Thinking about moving to FL

[LovesTimone]

Well living by the sea is a dream...thats probably not gonna happen. We are really trying to decide between new Tampa area or outer Orlando, maybe Sarasota? My husband has been networking for a job. It's hard to get a job when they see that he lives in NJ. We are so ready, been planning this for 3 years. We have an emergency savings for any problems. Plus we want to rent when we get down there before we buy. Another question would be, is it better to live in a community that has a pool versus a house with private pool? Have to find a realtor so we can go down again and look at houses. Someone said it was expensive to switch your license and plates, why? Thanks for all the info!

It is hard for people out of state to get a job, the job market here is crazy. Most times people out of state will take the whatever job to get them here, then look for something that they really want, or decided living here wasn't what they thought. So the companies here are more reluctant to hire out of state candidates , as the money it takes for new hires is very costly so they are very cautious about hiring.

Renting a town house or apartment would be the way that I would go, with a community pool. If you rent a home with a pool you will have additional cost for the pool and lawn care, not unless it's part of your rental agreement, which most times it's not. I would think having to do less would make the transition easier, get you more time to look around and get to the feel of the area. If its not for you... you can start looking around at different areas, plus renting a house with a pool is much more expensive.

When my friend moved back to Fl. she paid around 300.00+ for the impact fee , I think that's what its called. You should go to the department of motor vehicle to find out, plus you will have to get a new Drivers license.

 

[DanInMN]

I'm tired of MN cold, and don't mind the 95 degree heat and high humidity we have in July/August at all. I am 5 years from retirement and thinking about moving to central FL. We have a second home in WI to sell, and could use the proceeds to buy a house in FL. Use it for vacations for a few years until retiring. No need for a job or schools. Traffic less of a problem because we won't need to drive at rush hour or get anywhere in a hurry. Might volunteer at GKTW. Thinking about Davenport or Clermont, as we could use a rental program to cover some operating costs until we are ready to move.

I have no interest in AZ. Went there too many times for work. I dislike dry/dirt/desert.

We don't want to live on the FL coast due to cost, hurricanes, and boredom. My in laws live in Bonita Springs and we have visited the area many times - incredibly boring, yuck.

We like Orlando for many reasons:

- Not far from either coast
- Close to cruise ports
- Warm and green, swim in our own pool
- Disney and many other tourist activities
- Housing and taxes are cheap compared to here

The downside will be:

- Far from our kids (hopefully they will want to visit though, Disney could attract future grandkids)
- Previously discussed heat/bugs
- Crime

 

[herdtoDisney]

We actually just moved to the Tampa Bay area. Very nice so far! Ok it cost $54 to get the drivers lisence and $379 to register my car. But that is a one time fee and that includes a year of registration. After that I think it is $46 and also-there is not property tax on vehicles here yea! And the process was so easy-two different places, but no lines in either and I spent about 15 minutes in each!

Feel free to ask anything else. Oh I haven't yet made it to Disney but hopefully will soon!

eta-critters...I actually have not had a single bug in this house (been here 6 weeks). Have not seen a palmetto bug. Outside, I see lots of those lizard/gecos (not sure what they are) they are good critters. Did see a black snake on the next block but it was a non venemous, beneficial one (they eat vermin).