[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

I think seasonal change is overrated. I wouldn't want to live in a place where it's 90 degrees all year round either (the real tropics), but Florida's "winter" is fine with me and the summer doesn't bother me that much until August, then I'm ready for it to end.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by Floridabound09

Since my last really good thread was closed due to the fact that certain people wont allow a positive post to continue. This one is for the people who have moved to Florida in the past, have recently moved to Florida, moved away from Florida and moved back and have plans to move to Florida in the near future.
There is several of you who have moved away from Florida and have decided to move back, your info I feel is important because you have been on both sides of your decisions and therefore your opinion is very valudable to those who want to move to Florida in the future.
So, if you have plans, have already moved or want to move to Florida we would like to hear from you.

What are you from?
Where in Florida are you moving?
What attracts you to Florida?
What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?
Did you spend time in that town in person?
Did you communicate with people who live their personally?

Just some ideas.

I am interested in where you moved from and where you moved to and your specifics, I am interested in hearing from those who moved away and now have moved back and decided it was the right thing for you to do.

If you moved away and are coming back, where did you move to and where did you move back to in Florida?

Thank you from allot of us for posting your information.

Originally from Ohio- moved NC - move SC
Moving to Gulf Coast most likely between FT Myers and Bonita Springs
I've researched for 5 years on where I wish to go
I've been in every major Florida city on both coasts. Never been inland (ie Orlando etc) because it doesn't interest me. Beaches do.
Besides relatives that have been on the ocean side since 1962, my best friend for 40 years lives in Bonita Springs, I communicate with her all the time.
Many people I grew up with left the cold crappy weather of NE Ohio and moved to Florida right after high school and or college. Far as I know they are all still there.

I'm just waiting till I hit retirement age which will be soon. Then I will move.

[Latrice McCullough]

I'm in The Mill (Milwaukee, WI). I would love to move to Orlando, Florida. I want to be in a brand new atmosphere

[nikongirl24]

What are you from?-- West Virginia (originally the eastern panhandle, have been in Huntington/ Southern WV for 6 years now)

Where in Florida are you moving?-- Well, I used to live in Orlando, but my interests really lay in the Tampa Bay/ Clearwater/ St. Pete/ Largo/ Bradenton areas.

What attracts you to Florida?-- Job prospects are MUCH BETTER there than up here in WV (even with this economy, yes I know, and yes, I've been job hunting for a while now). Housing costs, and both my husband and I have family in those areas.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?-- Have family there, have been doing extensive research for a year now and are planning a visit here soon.

Did you spend time in that town in person?-- I have, I love it and even though I LOVE Orlando (Lived in Clermont actually) I much prefer the Tampa area.

Did you communicate with people who live their personally?-- As much as possible. Pretty much 3-4 times a week with one cousin, visits once or twice a year with an aunt who lives in Largo.

[sunnymaryann]

We moved from Milwaukee to the panhandle of Florida in 1995 to a lovely little town , Mexico Beach. Gorgeous beach and nice people. Due to personal issues we relocated to Slidell, La in 2005 just 30 days prior to Hurricane Katrina which flooded our house and we lost nearly everything we owned. Bought another house in what was supposed to become an Active Adult Community but which has had no construction in over two years with empty lots and unsold houses. Other than having a daughter and granddaughter nearby we are bored bored bored.

Put the house on the market last Sept. (daughter is Realtor) and not bites for age restricted subdivision. Our plans were to go back to Florida but this time away from water (hurricanes) and into The Villages. Just this past week after talking with a former Mexico Beach neighbor who relocated to Tavares I am leaning more towards looking for a house in Tavares. The Villages has an added bond that puts thousands of dollars onto the mortgage. And because of our age (70's) and handicaps, other than the pool I dont think we would be very active in the entertainment on the squares. From what I have seen on line and in emailing with a realtor in that area we would get a lot more house in Tavares for less money and no additional bond to pay. And the construction and materials looks pretty good too.

So yes we are going back to Florida with the no state income tax and Disney World close enough to entertain visitors. Just have to sell this house first.

[sunnymaryann]

Hi Latrice - we moved from Milwaukee to Florida in '95. You will love it. No snow tires no shovels and no heavy winter coats and boots. No more windshield scraping and no waiting for the heater to warm the seat and steering wheel. Doesnt matter if you dont have snow tires or radials either.
The people are very friendly in the South.

