Move to Jacksonville or Santa Barbara (apartment, rent, mover)

[Icmoore]

Hi,

I am living in Santa Barbara, CA presently working in a technology company but have heard of quite a few CA people that move to JAX, Jacksonville Florida and do really well - and they enjoy the living enough to stay. I am also looking at Fort Lauderdale - in Jacksonville the homes are beautiful, by the beach and cheap in relation to our prices here. 1 bedroom condo vs 3 bed 3 bath house. Serious difference and there are other things that are less expensive as well. But is California really that great - I'm starting to think, maybe not worth the price of admission.

I would love to hear what anyone has to add to assist me in making a decision. Thank you all.

[Clarks]

Florida; flat, humid, Hot, Summers are absolutely miserable. Surf, ragged and cut up and cross waved. Highest Elevation in Florida, 345 feet.

[Snort]

You're already in Nirvana. Killer cockroaches in Florida. Stay put.

[Clarks]

coral snakes, water moccasins, alligators on the golf courses.

[ferret111]

Jacksonville's the biggest city in the state, but there's not much going on there.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Icmoore

I am living in Santa Barbara, CA presently working in a technology company but have heard of quite a few CA people that move to JAX, Jacksonville Florida and do really well - and they enjoy the living enough to stay.

I would be very wary of that mindset from the get-go. When people leave someplace out of frustration, the escape destination will always seem better...not because it is better by some clear and objective set of criteria, but because the mover has invested his emotional assets in the notion that it has got to be better. It's part of the survivor mentality. After a good number of years go by, dissatisfaction with the new home town may amplify as the honeymoon period wears off and the relocator becomes more open to seeing the city for what it is.

[Snort]

the escape destination will always seem better...not because it is better

Trust me, you could drop some acid, barbiturates, quaaludes, a valium horse pill, and you name it in my milkshake, I'd still be coherent enough to recognize Santa Barbara as the more attractive option in this set of choices.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Snort

drop some acid, barbiturates, quaaludes, a valium horse pill...

Those are about what I'd need to put myself in Florida in the Summer. Maybe add some Diprivan IV drip for good measure.

[Icmoore]

Your guys are classic and thank you for the candid hilarious inputs - I think we'll rent the 500 square foot apartment and stay put in Santa Barbara = Best

[Mach50]

Out of all places in FL, Jacksonville would be my least favorite choice. Fort Lauderdale would be a much closer experience to California, more culture, better food, beautiful girls, Spanish architecture...higher standard of living.

Yes FL is very hot compared to Santa Barbara in the summer. But most people hop into a pool, boat or go to the beach. That means lot's of bikinis and parties compared to SoCal...trust me, it is not that bad at all, if you like that sort of thing. Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant place compared to Santa Barbara, and the people are much less stuffy, they like to have fun.