Moving to FL

[Cupcake2008]

Hi guys,

Just to add my own two cents to the discussion. Please do your research and make sure you have a steady job before relocating. Florida is extremely different (in good and bad ways) from the Northeast states. I've seen a lot of people jump in and think living here will be the same as being on vacation here.

I made the move to central Florida in the summer of 2006 when the housing industry and general economy were still booming. I took a job with a local school district when they were building schools like crazy to accommodate the large numbers of families moving into the area. They were recruiting teachers from all over the country and Puerto Rico to fill the jobs. I moved to Winter Park and really enjoyed living there. They have great shopping and restaurants, but I felt my rent was really overpriced. Winter Park was also very crowded and developed. I loved coming down to Disney on the weekends. It was (and still is) a nice break from the daily stress of my real job.

Now the economy has drastically changed. The housing market has collapsed and jobs in all areas are extremely hard to find. The school districts laid off many people last year and saved many jobs with the federal stimulus money that will run out in two years. Many teachers are having difficulty finding minimum wage jobs at the theme parks and stores like Target. People in other industries such as construction, lawn services, and even hospitality have been impacted and are struggling.

I purchased an adorable townhouse very close to the mouse last year and still love being close to Disney. There's lots of newer subdivisions that are in quiet areas that I prefer to Winter Park. I can even see the MK fireworks from my window each night. I can go and wander around the theme parks on Saturdays. I don't think the magic fades that much, but it's definitely different being close by. All of your relatives and friends come to visit the mouse and not you!

So, just be really careful that you do your research before you come down. We see many families that come down through the school system who were not prepared. They end up struggling and eventually returning home. Let me know if you have any questions I could help with.

 

[Auntie L.]

Great advice!! Thanks so much!!

Linda

 

[Da8510]

I don't live in Florida (though I go to Florida to DW every year) but I've heard that the city of Oviedo (right in the Orlando area) is very nice. Any thoughts/replies on this?

 

[JDUCKY]

I don't live in Florida (though I go to Florida to DW every year) but I've heard that the city of Oviedo (right in the Orlando area) is very nice. Any thoughts/replies on this?

Oviedo (and Winter Springs) is a very nice area. Nice developments, plenty of shopping. Getting to Disney will require the 417 (toll road) Either that or waiting in traffic lights for 15-20 min to work your way to I-4.

But, not like you'd be going there every day and weekend traffic isn't as bad.


Sooo....yeah, if you're considering moving to that area I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I was looking at that area, myself, when I first moved here. Winter Springs HS is a very good school.

 

[taswira]

I daydream about moving down to FL and have a dear friend who lives near St. Pete who is anxious for me to join her. The only bad thing I can think of in the whole thing is the weather. I simply cannot breathe when it is hot, very hot. I also cannot drive when it snows or ices so I am in a quandry. >>>

If you can not breathe when it is very hot, you may have trouble at least 6 months of the year in most parts of FL. It isn't the heat that gets to me (I once lived in a hotter part of AZ with no problem), but the combination of heat and humidity. Those of us who are adversely affected by that tend to make sure we have good, reliable A/C in our homes and vehicles and try to avoid many outdoor activities in the (seemingly endless) summer.

While snow is not a concern here, there are some occasional "cold spells" in the winter when the roads have been icy with frost. But the biggest problem is getting caught in the often unpredictable, heavy, blinding rains that can cause flash flooding and, at the least, hydroplaning of vehicles on the roads. The water just pours down faster than it can drain off. But we deal with it. Finding ways to deal with the heat, humidity, hurricanes (or at least tropical storms) and bugs is part of the price to pay for living in this area full of wonderful theme parks and a cruise port.

 

[Cupcake2008]

I don't live in Florida (though I go to Florida to DW every year) but I've heard that the city of Oviedo (right in the Orlando area) is very nice. Any thoughts/replies on this?

I agree. Oveido is a nice little suburb. The Seminole county schools are pretty good. I used to go out to the mall out there every once and awhile and it's a nice area.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

taswira, I appreciate your input. I had not thought about the rain. I am used to such when we drive down in the summer and cope by stopping for a late lunch when they are most likely to occur. I can handle driving in the rain, as long as I can see.

It is hard to pull up stakes when you have lived in one spot for so very long. I cannot afford to make a mistake as I can only afford one move. I plan to rent a condo down there for a month this coming year, during the hot season, and test it out a bit.

Thanks again, Slightly Goofy