DS got a job in the Keys! ...vehicle dilemma!

[Mickey Nut 50]

My oldest son was offered a job at the Florida Sea Base (Boy Scouts of America high adventure camp) last Friday! It is PERFECT for him! Proud Mom was "blubbering" most of Friday evening about it, much to his chagrin.

Anyway, we'll be leaving right after graduation to get him there, and stopping to see Mickey shortly on the way down (I think). This is starting to turn into a logistical nightmare!

He'll need a car while there (9 months or longer). Do we buy a car here, register it here and drive it down? Or do we fly to Orlando, buy a car there, in which case he'll have to fool around with the temporary license, etc. ? Even if we buy and register it here, he'll have to re-register it there 10 days after he arrives. He's just 18, no credit, so obviously we'll have to be involved in the purchase.

He'll only have one day off a week, most probably will be Saturday afternoon-Sunday morning. That's yet to be determined. His job will be camping on an out-island with a Troop and being their guide - therefore, no access to his car during the week to take care of the licensing situation.

I wonder if that means Mom and Dad will "HAVE" to stay in the Keys for awhile? That's OK with us, but that means my time with Mickey will be shorter! I do know where we're going to be spending Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, though!

Suggestions or thoughts welcome!

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Hey Sherrie - Congrats to son - I would be "blubbering" too - any way - I would buy the car here drive it down and then hang around to get it registered there - just my 2 cents worth

 

[jfulcer]

I also would buy the car where you live now - that way you can be familiar with the place/person that you are buying it from. Down in the keys you have no clue.

One suggestion - my insurance agent always knows other people that are trying to sell their cars. I bought one of my cars from a recommendation from him. He even steered me away from a car I was going to buy at a dealer because of parts availability/repair costs/thefts. So it couldn't hurt to check with your local agent...

 

[Krisu]

That's wonderful! My DS spent 10 days at Sea Base last summer and had a great time

 

[Pam]

Congratulate your Son for me! Florida Sea Base is on his wish list -he's doing a Philmont Trek this summer!

My neighbors' DD goes to school at Florida State and they purchased a car up here and then she drove it down.

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's great, Sherrie, my congratulations and best for him. Good luck on the car situation.

 

[helenabear]

Congratulations to your DS Sherrie!!! That is wonderful news!

No ideas on the car situation though. I do know though that many friends in college and just after had cars in their parents names and didn't register it there until they decided to move there permanantly. Good luck with that though.

 

[Disney Doll]

My SIL recently relocated to Florida, and she bought a new car up here (CT) before she left and had it shipped to Florida.

It would seem to me that ti would be better to buy in an area that you knw, and hassle with registering it down there.

 

[Poohbear123]

Congrats to your DS! And WELCOME TO FLORIDA! I would do what the others said, and purchase the Car there, and drive it here!