Florida - you sure???

[CathrynRose]

I apologize to anyone who reads the budget board, for the double posts- I posted this there, when I thought I was here:

All this talk of people moving to Florida, wanting to move to Florida, having moved to Florida - I gotta ask an honest question, of those of you who have done it, and have been there - do you *really* like it???

Why do I ask? I moved down to Florida, from Chicago, in February of 2004 (transferred with my company) within months of being there, my fiance, and my kids all agreed "dont unpack TOO much, we're going back". In March of this year we headed back up here.... and couldnt be happier now. Give me snow - give me cold winds .... I dont care.

While I was there, I worked with 2 women whom were from the east coast. Both only remained in Florida cuz their husband liked it - both would move back to their home state in a heart beat, if they could. One had been "stuck" in Florida for 17 years, another 6.

I ran into a sweet little old lady at a Flea Market. Poor woman was from Pennsylvania - and had lived in Florida for 30-some years now. HATED IT - but was married to a man who enjoyed it. She said "you'd think after all these years I'd like it - I still dont"

When we got back - the man at the UHaul place told us he had *just* gotten a truck back from another 'move to Florida, move back" family. They hated it. On Halloween, my g/f's ran into her daughter's-friend and family... they had moved to Florida, and were back at the year mark - "We HATED it" they told her.

There's a poster on these boards whom has PM'd me - she moved down there, and HATES IT. And is working on getting back "home".

I actually left my company of 4 years, to move back. The tech-dept was in Tampa. I was established in Tech-Support with this company, and left because of my pure hatred of where I now lived.

Now dont get me wrong - Florida Resident Passholder?? OH YEAH! Going every weekend? YAY! Being able to laz-i-ly walk through the parks, not concerned about what we -needed- to see? WONDERFUL! I miss those weekends - but nothing between those weekends were any good at all.

And the food? YUCK! First night into town we got a big ol' Chicago Pizza. 2nd night? Chinese Food (try and find decent Chinese in Florida!)

So, anyone in my ranks - and willing to admit it???

 

[coliebird]

Well, I've never lived there, but I have NO desire to at all, even if it means being close to Disney. My husband talks about retiring to North or South Carolina (years from now), but I honestly don't think I could leave New York.

 

[caitycaity]

i may be headed to florida for school this fall and i have to admit i am sort of afraid. one of my good friends is from florida and she is always telling me how she can't imagine me being happy there.

 

[taylor1293]

We also moved from Illinois to Florida in Feb of 2004! But DH and I love it here!

We didn't come from Chicago though, we lived closer to St. Louis.

I don't miss snow at all. Nor the bone chilling cold that Jan and Feb can bring. The summers are no warmer here than in Illinois, they just last a lot longer.

I think it's also made a difference that my parents moved down here 4 months after we did (to be close to their grandchildren), so we have no family to miss in Illinois, only friends.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think everything here is great. There are things I don't like. The bugs and the crazy lightning in June/July. Housing is much more expensive, as is auto/home insurance. Private schools cost 3 times as much as in Illinois so we had to switch our children to public school. But both of my girls go to great schools and I'm happy with them.

As for the food. I totally agree about the Chinese! I have yet to find any decent Chinese! Otherwise, I've found the food here to be the same as up North.

But overall we are very happy and I don't foresee us ever moving unless there is an unexpected job offer in our future.

Teresa

 

[Galahad]

We lived there for a few years - moved there with the Army. Didn't really care for it as a place to live other than the weather and beaches (you really need more than that to live somewhere, IMO). It might work for us as retirees, but otherwise it really wasn't for us.

 

[Rex Rules]

I'm sorry you felt that way - We are just the total opposite.

Due to DH being downsized out of his job, we were forced to leave Florida and we were completely heartbroken. We have been away from FL for nearly 2 years now and honestly not a day goes by that we don't miss it or try to plot, scheme, plan, try to work out how we will get back to Florida someday. I just hope and pray we don't have to wait until retirment to get back there.

We are originally from the Carolinas and are (stuck) back there now. It is nice to be near family, but I'd go back to Florida today if the opportunity came up. The cold weather, the dead grass, the bare trees are all depressing me so much. I just want some sunshine and warmth, oh and the palm trees - I miss them too.

