How many in here who is from the Northern States and have moved to FLorida? I have ?s

[*Fantasia*]

[color=deep pink]PLEASE TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE...

I am just curious what the reason for the move? Is it cause of the Mouse? Is it the job? Is it cause of the weather? Is it cause the spouse you married live there? OR is it cause you just want a different atmosphere? Is it cause of college and decided to stay there to live? Is it cause your parents are getting old and you want to live near them?

Was it hard for you to move? Did you make friends fast? Were you home sick? Did you know anyone there before moving there? How did you friends and family felt when you told them about moving to Florida? How did you manage the change the Florida weather? How did your children like their school? How did they manage the chance?

I told my parents about it and my brother, but not the rest of the family. I have not told my in-laws yet. I don't know how to break it to her. I am just so nervous about this move. I wanna move. I am tired of this winter. I don't wanna be here anymore, but my family and my late husban's family are here.
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[DMickey28]

I haven't moved from the North to the South but I just wanted to say that the color your post is in makes it very difficult to read. You may get more responses if you change the color!!

Good Luck!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks DMickey28. What color should I chance so I will get some response?

 

[LadyAurora]

DH and I moved from IL to FL last March. We moved because of work...he got laid off at the beginning of winter 2002 and he is in construction, so there wasn't any work in the cold north!
We chose this area of FL to live in to be near DH's brother and his family...they are the only people we knew. It was hard to leave DH's sons, our good friends and the rest of DH's siblings. My parents live in TN, and my sister is in MO, so I didn't leave any family behind.
It has been hard...DH got hired for a job before we moved here, but it didn't exist after we arrived! The guy who was going to buy our house backed out, so we paid for two homes for a couple months!
The weather is awesome. This summer was nowhere near as hot as I had feared...maybe it was a mild summer, but to me it didn't feel much hotter than IL. We never broke 100º. It is so cool to go to the beach or Disney whenever we have a day off!
I am not homesick but I really miss my best friend and her husband. We haven't made any good friends here yet, but it hasn't even been a year. There are pros and cons, but overall I don't regret it!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Dh and I are trying to get to Tampa. We also want to escape winter. We live in MO. Our kids are 7 & 12 and we just feel like the time is slipping away and there is so much more we could be offering them.

Will I miss my family, yea, but we are weighing that against the experiences we could have with them.

Is it the right thing? I don't know but I am willingly to take the risk. If it turns out horrible we will make a change.

BTW LadyAurora how is the area you are living in? Just wondering if you moved into a new development since dh is in construction?

 

[floridafam]

We moved to Florida once from Michigan. DH took a transfer with his company.

My parents were basket cases. It was horrible. His Mom said we had to do what was best for us.

We made friends fast. A lot of them were from his company. I took a part time job at the YMCA and I could take my son with me.

He went down first and found us a place to live. The cost of living was a lot cheaper than in Michigan. Of course, this all depends on where it is in Florida you want to live.

The weather was wonderful and we often went to the beach. It just felt like a much more relaxing way of life. DH always seemed to have a smile on his face. We quickly adapted to the area-finding the good places to eat where the locals would go, going to the park, the beach, etc.

We moved back up to Michigan so I could be near my family-one of my brothers died and another was sick. I will always be grateful to DH for making that sacrifice.

We had a chance to go back. DH was going to take another transfer to Panama City Beach but then his Mom had a stroke.

Sure, it's a whole different ball game when your kids are in school and it would have been a lot harder this time. Research the schools, go in and meet the teachers, scope things out, ask locals their opinions, talk to the cashiers at the grocery stores, etc.

One good thing, 80% of the people we met in Florida seemed to be from Michigan so we always had something to talk about instantly.

Good luck.

 

[Mishetta]

I think what the difference might be is that it seems that all the people who posted, have moved down with spouses. Fantasia will be doing this all alone with her small children. I can certainly understand your anxiety (even though you're also very excited about it). You have so many questions & you're going to be making this decision all alone for you & your little ones. It's not an easy decision.....I wish you the best. I hope that someone can help you with all your questions! I think it would be best though for you to just go out there (without the kids) & research as much as you can beforehand. Can a friend go with you or one of your siblings? You'd be able to get so much more done if you went without the kids, & I think it would really help you to decide.

