[The A-Team]

Hi I moved to Miami from Seattle(though i'm originally from Arkansas, at the time i had lived in Seattle for two years). I got an apartment in Doral because of its close proximity to FIU, where i was going to attend school. We ran into some difficulty though, because i speak no spanish and am not latino, so we felt some discrimination which was kind of upsetting . So we moved back here to Seattle last summer after spending a short time in Miami. But, now i'm starting to feel like i want to give Florida another chance. I liked the weather and loved how green it was and all the palm trees. Also, it is cheaper than California(which i'm considering San Diego too but it is SOO expensive). So basically my experience was mixed. In Miami i felt discriminated against, but then again there are other communities nearby in which this may not be a problem. Also, the drive from Florida to visit family in Arkansas is MUCH easier and way shorter than the drive from Seattle, which is unbearably long and through rough terrain(mountains, snow, etc). Also, the sunshine in Florida is awesome, something we dont see often here in the pacific northwest (lol.) So all in all my experience was mixed, part of me wants to go back to florida and give it another chance, but another part of me wants to go to california instead(although it is expensive) and for a cheaper alternative perhaps Phoenix or Vegas, because i want sunshine and palm trees whereever i move too!! hope this helps!

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by 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.

Jarndyce -- we enjoyed reading your post and thought we would just share a few things .... California to Northwest Florida comparison ....

What we love about our town in Florida compared to Los Angeles:

• The most obvious being traffic congestion. In the spring and summer it does get busy just east and west of us .... but we rarely leave our little beach during peak times .... sometimes we joke about feeling like we are back in LA when we HAVE to drive to Destin .... but really it's nothing like a commute on the 405 ..... and winter is blissful ... hardly any traffic ....
• We love that we can pull into our own driveway as opposed to having to find a place on the street to park that's not private ... or moving the cars because it's street sweeping or trash pick up on that day ... we have broken oyster shell streets and we could probably park anywhere on the road we wanted.
• You don't have to pay to park at the beach!
• The water is super clean, extra warm most of the year, we have so many sand bars ... with the shelf that surrounds us ... it doesn't drop off into deepness right away, and the water is beautiful emerald green like the Caribbean .... that's why they call our area The Emerald Coast

What we miss about Los Angeles:

• Diversity in the landscape .... you can be in the snow, at the beach, in the desert ... in the Redwoods, all in just a couple of hours .. makes for easy weekend trips away ....
• All the artsy, creative and sometimes freaky people. We have a large community of artists and musicians here but there is nothing like LA.
• The fabulous restaurants and choice of things to do.
• Job opportunities. We are largely a tourist based / service economy. Good paying jobs are hard to find --- there is just not a lot of options but that is changing as we grow. And hopefully the new international airport that just broke ground will slowly help to improve the local economy and provide more employment opportunities. If you don't have to depend on a paycheck and can get out of here for a little getaway when you want, and you are looking for a laid back beach lifestyle ... then this is pretty close to paradise.

[Floridabound09]

Originally Posted by 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.

Your welcome.

Need any help with the SC coast PM me as I have spent allot of time in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas like Surfside, Murrells, Little River, Georgetown, Charleston etc.
We originally wanted to move to MB years ago and after spending more and more time in Florida over the years we didnt want the temp to change that much. And outside of the coast it a dead spot I think.

Threads like this helps people like you and me because we have not nailed down a specific area yet and the people are kind enough to pass along their thoughts and info.

[Jarndyce]

Originally Posted by 2bohemians

What we miss about Los Angeles:

• All the artsy, creative and sometimes freaky people. We have a large community of artists and musicians here but there is nothing like LA.
• The fabulous restaurants and choice of things to do.
• Job opportunities. We are largely a tourist based / service economy. Good paying jobs are hard to find --- there is just not a lot of options but that is changing as we grow. And hopefully the new international airport that just broke ground will slowly help to improve the local economy and provide more employment opportunities. If you don't have to depend on a paycheck and can get out of here for a little getaway when you want, and you are looking for a laid back beach lifestyle ... then this is pretty close to paradise

I found this entire to post to be excellent. Agree with everything in the first part. I rep'd you but the site said I already repd you Huh?

Anyway, just wanted to comment about this part. You've certainly nailed 2 big concerns of mine. Culture and Employment. I like to think of myself as a reader/writer and I'm trying to see if Jax has anything here. Writer events would be cool. I assume Tampa/St Pete and Miami have fairly active writer communities. Miami has a large book fair every year. I could certainly travel to that from Jax or Tampa.

As for Employment...I'm looking at a career change anyway. I can transition into something different in Jax. I think I could commute to UFlorida for a Master's from Jax. Graduate study (part-time basis) is a reality for me. I really like UFlorida..and I'm just weighing the grad school options for Jax/Tampa...

There's a lot of positive things about Florida that interest me. I don't think I will have a large adjustment period. Bugs bug me, I suppose, I haven't found anywhere in Cali that has them. Maybe "Off" spray is sold by the case in Florida

[acsolomon33]

I have always wanted to move to Florida. I hae visited alot and always felt better when I was there. My best friend just moved there today, just up and got on a plane with her baby. I visited the area of Stuart, that is where she going, it is beautiful and sunny and bright.

