Who has moved to FL to be near Disney World?

[pixie57]

DH is considering a location and career change. (Those New England winters always make you re-evaluate your life, LOL!) I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has made such a move, and now gets to visit their favorite place on earth on a regular basis!

How did you find the job and housing markets? How was the transition for your children (our DD is 10 and DS is 13)? What do you see as the pros and cons of such a move, now that you have done it?

Thanks so much for your help.

:jumping4:

 

[safetymom]

I moved to Orlando in Dec. 2003. My daughter and I love it here.

I found I was visiting so much it was easier to move here from PA.

I did a commando weekend of looking at houses. I looked at 30 and bought number 25 and I love my house.

The thrill still hasn't worn off as far as the parks are concerned.

I can't tell you about jobs because my job went with me.

People said they would ask me how I liked FL after the first summer. Well we survived the first summer and 3 hurricanes. FL threw everything at us and I still love it.

I can't tell you about schools since my kids are in college.

I say look into moving. For us it was a wonderful change. You couldn't pay me to move back North.

 

[Immelman]

we made the jump in May of last year. we're both federal employees, so it was a matter of waiting for the opportunity for us both to transfer. we originally put orlando down as first choice, but we had more opportunity in the tampa area. so we jumped. we love it.we are truly within an hour or less of all of our favorite things in life. our 11 year old daughter made a pretty seamless transfer into her new school, and the people I work with are some of the friendliest I've met. and they all swear they'd never try to live anywhere else. the housing market keeps rising. my only downside is traffic, but it's not as bad as driving around chicago. the humidity os in the summer is just as bad as was in IL during the summer, it just lasts longer here. but it's the middle of Jan. , and the strawberry crop is here already. we're having a great time.

 

[kikipug]

We made the move from Southern New Hampshire to the Florida Coast (near Daytona) in June of '03.... and as much as I LOVE Disney, I haven't been there since we moved!!! There is so much to do here! My DH needed a career change, and had been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder... so after years of him begging, I agreed. (Even though I had a home and job that I absolutely LOVED)

In terms of your questions: (and other observations)

If you hate Boston traffic, don't move to Orlando... I-4 is like 128 in the AM, and the people move 1000 times slower here... besides, if you enjoy the coast of New England, you'll love the coast of FL!!! Personally, I would never live in the Orlando area... we are 60 miles away... close enough to do what we want there, without the expense, the hassle, etc. Even though its only 60 miles, summers inland are much hotter with no breeze. The coast is just so much nicer!

Housing - has gone up A LOT since June of 03... we researched everything online before coming down for a weekend... narrowed it down to 9 houses before getting here, and found one immediately. We wanted to build, but it takes 9 months here. (Everything is slow here.)

Kids- My kids are 7 and 10, and wouldn't move back if you gave them a million bucks! So much to do here; sports year round, a good Pop Warner program (in Mid-Florida, at least). My DS7 has already worn out a bike here... to the point of it literally FALLING APART! They made new friends immediately, and lots of kids here are from 'somewhere else'.

Hurricanes - we were lucky, even though we live in a very heavily damaged area. Our house had no structural damage. Though, I think I'd rather roll the dice on the occasional hurricane than the definite blizzards, ice storms and overall crappy weather that the past few years in N.E. had brought!


Job - I totally expected to take a HUGE cut in pay when I moved here... I was the exception to the rule, and managed a much better job, but that's not the norm. My DH wasn't so lucky, but is in his "dream job" situation, so I joke and tell him that I am supporting his hobby these days. Its hard to say-but it can't hurt to start sending out resumes!!!

Got more questions, ask away!

 

[Immelman]

If you hate Boston traffic, don't move to Orlando... I-4 is like 128 in the AM, and the people move 1000 times slower here... besides, if you enjoy the coast of New England, you'll love the coast of FL!!! Personally, I would never live in the Orlando area... we are 60 miles away... close enough to do what we want there, without the expense, the hassle, etc. Even though its only 60 miles, summers inland are much hotter with no breeze. The coast is just so much nicer!
QUOTE]

I do not get the traffic down here. around chicago, you better be doing at least 85 in the left lane. down here, people drive the speed limit in the left lane and flip you off if you go around them and cut them off. no one uses a turn signal, and U-turns are legal. I'm having a hard time adapting to it. but at least there's no ice storms.

 

[sweetheart2576]

I too am seriously considering moving to FLorida,not so much for disney, even though that is a one reason. More so to get rid of these buffalo(actually Niagara Falls) winters. I cannot take the cold and snow here. Also the taxes here are quite high. And I also just love Florida. I would also like to hear from more people of the pros and cons of living in FLorida.

