Florida Residents: Pro's and cons to moving there?

[jcnewton]

I feel like most of the country thinks Florida is some kind of redneck pit...it seems to be the butt of a lot of jokes. But I've always loved it...and want to move permanently, possibly within the next 5 years. I think the thing that makes me most hesitant is that I'd lose that "vacation" feeling I get there. I love the trip down I-75 and I love being in the Disney "bubble" (resorts, transportation, etc).

For current residents, do you have any pros and cons for Florida life? And where are you currently in relation to the WDW?

 

[Feralpeg]

I live behind the Magic Kingdom. I can be on Disney property in five minutes if I go in the back way.

I think a lot of people think Florida is just fine. I say that because the number of people moving her just continues to climb.

Pros:
1. NO SNOW!
2. Beautiful winters. Cold weather, to me, is 30s overnight climbing to 60s by mid-morning and mid 70s by afternoon (this is January).
3. Flowers blooming all winter.
4. Amazing wildlife.
5. So much to do. If you get bored living in Florida, you aren't trying hard enough.
6. No state income tax.
7. Nice people from all over the world living nearby.
8. Reasonable utility costs. I have an all electric home. My electric bills are much lower than when I lived in Missouri with a similar sized home. In Missouri, I also had to pay gas year round. The water cost here is very low. I will add that these costs vary based on where in Florida you live.
9. Florida resident discounts

Cons:
1. It does get hot and humid in the summer months. That is why I have air conditioning. Although, it isn't as bad as some would have you believe. You can't base summer temps by theme park experiences.
2. Bad drivers. Until recently, I thought Florida drivers were terrible. Then, I took a trip back to Missouri. They are just as bad there. People are just more aggressive drivers now.
3. Congested roads and tolls. However, when you live here, you find ways to get places to avoid highway driving to some extent.
4. Living in Florida is not the same as vacationing here. The theme parks are still wonderful, but it just isn't the same as being on vacation.

Things people think are a huge problem that I don't think is that big a deal:
1. Bugs. Yes, Florida has some big bugs. They don't have to be a problem. Keep your home clean. Have an exterminator treat the house a couple of times a year and it is not an issue at all.
2. Insurance costs. This is one of those things that varies greatly based on where you live in Florida. If you want to live on the beach, you are going to pay high insurance costs for that privilege. My home insurance cost isn't much different from what I paid in Missouri.
3. Hurricanes. 2004 was a problem year with the three hurricanes. It was my first year here. I had no damage. The people in Central Florida that had the most damage were those who had older or non-maintained roofs, large trees that were never trimmed or who lived in a flood zone. I am much more afraid of lightening than hurricanes.
4. Sink Holes. Florida has them. So do most states, you just hear more about those here. Of course, some of them are really bad, but most people will never have to deal with one. It isn't a problem on my radar.

 

[Art 1]

I feel like most of the country thinks Florida is some kind of redneck pit...it seems to be the butt of a lot of jokes. But I've always loved it...and want to move permanently, possibly within the next 5 years. I think the thing that makes me most hesitant is that I'd lose that "vacation" feeling I get there. I love the trip down I-75 and I love being in the Disney "bubble" (resorts, transportation, etc).

For current residents, do you have any pros and cons for Florida life? And where are you currently in relation to the WDW?

I live just north of the City off I-4 in Winter Park. I don't think of it as pro or con. It's just where I am most of the time. Just like any other place except for the weather I guess. It's just another state, not better not worse.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We moved to Florida in 2003, for the nice weather and to be closer to wdw. We did not enjoy living there because of the weather and the fact that going to Disney for a day really doesn't compare to vacationing in the bubble. We had AP, and went a few times a month. Unfortunately it was in 2004 when all the hurricanes hit that we just decided enough was enough and we didn't mind the snow in OH as much as the horrible humidity and constant rain. We have never regretted moving back to OH, and just come every year to vacation

 

[cassandrap83]

It is a whole new world down here!

I moved here SWFL from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. Where I live, there is a good mix of people. I can tell you that I really haven't lost the "vacation" feel. We are Disney annual passholders (season pass actually) and we also have passes to Busch Gardens. We love it. Trips to the parks seem like trips to the neighborhood amusement park now. I do no longer feel the need to stay on Disney property and take shuttles - it is much more relaxed because I know I can go back again in a couple weekends.

