Anyone here moved to Florida mainly for Disney?

[ethanwa]

Hi everyone. I have a wife and kids (3 - girl and 5 - boy). We live in Seattle. After a few trips to Disneyland and Disney World, my wife and I are seriously contemplating moving to Florida for two reasons:

1. Disney & other theme parks (aka, stuff to do)
2. Better weather

We've both lived in Seattle pretty much our whole lives (30 years) and we know Florida is a drastic change from Seattle. Also, all of our family lives here, and we'd be moving to the other side of the country away from them. But we LOVE Disney World, we LOVE the tropical weather of Florida, and our current financial and work situation allows for us to move anywhere. If we could, we'd go to Disney parks pretty much every weekend.

I do like Seattle but the past few years it has brought us down because there isn't a ton to do here unless you are big active-outdoors people, which we are not (skiing, climbing, hiking, fishing, etc), and the weather just really sucks. I hate how cold it is all the time here without a lot of sun. And cold rain sucks when it's from Sept-May every year. And it's dark in the winter here too. I will always love Seattle, and it's beautiful, but man, the 70+ degree days here are really far and few between.

My question is really this:

Has anyone else moved to a Disney area for the same reason (Florida or California) from a long distance? What is your experience, did you love it or move back home? Is mid-Florida all it's cracked up to be, or am I nuts?

Just looking to hear from others experiences here (not from people who have grown up in or near Florida please, I'm looking for a MOVING perspective).

Thanks!

Ethan

 

[skier_pete]

I'm not what your looking for, beacuse even though I would love to be closer to Disney, Florida is the last place in the country I would want to move to (well, maybe 3rd to last). I can't stand the heat and humidity of Florida in summer. Can't stand bugs, love the mountains. Hate fishing. Hate sand. Florida is extremely crowded with people, and from my experience one giant strip-mall as it mostly caters to tourists and seniors/snow birds. Then again, I couldn't blame you for wanting to leave Seattle weather, because that constant drizzle would easily get me down.

I also picture that Disney would (to a degree) lose its appeal if you could go there all the time, but again that's maybe just me.

Ending the negativity, if you guys want to do it, why not? It's not like you couldn't ever move back. The housing situation in Florida is excellent for buyers right now. I guarantee there are a ton of transplants that went down to work for Disney, you wouldn't be the first nor the last.

 

[Orlando313]

The company I work for started back in 2006 doing research on a city to open up a second location in (we were in Memphis at the time.) I was mainly in charge of that research, and narrowing our choices down to 5 cities along the east coast. We had a bunch of Disney lovers, including myself on the committee, and while we mulled over the other cities, we had already pretty much decided on Orlando because of all the things to do, weather, etc. I then had the fortune to move here (Winter Park) and open up our second location in 2008.

I have NEVER regretted that decision. I LOVE living in Central Florida. You just have to be realistic in your decision making. Yes, we have crime, the traffic is terrible, there's not a lot of high paying jobs, and we have all the problems that any other major city has, but I feel like as long as people don't come here having unrealistic expectations that it's going to be all fun and games, then it can work out for you. You need to remember that while we have a lot of fun stuff to do, we are still a regular town with regular problems. You need to know what you're going to do for employment, you need to look at schools for your children, all the real life stuff.

However, I never run out of stuff to do. I have a Disney AP & a Universal AP, I love the beach, there's a lot of wonderful state parks, St. Augustine is close, Tampa is close, we have the cruise ports that we can get good rates out of, Sea World is around, and sometimes it's nice to just sit in the backyard and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

Let me know if you have any questions on moving. There's a lot of parts of town that are nice, and away from the touristy areas. I'm up in Winter Park, Altamonte Springs is nice, then there's Winter Garden, Windermere, Maitland. Good luck in your decision making!

 

[Orlando313]

I'm not what your looking for, beacuse even though I would love to be closer to Disney, Florida is the last place in the country I would want to move to (well, maybe 3rd to last). I can't stand the heat and humidity of Florida in summer. Can't stand bugs, love the mountains. Hate fishing. Hate sand. Florida is extremely crowded with people, and from my experience one giant strip-mall as it mostly caters to tourists and seniors/snow birds. Then again, I couldn't blame you for wanting to leave Seattle weather, because that constant drizzle would easily get me down.

