OT: Probably moving to FL in 18-ish months...

[JacksLilWench]

Hello everyone! I was hoping some of you guys could help me out, particularly you Dis'ers in Florida. I am starting to make some plans to move to Florida next year, possibly the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area. The thing is, I've never really been there, at least that I can remember. I went for Easter when I was about 4yrs old...that was 21yrs ago! I'll be going down later this year to really check it out for myself and see if it's right for me.

My question is, are there other areas of Florida I should take a look at? I don't want to be too close to Orlando (I hear the crime rate is quite high), and I don't want to be anywhere near Daytona (spring break debauchery isn't really my thing, and neither is Nascar, lol). Also, this will be my first big move out of my parent's house. I'm scared/nervous to do it, but I'm also really excited to think about the possibilities Any tips on moving for the first time would be greatly appreciated as well!!

TIA!!

 

[OKW Lover]

We're also looking at moving to FL around that same time frame, but we are looking in the Orlando area. Probably someplace more to the northwest of Disney such as Clermont.

I don't think that the higher crime you hear about in Orlando is really true of the entire area. I'm thinking that many of the gated communities, and those away from the tourist areas have no worse crime rates than our home town.

 

[JacksLilWench]

We're also looking at moving to FL around that same time frame, but we are looking in the Orlando area. Probably someplace more to the northwest of Disney such as Clermont.

I don't think that the higher crime you hear about in Orlando is really true of the entire area. I'm thinking that many of the gated communities, and those away from the tourist areas have no worse crime rates than our home town.

Another reason I don't really want to be too close to Orlando is because of Disney- I don't want to be so close that I can go every weekend...then it won't be as special. I will say I haven't heard anything bad about Clermont, though! I am definitely looking at some gated communities, haha. I'll be moving by myself so safety is really a big thing for me. Any other tips?

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!!

 

[BGK]

I have to ask: why are you choosing the Ft. Myers area? Unless you've been living at home much longer than usual, I'd assume that "first big move out of [your] parent's house" means you're not much older than high school or college age, and Ft. Myers usually isn't on non-retirees' radar.

What line of work are you in, or do you plan to be in? Even before the real estate market self-destructed and drove unemployment above 13%, most jobs were low-skill and low-wage. Professional or career-worthy jobs are impossible to get.

Spend some time here in the summer. I've never found the summer heat unbearable, but many people do.

Do you have friends or family here? This isn't an area with a strong sense of community, nor one geared toward welcoming new young residents. It's not an easy place for new people if you don't have some kind of connection to help you settle in.

 

[evanbe01]

I actually just moved to the Fort Myers area this past August with my husband to start my Master's degree (we're 25 and 26). It was my first big move as well (my undergraduate college was about a 20 min drive from home), and I definitely don't regret it. My husband is in the human services field and was able to find a decent job within a month and since then has secured a better job. We actually didn't even visit the area before we moved down...which I wouldn't recommend though we did luck out with the community that we moved to. If you have any questions about the area let me know...or maybe what kind of jobs you're interested in I might be able to help once you get closer to moving time. It is also nice being this close to Disney (I moved here from Iowa). We can leave after work on Friday spend the weekend and then be back on Sunday in time for work/school on Monday!

 

[safetymom]

I live close to WDW and I don't live in a gated community. The crime rate in my area is very low. There are many areas in FL that are quite safe.

 

[JacksLilWench]

I have to ask: why are you choosing the Ft. Myers area? Unless you've been living at home much longer than usual, I'd assume that "first big move out of [your] parent's house" means you're not much older than high school or college age, and Ft. Myers usually isn't on non-retirees' radar.

What actually made me choose Ft Myers to start with was my mom used to live down there. It's where she moved after she moved out of her parent's house, actually (I am SO my mother's daughter). I just celebrated my 25th birthday.

What line of work are you in, or do you plan to be in? Even before the real estate market self-destructed and drove unemployment above 13%, most jobs were low-skill and low-wage. Professional or career-worthy jobs are impossible to get.