 

[kikipug]

I do not get the traffic down here. around chicago, you better be doing at least 85 in the left lane. down here, people drive the speed limit in the left lane and flip you off if you go around them and cut them off. no one uses a turn signal, and U-turns are legal. I'm having a hard time adapting to it. but at least there's no ice storms. [/QUOTE]

Bad old drivers never die... they just move to Florida. The key is to drive a vehicle BIGGER than theirs!

Yeah- the U-turn thing amazes me, too... but I'll trade the ice and snow for the U-turns any day!

Seriously though... for those of you looking to move here... if you don't mind hot weather (which I don't), the only drawback I have found after 19 months in FL. is that my family isn't here... and that's not Florida's fault!

Oh yeah... and sales tax, but then again, I was spoiled by living in NH!

 

[pixie57]

Well, Kikipug, I'm from "taxachusetts" so I probably would not notice the difference in taxes!

Thanks so much for all of your responses. We've got a lot to consider, but it was reassuring to hear that children transitioned well. It was also a helpful bit of advice to know that it is cooler along the coast in the summertime. It is also nice to hear that there is so much to do, that I may not have time for Disney!

We have friends in the Cocoa Beach area, so Brevard County is one of our choices. I'll let you know how the "negotiations" go!

 

[popy]

Give us MORE!
I thinking about moving to Fl. when I retire.
Are the bugs bad?

 

[safetymom]

The bugs took a while to get used to. I don't find when bugs are outside but don't like them inside. It hasn't been too bad.

I really don't like the fire ants though. Have been bitten quite a few times. I think I am being careful and still get bit.

Small price to pay for living in paradise.

 

[Belle1997]

Well I am Canadian and only 40 but my Hubby and I are already talking about becoming snowbirds when we retire and staying 1/2 time in Canada and half time in florida. That is a long away off though. Should waste my life waiting.

 

[Immelman]

Give us MORE!
I thinking about moving to Fl. when I retire.
Are the bugs bad?

we've had 2 palmetto bugs inside, not bad. we have yet to see a fire ant. I know we will. but I can also watch dolphin hunt schools of fish in the gulf. nice trade-off. I've caught a hammerhead shark and released him, and then watch the sun melt into the sea that evening with a cold in my hand. another better trade-off. oh yeah, hurricanes are still better than ice storms.

 

[sunny04]

My husband and I have talked about making the move as well. I am a drama teacher, and I would love to work on the theatrical productions within Disney. I am crossing my fingers for the chance at this one day!

 

[kikipug]

oh yeah, hurricanes are still better than ice storms.

I second that one 100%!!!!!!!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were midwesterners up until a year ago.
DH was given the opportunity for a promotion to transfer to Orlando. (hmmmm what a toss up... Omaha or Orlando???) We were not even from Omaha and had no ties there. So the decision was fairly easy. (Nothing against Nebraska, except the high taxes there too.)

Just this last year the housing values here have spiked up CONSIDERABLY. We have not even lived in this house a year and the value has risen 25%.
The hurricanes I think helped that along. (Fewer good houses.)

 

[Immelman]

I am a drama teacher, and I would love to work on the theatrical productions within Disney. I am crossing my fingers for the chance at this one day!

my wife and I hope to work seasonally at disney when we retire. how cool would that be?

 

[the kabuki]

Great thread, we have been talking about this for a long time, just never have the guts to pick up and move away from our family, friends, and everything we know. Always have lived here in MI. , so it's easy to stick with the familiar.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

Thanks in advance!

 

[pixie57]

Luv2Roam,

Do you have children? If so, how did they adjust to the move? How does one find out which schools are best? How did you decide which town/city to settle in?

 

[Immelman]

Couple of questions for those of you who have made the move-[/B]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.

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

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.

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?

1. which coast? the closer to any coast, the more you are going to pay. we're about 14 miles inland and we're just fine.
2. the heat is here. summer temps are in the 90's. but it feels exactly like it did when we lived in IL. it just lasts longer.the closer you are to the water, the more the seabreeze helps. orlando heat is different by some than tampa heat. but it's still hot.
3. new construction is everywhere, through the roof. residential and commercial, and not just because of the hurricanes. FLA is building anywhere it can, like AZ. baby boomers are on the way. people are building spec homes and condos as investments.
4. IMHO, bugs aren't as bad as we feared. major cities fog mosquitos. I see more lizards than bugs. I don't need a basement personally, even though I've always had one. the change of season is different. but palm trees help. it was cold today, but not -15 cold. and not seeing the sun for 2 weeks at a time just depressed me. we don't go 2 days here. I missed spring and fall, but not snow and ice.

 

[the kabuki]

Thanks Immelman!