I also picture that Disney would (to a degree) lose its appeal if you could go there all the time, but again that's maybe just me.
Ending the negativity, if you guys want to do it, why not? It's not like you couldn't ever move back. The housing situation in Florida is excellent for buyers right now. I guarantee there are a ton of transplants that went down to work for Disney, you wouldn't be the first nor the last.

Just a correction, once you get away from the touristy areas, it's not one giant strip mall for tourists. Outside of the tourist spots, it's just like being in any other city. Tourists just never seen outside of the tourist areas.

Also, I have gone to Disney/Universal at least once a month for the past 2.5 years, and it hasn't lost it's appeal.

 

[Cherinva]

I'm sure you will get a lot of good replies here on this. I have a sister that lives in Tampa and she is forever trying to get me to move down near her. I wish I could, but the job market just isn't good for me there....if I were in the financial position that would allow me to move.... let's say I couldn't sell my house fast enough. Good luck on your decision.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I haven't, but I've been seriously thinking about it recently. I was laid off from my job last year and haven't had any luck finding something in my field, so I've been forced to take a low-paying job to make ends meet. I then realized that if I'm not going to be making much money I may as well get a job somewhere I love, so I'm looking into the feasibility of working at Disney, either at a park or on a ship.

If you've got the opportunity and the desire to be near the parks, I don't see any reason not to do it. If anything it will save you money on vacations.

 

[Orlando313]

I haven't, but I've been seriously thinking about it recently. I was laid off from my job last year and haven't had any luck finding something in my field, so I've been forced to take a low-paying job to make ends meet. I then realized that if I'm not going to be making much money I may as well get a job somewhere I love, so I'm looking into the feasibility of working at Disney, either at a park or on a ship.

If you've got the opportunity and the desire to be near the parks, I don't see any reason not to do it. If anything it will save you money on vacations.

It's sounds good in theory to get a job at Disney, but I swear, I have not met one person that works there currently, or worked there at one time that have good things to say about the company. I wanted to get a job there in corporate, but it seems like everyone who works there ends up hating the company. I think I'll avoid that because I don't want to hate Disney!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It's sounds good in theory to get a job at Disney, but I swear, I have not met one person that works there currently, or worked there at one time that have good things to say about the company. I wanted to get a job there in corporate, but it seems like everyone who works there ends up hating the company. I think I'll avoid that because I don't want to hate Disney!

That's certainly something I've considered, and should it be a less than ideal situation I can always move back to Texas. I certainly wouldn't leave a job I liked on such a gamble, but a filler job like the one I'm in? You betcha'. Especially since I'm single and with no kids. I'd like to at least try it. I'd hate to get to a certain age and have regrets. If nothing else, it would be an adventure!

 

[dlhvac]

DW says she hates the snow and cold we are currently look in kissimme a lot of newer houses for 80000 or less a couple of years old just have to watch out for chinese sheetrock

 

[marivaid]

Anyone else remembers when Delswife (and Del, obviously) moved to Florida ? She was sick of the weather where she lived, wanted to be closer to Disney... Del got a job at Disney and I think it nearly ruined WDW for them. They moved back home about a year later.
Makes me think that I haven't checked her blog in a while, wonder what they're up to!

 

[Wadecool]

The company I work for started back in 2006 doing research on a city to open up a second location in (we were in Memphis at the time.) I was mainly in charge of that research, and narrowing our choices down to 5 cities along the east coast. We had a bunch of Disney lovers, including myself on the committee, and while we mulled over the other cities, we had already pretty much decided on Orlando because of all the things to do, weather, etc. I then had the fortune to move here (Winter Park) and open up our second location in 2008.

I have NEVER regretted that decision. I LOVE living in Central Florida. You just have to be realistic in your decision making. Yes, we have crime, the traffic is terrible, there's not a lot of high paying jobs, and we have all the problems that any other major city has, but I feel like as long as people don't come here having unrealistic expectations that it's going to be all fun and games, then it can work out for you. You need to remember that while we have a lot of fun
stuff to do, we are still a regular town with regular problems. You need to know what you're going to do for employment, you need to look at schools for your children, all the real life stuff.