The only real con I have is that the job market is TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE. So, unless you are independently wealthy, or have a sure-thing transfer, I would be weary.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I feel like most of the country thinks Florida is some kind of redneck pit...it seems to be the butt of a lot of jokes. But I've always loved it...and want to move permanently, possibly within the next 5 years. I think the thing that makes me most hesitant is that I'd lose that "vacation" feeling I get there. I love the trip down I-75 and I love being in the Disney "bubble" (resorts, transportation, etc).

For current residents, do you have any pros and cons for Florida life? And where are you currently in relation to the WDW?

After 4 years in Virginia, we are in the process of moving back. DH drive down today and starts his new job on Monday. Prior to VA, he had lived in FL for 24 years and I had loved there for 22 years. And we have been trying to find a way back for 4 years. Why?

1. Yes summer is hot in FL. But we prefer it to cold winters. I prefer my seasons to be slightly cooler and cooler than summer. I'm good with that.
2. No state income tax and lower cost of living. The house we will be renting (our preference) is at least $800 of not $1000 or more cheaper than the rent we would pay for a comparable house in VA.
3. Bright futures scholarships. Both my husband and I had its predecessor scholarship, Florida Academic scholars. BF was something we had always hoped our kids would aim for and subsequently earn. My oldest is a good prospect for it. Free money!
4. We do miss Disney Florida resident's rates. We have always preferred stainc in the bubble. If we weren't, we would just drive home for the night.
5. Vacations--I feel like I need to constantly escape on one up in VA. While I enjoy travel, I never felt I had to "escape" Florida. But it doesn't mean if is necessarily a vacation while living here.

And I would have to second a lot of cons mentioned...
1.Yes if is hot. But I don't slip on a hot sidewalk. But can on an iced over one.
2. Electric bill can be quite high in summer due to constant a/c use. But this just counters the high heating bills up North.
3. Insurance rates--a lot of people end up going through Citizens because regular insurers won't insure in Florida anymore.
4. Traffic. Not as bad as DC congestion wise (even in Orlando)--but I think some drivers are on a death mission at times. Not something I notice in DC.
5. Hurricanes. Though our barrier island home sustained NO damage in 2004 from two hurricanes. We did lose our fence and the screens of the enclosure of our new pool was shredded twice. One home in our neighborhood was condemned due to damage and many others had significant damage.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is a whole new world down here!


The only real con I have is that the job market is TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE. So, unless you are independently wealthy, or have a sure-thing transfer, I would be weary.

Agreed! Don't come without employment. My DH looked for 4.5 years before an opportunity came up that was promising.

 

[BlovesC]

Pros:
-proximity to theme parks and cruise ports
-cheap real estate (about the ONLY truth to the "low cost of living" rumors)
-great concert venues
-armadillos (I'm fascinated by them, for some reason..and I'm also just trying to pad this section a bit more)

Cons:
-no seasonal change whatsoever (which gets depressing, for me)
-horrible traffic, horrible drivers, and every third car is an enormous pick-up
-extreme UV index year-round (I wear sunblock every single day and still can get burned just driving to work)
-ridiculously overpriced groceries
-hard to fit in if you're not a fan of hunting/country music/'muddin'
-terrible schools
-poor job market
-no state tax means fewer supportive services which our low-income skewing population desperately needs (I work in healthcare, and medicaid-recipients are moving down to FL from the NE in droves because they're told fantasies about all these non-existent services we supposedly offer)

I could go on and on but I don't really need to, I've beaten this bush on the forum before. I moved to FL because of my husband and although I never would have picked this state in a million years, I'm glad I got to experience such a different part of the country. But it's been four years and I am ready to leave for greener pastures that better suit my personality and beliefs.

 

[jcnewton]

Well, I'm originally from Indiana...then Ohio, and currently in Utah for my wife's internship. It's more her work I'd be concerned with. She's a Psychologist....but Florida has crazy people, right?! JK...I'm in pharmacy and haven't found it too hard to find work. We both just have to make sure we're licensed properly for each state.

