Its funny to find this post today. My DH and I have been discussing recently whether we will stay here.
Just as a back story. I wanted to move to Orlando for many years but my DH (DF for a part of that time) would not go. His brother and SIL moved to Sarasota a couple years ago and it was with their assistance that I got him to move down here. I figured it may not be Orlando, but its still Florida and I will still have that sunshine.
So we moved here March of last year. Now, I do love the area where I live, its beautiful - the weather, the beach, the hour and a half drive to Orlando, all those things I love. But I still don't feel like I belong here.
I miss my family and my friends. I haven't made a single new local friend since moving here. Alot of that has to do with my office, very small, and I don't really have occasions to meet people (I know several folks in Orlando - put in a social setting at the AC - but here, well, I go to work and come home) My parents used to take our kids every other weekend so my DH and I could have a little free time together. We haven't gone out on a date in at least six months I would say. Yes, I know we could get a sitter, but when you don't know anyone, well, that's difficult. And don't get me started on the things that by BIL and SIL promised us about coming down here. But these are my personal issues. Not about Florida itself. We'll talk about that now.
We both took big paycuts coming down here, thinking that the lower COL would mostly make up for that (believe me, I am a research junkie so I did my homework) but from the time we had planned to move here to the time we actually did and now, the median home price here is as much, if not worse, than what it was in Seattle and we made about $800.00 more a month there. Now, that's my area, I am not talking all of Florida mind you, I don't know what's going on in the rest of Florida, and moving there is not an option for me (see section above about why I am in Sarasota instead of Orlando). Then the groceries, we used to spend about $60-$80 per week, here its always $100 or more. So we're making less and paying out more for everything. And I don't think we will ever be in a position to buy in this town, its too expensive. Sarasota is a beautiful place, but it is expensive.
On employers here, it may just be our luck, but I don't think they are nearly as employee friendly as they are in the north. Neither my DH and I have sick leave at our jobs. I work p/t so some might say that is why with my job, but I did in Seattle with more than one of my p/t jobs, it was just based on a p/t schedule. My DH works full time with a fairly large company for this area. The fact that they did not offer sick leave just boggles my mind. And actually, I know the labor laws down here are worse and then there is my field, I am a workers comp paralegal. To all those working in Florida, I hope you never get injured on the job. That's all I have to say about that.
As far as the Disney aspect, I went to Orlando seven times last year. The most I went from Seattle was five. I'm not getting there that much more and I haven't been on a week's trip since 10/04, its always weekenders now. I am trying to plan something along the lines of a week long trip when my son's school gets out, as it seems like everytime I get to Disney I am unpacking my bags and packing them right back up again. I do like the thought that I can go there easily, but I sure miss the relaxation part of the long trips I used to take. I think if we had moved to Orlando, I would feel a bit differently as it would be more of a "local" thing for me but as it is, I am up there and out, sandwiched between work weeks and I kind of miss it being my "vacation" sometimes.
So the things we thought we would love about being here are the same. But the things we gave up to move here, I don't know that it was worth it.
We have decided we will give it at least to the end of the school year. Part of me wants to go back to Seattle and part of me doesn't. I didn't mind the summer last year and like someone else said, going to the store on January 2nd in shorts is a wonderful thing. I am sure it will break my heart to leave Florida and its beauty and weather, and I am not too jazzed about a Seattle winter next year, but hopefully by May/June of this year, we will have our eyes opened to where we are truly meant to be.
Everyone has told me that the first year of moving to a new place is the hardest. I don't want to make my decision until we've made it past that. Some of the things we don't like we can change, some of the things we can't. We need to give it some time before we decide what we can and cannot live with.
If they tell you it will be two weeks, its going to be a month. If they tell you they have what you want, they might, but you're not going to get it without delay. And if they tell you they are going to exchange your water heater, stay with them til the job is done!
No way jose. I get scared to see a former tropical storm coming our way. Hurricanes would have me running. I also can't stand lightening. It seriously has me hiding in a corner. I've heard Florida is the lightening capital. Humidity? Hate it. I hate the heat too. And too much sunshine gives me a rash 
Have to have my hockey fix.
Got to love New England for that. 
We appreciate it! Enjoy the snow - somebody has to!
