Thinking about moving

[MrsBergs]

Hi,
I know this is probably not the correct forum for this but we are thinking about moving to Florida from the cold northeast. I’m thinking a lot of Dis members live in the Florida area and have some knowledge.
We are currently at the research stage. We want somewhere that’s about an hour or so away from Disney and that has a great school system.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi,
I know this is probably not the correct forum for this but we are thinking about moving to Florida from the cold northeast. I’m thinking a lot of Dis members live in the Florida area and have some knowledge.
We are currently at the research stage. We want somewhere that’s about an hour or so away from Disney and that has a great school system.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

Tons of great places, but I would not restrict yourself to a 1 hour radius from WDW. There is quite a variety when comparing the pan handle to Miami.
Also keep in mind, Florida is not known for their “great school systems”.

 

[BillPA]

agree, Florida is more of a football vs education system. Move AFTER your kids are finished school.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Or homeschool. Everyone we know who lives in Florida does.

 

[CarolMN]

Lots of videos to watch here:

Moving to Orlando

This is one of many DIS podcast channels.

 

[chalee94]

There are also several threads related to moving to Central FL and it's easy to search for them:

Moving to Orlando- I'm almost there! Update 1/4 Arrival | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

Moving to Orlando (probably) - help me decide | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

Moving to/living in Orlando | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

A lot of interesting info on youtube in general. A lot of people are working remotely and like the idea of not paying state income taxes, warm weather and living near the magic... There are several interesting new areas like Horizon West and Lake Nona, but it sounds like the infrastructure is still working to catch up to all the new homes being built. And real estate costs are definitely spiking in the Orlando area.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We almost moved to Florida in 2006. Was offered a job and he was going to accept but ended up declining the offer. I'm glad too, because schools are not great and insurance coverage is very expensive. My insurance company at the time quit writing policies in Florida.

 

[TinkB278]

We almost moved to Florida in 2006. Was offered a job and he was going to accept but ended up declining the offer. I'm glad too, because schools are not great and insurance coverage is very expensive. My insurance company at the time quit writing policies in Florida.

What type of insurance? Homeowner?

Anyone familiar with how the private schools are what they run? We pay so much property tax where we live that I would imagine we could enroll in private school for the savings of what our property tax is now.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

What type of insurance? Homeowner?

Anyone familiar with how the private schools are what they run? We pay so much property tax where we live that I would imagine we could enroll in private school for the savings of what our property tax is now.

Yes, homeowners. Couldn't get a quote for homeowners because the company we had were not writing policies but I could for car insurance. Which almost doubled. I was surprised it was so high, it was more than what I was paying in California at the time and everything is expensive in California. The guy my husband was interviewing with was also an old friend of his and lived in the area we were looking. He said, himself included, people go under the "state umbrella" for insurance. His wife said their children all went to private school, as did practically everyone they knew.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yes, homeowners. Couldn't get a quote for homeowners because the company we had were not writing policies but I could for car insurance. Which almost doubled. I was surprised it was so high, it was more than what I was paying in California at the time and everything is expensive in California. The guy my husband was interviewing with was also an old friend of his and lived in the area we were looking. He said, himself included, people go under the "state umbrella" for insurance. His wife said their children all went to private school, as did practically everyone they knew.

Where in Florida are you?
I’m in Sebastian and have very reasonable home owners, and auto insurance.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Where in Florida are you?
I’m in Sebastian and have very reasonable home owners, and auto insurance.

This was in 2006. My husband did not take the job. We were looking in Lighthouse Point.

 

[Travel60]

I'm also from northeast US...one of the "tax everything you can" states.

Seven years ago, we bought a condo in Florida thinking we would move residency to FL, spend 6 months+ in FL and -6 months in mountain home in NC that we already own. (We are retired.) Planned to sell NE house. After 6 years, I realized I could not live in FL (longest we ever stayed was 15-16 weeks...far short of residency). Sold condo last year. Realized our high taxes pay for excellent schools....which means educated populace.... neighbors, teachers, help in businesses, restaurants and medical care. Taxes also pay for better roads, libraries, recreational sports parks, senior centers and amenities, etc. Also realized that Florida is HOT in summer. Based on last year (we quarantined in mountain house much of the year), we might decide to move residency to NC. Have to see how this year goes.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Yes, homeowners. Couldn't get a quote for homeowners because the company we had were not writing policies but I could for car insurance. Which almost doubled. I was surprised it was so high, it was more than what I was paying in California at the time and everything is expensive in California. The guy my husband was interviewing with was also an old friend of his and lived in the area we were looking. He said, himself included, people go under the "state umbrella" for insurance. His wife said their children all went to private school, as did practically everyone they knew.