I'm slightly concerned about hurricanes, but I thought being more central was relatively safer? We'd avoid the coasts mostly due to cost. Heat and humidity we can deal with. After the past few winters in the midwest...I'm done with them. I don't want to shovel snow again....ever.

I'm loving all the responses I'm getting, btw! Thanks to everyone who has commented so far. As we settle down in the next few years, we really want it to be an educated decision. The climate and the activities available in the south (mainly Florida) are suited to the life we want to have, and it's good hearing from people who are currently living it...or have lived it before!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

-cheap real estate (about the ONLY truth to the "low cost of living" rumors)
.

Probably depends on the individual experience. But for the last four years, my budget has felt felt pain beyond my house. The only thing that didn't cost more, surprisingly, is groceries. Everything else for us costs more.
Of course, YMMV.


I also developed a Vitamin D deficiency when I moved north.

And the traffic comment makes me giggle--unless you live in Miami or Tampa. And even then--it isn't DC.

Well, I'm originally from Indiana...then Ohio, and currently in Utah for my wife's internship. It's more her work I'd be concerned with. She's a Psychologist....but Florida has crazy people, right?! JK...I'm in pharmacy and haven't found it too hard to find work. We both just have to make sure we're licensed properly for each state.

I'm slightly concerned about hurricanes, but I thought being more central was relatively safer? We'd avoid the coasts mostly due to cost. Heat and humidity we can deal with. After the past few winters in the midwest...I'm done with them. I don't want to shovel snow again....ever.

I'm loving all the responses I'm getting, btw! Thanks to everyone who has commented so far. As we settle down in the next few years, we really want it to be an educated decision. The climate and the activities available in the south (mainly Florida) are suited to the life we want to have, and it's good hearing from people who are currently living it...or have lived it before!

Hurricanes hit the coast first but do impact inland as they cross over.

2004, Orlando saw 3 of the 4 that hit Florida. But we evacuated to Disney for one of them. It was a rainy and blustery (hurricane wind) 2 days and we were stuck inside as parks were closed because the weather was dangerous.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

Florida is huge, and each area has really different characteristics.
Miami is busy, loud, full of international culture. I spent my childhood there. I prefer just to vacation there now, lol!

We moved to Melbourne (1 hour east of Orlando on the east coast) for a few years after college. It's pretty and calm. SO many snow birds there. If you like old people, that's your area, lol! We loved being 1 hour from Orlando. The public schools were great.

We currently live up in the Panhandle in Tallahassee (4 hours from Disney). The weather and climate is more like being in Georgia. Things are slower, more spread out, and it gets cooler here in the winter than in central or south florida. We have hills here too. And good schools.

It's humid and buggy in all the regions on FL. You get used to it. Invest in a good pool.

 

[NewRVLady]

Agree on HAVE A JOB

Sis's DH got a job at a University in Tallahasses-and their one requirement was a boat dock

Then are south of the City, on a lagoon that feeds into the big river-older home super quiet area-we love visiting them! Their kids are grown and live back in NC
They have other family in FL

This is a city I knew nothing of-and there is SO much to do within 30-40 min drive
Great food, Farmers market-craft fair every Saturday under one of the Bridges-good museums, restaurants, wildlife areas-the OCEAN!!
Funny thing is they ARE NOT Theme park people-so that was never the reason to move to FL!

 

[okeydokey]

Do you have children? The schools are very different is different areas of the state?

 

[lakelandgal70]

I have lived here almost 40 years and some parts of the state are very redneck but then that is in all states. That being said the pros are no snow. I can't imagine dealing with the blizzards that a lot of northern states have to deal with. But we have hurricanes and tornadoes. But then again every state has natural disasters for must part. If you love weird bugs, hot and humid weather most of the year than yes Florida is for you. But I wouldn't move here with out a job. And the job market is horrible here as is the rate of pay. We live 30min away from Disney. Which is wonderful but our county is very high rate of winter visitors so during winter takes forever to get anywhere and eating out is a pain. There are not many things I like about this state and can't wait to move to mountains of TN or NC lol

 

[Gumbo4x4]

And the traffic comment makes me giggle--unless you live in Miami or Tampa. And even then--it isn't DC.

I had to laugh at that one too - that anyone from DC would complain about drivers ANYWHERE else