Question for Florida residents.....

[mhsjax]

Critters - yes! Lots of them - everywhere. Lizards in your house is kinda neat. Or your car, cuz they go in through the engine into your vents! Then your car smells like a dead lizard carcus, cuz you cant find the body. And in the middle of the summer, 90 degree weather, who doesnt want a "Dead Lizard" air freshener in their car?

Taxes is right. But what you save in some places, you spend in others. Things even out there. We didnt suddenly feel rich because we lived there. Milk was ridiculously expensive. Ice Cream was ridiculously cheap. Figure that one out.

There are (were) no Kohl's. Do like Kohl's? I missed Kohl's.

No Portillo's or any Chicago Hot Dogs - anywhere.

No Grandma Sallys, Omega, Dimitri's type restaurants - anywhere.

No decent Chinese - at all, what so ever (unless Panda Express if your thing)

No Chicago Pizza.

Hmmm.......

Lived in Florida all of my life, so I have nothing to compare it to, however, we do have a Kohls in my area and I have never had a dead lizard in my car. But yes it is as hot as you know what. and no we don't have the yummy hot dogs or pizzas but I love where I live and would not move for anything.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

It depends on the area...definitely.

I grew up in south Florida...don't like it. To me, it's overcrowded and TOO HOT!!! Yuck!

Then, I went to college in Tallahassee...LOVE it! Small town feel (even though it's a city), friendlier people in general...I could totally live there. I feel like the weather is much more bearable. I feel like there are seasons in Tallahassee...hot, gross summer, beautiful leaves in the fall, it actually gets cold in winter (for Florida, into the 20s and 30s!), gorgeous flowers and weather in the spring. However, there is no dark, snowy winter, so I think you would like the weather, maybe.

Now I live in Fort Pierce, about 2 hrs. south of Orlando on the east coast. Don't like it, either.

Others are right...it definitely depends on where you live in the state. What are you looking for? What kind of weather, near the water, etc? I think it's funny because "southern" and "northern" can mean different things to different people. For example, I consider Tallahassee "northern" because some of the buildings, cooler weather, etc. remind me of the northeast. However, I also consider it MUCH more "southern" than south Florida, because there are accents galore and awesome sweet tea and lots and lots of churches.

 

[CathrynRose]

Another thing that drove me bonkers:

There is one way to get everywhere. No matter where youre going, youre pretty much stuck going the one and only way to get there.

You know how if youre headed to Woodfield Mall, and 355 is all backed up, you could take, say 53 all the way there? Or youre headed to Naperville, and 88 is a mess (which it *is* right now! ) but that's okay - you could take Ogden, or Butterfield, instead?

Not there. Youre stuck on the expressway. There's no quickie side roads. You cant really jump off and take a side street - because even the side streets you COULD take are generally more packed than the stinking expressway youre on.

Im not exaggerating when I tell you we were leaving WDW one evening, and there was MAJOR traffic and I mean MAJOR traffic on the expressway due to construction (and this was late... like 10pm) For those of you in the Tampa Area - it took us (no exaggeration) 3.5 hours to get from WDW to Bruce B Downs road. Normally just over an hour or so.

It's just *different*. EVerything was, to us.

The stickers for your car - they dont expire the month you get the plates - they expire the month of your birthday. So, we moved down the end of February - got Florida sticker and plates in the beginning of April - and in August (my birthday) it expired and I had to get a new sticker. It was strange (again, IMO)

I mean, the state is filled with people whom love living there - but it could be an absolute crap shoot - KWIM?

 

[CathrynRose]

OH GEEZ! I forgot - the car insurance! The money you save on state taxes is made up with car insurance!

I had a 98 Hyundai Accent. Not exactly a primo car by any means. I have NO tickets, NO accidents, nothing. A perfect driving record.

For liability only insurance, at a cheesy, cheapee insurance joint was $79 a month! A MONTH!

 

[Feralpeg]

I moved to the Orlando area a little over four years ago. I love it here. The heat does not bother me. Yes, there are some days that are hot and humid. When it gets too hot, I stay in my nice air conditioned home. I came from the midwest. During summers in the midwest, it was not at all unusual temps to hit over 100 degrees and stay that way for two to three weeks. That does not happen in Florida. It was also very humid during the summer in the midwest. I actually found it more uncomfortable there than I find it here. I love this time of year. Most days, it is in the 70s with very low humidity. Great weather.