However, I never run out of stuff to do. I have a Disney AP & a Universal AP, I
love the beach, there's a lot of wonderful state parks, St. Augustine is close,
Tampa is close, we have the cruise ports that we can get good rates out of,
Sea World is around, and sometimes it's nice to just sit in the backyard and
enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

Let me know if you have any questions on moving. There's a lot of parts of
town that are nice, and away from the touristy areas. I'm up in Winter Park,
Altamonte Springs is nice, then there's Winter Garden, Windermere, Maitland.
Good luck in your decision making!

We have been seriously considering a move down to FL after I finish my MBA. It sounds like you know the area pretty well. What kind of area is Deltona?

 

[BucsTex]

I've been thinking how cool it would be to work for Imagineering, but I have also heard that Disney is an evil empire once you work there. I also don't know if I could go back to living somewhere it's hot all the time... after growing up in Texas, Pennsylvania's 4 seasons are awesome!

 

[vicki_c]

We moved to central FL (not Orlando), not because of Disney but that was certainly one of the considerations. We stayed two years, and left. So I would certainly give a lot of thought to it - things that don't involve Disney.

 

[lovealatte]

It all looks very good on paper, but I have to stress the most important thing: do NOT move ANYWHERE, especially across the country where you don't know anyone, unless you have secured a job. I think it's a fantastic idea to start searching and maybe fly down once you get some interviews, but do not just move and have no source of income.

Take this from someone who moved to California for two years with no job.

If you've got the job covered, do it. you only live once.

 

[vicki_c]

We have been seriously considering a move down to FL after I finish my MBA. It sounds like you know the area pretty well. What kind of area is Deltona?

Deltona was pretty much crime central the entire 2 years we lived there - some really bad stuff and it was always Deltona. I got the impression that wasn't a great area, or at least parts of it seemed to be very seedy.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

This topic really has nothing to do with theme parks planning, so I've moved it to the Community Board.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

I sympathize with ya OP. We too live in Washington and are just about sick of the rain. Nine months of rain every year wears on ya. The summers here can't be beat, but the rest of the year is miserable. My husband and I are looking to move out of this area to a climate that is a little more agreeable. Unfortunately my husband has to stay west of the Mississippi. We're gonna save the move to Florida for retirement. Best of wishes to you on your move.

 

[Orlando313]

I'm not super familiar with Deltona. I don't think it would be considered a suburb of Orlando. It's probably a good 1.5 hour drive from the attractions area.

 

[Skpnw]

I can sympathize - I used to live in South Florida and moved to the Seattle area about 8 years ago. Employment is a big thing to consider - the pay scale will probably be less, but cost of living is less. Housing costs way less down there than what we are used to here. Another thing is the quality of the schools. I don't know much about Orlando / Central Florida school districts, but just like any other state, they are having budget issues. Living up in the Pacific NW is very different than Florida. It was quite an adjustment!

 

[PrincessV]

Yes and no. I was born and raised in Western NY and never enjoyed the cold weather, though summers there were fantastic. So, yes, I definitely moved to FL for a warmer climate.

But, though I saw it as a fun thing to have nearby, I did not move here specifically to be near WDW. I'm on the Gulf Coast, about an hour and a half from WDW, which is ideal for me; close enough to do day visits, but far enough for WDW to feel "away" from daily life. I also grew up on Lake Erie and can't imagine being landlocked, so Central FL has never been a viable option for me; I have to live on the coast!

Some things that make my decision to relocate 20 years ago a great decision:

~No snow
~ Plentiful sunshine
~ Proximity to WDW (though not a factor in my choice to move, it would definitely be a consideration if I ever thought about leaving FL)
~ Fairly low cost of living; no state income tax
~ 30+ miles of beaches within 4 miles of my front door!

A few things that occasionally make me wonder why I live here:

~ Tourists and snowbirds. Yes, they help the economy, but our roads are packed to the gills for 6 months of the year; it takes me 45 minutes to drive the 5 miles from work to home.
~ Hurricane season. Some are easy, others aren't. It's tough on the emotions.
~ Summers - the heat can be brutal.

Still, I'm happy to put up with the negatives because of the positives. If this is a serious consideration, I HIGHLY recommend spending some time making a "Must have" list - know what you aren't willing to budge on (good schools? Hospital choices? Airport? Beaches? Housing costs? Political climate?) and explore the various areas of FL; see what matches up best and go from there. Try FindYourSpot.com and see what comes up!