me of an area close to Disney (orlando) that's not to expensive that allows horses? Since our horses are a very big part of our family, we need somewhere that's suitable for them too.

Great question - can anyone give us a heads up on grain, hay and bedding prices?

[tenaseewalker]

I do know that hay is going for around $8.oo for a square bale.

[Zuzu03]

I do know that hay is going for around $8.oo for a square bale.

Ouch.

[tenaseewalker]

Thanks PeterPan09 but Ocala is just a little to far from Disney for me. By any chance do you know of any place closer that allows horses?

[tenaseewalker]

Zuzu03, Do you have horses?

[PeterPan09]

Thanks PeterPan09 but Ocala is just a little to far from Disney for me. By any chance do you know of any place closer that allows horses?

I figured that! ;) It would have been too far for me too!

If I go North on Highway 27, there are cattle grazing so there must still be some farm activity in Clermont other than just the remaining orange groves. Groveland is also still pretty rural-not too overdeveloped yet. I know that there is at least one feed and tackle shop on North 27 too, and where there is feed and tackle-there must be horses, right?

[Zuzu03]

Zuzu03, Do you have horses?

Not right now. I trained and showed for years until moving up here to VT and going back to school. Now I'm ready to "jump" back in! But not up here in VT. We're positioning ourselves to make a big move in a few years and get back in to riding, but not nearly to the extent that we were. You have Walkers, I assume by your siggy? :)

[tenaseewalker]

Yes, I do have walkers but I also have a Quarter horse, Arabs and a Kentucky Mountain horse. What did you use to show?

[Zuzu03]

Yes, I do have walkers but I also have a Quarter horse, Arabs and a Kentucky Mountain horse. What did you use to show?

Hunter/Jumpers mostly and a bit of eventing, but I worked for people with Morgans (in Nebraska) and Arabs (most recently in Michigan) and had to do it all (did NOT like the western pleasure classes though). Found my dressage really useful in saddle seat! I miss it, but won't be as involved when I get back to it.

[Zuzu03]

Yes, I do have walkers but I also have a Quarter horse, Arabs and a Kentucky Mountain horse. What did you use to show?

Had a fantastic QH/TB cross who was phenomenal in timed jumping. Her rollbacks shaved SECONDS off. She was amazing, but unfortunately she got navicular and became my #1 broodmare.

Sorry, everyone, we're off topic! ;)

[tenaseewalker]

When you worked for the Arab people in Michigan who was it? I know a few people in the Arab world. Most of them are in Scottsdale right now.. Did you live in Mich?

[Zuzu03]

When you worked for the Arab people in Michigan who was it? I know a few people in the Arab world. Most of them are in Scottsdale right now.. Did you live in Mich?

I worked for A. Kristiina Burkhart at Classicala Farm (loved her!) and lived just outside of Toledo. We had so much fun and her Arabs are so nice. It was a different world from what I was used to, but I loved every minute of it!

[jsoren11]

The Winter Garden area is full of short sale listings. Does anyone know a reason why there are so many foreclosures in this area over the other areas? Do you think people are dumping vacation properties there? :confused3

[DisneyKevin]

The Winter Garden area is full of short sale listings. Does anyone know a reason why there are so many foreclosures in this area over the other areas? Do you think people are dumping vacation properties there? :confused3

Up until the last few years, Winter Garden was fairly rural and once the housing boom started, that changed quickly

Winter Garden has several neighborhoods with some rather large (and at one time, very expensive) homes and with prices in Florida having dropped dramatically, many people are finding themselves in the position where they owe MUCH more than the house is worth.

While there might be some folks dropping vacation homes...my guess is that this is not the case in this area.

My guess is that people have seen their adjustable mortgage rates double and sometimes triple and they have seen their $500,000 homes drop to below $200,000 in value.

Folks are being told that in this market and economy....it might be best to just walk away from the position in which they find themselves.

You can drive through many, many neighborhoods and see empty houses.

[kimisabella]

We too are interested in moving (either permanently or snowbirds) to FL - my dh is able to retire in about 6 years from the NYPD and is currently in school to get his CPA. We are not going to move any time soon since we are in a really good school district and I want both my girls to go all the way through the high school here.