Good luck my friend!!

Rose

 

[floridafam]

Yes, I suppose it would have been a whole different situation if I was moving down there with my children.

Fantasia, do you have friends in the area?

I would do as much research as I could before making any final decisions.

Let us know how your research is going and what you decide to do.

Good luck.

 

[gshoemate]

We moved down from Michigan in September 2003. DH was laid off his job and was lucky enough to find a job in sunny Orlando. It was easy for us to move because we've always been kind of loners, even when it comes to family. We do our own thing and our families were never interested in our hobbies...computers, golf, raising kids, etc. My parents were a little upset but did not let me see it, mom said she cried when we were pulling out of her driveway with the UHaul. But remember, Michigan is only a 2 day drive away and you can always go back to visit. We went last September so it had been a year since we last seen everyone and they were very happy to see us, but I was very happy to get back home to Florida. The drive down here was tough. I am assuming that you will be using a Uhaul to move down. The first few days DH was not to comfortable with it so he never went over 55. It took us almost 4 days to get here. We love the weather and it's just an added bonus that we are so close to WDW. As far as the schools, just do your research as far as the area you want to move to. We live in Seminole county and our school is an A school on the Florida grading scale. I think some schools in Orange counties are alot lower then that. We have made some friends, mostly people DH works with, and a few CM's that I have chatted with on our many trips to AK. And I am currently a member of the YMCA which I chat with some of the moms during Yoga. It depends on your personality I guess, I haven't had much luck in the friends department so I usually don't really try to make them, little hesitant I guess. Any more questions feel free to ask. It is a scary move, i'll be honest with ya, but it is so worth it, I wouldn't want to live any place else (well maybe Wyoming but they have lots of snow there).

 

[Antonia]

Fantasia - I've never lived in the northern states and I've never lived in Florida -I'm from South Carolina. I have lived here 42 years and all of my family and DH's family is here. Personally, I would not want to live where my family was not. Having family close by is important to me. More important than the weather or the beaches - then again I have never faced a Michigan winter. I, too, love Florida. My family teases me about wanting to go so often. I often dream of making a move myself. I always say if I win the lottery, look for me in Naples. But the bonds of family hold me here. I know you are raising your kids without their dad. Does your family play an important role in their lives since their dad is gone? If so, I would stay put and just try to take trips to Florida when you can. I am from a famiily that is so rooted. My husband, on the other hand, had to move as a child and he has always regretted it. I wish you the best with your decision. I am sure it is a hard decision to make.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and your thoughts. Michetta, I am thinking of heading out there this May for maybe 4 days and check out the apartments and the schools and just drive around.

I guess what I am worried about most is that I am leaving my parents who are in their mid-70 and mid-80. Sigh... I do want to spend as much time with them since they are old. I am almost to the point of telling my Dad that I will share the house mortage in Florida just so they can live there. The thing is that my parents fight like cats and dogs. I can't see myself w/ my kids living again with my parents when they are like that.

Then my in-laws would be so hurt cause the only connection they have with Gary (late husband) are the kids. I know so cause I was planning to move to Cali last year and they were crushed.

One other thing, I just hope my kids will do fine in their new school and make good friends.

Thanks everyone. Your replies are very much appreciated!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I know what you mean Antonia. Family is more important that the sunny weather or Disney or the beach. Ahhh...I am just sick of being here in Michigan. Yes, it's this gloomy cold weather that always brings me down during winter and I am tired of it. I love my family, and yes my parents help me out. They sometimes pick up the kids from school and keep them until I get off work. And sometimes on weekends my MIL spends time with the kids. I love them...but I want to move. Sigh...

I am thinking of having my brother and his friend drive the UHaul down to Orlando. The kids and I will also have to drive down there with my car. I am thinking if they are going to do this for me, the least thing I should do is to pay for their one way ticket back to Michigan.

It is a tough decision. I suppose I can drive to Michigan maybe every time the kids are off from school and if the employer will let me. That wouldn't be so bad. And then fly maybe twice a year. Maybe I can see them 5X in a year? And then I will save money to fly my folks down in Orlando during winter in Jan and Feb. What do you guys think about that?

