Who has moved to FL to be near Disney World?

[kikipug]

Kabuki... I PM'ed you with some specific answers to your questions... hope it helps.

 

[the kabuki]

bump!

 

[nwdisgal]

The one thing I know about living in the South Pacific, and I am sure it is the same in Florida (which has a similiar type climate), is that you get very acclimated to the temperatures. You start to notice the subtle changes in temperature and the positioning of the sun in the sky- even though there isn't winter per say with snow and ice. Point is, you do get a change of seasons, just less variation.

 

[the kabuki]

nwdisgal- Wow, you live in Hawaii- aahhhhh, must be paradise!! How jeolous am I sitting in Michigan in 14 degrees.

 

[Immelman]

send some of your waves our way so I can surf...

 

[the kabuki]

And the sun, we need sunlight over here too, oh, and the sand, the fragrant flowers along the road, the tropical breezes, the salt spray through your hair, the fresh seafood........... oops ,just looked out my window and ruined the whole daydream

 

[nwdisgal]

Immelman - We have high surf advisories right now, 12 to 16 ft heights, definately some wave action...

kabuki - if it is any consolation, the weather has been crappy (rainy) here the past couple of days. Still, I'll try to forward some sunshine...

 

[ducklite]

Couple of questions for those of you who have made the move-What areas along the coast are good cities for families? We have 11,7, & 3 yrs. old and I wanted to avoid areas that are "rental" homes areas.

I can't help you with the coast, we ruled out living in a coastal area in the beginning of our search for teh perfect location. We might eventually buy a waterfront condo as a weekend place, but for right now, we're staying inland

We purposely built in a neighborhood that doesn't allow short term rentals, only long term of six months or more as we wanted to get to know our neighbors and didn't want some of the issues a transient neighborhood can bring.

How bad is the heat? What's an average temp for the summer months? Does it feel hotter with the humidity?

It's oppressive in the summer. No other way of putting it. And with the 100% humidity it feels even worse. But that's what central air is for.

How is the housing market, specifically if anyone would know about new residential construction, since DH is a plumber. Is there lots of building going on? Our area was real busy the last years, but has slowed down a lot.

BOOMING! And prices are on the rise. Our house is worth more than 150% of what we paid for it 20 months ago. Some areas are more booming than others, but Central FL is one of teh fastest growing regions in the US.

Know this might sound dumb, but to those from the midwest/great lakes- how have you coped with having no season changes, not having a basement, and the bugs,my god, the bugs?

We do have season changes to a degree. It can get cold in Central Florida, you DO need a winter coat if you live there. And the leaves fall off the live oak and some other trees. I don't have a basement in the NJ house, use the attic for storage, same thing in FL. Bugs--no problem. We have "Tubes In The Walls" and never have bugs in the house except an occasional one that comes through a door with us. We have the lawn treated for fireants and other pests quarterly.

One last question, my DD11 has her own horse and rides extensively. Are there any areas at all where there are boarding/riding stables. I don't have any interest in acreage, as I plan to board him, not keep him on my own property.

I know there is a stable within about 15 minutes of my house, as my girlfreinds daughter works there on Saturdays cleaning stables and grooming horses in exchange for lessons and riding time.

Anne

 

[the kabuki]

Thanks so much everyone for all the info. DUCKLITE- thank you especially for the info! Could you PM with the name or what area the stable is in? In talking about this, my daughter's biggest concern is where she would keep her horse. Thanks again!!!!

 

[ducklite]

I'll try to remember to ask her the next time we talk. The stable is wihin 10-15 minutes of the intersection of Routes 27 and 50 in Clermont, I'm sure of that.

Anne

 

[Luv2Roam]

We did not have kids. Just 1 cat and 2 dogs. SO the transition was fairly smooth.
Much better than when we moved from northern IN to Omaha in 1995.
As residents, if you work for a living, you will find a hectic life. We both work, take care of the house, errands, the usual daily living "stuff".
Then there are the parks.... And so many other places to go.
Not enough time! :jumping4:
Yes, it is bad in the summer. But it was bad in the summer in NE and IN too. And like there, I go from A/C car to A/C buildings. When we go to the parks, we go in the morning, return home during the afternoon, and return to the parks for the evening. Wearing loose cotton clothing makes all the difference n the world too.
The winters make up for the summers too. A cool day here reminds me of an October day in the north.