I am currently in/getting into nursing. I'm CNA certified right now, and looking at nursing schools around here. Do you have any info on the crime rate there in Ft Myers?

Spend some time here in the summer. I've never found the summer heat unbearable, but many people do.

I actually love the heat, haha! I live in Charlotte NC right now, and my favorite time of year is when they heat is repressive. We usually make our yearly Disney trip down there in September, so it's still pretty hot and I like it that way

Do you have friends or family here? This isn't an area with a strong sense of community, nor one geared toward welcoming new young residents. It's not an easy place for new people if you don't have some kind of connection to help you settle in.

I do actually have some "family" in that area. When my mother moved down there, a friend of hers moved with her. Her friend still lives down there and has told me numerous times that I can come stay with her anytime I want, and has offered to let me stay with her while I look for a job/apartment/etc if I do make the move.

Thanks for the info, BGK, I really do appreciate it

 

[JacksLilWench]

I actually just moved to the Fort Myers area this past August with my husband to start my Master's degree (we're 25 and 26). It was my first big move as well (my undergraduate college was about a 20 min drive from home), and I definitely don't regret it. My husband is in the human services field and was able to find a decent job within a month and since then has secured a better job. We actually didn't even visit the area before we moved down...which I wouldn't recommend though we did luck out with the community that we moved to. If you have any questions about the area let me know...or maybe what kind of jobs you're interested in I might be able to help once you get closer to moving time. It is also nice being this close to Disney (I moved here from Iowa). We can leave after work on Friday spend the weekend and then be back on Sunday in time for work/school on Monday!

Thanks so much for the info Evanbe!! I might have to look you up when I come down!

PS: to The Dis!!!!

 

[ukwildcat]

Southwest Florida is nice. I would also check out Sarasota and Naples. I prefer those areas to Fort Myers. Best of luck to you.

 

[JacksLilWench]

I live close to WDW and I don't live in a gated community. The crime rate in my area is very low. There are many areas in FL that are quite safe.

Thanks safetymom What area do you live in (if you don't mind my asking)?

 

[15isto2]

Thanks safetymom What area do you live in (if you don't mind my asking)?

I think its called no-name-town according to the podcasts

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks safetymom What area do you live in (if you don't mind my asking)?

I think its called no-name-town according to the podcasts

 

[JacksLilWench]

Southwest Florida is nice. I would also check out Sarasota and Naples. I prefer those areas to Fort Myers. Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the tip, ukwildcat I was actually talking to a co-worker last night who used to live in Clearwater, and said it was a good place to live. I might have two more places to check out!

...I think I'm missing some kind of inside joke, lol.

 

[OKW Lover]

...I think I'm missing some kind of inside joke, lol.

Yes, it is kind of obscure. I've been scouting out various neighborhoods around WDW and have had off-line discussions with Kathy about her area. Just wishing we could teleport ourselves there now.

 

[JacksLilWench]

Yes, it is kind of obscure. I've been scouting out various neighborhoods around WDW and have had off-line discussions with Kathy about her area. Just wishing we could teleport ourselves there now.

Oh, I get it now! I wish I could teleport there too, haha. It's not that I'm slow, its just early for Sunday, lol.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think I'm missing some kind of inside joke, lol.

Kathy lives west of Disney and there has not been a town incorporation yet.

It's not Clermont, it's not Davenport.....it has no name.

We have teased her mercilessly about living in "no name town".

I understand your reasons for wanting to move to Florida. I had my own 15 years ago.

I'm not sure I understand your reasons for choosing where to live.

Housing in FL is at the lowest pricing it's been at in MANY years. My house is worth much less than I paid for it in 2000. The two houses next to us sit empty and basically abandoned.

Finding a place to live will not be a problem. Finding financing will be a problem unless you have a large down payment and great credit. Also, a great many of the properties available are short sales or foreclosures and they can take several months. Ours took approximately 4 months and people were shocked at how fast it moved.