While I love the Celebration area, I would want to be closer to the beach. Living my whole life literally down the street from the beach here on LI, living in Central Florida and having the beach an hour away would be difficult for me. What areas, on the east coast, not the gulf coast, are good within an hours drive from WDW? My mother's friends have a house in Melbourne and although we visited them about 10 years ago, I really don't remember the area well.

[ThunderSnow]

Sorry for expanding the topic, but in the theme of living life in FL, but having WDW as icing, I have some different issues. My driver would be college for my kids. The time to relocate might be now (housing prices, job, etc.). This will set my kids on a path that will have them go to Florida schools. I can get 3 kids educated for the price of 1 compared to my in-state options up here in the Northeast US. We have 4 kids. My goal was to have a commuter option too (UCF (Oviedo?), USF, UF) and still be within an hour or two from WDW.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

[jsoren11]

thanks Kevin

What is the instate tuition like at UF or UCF? does anyone know?

were paying 15,000 instate at KU "kansas" now. even though we live in colorado. (daughter is on the dance team) Is it comparable?

[ThunderSnow]

US News and World Report lists the following for 2009-10 (perhaps its semester):

Kansas $7414
UF $4373
UCF $4526
Rutgers (I'm from New Jersey) $11,886

Thanks!

[OKW Lover]

While I love the Celebration area, I would want to be closer to the beach. Living my whole life literally down the street from the beach here on LI, living in Central Florida and having the beach an hour away would be difficult for me. What areas, on the east coast, not the gulf coast, are good within an hours drive from WDW?

On our last visit to WDW, we met up with John and Christy Stangler, who we know from on PCC 1.0, DAP, etc, and they bought a house in Viera. Its just south of KSC and they told us its about an hour drive to get over to WDW from there.

[kimisabella]

On our last visit to WDW, we met up with John and Christy Stangler, who we know from on PCC 1.0, DAP, etc, and they bought a house in Viera. Its just south of KSC and they told us its about an hour drive to get over to WDW from there.

I actually was looking on the internet at Viera. It seems nice and Liz (IWISHFORDISNEY) just moved there not too long ago and from her Facebook photos and updates it does look like an area that could suite us.

[kbelle8995]

I'm a native Floridian. I lived in Alabama for two years but I lived in Florida for most of my life. What I tell people is that living down here is okay but don't come here expecting paradise. There are good and bad about living here. You can't always go to beach, there's man O'war ( Jelly fish), sea lice, sharks and red tide. Plus people can't always go because they have to work.

Also a lot of Florida is overpopulated and over developed. Developers have tried to destroy the Everglades to build more homes and if they ruin the Everglades and the wetlands we are in deep trouble. On the coast you are charged high taxes due to hurricanes and the insurance companies can get you too.

I love my state very much and I often hear how it's not that great because they don't run things the way they do up north. But for the most part this is southern state and it is what is. In North Florida, the people are warm and pleasant. There are alot more trees. I really love it more here than in South Florida.

Also the job market here is not that great right now. If you want to move to Florida that's wonderful but just be realistic.

I don't want to be accused of being negative. Florida has gorgeous areas and different cultures. There is more here than just Beaches and Theme parks. Florida has a rich history such as Saint Augustine (one of the oldest settlement) and a native Americans (Seminoles) who never surrendered. We also played a major part in US history such as the WWII and the Civil War. We have Civil War Reanctments and the Florida Cowboy. So I have mixed feelings of pride and cynical feelings about my home state.

[MM32830]

To add to this conversation, if you are even somewhat serious about moving down here, from a real estate standpoint the time to buy is now.

I didn't have much on the schedule this morning so I took a walk downtown Winter Garden. The are a couple of real estate brokers offices on Plant St. In the windows are listings of houses for sale. It is just amazing the incredible values that are available right now.

I saw some houses that had 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms selling for $120,000. Yes, some of these are short sales (so you have to be careful) but some were not. From what I can tell from the pictures. there were very nice houses in the Winter Garden/Clermont area. Many were built in 2004 (during the housing boom) so the houses are not very old.



__________________
Armand

[jsoren11]

i just wish we had the means to move down there or buy down there right now..