"Home" truly is wherever your heart is - if that is Chicago, I'm happy for you. My heart is in Florida and can't wait to get back.

 

[skiwee1]

I have no interest in moving to any place warm. I need my snow! On the other hand, my mom hates snow and would love to move to Florida.

 

[Christine]

I've often wondered the same thing while reading this board. It seems that "moving to Florida to be near Disney" is a dream for some people.

Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE Disney and I always feels so "magical" when I'm there, but this would never be the basis for me to move there. That just seems unrealistic.

One of my very good friends moved to Orlando about 15 years ago. They do enjoy living there (they are from upstate New York) but they have done nothing but struggle financially the entire time.

I think I could get used to the nice weather though. It just seems to me that a lot of people have some "fantasy" idea about the place--that part I don't get.

 

[Virgo10]

We moved to Florida in November of 2004 and I had lived in Massachusetts my whole life (56 years!) After nearly 14 months of being here, I can truly say I LOVE living in Florida. Sure it took some time getting use to but I think what helped is that I had spent quite a bit of time here before the move. All those Disney trips really gave me a feel for what it would be like.

Here's a link to a report I wrote about our first year here.
So You Want To Move To Florida

Florida isn't for everyone. You need to think about a move down here (or anywhere!) carefully. You also need to do your homework on where you want to live. Make a list of the pro's and cons. If the pro's make up 90% of your list, as they did with ours, then start packing!

 

[Poohnatic]

It seems there is no middle ground when people move to Florida.

We moved here 18 months ago and love it. My asthma is better, DH and I don't have as many arthritis issues for one. We have this great farm stand right up the block and get fresh produce year round. The best part of the year has arrived, STRAWBERRY SEASON, lol! That used to announce the arrival of summer for me, so at 39 I have to realize that it announces the beginning of winter here!

Good chinese? Found three places. Good NY style pizza? Got two. (we're getting a Chicago chain soon-Giordano's?) My trick was asking my FedEx and UPS guys, because they were from NY and Mass and knew what I was looking for! I wish I could find a decent cheese shop, but I"m making do with what I've found.

It's not for everyone, I will agree. My stepdad is only here because my mom wanted to be here-so now he's on the fence of whether to stay. One of my best friends moved to Florida 12 years ago and if money were no object, she'd be back on Long Island so fast it would make my head spin.

Suzanne

 

[Crankyshank]

I lived in Tampa and Clearwater for about 4yrs to be with my boyfriend (now DH). I can see why some people might like it, particularly on the Atlantic side, but I hated it. It just wasn't for me.

I think a lot of people have unrealistic expectations and think just because it's warmer, close to Disney, and they have heard it's cheaper to live that it's the ideal location and decide to move. Fortunately that's not the case for everyone that moves down there.

 

[diznygirl]

You don't say what you dislike about Florida - I admit the heat/humidity in the summer can get to be unbearable, but I find it easier to cool off than to warm up in a colder climate. As for the bugs, I love our pest control service! They keep the bugs away from my house. The noseeums and mostquitoes at night are still a problem. I can't complain about the schools - we have a great one here. I can't complain about the traffic - I've driving the 405 and I-5 in California! I can't complain about the cost of living - everything's a lot less expensive than in L.A. And I'm not going to complain about the weather cuz I've been wearing shorts and tank tops all week!

Part of our love of living here comes from where we live - here in Celebration there is always something going on.

Forgot to mention - I can't complain about the food because we eat out a lot so must have found some places we like (psst! Good chinese at Water Tower Place - it's called Le Chine)

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I currently live on Cape Cod, MA, and I'm a transplant from New Mexico...so I've already moved once in my life. But I can say that I love it here and will stay. However, I could see myself moving to Florida for retirement though....won't happen, not with my wife.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We just moved to Texas in April from Missouri and I love it here. Now the bloodbath of firings has started in the former SBC now the New AT&T....so DH is job hunting.
He has an offer to go to Melbourne Florida. I am nervous but always ready for an adventure.

I hate cold and snow so I was glad to move here and get away from it.

