[Jammie]

My vote is that you go for it and make the move. At the end of your life you don't want to say, "Well, I made a lot of money, but I wasn't happy 8 months of the year." Like Minier and some others, I totally understand the feeling of being trapped indoors in sub-zero temps and snowstorms for more then half the year. Something else that many people don't consider is the fact that as we age our bodies start hating the cold more and more. We haven't taken the plunge yet because we were waiting for DH to turn 62, but he did that a week ago and in a couple of months we'll be living down in Fla.

[wjjay]

I am also thinking about moving to Florida soon. I would like to know peoples opinion about whether this is a good time to buy a house or would it be better to wait a year or two? Right now me and my fiance live with my parents in long island ny. And there is no way I will rent or buy a place here. I work on ships and can live anywhere in the country. My fiance on the other hand may have trouble finding work. But I'd like opinions on the timeing of buying a first house. Jump in now or wait a year or so?

[irishgal00]

I really am seriously thinking about it, however, I do own a townhouse and you know how the market is right now.

But I agree with the last couple posters stating how the cold affects mental health. I really does. I cannot stand when people who live down south complain how it's hot all the time and they cannot go out either. Hey, at least you folks can go out early in the morning and later on at night as it cools down. For us in the NE, it's COLD 24/7..

I do have a couple friends down in the Orlando area and of course my parents are in the Sarasota area so it's not like I'm going down there without knowing a soul.

[ArkLexee]

For us, it's the humidity but I've been told that the northern states have it too. If you can handle THAT, you'll be fine. Florida humidity is a tad worse than what we have here but you adjust. If you're young enough and have the TIME to adjust that is.

What amazed me about that part of the south was seeing the azalea shrubs growing wild in the woods. We have to plant them here. And the deer were so plentiful that you could see their eyes reflecting the headlights alongside the highways. They were in the process of building a long fence on either side of the interstate we were on and it was obvious how dangerous a situation they could put you in. That must have been at least four years ago....so I don't know how it is now. I just remember holding my breath til we got to Naples because we had not intended on driving after dark. Very scary.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by irishgal00

The things that I am not too keen on in FL is definitely the culture shock. No offense but the people down there are much different than in NE. Also the food isn't that great, again sorry but the Italian restaurants down there don't compare.

Decisions, decisions.

I completely understand about the weather factor. I was fine in NY until the last couple of years and then all of a sudden I became very affected by the weather/lack of light. I moved to Florida and it cleared right up.

But the difference in culture is quite a big difference. If you don't like change, that's going to make it much more difficult.

You can find good food here . It sounds suprising, but it's true . We have good pizza and good italian in Jax. We have a lot of restaurant owners who are here from NY, Chicago, Philly......I guess it can be easier to open up a business in Florida than some of the bigger cities . We also have tons of really good japanese and indian places. Like any move anywhere, you'll have to find your favorite spots, but most decent-sized cities will have some good restaurants.