[vicki_c]

I actually was looking on the internet at Viera. It seems nice and Liz (IWISHFORDISNEY) just moved there not too long ago and from her Facebook photos and updates it does look like an area that could suite us.

Viera is very nice - it was just being developed when we moved to FL in 2004 (most of that area had been a ranch/farm). Unfortunately, that year, we couldn't afford a home there -- of course, now we could. As the PP said, there should be tons of bargains in that area now because like much of Florida, the Melbourne/Viera area was booming booming booming in 2004-2005 with SO many houses built. And they are worth SO much less now than they were then. I'm sure there are amazing deals to be had.

If I were moving back to Melbourne now, I would be looking for a deal on a house on the river (vs. beachside or further inland) if you can afford the insurance.

[bellebookworm9]

I was very happy to see this thread. I am currently a college freshman, looking to move in 5 years or so after I graduate. I am majoring in speech pathology, and am receiving a grant with the stipulations that I a)teach in a low income school district and b)move to a state with a shortage of speech paths. Florida meet both of these requirements, and there are about 200 schools in Polk & Osceola counties I could pick from. Does anyone have any thoughts about which schools are good/bad? I've heard that many schools in the Orlando area can be a little sketchy. Also, does anyone have recommendations of real estate websites? Most of the ones here in New York don't exist in Florida.

[BridetobeDisney]

We are planning to move in the next 3-5 years too. I'm not sure where in the area we want to move though. No more than an hour drive to Disney.

I've been reading everybody's comments on the humidity, heat, etc. I guess I'm all set for that kind of stuff. I'm from middle GA and we have just as much heat and humidity as Orlando does. We visited MK in July last year and it felt the same as Macon. However, it does get coldish (20's) here sometimes and I can't take it. I hate cold whether. A friend who lives in Jacksonville told me I'd be giving up my winter if I moved to FL. Well, I'd much rather be at the beach on Christmas day like she was than wearing my scarf, boots and sweater in Macon (:rolleyes: it was in the 50's).

Also, as far as teacher pay goes. I'll have my T-5 cert. in library media at the end of May. I've compared teacher salaries in middle GA and Orlando and it seems the same. The problem is that the cost of living in Central FL is higher than where I live. But Macon is becoming a pretty dangerous place to live. We've had a lot of shootings, burglaries, gang problems, muggings, etc. in the last few years and nothing is being done about it. I know that Orlando has those problems too so I want to stay away from the metro area for my home. I'd rather live outside of Orlando and commute to work.

Are there any cities/towns that are well known for their crime prevention and safety that are around the Orlando area?

[mousehouselover]

DH and I took the plunge last year and moved to Central FL. We bought a house in St. Cloud and :lovestruc :love: :lovestruc it. We still have the same responsibilities; house and yard, kids, pets ect but the option of heading to the parks or beach and the warm weather just seems to make life a lot more livable. It's not vacation all the time but it was the right decision for us.

To the people who were discussing horses a few pages back; there are several areas near St. Cloud that are zoned for horses. My realtor has one herself. I can get you her contact info if you are really wanting info on keeping horses in our area.

We're leaving in a few minutes to spend the the evening at one of the parks, probably Epcot. I can't imagine a better way to spend a Sun evening; a nice relaxing stroll around WS, a snack and a drink.....

[jsoren11]

My kids go to Jefferson county schools in Colorado. The shootings today were at the school my daughter should go to next year. Two miles west of columbine. I'm thinking maybe we'll move earlier. I hate Colorado!

[lucigo]

Sorry for expanding the topic, but in the theme of living life in FL, but having WDW as icing, I have some different issues. My driver would be college for my kids. The time to relocate might be now (housing prices, job, etc.). This will set my kids on a path that will have them go to Florida schools. I can get 3 kids educated for the price of 1 compared to my in-state options up here in the Northeast US. We have 4 kids. My goal was to have a commuter option too (UCF (Oviedo?), USF, UF) and still be within an hour or two from WDW.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

I have two kids in college in FL right now and pay absolutely nothing for them to go to school. Look into Bright Futures. I stayed in FL after my husband died 10 years ago, because I knew that Bright Futures would get them through college. If I moved "home" to MO, even living in Columbia where the university is, we would be paying tuition now. I like that Bright Futures puts the responsibility on them to get good grades and to keep their grades up and be responsible. Last night my 18yo was saying he wanted to drop his art history class because he had to memorize 90 paintings for a test. But then after talking it out with his sister he realized he would have to pay back the tuition to bright futures out of his scholarship money and that it would be better to just buckle down and study! :teacher:

We are in the process of moving from the Pensacola area to Orlando, my husband is teaching school down there. My oldest wants to transfer to UCF and my son wants to stay at UWF. I also have one in high school who will be right behind them.