[tercel95]

I figured I would post in here since I have posted in some of the other threads that have been closed...

I moved to JAX about 3 weeks ago from Southern MD and I love it down here... I am 21 and have been living on my own since I was 18... I really struggled to get by in MD. MD just isn't the place for someone trying to make it... My apartment was 600 sq/ft and was $1100/month and it wasn't very nice... I landed a nice job working for a defense contractor out of Orange Park... I was able to double the size of my apartment add another bedroom and bathroom all for hundreds less than my old apartment and in a much nicer complex...

Florida has really changed my life for the better and I no longer feel like I am swimming upstream...

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by tercel95

I figured I would post in here since I have posted in some of the other threads that have been closed...

I moved to JAX about 3 weeks ago from Southern MD and I love it down here... I am 21 and have been living on my own since I was 18... I really struggled to get by in MD. MD just isn't the place for someone trying to make it... My apartment was 600 sq/ft and was $1100/month and it wasn't very nice... I landed a nice job working for a defense contractor out of Orange Park... I was able to double the size of my apartment add another bedroom and bathroom all for hundreds less than my old apartment and in a much nicer complex...

Florida has really changed my life for the better and I no longer feel like I am swimming upstream...

Congrats!

That is so awesome to see you doing well.

[matchpoint]

What are you from? -- San Diego, CA, but now live in PacNorWest. I have lived in New England too.


Where in Florida are you moving? Either Tampa or Miami. Haven't decided yet. Will be moving in early 2010. The economy, nationwide, is starting to slowly turnaround, and by the time I make the move, the economy should be roaring back to life.


What attracts you to Florida? Everything. Beach life. I have to live in a big city with population. There is nothing to do where I live now. I don't camp or bike ride. The only *culture* is the megaplex. I need a much better social life.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? Mostly online sources. I am trying to plan *recon* visits to Tampa and Miami now.

Did you spend time in that town in person? I have traveled many times to Tampa for tradeshows and family vacations. I'm leaning toward Tampa because I'm no longer in my mid-20s and I want to buy a condo within a year of moving to FL. Miami and Tampa are Florida's *future*, imo...


Did you communicate with people who live their personally? Nope. But, I have some family in various snowbelts that might move down once I plant the flag.

[faithfulFrank]

Originally Posted by sunnymaryann

We moved from Milwaukee to the panhandle of Florida in 1995 to a lovely little town , Mexico Beach. Gorgeous beach and nice people. Due to personal issues we relocated to Slidell, La in 2005 just 30 days prior to Hurricane Katrina which flooded our house and we lost nearly everything we owned. Bought another house in what was supposed to become an Active Adult Community but which has had no construction in over two years with empty lots and unsold houses. Other than having a daughter and granddaughter nearby we are bored bored bored.

Put the house on the market last Sept. (daughter is Realtor) and not bites for age restricted subdivision. Our plans were to go back to Florida but this time away from water (hurricanes) and into The Villages. Just this past week after talking with a former Mexico Beach neighbor who relocated to Tavares I am leaning more towards looking for a house in Tavares. The Villages has an added bond that puts thousands of dollars onto the mortgage. And because of our age (70's) and handicaps, other than the pool I dont think we would be very active in the entertainment on the squares. From what I have seen on line and in emailing with a realtor in that area we would get a lot more house in Tavares for less money and no additional bond to pay. And the construction and materials looks pretty good too.

So yes we are going back to Florida with the no state income tax and Disney World close enough to entertain visitors. Just have to sell this house first.

First, welcome to city-data.

The Travares area is nice. I really like the Clairmont area also. We own a home in The Plantation, between Leesburg and Clairmont, about 15 miles south of The Villages. When checking out 55+ gated communities, be sure to check out the HOA fees and fiscal stability of the community. Some places have gone into bankruptcy.

I'm really happy with The Plantation. I'm not selling anything, but our community is "built out", so there are no bond fees like The Villages, and our HOA fees are only $85.00 per month. The Plantation is owned by the homeowners, and we are very much solidly in the black. They have a website. The Plantation for us seems just the right size...just under 3000 homes, two PGA golf courses, three activity centers, a restaurant, etc.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. There are many great places around here......all a tad different.....most all very good. It is best to visit them all and one will just "feel right". Good luck!!

Frank D.