[expatCA]

Originally Posted by CindyRoos

They believe you will eventually miss Snow? LOLOLOLOL

I'm in Wisconsin and once I get out of here----the only snow I want to see is on a post card LOLOLOL

It's true that if everyone liked the same place it would be wayyyyy to crowded so "to each his own" I say

Well in FL you may not see snow but you will still see ice. In your drink and the refrigerator.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Well in FL you may not see snow but you will still see ice. In your drink and the refrigerator.

Exactly!!

and I won't have to see road salt anymore either....... Just salt on the rim of my margarita glass

[lluvia]

Originally Posted by CindyRoos

Exactly!!

and I won't have to see road salt anymore either....... Just salt on the rim of my margarita glass

That is if you can see anything with the sweat dripping in your eyes while you are swatting the mosquitos.
Sorry, just a little reality check.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by lluvia

That is if you can see anything with the sweat dripping in your eyes while you are swatting the mosquitos.
Sorry, just a little reality check.

I hear you but since I live in Wisconsin and it gets Very Humid and Hot in the summer--I can deal with it

[theurbanfiles]

I do wonder how much the current trend of warming temperatures will affect what places people consider ideal, weather-wise. Consider this (average temps historically vs. this year)
October November April
Cleveland: (62/68) (51/60) (59/61)

Bradenton: (84/89) (78/83) (81/83)

Obviously, it won't necessarily always be that warm in Florida, or Ohio, necessarily. But, it isn't just a one year trend that weather in these fringe months (which are somewhat close calls anyway) are moving more towards northern cities than in years past, for those who crave the ideal of a Mediterranean (55-81 range) climate as ideal (as evidenced by where people set their A/C, and the way the weather in places like Southern California and the French Riviera is thought of). Of course, for those who move down, and either don't realize how hot it is, or have noticed an increase in heat overtime, the idea of being a "Half-Back" is quite popular, also:
More Retirees Find the Mid-South an Alternative to Florida - The New York Times

[Travelassie]

Originally Posted by lluvia

That is if you can see anything with the sweat dripping in your eyes while you are swatting the mosquitos.
Sorry, just a little reality check.

Well, here's the reality. I've been in Florida for almost 41 yrs, and have spent very little of that time dripping sweat into my eyes, or swatting mosquitos. Can't honestly say that never happens, but it's nothing unique to Florida.

[a person]

Originally Posted by soursop

This is where most people want to be.

That's one of the main reasons I'm getting out.

[popcorn247]

I moved from the Midwest to south Florida in 1973. I was beginning my career after graduating from college. I worked at a non profit company for 40+ years. This was in Miami Dade County. Through the years, I became more sensitive to the relentless heat and humidity. High COL was a factor - especially insurance costs. In recent years, my homeowners insurance was over $4,000.00. My automobile insurance (the last few years in Florida) was $2,000.00 annually - no tickets or accidents or claims of any kind. As a single person, I felt like I was trapped down here. I hated it. I felt like I was living in a foreign country. Crime, omg, so bad. My house was broken into 3 times with 5 other times attempted break-ins, but thwarted when the alarm came on. I'm an outdoors person, loved hiking, etc. and found it difficult to find others who shared my interests. I had 1/2 acre lot and planted it heavily. The upkeep on it was overwhelming. So, I moved back to Indiana this past fall. COL is so much lower here! Even food is cheaper - a lot cheaper! I pay $625.00/year homeowners' insurance and $465.00 per year for automobile insurance - State Farm. People are so friendly here and I have found others who share my interests and have developed some friendships. There is so much to do here - so many parks, history events, festivals, etc. Driving is a pleasure once again. I had developed anxiety over driving anywhere in south Florida due to the rude, aggressive drivers there. Ahhhh, now I can relax. People here are polite, friendly, like to chat and are considerate. It is a totally different world outside of south Florida. Florida is not for everyone. I hope that those folks who are planning to move to Florida can find their happiness and love it.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

I moved from the Midwest to south Florida in 1973. I was beginning my career after graduating from college. I worked at a non profit company for 40+ years. This was in Miami Dade County. Through the years, I became more sensitive to the relentless heat and humidity. High COL was a factor - especially insurance costs. In recent years, my homeowners insurance was over $4,000.00. My automobile insurance (the last few years in Florida) was $2,000.00 annually - no tickets or accidents or claims of any kind. As a single person, I felt like I was trapped down here. I hated it. I felt like I was living in a foreign country. Crime, omg, so bad. My house was broken into 3 times with 5 other times attempted break-ins, but thwarted when the alarm came on. I'm an outdoors person, loved hiking, etc. and found it difficult to find others who shared my interests. I had 1/2 acre lot and planted it heavily. The upkeep on it was overwhelming. So, I moved back to Indiana this past fall. COL is so much lower here! Even food is cheaper - a lot cheaper! I pay $625.00/year homeowners' insurance and $465.00 per year for automobile insurance - State Farm. People are so friendly here and I have found others who share my interests and have developed some friendships. There is so much to do here - so many parks, history events, festivals, etc. Driving is a pleasure once again. I had developed anxiety over driving anywhere in south Florida due to the rude, aggressive drivers there. Ahhhh, now I can relax. People here are polite, friendly, like to chat and are considerate. It is a totally different world outside of south Florida. Florida is not for everyone. I hope that those folks who are planning to move to Florida can find their happiness and love it.

Great detailed, thought out post.
Best of luck to you!

[davephan]

But now, you have to suffer with long winters, snow and cold. Maybe you like winters. Most people in Minnesota don't like winters. Most people simply resign to the fact that they have to put up with winters. A tiny fraction of the population actually like winters in Minnesota.

I agree with you that the drivers in the Miami area are reckless. The drivers are drastically better in SW Florida. To me, Florida isn't the place for me while I'm still working, because the wages are way too low. The snowbelt is an area to make more money, so save more money for retirement. Then you're retirement income stream can be about the same as it was during the working years.

It sounds like you lived in a bad area to be victimized so many times. Maybe the area you lived in was all you could afford due to your career choice and working for the non-profit. I agree with you that auto and home insurance is much higher than the Midwest. But the Florida state income tax is zero, which is huge if you have a large retirement income stream and a lot of money in pretax retirement accounts that needs to be pulled out and taxed. I didn't find food prices to be much different than Minnesota. In Hawaii, $100 will buy you only 2/3rd of one paper bag of groceries, plus you have to pay for the bag!

It sounds like life is much better for you in Indiana, so moving to Indiana was the right move for you!