[lucigo]

To add to this conversation, if you are even somewhat serious about moving down here, from a real estate standpoint the time to buy is now.

I didn't have much on the schedule this morning so I took a walk downtown Winter Garden. The are a couple of real estate brokers offices on Plant St. In the windows are listings of houses for sale. It is just amazing the incredible values that are available right now.

I saw some houses that had 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms selling for $120,000. Yes, some of these are short sales (so you have to be careful) but some were not. From what I can tell from the pictures. there were very nice houses in the Winter Garden/Clermont area. Many were built in 2004 (during the housing boom) so the houses are not very old.



__________________
Armand

The problem here is in order to buy now, we have to first sell now :headache:

[lucigo]

I was very happy to see this thread. I am currently a college freshman, looking to move in 5 years or so after I graduate. I am majoring in speech pathology, and am receiving a grant with the stipulations that I a)teach in a low income school district and b)move to a state with a shortage of speech paths. Florida meet both of these requirements, and there are about 200 schools in Polk & Osceola counties I could pick from. Does anyone have any thoughts about which schools are good/bad? I've heard that many schools in the Orlando area can be a little sketchy. Also, does anyone have recommendations of real estate websites? Most of the ones here in New York don't exist in Florida.

As the mom of a child with autism let me just say you have picked a very good degree program. You will be able to work anywhere you want, the demand for speech pathologists is high just about everywhere. I have heard that services for ESE are better in Orange county, where as the school systems for typical kids are better in Seminole county. I would suggest you take a trip, go interview the schools and pick the one you want. You should be in a position where you can go anywhere you want to go.

[Scotico]

Seems like the only reason you want to move to central Florida is because of the parks. Let me tell you a few things about Orlando/Kissimmee area. There are very bad areas in and around the parks. There is a major road called OBT that is home to many prostitutes, drug dealers and gang members. Also, the idea of the theme parks right around the corner seems like a great idea but you will begin to really hate the tourists who come here. The traffic is killer at all times near the parks. I am so jealous of you because you are so close to the mountains. Summer in Orlando is so nasty. There is no ocean breeze and it's very humid. I would think long and hard before moving to Florida. You do not have that picturesque view in Orlando like you do in Colorado.

[MM32830]

Seems like the only reason you want to move to central Florida is because of the parks. Let me tell you a few things about Orlando/Kissimmee area. There are very bad areas in and around the parks. There is a major road called OBT that is home to many prostitutes, drug dealers and gang members. Also, the idea of the theme parks right around the corner seems like a great idea but you will begin to really hate the tourists who come here. The traffic is killer at all times near the parks. I am so jealous of you because you are so close to the mountains. Summer in Orlando is so nasty. There is no ocean breeze and it's very humid. I would think long and hard before moving to Florida. You do not have that picturesque view in Orlando like you do in Colorado.

The grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it?

Not wanting to start a debate but your views of Central Florida are way too negative.

You mention OBT. Yep, bad neighborhood but you don't have to live there. I live about 30 minutes from the parks in a very nice community of about 22,000 people. We have all the amenities one would need but if I want to go to the parks, I can do so.

Also, I welcome tourist with open arms. They are the reason we have all the parks. Without the tourist none of this would be here.

Traffic can be a non issue if you know your way around. My commute to Disney is mostly secondary roads. I have 5 traffic lights between home and Disney. Traffic is rarely a problem (except perhaps right now since SR 535 is being widened but that's a temporary glitch for the greater good).

Yep, the heat and humidity is nasty during the summer but it can be just as bad (just not as long) as the northern states. I think of it as the price to pay for everything else we have.



