Are we crazy?Thinking of moving to Florida from Maine!

[CPM]

You know, that's an argument that I use to hear (and use!). We were in WDW in January this year and were talking to a couple of Florida folks (they lived further south....Ft.Myers I think). When I mentioned something about having to stay inside in the summer, the woman said to me "So, do you spend all winter in CT outside?". So I said "No, it's too cold". (I am not a winter sports person...no skiing, snowboarding etc. for me). So she said "So what's the difference?".

It was a "lightbulb" moment for me.

yeah, some indoor time, but I spend a whole heck of alot more time outside in the summer down here, than I did outside in the winter up north!
You do get a little used to it. WE go in our pools a lot and go to the beach. The nights are usually warm and beautiful.
I don't mind it so much until about the end of August, then I have had enough! Oddly September is really the worst hot and humid, rainy month. When my kids rae out of school, that is when we will travel.

 

[Feralpeg]

Well, it is a little chilly today. It is only 72 degrees and a little cloudy. I'm getting ready to head to DTD for a little shopping and maybe a quick sundae at Ghirardelli. Perhaps I should take a jacket.

Tomorrow it is supposed to be 79 degrees and sunny!

 

[momof3littlelilos]

Here is a dissenting viewpoint.....maybe in retirement fine....but I can not think of a better place to raise kids other then New England. You get beuatiful summers, warm and bright springs, cool days in fall with great leaf colors, and the first snows of winter.

There is nothing better then a cool fall night, with a camp fire in the yard. Or a warm summer 4th of july with fire works...or a spring day when the leaves bud and the flowers sprout.

But most importantly....a fall day at Gillette stadium watching Tom Brady, or a summer day at Fenway watching Big Papi....or a winter night watching Kevin Garnett at the garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We moved to Florida for a few years, but came back as soon as we could afford it.
I loved the weather, loved the resident discounts at WDW...but the schools weren't very good...medical care for my DS (he had childhood cancer and needs lots of regular follow up care) was really bad. Also, I'm way left of center here in my blue state; living in Florida was like being in a bad parallel universe for me. So, mostly for the schools, the medical care, and the political climate, we had to come home.
While the snow is almost a novelty for us now (this is our first winter back) I can see missing the endless summer in a year or 2.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[momof3littlelilos]

Virgo10 - What awesome pictures! Yes, the storms could be beautiful!

 

[momof3littlelilos]

I really don't like the thought of hurricanes,tornadoes either..but is Central Fl "safer" than other parts?


again,thanks!
Paula

We thought it was...but our first summer in Florida was the 3 hurricane year, starting with Charlie
But, as many will tell you, I'm sure that was an anomaly.
While I'm glad we moved back home...I'm glad we lived in Fla however briefly, we had a good time.

 

[Planogirl]

Isn't central Florida getting awfully crowded now? That's the biggest problem I have. I could see northern Florida though.

If I were to move to that area I think that I'd look at the Carolinas though. Beaches, mountains, lots of historic areas, good jobs (or so I hear at least) and nice weather. Plus it would be easy drive to Florida or to areas in the north which is appealing IMO.

 

[DanceRC28]

You know, that's an argument that I use to hear (and use!). We were in WDW in January this year and were talking to a couple of Florida folks (they lived further south....Ft.Myers I think). When I mentioned something about having to stay inside in the summer, the woman said to me "So, do you spend all winter in CT outside?". So I said "No, it's too cold". (I am not a winter sports person...no skiing, snowboarding etc. for me). So she said "So what's the difference?".

It was a "lightbulb" moment for me.

How funny, DH and I had that exact conversation the other day!!! It is no different except for the fact that you can still get in your car and go to the beach or go for a dip in the pool when it's really hot....in CT you can't do much of anything if it's freezing cold and if the weather is bad your stuck in your house completely! DH and I are ready to get out of here, just waiting for the market to pick up a little so we can sell our condo and head to Florida!

 

[Tinkim]

We have been thinking of moving to Florida for a few years now. Originally, we were going to wait until DD10 was out of school but we are really thinking that we may just wait until middle DS is out of school. He starts high school this year. My DH has fallen on the ice three times already this winter with the last time being on Wednesday and he broke his elbow. This has really reinforced for us the fact that we don't want to live in New England for the rest of our lives. We are looking into central Florida too. DH is in car sales and I work at home so I could keep my job. We would just be looking for a town that had a good high school for DD and not too far from WDW. Any ideas?

 

[palmtreegirl]

Just make sure you come down and do research for yourself because one persons paradise can be anothers nightmare. Also when you come down try not to go to Disney because you really need to get a taste of "real" Florida because it's so different then "Disney" Florida.

I love Florida but I can think of a lot of things that may prevent someone from moving here, it's dfinitely not for everyone. Just a few-

- Wages tend to be a lot lower then up north.
-Schools- Far behind the ones we had up north.
-Crime is on the rise in many areas.
-Traffic can be horrible.
-Lots of toll roads, the cost adds up quickly.
-If you don't care for the heat Florida isn't for you, the summers especially.
-Bugs can be freaky if you're not use to them.

