[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

THE VILLLAGGGEEESSSS Floridas Friendliest home town... It's a VERY active retirement community in central Florida, between Ocala and Orlando. Its a development, which is really its own town its that large. They have 70,000 residents (not all are full time residents), and are planning to have 100k when they are finished. It has like 20 golf course or something, not sure the correct number, three squares where there is almost daily live music, happy hour each night, all kinds of daily activities, two walmarts, lots of shops, people use their golf carts to get around and these are the high powered golf carts not regular golf carts. There is a bus that will take you to the Orlando airport for a minimal cost. Its a great retirement place.... http://www.thevillages.com/

I've done quite a bit of research on The Villages. Some of the homes (and all of the new homes) have a Community Development Bond to pay. This could be as much as $25,000 in some cases. So be careful--it's more expensive than it first appears... Be sure to read the book, "Leisureville," by Andrew Blechman, if you are serious about moving there. Lots of insight.

[tercel95]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

When I was in my thirty's and forty's, I believed that Florida was to be my retirement destination. I looked to retire by my mid-fifty's with the anxious anticipation of living the perceived good life. I looked at Florida (particularly along the eastern coast in a TBD beach locale) as a place to not only enjoy the sunshine, beaches, and awesome winter weather, but to sustain a comfortable standard of living.

Now that my retirement is being delayed by this treacherous economy (about 30% of my savings was lost), I have been forced to look beyond just the weather of Florida. It is just not that great of a place to be, as I looked at the total equation. Placing all the variables of a perceived good life on a proverbial balance scale, I could only place the beaches and the "snowless" winter weather as the favorable reasons for relocation. All of the other variables (including my area's higher quality of life, cost of living, fewer crowds and congestion, brutal summer weather with the hurricane potential, quality healthcare, cultural amenities, community vitality, the middle class values, virtually no crime in a 5 mile radius of my home, availability of job opportunities in retirement, et al), I am having too difficult a time even considering Florida anymore.

As I have read through the 26 pages of this thread, it seems that the winter weather and the beaches are the lone favorable reasons for wanting to call Florida home. Yours seems too much like an angry state where the negatives of leaving "home" are only recognized (and acknowledged) when the sun and the beaches cease to be the most (and from the varied posts, sometimes only) important facets of life.

I have the opposite opinion of Florida but I am at a very different place in my life... To me the weather and beaches are the last thing I care about...

I was born and raised in MD, moved out at 18 and struggled to get by... I am now 21 and have been working as a software developer since I was 17... I moved to Jacksonville and it has completely changed my life... I had no issues finding a job in fact I only sent out one resume and got a substantial raise even though the cost of living is much lower here... Software developers are in demand all over the country not every job field is having issues down here... I live in an extremely safe area, in a beautiful apartment that is twice the size of the dump I lived in in MD all for hundreds less... I have access to lots of restaurants and shopping without having to leave a 5 mile radius... I think its great down here and infinitely better than MD, at least for people who aren't rich...

[Chelsa1075]

Wow Retired, I had hoped you would have moved to Florida by now, but in the state of the economy, I completely understand why you haven't gone. I too have put my plans on hold. I still hope to go very soon, I'm hoping I will get lucky and get a good job - i think that is the wishful thinking of all though. Good luck! I'll be sticking out another cold winter as well.

[Banx]

From Chicago looking to move to Miami within the next year or so after visiting a few times. Would have liked to move earlier but certain obligations got in the way. We need more english speakers in Miami, u all should consider.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Banx

From Chicago looking to move to Miami within the next year or so after visiting a few times. Would have liked to move earlier but certain obligations got in the way. We need more english speakers in Miami, u all should consider.

That's a bad sign. If you are already talking about what needs to change before you move, you might want to look elsewhere, otherwise you will make yourself miserable.

It's kind of like relationships. Don't marry someone hoping that eventually they will change. It won't happen.

[TANaples]

Yes, you have to watch the HOA fees. The HOA fees on the condo we own have just about doubled in the past 5 years to $4,000 a year. Why? It is because of the foreclosures and people not paying them because they cannot RENT the units they don't live in. Even at under a $100,000 for a 2 bedroom, when prospective buyers hear what the the HOA fees are, they say thanks, but no thanks.

[Retiredcoach]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Yes, you have to watch the HOA fees. The HOA fees on the condo we own have just about doubled in the past 5 years to $4,000 a year. Why? It is because of the foreclosures and people not paying them because they cannot RENT the units they don't live in. Even at under a $100,000 for a 2 bedroom, when prospective buyers hear what the the HOA fees are, they say thanks, but no thanks.

TANaples,

For the $4000 a year that you pay for HOA's, what do you get in return? Does this include any of your insurance costs, utilities, taxes, etc.?

[GentleWind]

Granitelady, You are right-on! I am also living in NC in the western part and I am miserable. I really have found how much I dislike winter. You are also right about the culture and mentality of the people in this area. Way, way behind in social things and fear still permeates this area. Since this is a mtn area, no one really wants to invests in relationships outside of their family. It is a very lonely and isolated place. Have my house for sale, but so far, no buyers. I want to go back to the Emerald Coast so much. Can't wait. The grass is not greener. Wish I had never left FL.

[h2obaby65]

I live in Central Fl. small to medium size town, most citizens are judgeMENTAL, terrible drivers, no manners whatsoever, clueless to the actual issues in America and how to handle day to day contact with others. There is almost a sign of ignorance that exists here that can only be recognized as from generational abuse. These locals wait for a chance to judge you, wait for a chance to be "RIGHT." Because, they've always been put down, called stupid.