[LoveBoating]

Well, we don't play golf. However, we do love boating/fishing/tubing. If we don't live in FL., we still want to live in area where there are lakes......not to hip on living by the Ocean/Gulf. We like the inland areas. On those NC rivers, can you use a run a ski boat/tube or just for fishing?
For you Tampa folks: have you lived in Denver during the winter? If not, see my thread called Are You Moving To Denver Metro Area?
We are definitely finding out that it is NOT easy finding a new area to live in where our "older" bones/muscles won't freeze up. As far as visiting for a week or two, that can take some money that a lot of folks (like us) just don't have. But, we will keep on looking in the Forum and asking questions.
Thanks for all the info.

[Jim S]

And don't overlook North Port which is between Sarasota and Fort Myers. It is not nearly as congested as those areas and housing is very affordable.

[Prichard]

I have lived in Orlando all of my life. From June through October, ITS HOT! Unless you are inside, you will be soaked with sweat - it's just a fact of life in Florida. The other months are true paridise.

Like others have said, stay here during July or August for a couple of weeks. I had a friend from Iowa who moved to Orlando, and when I complain about the heat, he laughs at me and says that he would never move anywhere north of Orlando. If he ever moves, it will just be further south, he says. He can't get far enough away from the bitter cold he grew up with.

I, on the other hand, have never gotten used to the Florida heat. I like to run, but during the hot months need to start my runs at about 6:00a.m. just to finish before the sun melts me. 95 degrees in Florida is NOT like 95 degrees in Colorado. I've been in 95 degree heat out west, and it feels like 80 degrees does here. When temperatures climb close to 100, I stay inside most of the day. I recall walking down Park Ave. in Winter Park one hot summer day and this 10 year old little English boy was literaly crying to his "mummy" about how hot it was. The kid really thought he was going to die. There's a reason why old southern crackers talk and move slow. In the summertime, if you're hustling around like a New York city slicker, you will colapse of heat exhaustion.

BTW, I'm in good shape and not overweight. I just never got used to the humidity and heat in Florida.

[LBROWN]

I'm A Native Floridian And Have Never Lived Anywhere Else. I Am Just Praying My House Sells Soon As I Want To Move To Centennial, Co Asap. It Is Very, Very Hot Here. The Hurricane Threat Is Always A Costly Concern. Lots Of Bugs. I Live In Western West Palm Beach And Have Always Lived Close To The Beach But Could No Longer Afford It. Now I'm Out On A Dirt Road And Actually Like It Out Here, But Can't Afford To Stay. I Have Also Done Quite A Bit Of House Hunting On-line In Greenville, Sc. That Area Also Sounds Really Nice. Good Luck To You.

[MrTudo]

Health is definitely affected by weather. I used to love being where it's humid and hot. Now I'm 51, had open heart surgery 14 months ago and hate the humidity. It definitely make it "painful" for me to walk distances of a mile or more.

I know this is apples and oranges with a hip replacement but as many here have mentioned, spend some time here and make sure you will adapt.

Fla is great but there's some negatives too as there are everywhere.

[LillyyST123]

I absolutly love COlroado and would love to move there from orlando.
I stongly dislike the humidity and the snobby people as well.
If i were you I would definantly stay in Colorado!
and dont go to FL, its hot, humid, no seasons, and ehhh.

[melajewels]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

We have been thinking about moving to Florida sometime in the future. We live southeast of Denver and love it here, BUT, we are increasingly worried about the winters here. We are both in our mid 50's and we are experiencing more and more body/muscle pain during the winter/cold here. Besides that, I have had a hip replacement surgery and I know that the cold weather here will affect that.
Since we love boating/fishing , we figure that Central Florida might be the best place for us to be later. We are both from "winter" type States (Ind., Mich). Use to live in So. California.....won't go back there . And, Arizona, Nevada is out also (gets wayyyyyyyyy to hot there).
Give us your thoughts.
Thanks

We moved to Florida about 5 years ago from Grand Junction, CO. Though Colorado feels like home because our family is there, because we live in Florida, there are friends and family that come for visits often. where we live, it is a mix, but there are many retirees and Easterners. I sometimes call it "Little New York" due to the amount of NY and NJ people here. Once you go through a year or two of culture shock, and humidity in the summer, Florida grows on you! Being close to the water is so nice! We love that part! If you don't mind an hour drive, we are located in such a way that we can go to theme parks in both orlando and tampa, along with beautiful beaches such as Clearwater. there is a small water community about 10 minutes from my home, called Hernando Beach which you live right on the water and have your own canal on the Gulf of Mexico. I really think you would like it here. Prices are very cheap right now! Need to look it up!

[patticaryl]

Originally Posted by melajewels

We moved to Florida about 5 years ago from Grand Junction, CO. Though Colorado feels like home because our family is there, because we live in Florida, there are friends and family that come for visits often. where we live, it is a mix, but there are many retirees and Easterners. I sometimes call it "Little New York" due to the amount of NY and NJ people here. Once you go through a year or two of culture shock, and humidity in the summer, Florida grows on you! Being close to the water is so nice! We love that part! If you don't mind an hour drive, we are located in such a way that we can go to theme parks in both orlando and tampa, along with beautiful beaches such as Clearwater. there is a small water community about 10 minutes from my home, called Hernando Beach which you live right on the water and have your own canal on the Gulf of Mexico. I really think you would like it here. Prices are very cheap right now! Need to look it up!

I just googled the area and, you are right....it looks beautiful, but I have one question. How can anyone possibly afford insurance for the properties in Hernando Beach?

[paleo99]

I'd take Colorado any day over Florida. This state has no scenery whatsoever when your not by the beaches. It's flat, ugly, and always the same. It's almost impossible to get away from people, and everybody seems to be in a bad mood here. Must be the rampant traffic,heat, humidity, hurricanes, and overpopulation.

[007.5]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

We have been thinking about moving to Florida sometime in the future. We live southeast of Denver and love it here, BUT, we are increasingly worried about the winters here. We are both in our mid 50's and we are experiencing more and more body/muscle pain during the winter/cold here. Besides that, I have had a hip replacement surgery and I know that the cold weather here will affect that.
Since we love boating/fishing , we figure that Central Florida might be the best place for us to be later. We are both from "winter" type States (Ind., Mich). Use to live in So. California.....won't go back there . And, Arizona, Nevada is out also (gets wayyyyyyyyy to hot there).
Give us your thoughts.
Thanks

Come on down for a week or two and scout out the state. Anywhere close to the coast sounds like what would be best for you both. Maybe you should take a trip around the entire coast of Florida ...seriously. Then youll have a REAL good idea what part of the state you like best. Im in the Panhandle just 30 min. from the beaches and it is great here. Im from northern illinois and this is my first florida 'winter' coming up --- its going to be great to have 60-70 f. for a high in Dec and Jan when its below zero back in northern illinois . If you choose the Panhandle, it is farrrr cheaper living ...housing and property taxes are low and youll have lots of cash to live off of.