Who is, has or wants to move to Florida ? (Tampa: relocation, hoa)

[Floridabound09]

What I like about threads like this is the fact that people are from so many various parts of the country.
Awesome post and I really enjoy the personal stories behind some them.

[tangerinepuddle]

What are you from? Upstate NY; lived in Michigan, Albuquerque, and now Portland, OR

Where in Florida are you moving? Deciding between Jax or Charleston, SC(I know, its not FLordia, but its close!)

What attracts you to Florida? Family, friends, closer to my friends sprinkled up and down the east coast, BEACHES, warm ocean (the Pacific is FREEZING), home prices (PDX house prices are still climbing - we avoided the housing bubble and subsequent burst, but unfortunately for me, this means its not a buyers market here)

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? lots online, especially city data, online newspapers, websites, talking to family and friends, and going down in April to check it all out.

Did you spend time in that town in person? Not yet-in two months!

Did you communicate with people who live their personally? Yes.

[b]We'll see what happens - I have a great job here and do love the west coast lifestyle and people. But I'm so FAR AWAY from everyone, and the winters are grey. and the beaches are COLD, even in summer. And I can't keep up with the COL.

To the OP - I love reading your positive posts. There is so much negativity on these boards, and while its good to know the downsides to an area, it can get really depressing reading post after post after post of whining. Your excitement is contagious-and knowing that you have spent a tremendous amount of time in the state over the years- well that says to me that you don't just have a vacation postcard picture in your head of what it is like.

[Floridabound09]

Originally Posted by tangerinepuddle

What are you from? Upstate NY; lived in Michigan, Albuquerque, and now Portland, OR

Where in Florida are you moving? Deciding between Jax or Charleston, SC(I know, its not FLordia, but its close!)

What attracts you to Florida? Family, friends, closer to my friends sprinkled up and down the east coast, BEACHES, warm ocean (the Pacific is FREEZING), home prices (PDX house prices are still climbing - we avoided the housing bubble and subsequent burst, but unfortunately for me, this means its not a buyers market here)

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? lots online, especially city data, online newspapers, websites, talking to family and friends, and going down in April to check it all out.

Did you spend time in that town in person? Not yet-in two months!

Did you communicate with people who live their personally? Yes.

[b]We'll see what happens - I have a great job here and do love the west coast lifestyle and people. But I'm so FAR AWAY from everyone, and the winters are grey. and the beaches are COLD, even in summer. And I can't keep up with the COL.

To the OP - I love reading your positive posts. There is so much negativity on these boards, and while its good to know the downsides to an area, it can get really depressing reading post after post after post of whining. Your excitement is contagious-and knowing that you have spent a tremendous amount of time in the state over the years- well that says to me that you don't just have a vacation postcard picture in your head of what it is like.

Your welcome. And yes, I have been the Charleston SC many, many times too. I hope it exites people, the world is full of negatives and since I have been there and done that so to speak and have done the homework, done the foot work and know in my heart that people will eventually make some decisions based on what we all post, we need to be as factful and informative as we can.

[Floridabound09]

tangerinepuddle

I just noticed that you have actually lived in almost all of the 4 corners of the US. Which do you like the best so far?

Since you have done that your input is very valuable to others.

[faithfulFrank]

What are you from?Western New York...land of snow and taxes

Where in Florida are you moving?Leesburg, in a community called "The Plantation" Bought the house just shy of one year ago.

What attracts you to Florida?I've already listed almost 100 reasons on another older thread....but mostly the weather, lower cost of living, lifestyle, etc.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?That's the bizzare part. I research everything, but this was a "buy from the heart"...no regrets! I'll retire in 3 years (1248 days...) and spend my pension in the sunshine. Florida is very kind to retirees

Did you spend time in that town in person?Yes, visited a friend who lived across the street from the house we ended up buying....have been back 5-6 times since we bought the house

Did you communicate with people who live their personally?Oh yes, they have grown to be good friends who we care about....we will be their "full time" neighbors in about 3 years or so.

Frank D.

[fromthenorth]

We're considering leaving NY for Florida--but are completely confused by all the different areas. Visiting in 3 weeks, just to see if we can absorb anything about life down there.
Husband searching for job, in insurance claims, medical coding, and I need library or clerical job. Long shot that we'll find both at the same time in the same area.
I've always lived in the north, but New York is finally killing us. No, not just taxes, not just weather, mostly the way business is behaving. Buyouts, mergers, bad management, especially bad personnel management. Hot-shot kids hired to do the dirty work and a New Plan every month.
Have searched central Florida, found several cities interesting. We're older, but NOT retiring, need to work. No kids at home, appeal of adults-only places strong at the moment. Would like some culture, good libraries, not everything kid-centered. Had it with the soccer moms and dads. (Sorry, but been there, done that)
Really need to find jobs, reasonable prices in rentals, some public transportation would be a real plus.
Some diversity would be very, very nice without too much crime.
Scariest things I've heard about Florida don't involve crime and hurricanes, but politics and religion. Can I really move in an election year?
Any sensible input would be appreciated.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by fromthenorth

