Why didn't I move to Florida when I had the chance?

[WaDiWo]

Hi all!

I'm here now, in my happy place at Walt Disney World...

I like my job, the people I work with, my family, friends, and my house in New Jersey. My wife feels the same. But at least twice in the past 4 years we had a real opportunity to move to the Orlando area, jobwise. But we didn't, for some practical reasons.

But everytime I come here to WDW, I wonder why we didn't take that opportunity.

Now don't get me wrong, I KNOW living here is NOT the same as being on vacation. I am fully aware of that, and i went into depth researching what wouldve been my job here, the schedule, industry status, etc. we looked at the real estate market etc.

and yes we know there is REAL LIFE here. going to work, doing laundry etc. But i would love to just be in the vicinity of this place.

imagine, on a free afternoon or evening, instead of saying, do you want to go the mall or grab a bite to eat at Fridays? you can say, wana check out the new Art of Animation resort, grab a bite to eat at the Animal kingdom lodge? or some coffee epcots fountainview cafe?

yes, the grass is greener on the other side. people actually do vacation where i live now. and i love where i live, and there are no regrets, but part of me always wondera what could have been.

 

[sayhello]

I don't know... Sounds like there *are* some regrets.

Sayhello

 

[Silverfox97]

Hi all!

I'm here now, in my happy place at Walt Disney World...

I like my job, the people I work with, my family, friends, and my house in New Jersey. My wife feels the same. But at least twice in the past 4 years we had a real opportunity to move to the Orlando area, jobwise. But we didn't, for some practical reasons.

But everytime I come here to WDW, I wonder why we didn't take that opportunity.

Now don't get me wrong, I KNOW living here is NOT the same as being on vacation. I am fully aware of that, and i went into depth researching what wouldve been my job here, the schedule, industry status, etc. we looked at the real estate market etc.

and yes we know there is REAL LIFE here. going to work, doing laundry etc. But i would love to just be in the vicinity of this place.

imagine, on a free afternoon or evening, instead of saying, do you want to go the mall or grab a bite to eat at Fridays? you can say, wana check out the new Art of Animation resort, grab a bite to eat at the Animal kingdom lodge? or some coffee epcots fountainview cafe?

yes, the grass is greener on the other side. people actually do vacation where i live now. and i love where i live, and there are no regrets, but part of me always wondera what could have been.

Yes!! Love doing that!! We go up to WDW for a few hours & that's it. We live in Tampa; our house is just 72 miles to WDW. DH works part time at home, and I work weekends, making a trip to WDW on a Tues afternoon awesome!!

Everything happens for a reason - we're here and zero of our family is (and we are OK with that). It is not for everyone. For us, it's HEAVEN. The greatest day in my life was not my wedding day, nor the birth of my child; rather it was the day we crossed the border and saw the "Welcome to Florida" sign when we were driving (moving) from Ohio because my dream was finally coming true. Since my parents took us to WDW at Christmas in 1994, I wanted to move to FL, and did in 2007 with DH and our 5 week old daughter.

Florida is paradise to us. In Tampa, I am a 45 min drive to the beach on our West, and a 60 min drive to WDW to the East; out of hurricane storm surge danger, and lacking a lot of the humidity due to the gulf breeze. My daughter plays outside all year round (without bundling up!!!), and rarely watches TV. I get to go to WDW twice a month, and, I am blessed with Florida Resident Rates for WDW and Disney Cruises. It's not for everyone, but for our family, it's perfect :

I remember those vacations down here when we'd go commando in the parks - I needed a relaxing vacation from that vacation!! Now, I can go over to Orlando regularly leaving other places to visit on vacation (mainly Disney Cruises right now!!), and, with airfare, baggage costs, lodging, car rental, park tickets, food, etc., there's no way we'd be able to afford it!!!!

The grass IS greener on the other side for some of us

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[safetymom]

I have moved to paradise here in FL. I love my new life after living up North. WDW still hasn't gotten old for me yet. One of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I'm counting down the days until I can move to the Orlando area.

Life is all what you make of it; take a risk when you get an opportunity like that!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Life is all what you make of it; take a risk when you get an opportunity like that!

I agree 100%! Sometimes taking a risk can be scary or out of one's comfort zone, but the experience and what you learn from it is worth it in the end!

 

[WaDiWo]

Thanks everyone!

I will live vicariously through all of you who are in Florida right now ... I love reading and listening to your stories, I can't get enough. Looking forward to my next visit.