The jobs that me and my husband would need are right in the same $$ category as they are up in Mass, where we are from, but the cost of living is less expensive.

My theory is....I don't care if I have a million dollars, as long as my kids and I are happy, that is all that matters!

[Floridabound09]

[quote=acsolomon33;2877565]I have always wanted to move to Florida. I hae visited alot and always felt better when I was there. My best friend just moved there today, just up and got on a plane with her baby. I visited the area of Stuart, that is where she going, it is beautiful and sunny and bright.

The jobs that me and my husband would need are right in the same $$ category as they are up in Mass, where we are from, but the cost of living is less expensive.

My theory is....I don't care if I have a million dollars, as long as my kids and I are happy, that is all that matters![/QUOTE]


Excellent theory, if money is the only thing that makes you happy then you are in deep poo to begin with.

If you going to enjoy life might as well be in a sunny paradise.

Florida is the state full of the good life, opportunity and sunshine !

Stuart is beautiful !!

[firemed]

[quote=Floridabound09;2879145]

Originally Posted by acsolomon33

I have always wanted to move to Florida. I hae visited alot and always felt better when I was there. My best friend just moved there today, just up and got on a plane with her baby. I visited the area of Stuart, that is where she going, it is beautiful and sunny and bright.

The jobs that me and my husband would need are right in the same $$ category as they are up in Mass, where we are from, but the cost of living is less expensive.

My theory is....I don't care if I have a million dollars, as long as my kids and I are happy, that is all that matters![/QUOTE]


Excellent theory, if money is the only thing that makes you happy then you are in deep poo to begin with.

If you going to enjoy life might as well be in a sunny paradise.

Florida is the state full of the good life, opportunity and sunshine !

Stuart is beautiful !!

I don't know about that. I have been here all my life and we do get sunshine. But opportunity you have to make.

[ChrisA70]

What are you from? Originally from Massachusetts, moved back to Mass. last fall, now i have just returned to FL yesterday.

Where in Florida are you moving? I just moved back to Cape Coral, FL.

What attracts you to Florida? NO SNOW OR -15 wind chills!!! Sun, warmth, family.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location? I already lived in Cape Coral, I missed it too much.

Did you spend time in that town in person? YEP.

Did you communicate with people who live their personally? My mother and step father live here in the Cape too.

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by Jarndyce

[/list]I found this entire to post to be excellent. Agree with everything in the first part. I rep'd you but the site said I already repd you Huh?

Anyway, just wanted to comment about this part. You've certainly nailed 2 big concerns of mine. Culture and Employment. I like to think of myself as a reader/writer and I'm trying to see if Jax has anything here. Writer events would be cool. I assume Tampa/St Pete and Miami have fairly active writer communities. Miami has a large book fair every year. I could certainly travel to that from Jax or Tampa.

As for Employment...I'm looking at a career change anyway. I can transition into something different in Jax. I think I could commute to UFlorida for a Master's from Jax. Graduate study (part-time basis) is a reality for me. I really like UFlorida..and I'm just weighing the grad school options for Jax/Tampa...

There's a lot of positive things about Florida that interest me. I don't think I will have a large adjustment period. Bugs bug me, I suppose, I haven't found anywhere in Cali that has them. Maybe "Off" spray is sold by the case in Florida

What a sweet post -- thank you Jarndyce ....
We somehow knew you could relate ....
And we sure do appreciate you trying to rep us

Your comment about the bugs was pretty funny ... that is something we forgot on our list of things that we love about california compared to florida --- NO BLOODSUCKING BUGS! We always joked about it saying perhaps it was the smog that didn't allow them to exist ... the humidity is another thing .... believe us .... we love some heat ... but it was nice to be able to store extra things in storage outside without climate control ... no mold / mildew issues that you have with the humidity ....but overall we love where we live .... just need to get out once in a while ... we do have culture and it is changing ... there are actually quite a few artists and communities of artist in our area, both visual and musical ... but we're not sure you can ever have the kind of creative energy that you will find in los angeles .... so you can't really compare or expect to find that same vibration anywhere else .... the employment thing is one of the biggest issues ... it's florida ... but by the same token, as another poster said so well .... you have to make the opportunity .... ok enough rambling on our part ... best of luck in all your endeavors .... and thanks for the kind response!

[SKB]

Originally Posted by CarolS

That is a WONDERFUL story! It fills me with so much hope!! I NEED the sun, it makes me sooo happy.

I too live in my home....all the time. I even have my groceries delivered to me so that I never have to leave the house. I run a small graphic design and scrapbook supply business from our downstairs apartment and people come to me. I also feel like I can never get my scraproom bright enough because there is just not enough natural light, especially in the Winter months.....I can barely get out of bed most days.

I am sooo looking forward to being in the sun again. I used to take anti-depressants but I did not feel like they were making a difference and I am so concerned about the damage medication can do to your body. Since I was diagnosed in September of 2006 with Type II Diabetes I feel I have enough medication to take, don't want to add to it especially since I didn't feel any difference.

Thanks so much for that post, you have no idea how you have just made my day!

TMI