You will also want to take into consideration where you will work. You can decide on the perfect place to live and if you live on the other side of town, it will seem much less perfect very quickly.

Just an example....John and I live in St Cloud. Pete lives in Orlando. When we go to the podcast recording, we take three highways to get there. It takes an hour (or longer) travel time and heaven forbid there be a fender bender....because then the time can be doubled.

As you are uncertain of even your choice of cities.....I'd suggest visiting several places before deciding where you want to live.

You havent said what you do for a living, but securing a job might help make that decision. If you are planning to move to FL without a job and then finding one here.....keep in mind that unemployment is high and wages are often very low to start.

If you make your decision about where to live before you find out where you will be working (and playing for that matter), you could find yourself with a spirit breaking commute in bumper to bumper traffic, enormous gas bills and a housing situation you cant get away from.

Do yourself a favor and make your decision based on research and a job offer rather than being turned off by spring break debauchery or Nascar....as they should be really low on your list of concerns as to where to settle.

 

[JacksLilWench]

Kathy lives west of Disney and there has not been a town incorporation yet.

It's not Clermont, it's not Davenport.....it has no name.

We have teased her mercilessly about living in "no name town".

I understand your reasons for wanting to move to Florida. I had my own 15 years ago.

I'm not sure I understand your reasons for choosing where to live.

Housing in FL is at the lowest pricing it's been at in MANY years. My house is worth much less than I paid for it in 2000. The two houses next to us sit empty and basically abandoned.

Finding a place to live will not be a problem. Finding financing will be a problem unless you have a large down payment and great credit. Also, a great many of the properties available are short sales or foreclosures and they can take several months. Ours took approximately 4 months and people were shocked at how fast it moved.

You will also want to take into consideration where you will work. You can decide on the perfect place to live and if you live on the other side of town, it will seem much less perfect very quickly.

Just an example....John and I live in St Cloud. Pete lives in Orlando. When we go to the podcast recording, we take three highways to get there. It takes an hour (or longer) travel time and heaven forbid there be a fender bender....because then the time can be doubled.

As you are uncertain of even your choice of cities.....I'd suggest visiting several places before deciding where you want to live.

You havent said what you do for a living, but securing a job might help make that decision. If you are planning to move to FL without a job and then finding one here.....keep in mind that unemployment is high and wages are often very low to start.

If you make your decision about where to live before you find out where you will be working (and playing for that matter), you could find yourself with a spirit breaking commute in bumper to bumper traffic, enormous gas bills and a housing situation you cant get away from.

Do yourself a favor and make your decision based on research and a job offer rather than being turned off by spring break debauchery or Nascar....as they should be really low on your list of concerns as to where to settle.

Wow, I never thought when I asked for input that I would get it from you, Kevin! That's one of the reasons I wanted to post on here: other people usually have better information than I do

I really appreciate all the info and opinions you've given me. I do know I have a lot to think about and a lot of decisions to make. Fortunately, I'm on no real deadline to move, so I have plenty of time to think about everything before I start packing.

I certainly wouldn't move anywhere unless I had a job-I'm getting into the nursing field currently. I definitely plan on doing a fair share of travel in the next year-18 months to really decide what city is going to be best for me. When I make that decision, it will certainly take into consideration housing availability, job rates, gas prices, etc. One of the reasons I said Ft. Myers to start with is that I have some extended family there. It's not very easy for me to make friends and feel comfortable in a place where I don't know anyone. If I'm near someone I know, especially my aunt and uncle, I can have a little comfort zone. But if I find a city I know is right for me, comfort zone or no, I'm packing my bags!

Thanks so much for the advice and input!!

 

[gibson424]

If you're getting into nursing, the Orlando area is pretty good. My girlfriend works at Florida Hospital South as a Child Life Specialist and her sister is a nurse there. Plus UCF just opened a new nursing school so this is a good area for that profession. I live just outside Baldwin Park...if you're looking for low crime/ability to walk to entertainment, Baldwin Park is definitely somewhere you should check out. Plus, contrary to popular belief, it's not that easy to get to Disney from *actual* Orlando. It's at least a 25 minute drive on I-4 and that's if there's no traffic. During rush hour (which is almost all day long) you're looking at 35 minutes at least. It's not so easy that you'll find yourself there daily.