 

[AVDisney]

I think it would be tons of fun to live in Florida!!! Though, I'm currently in the Midwest so we go only once, sometimes twice a year. But the great thing about it is that when you go it's ten times more special, you get to stay longer, and you get to experience the resorts, extra magic hours, free transportation, etc. It's almost like would you rather go 20 times a year and they are average or twice and they are spectacular? I hope this helps you not feel so bad about it but I agree with some of the other comments, everything happens for a reason!!! If the opportunity comes along again, take it!!! Life is all about risks and I think it is a good risk to take. Good luck!

 

[Silverfox97]

But the great thing about it is that when you go it's ten times more special, you get to stay longer, and you get to experience the resorts, extra magic hours, free transportation, etc. It's almost like would you rather go 20 times a year and they are average or twice and they are spectacular?

Be careful.....you shouldn't be determining that your trips are "more special." My 5 year old's face immediately lights up each & every time we drive through that "Welcome to Disney World" sign. Your experience is different, not more special.

We often do do more than day trips, in fact, we are spending a few nights at a WDW resort in Oct. We do Disney transportation a lot as well (but not that often as it takes for-freakin-ever!!!).

I feel darn lucky that my child(ren) are growing up here. To each their own, but we would much rather go 20+ times a year & they are each special. We're going to Blizzard Beach this afternoon in fact. 8)

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[safetymom]

I don't think not coming to WDW less often makes it more special. I live very close to the parks and still get goosebumps when I experience different things in the parks. We take mini vacations at WDW, use Disney transportation, etc.

I think I am very fortunate to live here and it never gets old for me. I still haven't done it all at the parks. I tour the parks differently now but I have the luxury of time to sit and enjoy the park.

You have to do what works for you. When I made the move to FL it worked out wonderfully. I wouldn't go back to only visiting the park several times a year.

 

[Metro West]

For me...I think the one negative to living here as opposed to being a tourist is...my attitude towards wait times. I have become very intolerant of long lines since I've been so many times and won't wait in lines for more than 20 minutes unless friends/family is visiting. The parks are much busier now than when I moved here nine years ago. It was nice when the parks weren't as busy but now there's not really a slow period any longer which is too bad. I guess the hotel discounts and free dining plans have worked.

 

[zulemara]

For me...I think the one negative to living here as opposed to being a tourist is...my attitude towards wait times. I have become very intolerant of long lines since I've been so many times and won't wait in lines for more than 20 minutes unless friends/family is visiting. The parks are much busier now than when I moved here nine years ago. It was nice when the parks weren't as busy but now there's not really a slow period any longer which is too bad. I guess the hotel discounts and free dining plans have worked.

I completely agree, and I avoid the parks like the plague when I know it's going to be busy and/or surface of the sun hot. Having said that, it's still nice that I can go to EPCOT on my day off, get a drink, and watch Illuminations.

Lately, it has gotten to the point where we don't go to Disney, but visit the other parks in the area instead because they are less busy. I basically walked onto Manta and Turtle Trek at Sea World Saturday night. I just despise crowds, almost as much as I despise the traffic they create!

 

[ArielsVoice]

To the OP, if the chance to move to Florida comes around again you should take it! You only live once, and that is a risk worth taking, IMHO.

To all you FL residents; you guys rock! My DH and I are currently in the process of saving up for our move from AZ to Orlando and your enthusiasm is really uplifting and makes me giddy with excitement!

 

[SamSam]

I don't think not coming to WDW less often makes it more special. I live very close to the parks and still get goosebumps when I experience different things in the parks. We take mini vacations at WDW, use Disney transportation, etc.

I think I am very fortunate to live here and it never gets old for me. I still haven't done it all at the parks. I tour the parks differently now but I have the luxury of time to sit and enjoy the park.

You have to do what works for you. When I made the move to FL it worked out wonderfully. I wouldn't go back to only visiting the park several times a year.

I love that you still get goosebumps when experiencing different things in the parks. Your wonderful perpective is a joy to listen to on the podcast.

 

[safetymom]

Thank you.

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I love that you still get goosebumps when experiencing different things in the parks. Your wonderful perpective is a joy to listen to on the podcast.

I totally agree! Great job Kathy!

 

[safetymom]

I totally agree! Great job Kathy!

Thank you.

 

[scotty s]

How is the cost of living in Fl compared to say..Texas? Does Fl have a state tax?

 

[Silverfox97]

How is the cost of living in Fl compared to say..Texas? Does Fl have a state tax?

No state tax

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[Metro West]

How is the cost of living in Fl compared to say..Texas? Does Fl have a state tax?

That's a tough question since the cost of living varies by area. There is no state income tax or personal property tax on vehicles. Also no annual state inspection for vehicles which I wish we still had. Florida used to have one but it was done away with. Some of the so called vehicles I see are down right scary!