I don't say these things to deter you, I just want you to have a balanced look. So many people think living in Florida is all ood with no bad but it isn't. It's just like any other area it has it's positives and negatives.

Best of luck making your decision we've BTDT so I know it's a big one!

 

[Planogirl]

Some people have trouble seeing past the themeparks. I can understand that.

 

[PatriciaH]

Here is a dissenting viewpoint.....maybe in retirement fine....but I can not think of a better place to raise kids other then New England. You get beuatiful summers, warm and bright springs, cool days in fall with great leaf colors, and the first snows of winter.

There is nothing better then a cool fall night, with a camp fire in the yard. Or a warm summer 4th of july with fire works...or a spring day when the leaves bud and the flowers sprout.

I agree-the schools stink here too. We are at the bottom of the 50 states I would never raise a family in Florida! Retired with lots of money-you will be ok. One of the lucky ones who's job transfered them at the same rate of pay-you will probably be ok. Single-might be ok.

We are in Celebration and moved from north of Boston, MA in 2004. We are ready to head back to MA/NH. We love the heat but the summers get worse each year and it is really disgusting (humid, sticky, boiling hot, dangerous sun) from May-November. We are also making $30,000/year less than we were up north. It is more expensive here as well. My parents (NY) and friends (CT, MA, NJ, CA) all say the same! More expensive and less money to be made. Everything is service here so pay stinks. It is also a right to work state. We have been looking for good jobs for over 3 years now. We just found out 3 sets of young families near my parents (neighbors) are moving! One set back to MA, one to Colorado and another back to CA. Weather is not everything.

Check the crime stats too! Crime is awful in Orlando now. Even Celebration is getting hit a lot.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/florida

 

[CPM]

I know this subject has been beaten to death in the past. But, saying all schools here in Fl are bad or behind is simply not true! Thre are a lot of factors that contribute to the reason we are at the bottom of the state list, size is a huge reason. Just do your homework. I know a kid in my son's class moved back to NY and was moved up a grade. My neice from CT is in 6th grade and my son is in 5th grade, they are doing the same math right now. There are a lot of great schools here in FL. Just do some research.

I also wouldn't plan your whole move around being close to Disney. Schools, job and housing really should be the important factor. There are so many great communities out there. Make sure you pick a family friendly community, check for bikes and toys when driving through them. You will be very unhappy if you pick a community that is full of blue hairs, if you aren't one of them.

And, it certainly isn't a move for everyone. I also agree, spend some time down here and don't be a tourist while doing it. That wears off in real life.

 

[dwaters]

But most importantly....a fall day at Gillette stadium watching Tom Brady, or a summer day at Fenway watching Big Papi....or a winter night watching Kevin Garnett at the garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sadly, the average fan is being priced right out of Fenway and Gillette. Especially those with families.
Ticket prices are out of this world!

I'm glad to see other Mainers thinking about the move to Florida.
I think for us it will happen when the kids are older.
We went snow-tubing in Oxford last week and I kept saying "Kids in Florida don't get to do this!".
I want to go to Florida, but feel like I worry I'd be "selling out" or betraying my family's home state or taking the easy way out and not toughing out the winters like everyone else.
I could deal with bugs. At least you can still go from point A to point B in your car whenever you want and not worry about plow trucks and black ice and getting stuck and shoveling out.
I agree it is important to not use proximity to Disney as a sole reason--consider other things. It's hard for some of us as WDW is our "happy place".

 

[forr2grls]

Just make sure you come down and do research for yourself because one persons paradise can be anothers nightmare. Also when you come down try not to go to Disney because you really need to get a taste of "real" Florida because it's so different then "Disney" Florida.

I love Florida but I can think of a lot of things that may prevent someone from moving here, it's dfinitely not for everyone. Just a few-

- Wages tend to be a lot lower then up north.
-Schools- Far behind the ones we had up north.
-Crime is on the rise in many areas.
-Traffic can be horrible.
-Lots of toll roads, the cost adds up quickly.
-If you don't care for the heat Florida isn't for you, the summers especially.
-Bugs can be freaky if you're not use to them.

I don't say these things to deter you, I just want you to have a balanced look. So many people think living in Florida is all ood with no bad but it isn't. It's just like any other area it has it's positives and negatives.

Best of luck making your decision we've BTDT so I know it's a big one!

Thank you for this post.Definately things to think of. As far as wages,it can't be any worse than it is here in this low income high tax state.

 

[mickey squared]

I agree about the schools. We currently have our house on the market in NY and are waiting to move to Brevard County. Since 2 of our 4 kids are special needs, we have been in contact with the schools my children will be going to and have been down "visiting" our neighborhood 4 times in the last 6 months.The schools seem more advanced than we are now, on LI. We'll see when we actually get there.The market here is so bad.