You might also want to check out Tavares. There's a nice big Florida Hospital up there (Florida Hospital Waterman) and it's a pretty quiet town. You can head down 441 for about 20 minutes and hit the 429 which is a relatively new toll road. It goes from Apopka all the way down to I-4 past Disney so it's easy to get to Disney or even to Tampa. Even that would make Disney about a 45 minute drive so again, you're not right next door.

As far as being too close to Disney, let me tell you, there's no taking away the magic. I've worked there for 3 years and still, every time I walk into Epcot I get excited. The best part about living close is that you don't HAVE to make every trip count. If you go to Magic Kingdom and it's packed, you can just take the monorail elsewhere and know that you can come back another day. I was afraid that working there and being able to go whenever I wanted would make each visit less special, but to be honest, I think it makes it more special. One of my favorite things to do is to just walk around the Boardwalk at sunset...if I had to make each visit count, that's probably not something I would have discovered.

Anyways, just my humble opinion. Good luck!

 

[JacksLilWench]

If you're getting into nursing, the Orlando area is pretty good. My girlfriend works at Florida Hospital South as a Child Life Specialist and her sister is a nurse there. Plus UCF just opened a new nursing school so this is a good area for that profession. I live just outside Baldwin Park...if you're looking for low crime/ability to walk to entertainment, Baldwin Park is definitely somewhere you should check out. Plus, contrary to popular belief, it's not that easy to get to Disney from *actual* Orlando. It's at least a 25 minute drive on I-4 and that's if there's no traffic. During rush hour (which is almost all day long) you're looking at 35 minutes at least. It's not so easy that you'll find yourself there daily.

You might also want to check out Tavares. There's a nice big Florida Hospital up there (Florida Hospital Waterman) and it's a pretty quiet town. You can head down 441 for about 20 minutes and hit the 429 which is a relatively new toll road. It goes from Apopka all the way down to I-4 past Disney so it's easy to get to Disney or even to Tampa. Even that would make Disney about a 45 minute drive so again, you're not right next door.

As far as being too close to Disney, let me tell you, there's no taking away the magic. I've worked there for 3 years and still, every time I walk into Epcot I get excited. The best part about living close is that you don't HAVE to make every trip count. If you go to Magic Kingdom and it's packed, you can just take the monorail elsewhere and know that you can come back another day. I was afraid that working there and being able to go whenever I wanted would make each visit less special, but to be honest, I think it makes it more special. One of my favorite things to do is to just walk around the Boardwalk at sunset...if I had to make each visit count, that's probably not something I would have discovered.

Anyways, just my humble opinion. Good luck!

Thanks so much, Scott!! This is some awesome info...and Baldwin Park looks beautiful My next move was to start looking at nursing programs to see what's available. It would be a better move to get my RN before I leave NC- I don't want to wait 18mos. only to not get it here, and then start from scratch basically to find a job down there. And that means I'll definitely need a good BSN program once I get to Florida (I am definitely getting that Bachelor's!!).

Thanks for the advice about WDW too. I think that's my biggest (silly)fear about moving, is that it wouldn't be special if we went and didn't stay on property, didn't do the DDP, didn't plan it as a whole vacation experience, etc. I did have my suspicions though, that it would make it more special and hearing you say it does makes me feel better about it

Thanks so much again, Scott!!

 

[gibson424]

Glad to help! My girlfriend's sister went to Florida Hospital college for her bachelor's degree. But again, UCF has (supposedly) a great program and the campus is about a half hour east of downtown Orlando.

About all the extra Disney stuff...for us, spending days in the parks without being able to go back to a resort room just builds anticipation for our next resort stay. Every time we leave epcot in the evening, we talk about how awesome it would be to get the monorail back to our resort...so next time we can actually do that, it'll be the best!