We're considering leaving NY for Florida--but are completely confused by all the different areas. Visiting in 3 weeks, just to see if we can absorb anything about life down there.
Husband searching for job, in insurance claims, medical coding, and I need library or clerical job. Long shot that we'll find both at the same time in the same area.
I've always lived in the north, but New York is finally killing us. No, not just taxes, not just weather, mostly the way business is behaving. Buyouts, mergers, bad management, especially bad personnel management. Hot-shot kids hired to do the dirty work and a New Plan every month.
Have searched central Florida, found several cities interesting. We're older, but NOT retiring, need to work. No kids at home, appeal of adults-only places strong at the moment. Would like some culture, good libraries, not everything kid-centered. Had it with the soccer moms and dads. (Sorry, but been there, done that)
Really need to find jobs, reasonable prices in rentals, some public transportation would be a real plus.
Some diversity would be very, very nice without too much crime.
Scariest things I've heard about Florida don't involve crime and hurricanes, but politics and religion. Can I really move in an election year?
Any sensible input would be appreciated.

I do have to agree with that one.

[121804]

Originally Posted by fromthenorth

We're considering leaving NY for Florida--but are completely confused by all the different areas. Visiting in 3 weeks, just to see if we can absorb anything about life down there.
Husband searching for job, in insurance claims, medical coding, and I need library or clerical job. Long shot that we'll find both at the same time in the same area.
I've always lived in the north, but New York is finally killing us. No, not just taxes, not just weather, mostly the way business is behaving. Buyouts, mergers, bad management, especially bad personnel management. Hot-shot kids hired to do the dirty work and a New Plan every month.
Have searched central Florida, found several cities interesting. We're older, but NOT retiring, need to work. No kids at home, appeal of adults-only places strong at the moment. Would like some culture, good libraries, not everything kid-centered. Had it with the soccer moms and dads. (Sorry, but been there, done that)
Really need to find jobs, reasonable prices in rentals, some public transportation would be a real plus.
Some diversity would be very, very nice without too much crime.
Scariest things I've heard about Florida don't involve crime and hurricanes, but politics and religion. Can I really move in an election year?
Any sensible input would be appreciated.

Charlotte County in SWFL would probably meet your needs minus the job situation. Main employer is construction; hence, there is little work there.
It is the #1 county in FL for 65+...hence, not many soccer moms.
Punta Gorda was rated #1 to retire back in 97 & it still wants that title back. Not many kids there at all nor is it really designed for younger families. Very laid back. Lots of tennis, golf, & fishing. Not much in the way of culture, but people don't move there for that. But it is sunny & warm almost year round so that compensates it for most. Rentals are beyond affordable b/c of the housing bust.
Fort Myers is about a 30 min drive south, so you could probably find employment there.

[kgrady]

What are you from?
Where in Florida are you moving? I am not sure that is why I am looking on this web site, I am interested in knowing what areas are good for business and living.
What attracts you to Florida? I currently live in Ohio and am looking forward to the warmer wheather myself my children are grown and I do not have to take them with me, and they have choosen to stay here
What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? I started out wanting to go to Lehigh Acres but I don't know yet I want to weigh my options
Did you spend time in that town in person? I have been to Florida in the past and plan on going back again in March of this year
Did you communicate with people who live their personally? no I do not know of anyone down there currently I hope to get to meet some people, and again that is why I am on this web site trying to get to know about Florida

[Floridabound09]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

What are you from?Western New York...land of snow and taxes

Where in Florida are you moving?Leesburg, in a community called "The Plantation" Bought the house just shy of one year ago.

What attracts you to Florida?I've already listed almost 100 reasons on another older thread....but mostly the weather, lower cost of living, lifestyle, etc.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?That's the bizzare part. I research everything, but this was a "buy from the heart"...no regrets! I'll retire in 3 years (1248 days...) and spend my pension in the sunshine. Florida is very kind to retirees

Did you spend time in that town in person?Yes, visited a friend who lived across the street from the house we ended up buying....have been back 5-6 times since we bought the house

Did you communicate with people who live their personally?Oh yes, they have grown to be good friends who we care about....we will be their "full time" neighbors in about 3 years or so.

Frank D.

Hey Frank,
I have been wondering about you. Do you mind telling us what made you pick Leesburg please?
I know you did allot of research, but I am interested in your elimination or other towns and your eventual choice of Leesburg?
We have narrow our choices down to about 10 cities, we added a few and took away a few after our last visit. Often wondered because I really like that area around Leesburg, Mt Dora, Eustis. Alittle bit of a drive to the beach but could be a possbility.
We know many antiquers in the Mt Dora area and they love it.