[Jarndyce]

What are you from? Lived in Central Cali for past 6+ years. Have lived in several So Cal cities, Boston, CT. California is becoming the greatest joke in America. It is too expensive, too crowded, to dirty, and no town cares about aesthetics anymore. You will not find a more depressing stretch of road in America then the 99 Highway. B L E A K. The best place in Cali now is San Jose. But it is very, very expensive. I read these Floridians complain about traffic and I just laugh. Try commuting the I15 in San Diego everyday...Ive been to St Pete Beach in June when it was 94 with humidity..let me tell you..that's better then 105 "dry heat"...Dry heat sucks, people. Anything over 96 sucks, humidity or no humidity.

Where in Florida are you moving? Trying to decide between Jax and Tampa. I thought Jax was "Florida's Hidden Jewel" but the more I research it the more I come to think of it as "Florida's Fresno."

What attracts you to Florida? Real beaches with pure sand that doesn't scorch your feet on a sunny day, a REAL warm water temp...68 water temp in San Diego in June is crap. Brown sand looks like crap. I'm looking for people that want to have fun, are laid-back, friendly, and if I can find a 28-35 single woman who isn't a Jesusfreak that would be ideal too.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? Have been to Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater area for vacations. Loved it. I read newspaper websites and have recently found this community.

Did you spend time in that town in person? Never been to Jax but plan to spend 1 week in March in order to "familiarize" myself and make final decision. I hope to move out by end of May. If I turn off from Jax, then will consider Tampa/St Pete area.

Did you communicate with people who live their personally? I don't know anyone in FL. My Cali friends who left Cali left for Pacific Northwest and Colorado.

[R1v3rRat]

What are you from?
Originaly from New York. Lived in NEFL for 10 years while in the service. Moved to SC for work. Been here 2 years

Where in Florida are you moving?
We are currently building a home in Jacksonville (Mandarin)

What attracts you to Florida?
We are boaters and love the amount of boating that can be had... ie St Johns, ICW and offshore.

Did you communicate with people who live their personally?
Have close friends that live all over Jax area.

[Tarastomsgirl]

Originally Posted by Jarndyce

[i] . Anything over 96 sucks, humidity or no humidity.
Real beaches with pure sand that doesn't scorch your feet on a sunny day,

.

Please research the weather it will get over 96 in the summer, sometimes without the heat index, in Naples this past summer they had triple digits with the heat index.
Also it IS recommended you wear shoes, watershoes, sandals on the beach in the summer. Even the white sand will burn your feet, it gets extreamly scorching hot in the summer with the sand just laying in the sun to bake.. So becareful, I always wore flip flops when trying to find a spot on the beach to sit. And the atlantic is cold too lol.. Fla has the same probs as ever other state, but its a beautiful place ot live and you just gotta find your niche and figure out what works best for you The gulf water is gonna be the warmer side of things, in the summer the water can get into the 80's which is a good thing and a bad thing cause sometimes its a bit TOO warm So look around , see what suits you better

[FLhereIcome]

What are you from?
Quakertown, PA
Where in Florida are you moving?
Brevard County (East Coast)
What attracts you to Florida?
Sunshine, heat and Disney, what else is there?
What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?
Born and raised in PA, lived in FL from '86-'99, back to PA in '99, now back to FL in April '08 and I'm not moving again!

[Floridabound09]

Originally Posted by FLhereIcome

What are you from?
Quakertown, PA
Where in Florida are you moving?
Brevard County (East Coast)
What attracts you to Florida?
Sunshine, heat and Disney, what else is there?
What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?
Born and raised in PA, lived in FL from '86-'99, back to PA in '99, now back to FL in April '08 and I'm not moving again!

Congrats!
Don't forget to post in the new Left Florida and moved back thread.

[athorson710]

What are you from? WI originally, currently live in Minneapolis, MN (been here for 3 years)
Where in Florida are you moving? Tampa/St. Pete, not sure exactly what exact spot within that area yet
What attracts you to Florida? The weather, sun, beaches, white sand, beach bars, experiencing something completely different, getting away from the Midwest for awhile
What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? My uncle and aunt have a condo in St. Pete Beach, so I've been down to the area 6 or 7 times the past few years. Also, my cousin lived in St. Pete for 4 years. She's in her 20s just like me, so I was able to experience what it would be like for a person my age to live there. I really liked what I've seen so far. Also, I read these forums a lot for information/feelings people have about the area/etc. I read the St. Pete times online daily, research other stuff online. It is so cold in MN right now, I can't wait to move down there!!

[V65Magnafan]

Thank you for this thread. As my wife and I get close to retirement, and our kids get ready to be on their own, we are looking to leave the Great White North for the winters.

We've seen the South Carolina coast and really liked it. Soon, though, probably this summer, we'll check out a part of Florida. Thanks for all the tips. I have about fifteen communities to check out all over the state.

Thanks again.

[Chicken Wing]

What are you from?
southern New Jersey

Where in Florida are you moving?
Don't know yet, probably somewhere on the gulf coast within 25 minutes or so of the beach.

What attracts you to Florida?
The beach, warm weather, fishing, sunsets, wildlife, no snow.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?
Researched City Data, the different on-line newspapers, crime data, etc.

Did you spend time in that town in person?
I've been to several different towns in Florida on both the east and west coasts for both work and vacation.

Did you communicate with people who live their personally?
Not really, I don't know anyone personally down there.

[2bohemians]

Where are you from? Alabama

Where in Florida are you moving? Live in Santa Rosa Beach on the Emerald Coast

What attracts you to Florida? Warm weather, warm water, laid back beach lifestyle, and relatively close to my family

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? Always went to Panama City Beach on vacation as a child growing up. When I first moved away from home, I took a job in Panama City. Now I live about 45 minutes west of there on a scenic stretch of beaches that used to by my secret hideaway beaches.

If you moved away and are coming back, where did you move to and where did you move back to in Florida? From Panama City, I moved down to Dunedin, then to Tampa, then to Pass-A-Grille Beach, then Bradenton, then out to Los Angeles and came back to the Emerald Coast for a visit and fell in love all over again -- and here I am kind of full circle.

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by 2bohemians

Where are you from? Alabama

Where in Florida are you moving? Live in Santa Rosa Beach on the Emerald Coast

What attracts you to Florida? Warm weather, warm water, laid back beach lifestyle, and relatively close to my family

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? Always went to Panama City Beach on vacation as a child growing up. When I first moved away from home, I took a job in Panama City. Now I live about 45 minutes west of there on a scenic stretch of beaches that used to by my secret hideaway beaches.

If you moved away and are coming back, where did you move to and where did you move back to in Florida? From Panama City, I moved down to Dunedin, then to Tampa, then to Pass-A-Grille Beach, then Bradenton, then out to Los Angeles and came back to the Emerald Coast for a visit and fell in love all over again -- and here I am kind of full circle.

Just wanted to add .... the other bohemian of 2bohemians is from Saugus, Massachusetts originally but spent 15 years in Los Angeles before moving here.