[JunoAqua]

I love Florida so much, and always thought about moving from NY to Florida, but family,lack of decent paying jobs in my field, relative to housing prices and other costs make the cost of living high. Hurricanes are another concern but, I've always loved Florida, if I won the lotto i'd be there in a heartbeat. Am I really missing out living down there, isnt palm trees nice beaches a beautiful site or does this wear off after you been there awile? I look at it this way, when i vactoin there im not working im having fun playing on the beach spending money eating out this gets fun., but if i had to work there i would think that most of my time would be spent working many hours to pay housing expenses and other costs and leave very little time for enjoyment of Florida...
Thanks

[jbcorbin]

but if i had to work there i would think that most of my time would be spent working many hours to pay housing expenses and other costs and leave very little time for enjoyment of Florida...

Yup, just like where you are now. Big surprise.

[2goldens]

Originally Posted by jbcorbin

but if i had to work there i would think that most of my time would be spent working many hours to pay housing expenses and other costs and leave very little time for enjoyment of Florida...

Yup, just like where you are now. Big surprise.

LOL! It sounds so brutal but true!

[Nikki75]

According to one of my girlfriends who lives in Jacksonville, she wouldn't live anywhere else unless she got married and her hubby said she had to. She mentioned something about football, hockey and some other sports as well as some other activities that she didnt have to go far to enjoy. So, I don't think that she feels the way of your thread title.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Nikki75

According to one of my girlfriends who lives in Jacksonville, she wouldn't live anywhere else unless she got married and her hubby said she had to. She mentioned something about football, hockey and some other sports as well as some other activities that she didnt have to go far to enjoy. So, I don't think that she feels the way of your thread title.

That does have a lot to do with it. If you like boating and the beach, diving, skiing, sail boarding or a whole host of other activities it is a great place. Except for maybe the boating, the last one I had cost me over a thousand a month to own, the rest is free. I used to have a guy who came in my bar who was a cab driver. He worked in Virginia in the summer and spent the winters in Hollywood.

He loved to say how he goes to the beach and jogs, goes swimming, diving and no one hands him a bill. The problem is it can be so costly to live here now you can't even find the time to do the activities anymore. All you do is work and spend the weekend recovering just to do it over again on Monday. It's a tough place for people who don't make much money.

[SouthernBelle3]

I don't know where in NY you are from but here is the difference. What you say is true. Living in Florida isn't different from anywhere else. You work and pay bills. The big difference is no icy roads, no zero degree weather, no slipping and falling on icy sidewalks. Yeah it is really hot here for about 5 months, but if you would rather deal with the heat over the cold, Florida may appeal to you. I guess some of the really negative post are just individuals who just don't care for the subtropical. One thing I will advise, the wages are not good for many professional jobs let alone skilled jobs. Seems like 35K is considered good pay for those with even college degrees. If you are used to unions, the unions are useless here. You can be layed off with no notice unless you have a contract that states otherwise. I have noticed some good deals on homes right now, at least in my area , that are in the 180K range and not in the getto, but nice quiet neighborhoods. If you stay away from the coastal areas, you can get a better deal. Besides, no where in Florida are you more than an 90 minute drive from a beach.

[121804]

You seem to be aware of the reality of what the move would be.

It's your life. Choices have consequences, both good & bad.

It about finding a balance. Do your homework & make a decision based on what is good for you at this point in your life. Always have a backup.

[INeedAChange]

if you have limited money and skills, it may not be the best place, unless you are willing to live very simply.

[Carbondated]

From a previous poster:

"Seems like 35K is considered good pay for those with even college degrees."
"I have noticed some good deals on homes right now, at least in my area , that are in the 180K range and not in the getto, but nice quiet neighborhoods."

Just be aware... a good $35K a year job will get you a house in the $90,000- $105,000 price range.

There are plenty of other states in the US besides Florida that have palm trees, beaches, warm weather, and where you could afford to live, have better job prospects, and better wages.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

if you have limited money and skills, it may not be the best place, unless you are willing to live very simply.

Thats a problem also, you can't just decide to live meagerly or make a few sacrifices. You still may go under regardless.