I do miss the changing of the leaves a little. There are some leaves that change here. I noticed some trees on WDW property today that have changed to a beautiful red color. They are maples. We just don't have as many of the type of trees that change. Some trees drop their leaves at this time of year and don't get new ones until spring. We definitely have seasons, they just aren't as drastic as the seasonal changes elsewhere.

I don't mind the creatures at all. I have an exterminator treat my home every six months. I rarely see a bug inside my house. I'm used to the lizards. They are not a big problem. I love the other wildlife.

I like having the tourists in the area. I live in an area that the tourists don't end to frequent, yet I am very close to WDW. I love interacting with people from around the world.

There is always something to do or see in Florida. I can't ever see myself moving from this area.

 

[LeeLeeLuvsDisney]

OH GEEZ! I forgot - the car insurance! The money you save on state taxes is made up with car insurance!

I had a 98 Hyundai Accent. Not exactly a primo car by any means. I have NO tickets, NO accidents, nothing. A perfect driving record.

For liability only insurance, at a cheesy, cheapee insurance joint was $79 a month! A MONTH!

I have lived in the Winter Park area for years, and my insurance has never been that high, even for full coverage on a new car. Maybe it had something to do with living in the Tampa area?

 

[Angelhalo]

Winter Park sounds great to me! I would be interested to know which areas fell more "Northern" because that is where we would be happier . That would narrow down the search. We have contemplated moving to FL so many times.

Simply from my experience alone I think in order to get a more northern feel you need to go further south. The further south you go the less southern it feels. I tend to think that the change happens right around Orlando. I have family in Plant City near Tampa and in Gainesville and both are very southern to me, but once you get down past there you see lots of transplants from up north so you more of a Northern vibe. West Palm Beach has a Northern feel, as do Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando.

 

[freckles and boo]

If I were in your shoes, the very most important issue would be the quality of education available to my child. I have a daughter with autism. No amount of sunshine would be enough if she languished in an inadequate school. A "good" school district may be fine for a typical kid but a kid like mine (and yours) requires that the district be fully dedicated to high-quality special education. I hate to generalize, but most of what I have heard about schools in Florida is terrible. Good luck to you!

 

[LeeLeeLuvsDisney]

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming!!

We currently live in Elmhurst, around 15mi west of Chicago. Home prices in our area are HIGH, our ordinary 4bd 1.5ba home is appraised at $390,000 and taxes are around $4500 per year.

Schools would be important so if anyone has input on good areas please share. Our son has Autism and is in public school for the special services so we'd definitely need a good area for him. Our girls are currently in Catholic school and I'd like them to continue so that might impact our decision on area as I'm not sure how prevalent those are.

I too would like to know which areas feel more "northern" as that might make the transition easier.

I've never lived anywhere else besides the Chicago area so this is all so foreign to me. It's easy to pick from towns around here because it's familiar, knowing nothing about Florida makes it scary!

I lived in Winter Park for years. I now live just a few miles away. It has a nice downtown area and some neat stores and restaurants. I'd live there over Tampa in a heartbeat. It IS expensive, though - if it's out of reach financially, then I'd make sure to live in a community in Seminole County (north and/or northeast of Winter Park). The schools are rated better in Seminole than in Orange County. There are several Catholic schools in the area - I know there's one in Winter Park and one in Maitland as well.

The weather is HOT and humid, especially in the summer. I don't care for the summers here, but we generally stay inside more during summers (movie time!) and do our outdoor stuff when it's cooler. DH and I loooove having our Disney annual passes - we go there a lot and still love it.

We've got Kohls all over town. There are great restaurants. There's a lot to do, but it will never compare to the culture in Chicago. It's definitely a different lifestyle than up north. But, I think it does have a lot to offer.

We do have quite a few bugs here, but the lizards eat them. I love the little lizards, they are great. I love all the birds and turtles and stuff like that.

Definitely come here and visit before you decide. It is a big change. But, who knows, you might really like it! I know we're happy here and don't plan to leave anytime soon.

 

[Angelhalo]

If I were in your shoes, the very most important issue would be the quality of education available to my child. I have a daughter with autism. No amount of sunshine would be enough if she languished in an inadequate school. A "good" school district may be fine for a typical kid but a kid like mine (and yours) requires that the district be fully dedicated to high-quality special education. I hate to generalize, but most of what I have heard about schools in Florida is terrible. Good luck to you!

