Thinking about moving to FL

[ConnecticutFlea]

What are the pros and cons of having your own pool? Is there anyone who regretted getting a home with a pool?

 

[NinaBella]

What are the pros and cons of having your own pool? Is there anyone who regretted getting a home with a pool?

The people I know with pools it's about 50/50 that they regret it. Most gated communities in Florida have a community pool that you are paying for in your HOA. The biggest issue I hear folks complaining about it the upkeep and maintenance. I know some use salt vs chlorine which most prefer. We didn't get a pool when our house is built because we didn't want the liability of working an hour away from the house and our teens home with a pool and possibly having friends over. If you want a pool, get a home that already has one, or if building build with the home so it's included in your mortgage. A basic pool in Florida is at minimum 30K to install. Most people I know spend $40-70k to install pools depending on if they want a hot tub, waterfall, slide, heated, size, etc.

 

[dreiwhit]

My mom was born and raised in Wisconsin. She left when she was 22 - she had enough of the cold and snow.

One thing about Florida. I had a friend who moved there back in 2003. He said that his property taxes on his house were high. He paid in one month what he had paid in one year here in Alabama. FWIW, he was paying about $400 a year in Alabama.

 

[hsmamato2]

I am considering the same..... I love Florida, and would like a small place that gets me out of NE winters..... as a start,then possibly moving there when we're older..... I am wondering how to figure out what area to look? what are some good guidelines to start the search?

 

[flateacher]

What are the pros and cons of having your own pool? Is there anyone who regretted getting a home with a pool?

We have had three houses with a pool here in FLA. I also grew up with one in S. FLA. One of the pools was a pain because it was older and not self cleaning. The last two pools we had were self cleaning and it makes a difference the amount of time you spend maintaining it (way less with a self cleaning). It also makes a difference - screen vs no screen. Our current pool wasn't screened in at first. My husband didn't want it because the pool water is a little colder and takes longer to heat from the sun. The downside is leaves and bugs in the pool ALL the time. We also ended up with snakes in the pool. We finally decided to screen the current pool in and we really like. It extends the outdoor area to feel more like a living space. We eat lunch and dinner out there almost everyday in the summer. It is great because it keeps the bugs out - without it we couldn't be outside in the summer after dark with the mosquitos.

We have two kids and they love the pool. We are in it almost everyday starting in May through October. The first pool we had together was before kids - we didn't use it as much.

That being said - without kids I would not specifically look for a house with a pool (but that is just me). With kids I would make a definitely want/possible need. As a previous poster said - I would not pay to put a pool in post construction. They are very expensive and hard to recoup the original cost. If you are building a new house though they tend to be somewhat cheaper through the builder (this is how we had one of our pools).

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I've never lived in Florida, but I did live in South Carolina for a decade or so. I'm born & raised in the Mid-Atlantic so S. Carolina weather (and BUGS) were quite different. Although I loved the mild temperatures of the Spring & Fall, I really couldn't stand the humidity in the summer. Seriously, the tourists may have been flocking to the area, but all of the locals stay inside in the summer, toooooo miserable to be outside. The winter was a mix of freezing cold or semi-warm, not much different than the Mid-Atlantic states minus some snow. (been in the 70's here for a week now) I REALLY missed the seasons!!! That being said, coming from the Mid-Atlantic, the majority of our days are sunny here too. If I were from somewhere like Central New York or some other gloomy place with barely any sunshine, Florida would probably be more appealing.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

What are the pros and cons of having your own pool? Is there anyone who regretted getting a home with a pool?

I can't image living in Florida and not having access to a pool.

The ideal situation is to have a screened in pool if at all possible.

I have a condo with a community pool in South Florida but my sister has her own home and I know she checks the ph balance in the pool with a kit most days and then shocks it at times. She has a creepy crawly thingy that vacuums the bottom. The pool basically stays clean unless there is a storm and palm fronds end up in there. She's on a canal that's a couple houses off the intracoastal so not that many trees around her home (except for the different types of palms).

That's the only cons I can think of.

If you live up North then that's a whole different ballgame.

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

We moved to FL about 5 years ago for H's job. We moved to an area where I happen to have family in town, an hour north, and an hour south, so I knew the area really well. As a kid we would go to Disney then come to the gulf side of the state to visit family. It was an easy choice.