Thank you guys soooo much for the infos and inputs and your thoughts!!

 

[kerrynic78]

Hi Fantasia- I do not live in Florida yet but my Fiancee just got a job offer so we will be down there in 45 days. I am in CT and I just can not take the cold, snow, ice, etc anymore. It will be tricky living in Florida since I am getting married in CT in October, so I will have to plan from down there, but I'm realdy for the challenge! I will be leaving my father who is alone, my mother passed away when I was 17, but the good news is that he will be moving to FL in 2 years. I do worry about the rest of my family, but the way I look at it, this is something that we have to do for ourselves.

Good luck in your search and maybe someday in the future we may run into each other in Disney!!

 

[Kallison]

If you want to give it a try, do it before the kids get much older. The older they get, the harder it will be to switch schools and friends. Good Luck! You can always come back if it doesn't work out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

 

[Pin Wizard]

We moved here from New Jersey 15 years ago. We had a combination of things that pushed us south. My husband wanted to live in a warmer climate due to back problems. He wanted California, I told him there was no way I'd go there but I would go to FL. We were newlyweds, and I wanted to live somewhere farther away from our parents. And we were both tired of the snow and ice.

Now I miss the change of seasons and the mountains! I'm looking to move out of FL! LOL! Besides, this is where my husband and I lived. It's time for a new chapter in life, and I can't move forward completely if I live where we lived. He passed away 11 years ago. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

It's time for a new chapter in life, and I can't move forward completely if I live where we lived. He passed away 11 years ago.

Sorry to hear about your husband. We live in Michigan. My husband died 2 yrs ago at WDW. We were there to celebrate our 7th year Ann, but he died 2 days before it. Anyway... I want change in my life. Though my husband passed away in Orlando, I still want to move there. I love that place. I just don't know how my in-laws in going to take it.

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[aunt lissa]

My parents came w/ me when I moved to FL!!! But I moved here to get away from the cold! Couldn't take it anymore. I still miss my friends and other family but I can always go back for a visit!

 

[Gupsmom]

We've been considering moving to Florida. This thread has been interesting..

If I could be comfortable with the idea that my kids will adjust quickly, we'd probably go. My kids are 6, 5 and 4. We live in a neighborhood with tons of kids (friends) and my kids are in a fantastic program at school. It's so hard to pull them out.

as for me and DH....we'd be fine. Both of us are outgoing...as much as we'd miss friends up here, we'd be able to make friends too. Plus, the Northern friends could visit us in Sunny Florida!!! Our biggest problem would be losing the support system. My nieces and nephew babysit for us and they all live withing 10 minutes of our house. My Mom and Dad are 3 minutes away. We're very close and they are always there if we need them. BUT..I think my parent's would move with us. I also just found out that my brother has applied for jobs in Florida and they've been searching online to find good neighborhoods/houses.


If we do choose to stay up North and raise our kids, we won 't stay here after they are in college. The most we would consider is keeping a small place up here (if the majority of our family stays here) and spending MOST of the year in Florida.

Jess

BTW...weather is a big reason for our wanting to go South. Every year I am amazed at how much better I FEEL when the sun is out. Unfortunately, up here, we can go a month without having a sunny day during winter. It's so depressing.

 

[Feralpeg]

In a way, I guess I'm lucky. I don't have a lot of family to tie me to the mid-west. My parents both died when I was very young. I never married, so I have no in-laws. I have one sister and two brothers. One brother is married and lives with his family in Minnesota. We only see them about once a year now. My other brother and my sister both live in Kansas City. Neither are married. My sister is moving to Florida with my DD and I. She will retire at the end of March. She is building a house one block from where I'm building. My single brother is thinking of moving to Florida also. He has a good friend who is going through a divorce. My brother is thinking about moving down and rooming with his friend. My brother is a bartender/day trader so he can work anywhere.

We are tired of the mid-west winters. There is nothing to do here a good portion of the year. We want to live somewhere warm where we can get out throughout the year and do things. DD wants to attend collage in Florida so this makes it even better.

I do envy those of you who have family to consider. Many times, I've read threads where people discuss their holiday plans with their families and wish that we had family to be with. I guess things are always greener on the other side of the fence.