I REALLY think this is one of those things that just depends on where you are. My best friend has two young boys and she and all the other moms in the area LOVE the schools and rave about them. I went to school in North Lauderdale and our schools were great. I really think it's something that needs to be researched in every area that you're interested in.

 

[Feralpeg]

OH GEEZ! I forgot - the car insurance! The money you save on state taxes is made up with car insurance!

I had a 98 Hyundai Accent. Not exactly a primo car by any means. I have NO tickets, NO accidents, nothing. A perfect driving record.

For liability only insurance, at a cheesy, cheapee insurance joint was $79 a month! A MONTH!

I drive a 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe. My car insurance is about $70 a month and that is for full coverage. It's less than what I paid in Missouri.

 

[freckles and boo]

I REALLY think this is one of those things that just depends on where you are. My best friend has two young boys and she and all the other moms in the area LOVE the schools and rave about them. I went to school in North Lauderdale and our schools were great. I really think it's something that needs to be researched in every area that you're interested in.

Absolutely! And I realize that I am basing my statement on hearsay. My SIL is a doctor and has been Florida 20 some years. Most of what I know I hear from her. All I am saying is that kids with very particular needs (and autistic kids are all very unique people) can't just be absorbed into a school that isn't prepared to teach them. That means looking at much more than ratings, as I am sure the OP knows. I am privileged to live in a district that has an amazing commitment to special education. I wouldn't accept anything less for my child.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Another thing that drove me bonkers:

There is one way to get everywhere. No matter where youre going, youre pretty much stuck going the one and only way to get there.

You know how if youre headed to Woodfield Mall, and 355 is all backed up, you could take, say 53 all the way there? Or youre headed to Naperville, and 88 is a mess (which it *is* right now! ) but that's okay - you could take Ogden, or Butterfield, instead?

Not there. Youre stuck on the expressway. There's no quickie side roads. You cant really jump off and take a side street - because even the side streets you COULD take are generally more packed than the stinking expressway youre on.

Im not exaggerating when I tell you we were leaving WDW one evening, and there was MAJOR traffic and I mean MAJOR traffic on the expressway due to construction (and this was late... like 10pm) For those of you in the Tampa Area - it took us (no exaggeration) 3.5 hours to get from WDW to Bruce B Downs road. Normally just over an hour or so.

I don't find this to be the case at all. I know tons of back roads. For instance, we avoid 75 to WDW. We take 50, then go a few back roads and are at 192 in about an hour. No traffics, just a few quiet roads.

My FIL knows most of the roads in Central FL (has to for his job) so maybe that is why we don't have issues.

The west coast has more of a country feel. It is horse country and just beautiful.

 

[sarasotamom]

I don't find this to be the case at all. I know tons of back roads. For instance, we avoid 75 to WDW. We take 50, then go a few back roads and are at 192 in about an hour. No traffics, just a few quiet roads.

My FIL knows most of the roads in Central FL (has to for his job) so maybe that is why we don't have issues.

The west coast has more of a country feel. It is horse country and just beautiful.

I live 50 miles south of Tampa and it has never taken me more than 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to WDW. This was on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. We usually get there in an hour 20 to 30 minutes. It is much better on I-4 now that it has the extra lane. My daughter went to college in Tampa and I-75 can get very congested during rush hour from Fowler to Bruce B Downs. The interstate goes to 2 lanes instead of three there so it can be a nightmare.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

OP - I did the move in 2002.

I visited Florida 4 times a year so it must be terrific to live there.

We moved to Tampa (Brandon). It was HELL!

There is NO culture - NONE. Want to see a foreign film, opera, great museums? Nope.

Want a restaurant other than a chain? Very limited.

Want a specialty spice or gourmet food item - nope? When you ask the manager for something he says - whats that?

The state is very poor - I was a AVP in HR and the people applying for jobs - their education was laughable.

Very unfriendly - due to the heat - people drive right into their garages and never see or interact with neighbors.

Transient in nature - so many people come and go.

My car insurance went up, and my real estate taxes in Hillsborough County were DOUBLE what I paid here. Now I did not move to Florida to save money, but thought it was funny that people always said it was cheaper to live in Florida.

So after 2 years of trying to love it - I realized living in Florida sucked (for me) and we moved back to Chicago. I could not be happier.

 

[Feralpeg]

OP - I did the move in 2002.

I visited Florida 4 times a year so it must be terrific to live there.