 

[Aidensmom]

I am originally from Ohio, have lived in Florida (Lakeland and Tampa) for over 20 years. I love it here. Sure there were some things in Ohio that I can't find here, like the authentic Polish bakery and deli in my neighborhood, but there are things here, like beautiful beaches and fresh seafood, that couldn't be found there.

If you move here expecting to have all the same things you had where you lived before, you won't like it. Everyplace is different.

 

[Stitchfans]

If you have ever read any of my posts you will see I am one of those who dreams of moving to Florida. No, not just to be closer to WDW, although I did say I wanted to work there part time after I retired. I have relatives in Orlando. My aunt, who is the neatest lady you'd ever want to meet, so full of life, is one person I'd love to live near. Granted she just turned 80, but you would never know it. Like I said on another post she just went on Splash Mountain with my two DDs this past spring. As a matter of fact her mother passed away at 90, and her grandmother 101. I would also have my cousin and her family, and my dad is talking about moving down to Florida. Although I think that is all talk since his new wife most likely won't leave all her kids behind here in Illinois.

But yes, count me in, I some day will live in Florida.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Florida is definately NOT the same Florida it was even just 10 years ago. The cost of living has skyrocketed!
Traffic is a nightmare in every corner of the state From Miami to Jacksonville on the east and Naples to Ft Walton Beach on the west coast.
South Florida should just be renamed New York South as the numbers of New Yorkers is now unbelievable.
What used to be a 35 minute commute on the Turnpike is now well over an hour and that is on a good day.
Insurance because of the hurricanes is ridiculous and sometimes hard to even get. We have friends that have to go through the states insurance as they cannot get regular insurance anymore due to the number of claims they have had (their brand new roof that got ripped off by Jeanne last year was completely destroyed by Wilma this year) The new one had lasted on the house just 3 months They also lost a car in the driveway and the pool and lanaii was destroyed as well. They now have a huge blue tarp on their roof, and want to try and sell and move away as they can't rationalize staying through another Hurricane season.
Schools are very hit and miss as well. Some of the best areas to own a house also have some of the worst schools!
The weather is definately warmer in the winter months than most places, but the summers have become nightmares because of the storms.
I think most people have the idea that "Oh it will be so great we can go to WDW every other day" but then life kicks in and bills have to get paid, and before you know it, you only make it over to the parks every other weekend, and then maybe once a month or so.
I have neighbors that have been once in the last 6-7 years.
They are so busy working to pay for what they have.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Lived in Chicago my whole life except for 5 years in college in Atlanta. My husband and I moved to Tampa in October of 2002. First year - loved it! Disney, weather, etc.

By year two - we could not stand it. I think because we moved to wrong area. Tampa is too simple and unsophisticated.

Limited culture, no boutiques or great shopping. Every restaurant is a chain. No or small museums. Limited nightlife.

Sold our house last year. Back in Chicago and moving into a new condo downtown by the end of 2006 (if it is ever ready).

Still travel to Florida 5 times a year for pleasure.

Florida - a great place to visit, but not to live! (at least not for us)

 

[lillygator]

Well I hope many more feel as many on this thread and DON'T move here or simply MOVE back to where they came from!! Too crowded!!

As a native who will doubtfully move anywhere North of here (only South baby!) I love it....and I couldn't stand to be up North....it is like two different worlds...the pace alone would get to me, not to mention the many "other" things. I love Florida, the beach, the sunshine, the people. I don't care for hurricane season as my stress level increases twofold, but we get though it as anything else.....

 

[SamRoc]

It seems like one half of my family that was originally from NJ/NY moved to North Carolina and the other half moved to Florida. There is only one person I know who doesnt like Florida and wants to move back to NY and that is because her mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimers and she feels she wants to be near her. My Aunt and Uncle moved to Mt. Dora over 20 years ago and love it, nephews in Coconut Creek, friends in Boca Raton (who say every day is a "10"! and love the beach, In laws and sister in law in Ft. Meyers (over 20 years) and now my other aunt and uncle moved near Naples for the winter (summer in PA). The majority of the people I know who have moved from the colder weather to Florida love it and would never come back.