___________________
Armand

[FireDancer]

I just want to say I love reading everyone's point of view on this topic. I lived for two years in the Tampa area because my last job was down there and agree with a lot of what was said. Living in FL is much different then vacationing down there. Over by us the population went up so much in the winter it almost doubled my commute to work. I never understood why people who didn't have to work felt the need to be on the road during rush hour. Other then that the traffic in Tamps wasn't much different then anywhere else. Now, having to drive around Orlando daily with so many people not knowing where they are going could get old quick.

After two years I was ready to head back to Ohio and did but I would not rule out going back down (or almost anywhere really) if the right opportunity presented itself again. I would choose Tampa or Sarasota over Orlando based on my experience. That being said, in actuality I would probably only move down if it were for work and where I go would depend on where I would work as opposed to the other way around.

[jeanigor]

Seems like the only reason you want to move to central Florida is because of the parks. Let me tell you a few things about Orlando/Kissimmee area. There are very bad areas in and around the parks. There is a major road called OBT that is home to many prostitutes, drug dealers and gang members.

As for me, I would not move because of the parks. It would be partially because of the weather and some other slightly more controversial reasons.

Any larger city has an area like OBT (Orange Blossom Trail,). In my metro area I can think of at least three of them. You don't go there, especially at night, unless you are looking for trouble.

What areas in the parks are you referring to as being a bad area? Are the bears from the jamboree selling moonshine to help boost attendance?

I think I agree with Armand, you seem to be a bit pessimistic.

[safetymom]

Seems like the only reason you want to move to central Florida is because of the parks. Let me tell you a few things about Orlando/Kissimmee area. There are very bad areas in and around the parks. There is a major road called OBT that is home to many prostitutes, drug dealers and gang members. Also, the idea of the theme parks right around the corner seems like a great idea but you will begin to really hate the tourists who come here. The traffic is killer at all times near the parks. I am so jealous of you because you are so close to the mountains. Summer in Orlando is so nasty. There is no ocean breeze and it's very humid. I would think long and hard before moving to Florida. You do not have that picturesque view in Orlando like you do in Colorado.

I hate to disagree with you. Many of us that live here never get near OBT. I don't hate the tourists. I love meeting them and talking with them in the parks.

It is no more humid here than when I lived up North. The fact that I can be to the ocean or gulf in a little over an hour is wonderful.

There are many great places in the US to live and Orlando is one of them. It isn't for everyone but for the rest of us it is great.

[PeterPan09]

Seems like the only reason you want to move to central Florida is because of the parks. Let me tell you a few things about Orlando/Kissimmee area. There are very bad areas in and around the parks. There is a major road called OBT that is home to many prostitutes, drug dealers and gang members. Also, the idea of the theme parks right around the corner seems like a great idea but you will begin to really hate the tourists who come here. The traffic is killer at all times near the parks. I am so jealous of you because you are so close to the mountains. Summer in Orlando is so nasty. There is no ocean breeze and it's very humid. I would think long and hard before moving to Florida. You do not have that picturesque view in Orlando like you do in Colorado.

Um..OBT is really not that close to the parks. It's a good 20-30 minutes from the Disney area. It's closer to Universal, but even then it's not THAT close.

Every city has "that area" that you don't want to live in or even drive through.

I will agree that the traffic can be a nightmare, and we've all said to avoid I-4 if you can possibly manage it. The other trick I've picked up is to watch the people in the shotgun seats of the cars around you-don't look for directional signals. The shotgun seat person's finger is a whole lot more reliable. When they point left, that car is coming left RIGHT NOW.

[loveysbydesign]

If it weren't for us being lucky enough to live close to our parents/my kids grandparents and the fact that my dh has the type of job that probably isn't going to be easy to find in Florida I would love to live down there. I keep telling him maybe in 5 or so years we could consider it...of course by then the prices of housing will probably be back up and not within our reach!

[Halloweenqueen]

This has been a dream for my retirement for a long time. We purchased a lake condo near our home in NC. It was our weekend getaway home. We hoped to sell it in the future and use the equity to move to Florida.