We moved to Tampa (Brandon). It was HELL!

There is NO culture - NONE. Want to see a foreign film, opera, great museums? Nope.

Want a restaurant other than a chain? Very limited.

Want a specialty spice or gourmet food item - nope? When you ask the manager for something he says - whats that?

The state is very poor - I was a AVP in HR and the people applying for jobs - their education was laughable.

Very unfriendly - due to the heat - people drive right into their garages and never see or interact with neighbors.

Transient in nature - so many people come and go.

My car insurance went up, and my real estate taxes in Hillsborough County were DOUBLE what I paid here. Now I did not move to Florida to save money, but thought it was funny that people always said it was cheaper to live in Florida.

So after 2 years of trying to love it - I realized living in Florida sucked (for me) and we moved back to Chicago. I could not be happier.

I've found just the opposite to be true. I've noticed that both of the people who hated Florida are from the Chicago area. Maybe there is just a huge cultural difference between the two areas that cannot be overcome.

I've found people in Florida to be very friendly. When I first moved here, I spent a large amount of time shopping. Everyone in the stores were so friendly and helpful. My neighbors are very friendly. I get together for lunch with the ladies in my neighborhood at least once a month. We've had parties at each others homes. We always stop and talk when we pass each other outside. Many people in my neighborhood walk during the evenings regardless of the time of year. It is a very nice way to see others.

I could not possibly experience all the things that Orlando has to offer. There are lots of plays, concerts and independent films to experience. I could eat out every night for years without eating at all the restaurants Orlando has to offer.

I truly think a lot of it has to do with your life style. If you take the time to get to know the area and give it a chance, you'll find there is a lot here. I don't live the rushed life style of many. I don't mind if it takes me awhile to get somewhere. I will agree that it takes awhile to get places. A lot of that has to do with the number of lakes, but you can't have lakes without a little inconvenience. I'll take the lakes. I know many back routes in my area, so I hardly ever take the big highways.

I just think it is all about the person. I've visited Chicago many times. I would not want to live there. It's a great place to visit, but not my idea of home.

 

[phorsenuf]

We are moving to the Tampa area after school lets out. My youngest is graduating so I don't need to be concerned about schools.
We are starting out in an apartment in Palm Harbor (have friends there) and will take some time to look around and decide where to settle. We are really looking forward to it.
I'm sure there will be plenty of things for us to do compared to here in NH.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I agree with Feralpeg, the fact that both the people that truly seemed to hate Florida were from Chiacgo may mean that the two places are so opposite that Florida would seem too different. It's not a bad thing, I love that places are so different, but since the OP is from Chicago as well, maybe it wouldn't be an ideal match.

As mentioned, I've been to Chicago and I had a great time visiting, but when we talked about moving back up North, I couldn't imagine living there. Different people just fit in different places, thats all!

 

[SydneyBristow]

I too would like to know which areas feel more "northern" as that might make the transition easier.

I only know the Central Florida area but the saying goes the further South you get the more North you go. As far as Central Florida, anywhere east of Orlando has a more northern feel to me, Oviedo, Waterford Lakes(considered Orlando) and Avalon park are all very nice. The area has everything you need too, right close by. They have a really great outside mall too. Now the further West or North you go from Orlando the more southern it feels and personally I love it, turns out I'm a southern girl at heart.

Also

Here are some links-

-Waterford Lakes Towne Center mall-

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=394

-Oviedo- Is in Seminole County and they tend to have the best schools-

http://www.cityofoviedo.net/

-Avalon Park-
http://www.avalonpark.com/

You might also want to check out-

-Lake Mary- which is right up 4 from Orlando-

http://www.lakemaryfl.com/

-Winter Springs-
http://www.winterspringsfl.org/

-Longwood-

http://www.ci.longwood.fl.us/


We looked at all the above towns after a pit stop in Ocala ,Fl for 6 months. My favorite areas out of the above are Oviedo, Avalon Park & Waterford lakes but the others are nice too. Winter park is very nice but really close to downtown Orlando, which can be a plus or a minus depending on what you're looking for. Definitely check it out too.

-Winter Park-

http://www.ci.winter-park.fl.us/2005/

 

[safetymom]

I live in Polk County and love it since it is like living in the country. I can jump off I 4 and be home in no time and I can look out and see cows grazing and groves of oranges. Yet I can get to the parks quickly.

My home owners insurance is cheaper here as is my car insurance.