I agree with pretty much everyone has said. Especially the no income tax but they get you everywhere else. When we moved here, we kept our old state driver licenses until we HAD to. We went to get our FL licenses, and we spent just under $1000 for new licenses and plates. I kid you not. I was warned, and I didn't believe them. It is really pricey.

We also live near a major cruise port (Tampa) so it's really easy to go on cruises out of that port. If cruising is your thing, it's really easy here.

I also have adjusted to the heat, and now really hate cold weather. It gets down to 65 and I'm freezing.

Overall, we are very happy here in FL. My inlaws are moving to their FL home abut 3 hours away permanently in about a year. They cannot wait. We love how much there is to do and the weather.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[adisneyaunt]

I have a strange question for you Florida residents. Do you get mice or rats in your home? I have a bit of a phobia. Thanks

No...thank you very much!

But I've seen ( outside) snakes, black bear, wild turkeys, alligators, deer, coyote, and the prettiest birds including my favorite.. the Hummingbird along with bunnies, butterflies n more, in my community!

We engaged a yearly contract for pest control as we "heard" it's different living than we were used too.

They were right... different and Love it!

 

[GTRARNP]

I grew up in Wisconsin! My husband and I have been here with our kiddos for 6 years now. It is SOOOOOO FREAKING HOT down here. Seriously, there are NO seasons except hot and hot as the freaking sun. I would definitely take that into consideration. If you don't live near the parks, traffic isn't that bad. (I lived in Atlanta for 10 years....trust me, even I4 is pretty sweet compared to that!) You didn't mention your ages, but if you have to work then I would live near your new job(s). Seminole County has the best schools by far. Lake Nona is nice, especially if you would apply for a job in the medical industry....lots of projects going on down there and are coming down the pipeline, so your experience may work there. If you're closer to retirement age, or can do a more fun job part time -ish, then I would highly recommend looking at The Villages. It's not nearly as sketchy as some people will tell you.....there are a million restaurants and things to do. You can go every where in a golf cart. People are super friendly and still very active.

If you aren't sold on central Florida, I can't recommend Atlanta enough for it's weather, culture, and strong job market.... just live near where you work. Ha!

If you LOVE LOVE LOVE Disney like I do, it is super fun to be able to run down to the parks any time for just a few hours. I do feel very spoiled in that department!

 

[Rusty2rules]

I can't recommend Atlanta enough

My mom and sister live in Atlanta. They literally plan their day around traffic patterns and schedules. I wouldn't live in Atlanta on a bet.

Seriously, there are NO seasons except hot and hot as the freaking sun

Absolutely, no seasons. I don't know about always hot. I guess it depends on your perspective. The winters for me were heaven. 70s and 80s, sunshine. But it is muggy all the time.

 

[GTRARNP]

My mom and sister live in Atlanta. They literally plan their day around traffic patterns and schedules. I wouldn't live in Atlanta on a bet.



Absolutely, no seasons. I don't know about always hot. I guess it depends on your perspective. The winters for me were heaven. 70s and 80s, sunshine. But it is muggy all the time.

LOL OK today in the sun, I was sweating....once I sat in the shade and there was a nice breeze, it was very comfortable. Much like a WI summer afternoon/evening growing up!

 

[Mfisc]

Moved down here almost years ago from NYC... So for me even in South East Florida taxes and expenses are much cheaper ( you do not want to know how many $150 tickets I got in NYC for people littering on my sidewalk and up to 18"s into the street while I was at work)

Yea its hot and muggy... Guess I am getting used to it... To answer the other person yes there are Roof Rats I know since I just chased a few from my house and sealed it back up.. Also like having a pool but not a must.. it is much easier now that I just pay $80 a month for weekly service.. (Have a screen above it makes life much easier but alas wife hates that idea)

The Biggest thing I miss is HILLS... I am serious it is so freaking flat here.. My wife got her DL after moving to FL.. last trip to NY area she pulled over and had me drive since she never dealt with winding roads... cause they are flat and straight here for the most part

as far OP yes pay off debt and check out the area's.. if there are school children make sure you are in a good district all the way through HS..also I would recommend central or north florida.. South East florida is nice but so freaking far away from the rest of the country

 

[LovesTimone]

I am a local born and raised. We moved 5 times in 10 years with my DH's job we have lived all over Florida and in other states too . We were transferred back 2 years ago, and we are done moving we live in Windermere, basically in WDW back yard.

So you want to be a Floridian ... You have to realize that living here is not being like being on vacation here.