Then my husband's company was bought out and we had to move to WA. The condo wasn't a practical thing to have anymore. It has now been on the market for almost 2 years. We have lost 100,000+ of equity in that time. (we bought the condo with cash). This is in NC....home of all those bankers with bonuses. lol


I would be worried about buying in FL now. I don't believe we have seen the end of this housing bust. The mortgage incentives haven't materialized, the tax credit isn't increasing sales.

My mother who works in insurance cautioned us about buying into FL. She believes big insurance problems will continue.

Our dream of FL is on hold now.

Everyone consider NC instead. lol I know of a beautiful lakefront condo that you could get for a steal. ;)

[kaligal]

Every city has "that area" that you don't want to live in or even drive through.Once upon a time, I lived in "that area" that nobody wants to live in. "That area" doesn't scare me.

But I don't have to live there now. The drug dealers can sell their product and the hookers can try to sell theirs. They can all complain about the cops and have their creepy friends over and make noise and all that. I don't care.

And, like you said, please find me anything close to a real city that doesn't have these things.

Mountains are lovely, but I want a warm place.

Pete, Kevin and John all moved from a cold place to a warm place...and a warm place that has theme parks, which I have always happened to love. They live my dream. So I will never tire of listening to any story they have to tell about it all. And I'll continue to dream and hope that some day I will do it.

If someone else wants to move to snow and ice...if that's their dream...I won't stand in their way. Have at it. :)

[lucigo]

We are moving to the area because my husband got a job there, and couldn't get one here. He is already down there, I'm finishing out the school year here. Lots of bad stuff about OBT so I have to ask, those of you in the area, what do you think of the Hunter's creek area? Because I'm pretty sure OBT runs through it, but I heard it was a nice place and from what we saw over the weekend it looked nice, and its a close commute for DH.

[jsoren11]

where is the nearest Buffalo wild wings and the best karaoke bar to WDW?

[jthorn1995]

That is awesome to know Luci! I am a native of P'cola, but have lived in GA for about 16 years now. They keep saying that eventually the "lottery-funded" Hope grant for the college students will run out eventually, and while we are trying to save for our kids education, it will never truly be enough. Ours are still very young, so it's nice to know that FL has some educational options for all the wonderful schools! (I graduated from Tate, went to PJC, and lived just off UWF's campus back in "93!)
Good luck with your move!

[FireDancer]

where is the nearest Buffalo wild wings and the best karaoke bar to WDW?

I have no idea where there is a karaoke bar but according to the BW3 site the closest one is at 12511 State Route 535. Use Bing or Google for directions.

Their Phone number is 407-827-0444

[lucigo]

That is awesome to know Luci! I am a native of P'cola, but have lived in GA for about 16 years now. They keep saying that eventually the "lottery-funded" Hope grant for the college students will run out eventually, and while we are trying to save for our kids education, it will never truly be enough. Ours are still very young, so it's nice to know that FL has some educational options for all the wonderful schools! (I graduated from Tate, went to PJC, and lived just off UWF's campus back in "93!)
Good luck with your move!

I would rather see them make some changes to the funds than lose the scholarships all together. This year FL made Bright Futures so that if you drop a class you have to pay the money back, which really stings for the kids, but shows them responsibility!

My oldest has a AA and graphic design degrees from PJC and is now at UWF, and my 2nd is at UWF also. We are in Pace. :)

[jeanigor]

I have no idea where there is a karaoke bar but according to the BW3 site the closest one is at 12511 State Route 535. Use Bing or Google for directions.

Their Phone number is 407-827-0444

Its across 535 from Downtown Disney. Near where Goodings is. And TGIFridays

[dpuck1998]

where is the nearest Buffalo wild wings and the best karaoke bar to WDW?


Been dying to use this ;)


http://lmgtfy.com/?q=buffalo+wild+wings

[jsoren11]

insert, "Well I Could Have Done That" // . smartalec . com / smirk!!

very funny Dpuck, stupid questions make awesome thread bumps, thats why i asked:rotfl:

[dpuck1998]

insert, "Well I Could Have Done That" // . smartalec . com / smirk!!

very funny Dpuck, stupid questions make awesome thread bumps, thats why i asked:rotfl:

But how cool is that site though :) I've been itch'en to use it on the boards.