What does under the state umbrella mean?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

What does under the state umbrella mean?

I didn't look much into it at the time. I was going by what the wife of my husband's potential new boss at the time was telling me. It sounded like a program for home coverage by the state because of difficulty of getting coverage for your home from traditional insurance companies.

 

[chalee94]

I'm also from northeast US...one of the "tax everything you can" states.

Seven years ago, we bought a condo in Florida thinking we would move residency to FL...Also realized that Florida is HOT in summer. Based on last year (we quarantined in mountain house much of the year), we might decide to move residency to NC...

We call NE folks who move to FL and wind up in NC, "halfbacks..."

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'm also from northeast US...one of the "tax everything you can" states.

Seven years ago, we bought a condo in Florida thinking we would move residency to FL, spend 6 months+ in FL and -6 months in mountain home in NC that we already own. (We are retired.) Planned to sell NE house. After 6 years, I realized I could not live in FL (longest we ever stayed was 15-16 weeks...far short of residency). Sold condo last year. Realized our high taxes pay for excellent schools....which means educated populace.... neighbors, teachers, help in businesses, restaurants and medical care. Taxes also pay for better roads, libraries, recreational sports parks, senior centers and amenities, etc. Also realized that Florida is HOT in summer. Based on last year (we quarantined in mountain house much of the year), we might decide to move residency to NC. Have to see how this year goes.

I’m not sure this post is fair. I’m originally from CT, and I agree about schools... but to say “a less educated populace” ??? (paraphrased quote) That’s incorrect in my experience. We have lots of those things you mentioned. Roads??... don’t get me started.
As far as “hot in summer”, well, it’s roughly 5° warmer in summer, but about 50° warmer in winter. Pretty good trade imo, but everyone is different.

Point is, we are not a bunch of hillbillies down here.
Life is good, and I would not go back.

 

[Travel60]

I’m not sure this post is fair. I’m originally from CT, and I agree about schools... but to say “a less educated populace” ??? (paraphrased quote) That’s incorrect in my experience. We have lots of those things you mentioned. Roads??... don’t get me started.
As far as “hot in summer”, well, it’s roughly 5° warmer in summer, but about 50° warmer in winter. Pretty good trade imo, but everyone is different.

Point is, we are not a bunch of hillbillies down here.
Life is good, and I would not go back.

Don't misquote me even if you flag it as paraphrased, it does not have the same meaning as what I wrote. I did not say "less" educated populace. I said "educated" populace. I'm originally from the part of the south where the term "hillbilly" would be appropriate so I know the difference and did not use that term. OP asked about schools.....as another poster said, Florida is not known for good schools.

 

[DebbieB]

Property insurance is high in Florida because of hurricanes. You are probably looking at high deductibles too.

 

[princesscinderella]

I live in SoFla and we send our kids to catholic school in elementary and middle school you get a discount for having more kids in the school so my two kids are $12k a year total for both and then my high schooler is $11k too. Property Insurance is definitely expensive and the state umbrella means citizens insurance company which was started by the state when other agencies pulled out of writing policies years ago after one of the big hurricanes. There are more companies writing policies again in Florida but it’s still expensive my house policy costs $4500 a year and that’s with the impact window and doors discount and I have a small 1700sq ft home.
If you are looking to buy an hour outside of Orlando just do your due diligence on the property as a lot of areas in the middle of the state are prone to sinkholes. You can have a service come out to inspect for them before purchasing. There’s a lot of options from bustling cities to small towns to choose from in Florida. Best of luck

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Don't misquote me even if you flag it as paraphrased, it does not have the same meaning as what I wrote. I did not say "less" educated populace. I said "educated" populace. I'm originally from the part of the south where the term "hillbilly" would be appropriate so I know the difference and did not use that term. OP asked about schools.....as another poster said, Florida is not known for good schools.

Seems like a proper paraphrase to me, but that’s another story.

And I am the poster that initially mentioned schools as not being great.