1) There are bugs and wildlife here, yep Alligators are real and they are every where, They have pulled 2 small ones out of drainage pond that sit in between our community and the neighboring one. We got and email telling us to watch our kiddos and dogs around the pond if your walk around there. Roaches, ants ( Fire, Carpenter and more ants), spiders, mosquitos, lizards, gecko's ( not cute like the Geico insurance one), snakes which can be very scary and poisonous. Plenty of rats, mice, and squirrels to throw into the mix. Raccoons that will get in your trash, Bears too if you live in a rural area oops I almost left out hogs... But there are some wonderful sights to see, deer, all the bird life I watch big cranes every morning they are so beautiful. On a side note you must have pest control, and with that said, its called pest control, not wave a magic wand and they disappear, it is a on going battle.

2) The cost of living here might be lower, but so is the pay.

3) When your driving to and from work really anywhere your there is a ton of traffic and add in tourist traffic which is challenging to say the least , and all the construction on I-4 which has be going on since I was a kid, they are constantly tearing up that road. It will never stop.

4) Over a million people visit Orlando daily, so pick somewhere not in Orlando to call home, there are lots of nice cities that border Orlando.

5) Hurricane's are another topic, We have been without power for 13 days, and a couple of time a few days, living here in the humidity with no air conditioning... horrible...

6) The weather here is brutal, there are times its to humid to move.... try getting in your car when its 110+ inside..

7) Lawn maintenance, plan on mowing twice a week during the summer, we mow year around here... that beautiful grass that you see at the resorts comes at a cost. Lots of critters that will snack on your grass... another battle ground.

8) The cost of your Disney AP don't forget to add them into the budget.

 

[DaisyJ]

I am considering the same..... I love Florida, and would like a small place that gets me out of NE winters..... as a start,then possibly moving there when we're older..... I am wondering how to figure out what area to look? what are some good guidelines to start the search?

One consideration for me would be whether you want to rent out the place or not. If you do, you'll need to be closer to tourist areas, but when it comes time for you to move there permanently later, then you're close to the tourist areas and all the hassles they bring with them.

 

[hsmamato2]

I am picturing a place that I won't rent, too much trouble for me- I'd like somewhere in a quiet town, and I love the gulf coast esp. Seriously considering a plot of land plus a manufactured home.... but how/where to choose a place we like?

 

[DaisyJ]

I am picturing a place that I won't rent, too much trouble for me- I'd like somewhere in a quiet town, and I love the gulf coast esp. Seriously considering a plot of land plus a manufactured home.... but how/where to choose a place we like?

You'll have to plan lots of visits to figure it out.

 

[erc]

Funny, I always hear about the brutal heat in the summer. So I try to compare how it might be to the brutal cold in the winter up in New England. Say you look out your front window in the hottest part of the summer in Florida, and the coldest part of the winter in New England. You spot a large amount of trash that some jerk dumped on your front yard. And in both Florida and New England you walk outside in the clothes you are wearing to remove the trash. Which location has a higher probability of dying in this endeavor?

Heat may be brutal, but cold will kill you within minutes without the proper clothing. So I vote for heat with AC and a pool for comfort.

But I would miss my woodstove.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

When my kids were in school we would spend the whole summer in Florida.

Some people would say to me that they couldn't understand how I could spend the summer down there because of the heat.

Most of the time it was just as hot, if not hotter in NJ.

My home down there is on the coast located a couple of miles from ocean. There was always a nice breeze going on especially at my sister's house because she right off the intracoastal.

In NJ I'm inland so it can get really hot here.

Orlando is quite a distance from the coast so it's going to be hotter than hades at times.

You do get acclimated to the climate after awhile. : )

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Funny, I always hear about the brutal heat in the summer. So I try to compare how it might be to the brutal cold in the winter up in New England. Say you look out your front window in the hottest part of the summer in Florida, and the coldest part of the winter in New England. You spot a large amount of trash that some jerk dumped on your front yard. And in both Florida and New England you walk outside in the clothes you are wearing to remove the trash. Which location has a higher probability of dying in this endeavor?

Heat may be brutal, but cold will kill you within minutes without the proper clothing. So I vote for heat with AC and a pool for comfort.

But I would miss my woodstove.

OMG, this! Hot may be uncomfortable, but cold HURTS! Anything below about 45F and I'm miserable. I want to move to florida so badly. I'm just not sure about giving up my sweet job to do so.