[irishgal00]

Hello,

I am currently a single woman who is dying a slow death living in the Northeast. I have a good paying job, a place to live, and family/friends here, the only problem is I HATE, I mean HATE the cold weather!
My parents live in FL for the winter and love it. I always go to visit them every year and wish I could stay permanently as I love being outside in the warm.
I've been reading this board for quite some time now and still don't know whether I should take the plunge and just move down to FL. I would be giving up a good job although I don't think it would be impossible to get another one down there as I am in IT.

I am afraid that I will make the move and then regret it. I KNOW for sure I will be retiring down there but not sure when?

Any advise from the Yankees who have made the plunge? Good idea or no?

Thank you!!

[luvthatmouse]

Make sure you have a job before you come down. DH and I were both in IT and have been looking for good, full time jobs for 3 and 1/2 years. He is doing contract work and I do programming work for a freind in NJ (thank god she sends stuff.) In this ecconomy I would never give up a good job. DH regrets he gave up his to move here. Go on a cruise or a vacation someplace warm with the good $$$$ you make up there.

[Oobie119]

We moved from Chicago for the same reasons. However, I busted my butt to find my husband and myself jobs before we moved. We just didnt want to take the chance. It took alot of online looking, non stop, phone calls to potential employers and even a few flights down to investigate, not to mention flights for interviews. It was a huge challenge, took about 6 months.. but I was persistant and very determined. We are in our early 30's if it matters. Also we are still renting (been here 2 years) so we can get to know the areas before buying, still learning too! I would never go back to that cold weather. The jobs don't pay as much here, so you have to be ready to accept that. Work out your finances beforehand so you don't end up in trouble..My sister and her husband took the plunge after we did also...

[flburgos]

i've been wanting to move for about 6mths now and i'm having a hard time pulling the trigger.if it was just my wife and i not a problem but with children it's a tougher move.i figure we save more money and just be patient and go with the flow.

[jenrein]

I am from NY- lived there all of my 30 years until last July. I move my family - 3 kids and my husband down here because I too fell in love every time I came here. I wanted to make the move for about 5 years before actually doing it. In my case I was worried most about the kids and decided if they needed to change schools I wanted to do it sooner than later. I can tell you I have loved everyday of being here. Even if something crappy is going on with work or kids being crazy when I walk outside and the sun hits me it always makes me smile. I know there is a lot of negativity on this board but it is what you make it- everywhere has something negative otherwise there would be one very overpopulated state!

[sunrico90]

In regards to negativity: everyone has experienced the good and bad of the state. Many are glad of their decisions and some are not, you will get a decision based on their outcome.

Advise for all, YOU and only YOU can make a decision on your relocation, selling a house or taking a vacation, so always evaluate what you are reading. We have experienced some members that will push the envelop both ways.

If you are moving to Florida you need to have a job, you need to visit the locale and get a feel for it, contact the schools, contact the police department, and get information that you can validate. If you take the time to research and plan your move, everything should work for you. If you decide to relocate without the above chances are that you will have a bit of difficulty adjusting and surviving in the area. BTW, this applies to all the states.


Just clarifying a few points.. back to the OP..

[daniellefort]

Your going to miss your family and friends and when your parents are not here, you're really going to miss them even more. I moved from my family in NH and it's taken me 14 years but i can't stand it anymore so i'm moving back this summer. Good paying jobs ARE hard to find and there's so many people looking for it besides you. I'd stay stick it out and just use your vacation time at work to come down here in the winter time to get away.

[ArkLexee]

My daughter has lived in Naples for 15 years. She has a very good paying job but she says...she makes 96,000 a year and spends 100,000. She's single with no kids and she's looking for a job here in Hot Springs so she can move back. Which makes me VERY HAPPY! I loved visiting florida, especially Sanibel and Key Largo and the Everglades...but I wouldn't want to live there....


GOOD LUCK!!

[nanwalt3]

You are single so no kids or husband/wife to worry about, so figure out your finances and make an educated evaluation of what you can make in Fl., even if you cut your current salary in half. Then decide if you can live on that and be happy.
I made the move in 1990 from the Chicago burbs and have never regretted the trade off of the weather vs. the economics. I love seeing the sun at least 10 to 11 months of the year, no snow to shovel. (You know that frozen snow that crunches under your feet in the evening when its frozen.)
If you hate the cold then make a change for YOU, whether its FL. or anywhere, you can always move back if you want.

Originally Posted by irishgal00

Hello,

I am currently a single woman who is dying a slow death living in the Northeast. I have a good paying job, a place to live, and family/friends here, the only problem is I HATE, I mean HATE the cold weather!
My parents live in FL for the winter and love it. I always go to visit them every year and wish I could stay permanently as I love being outside in the warm.
I've been reading this board for quite some time now and still don't know whether I should take the plunge and just move down to FL. I would be giving up a good job although I don't think it would be impossible to get another one down there as I am in IT.

I am afraid that I will make the move and then regret it. I KNOW for sure I will be retiring down there but not sure when?

Any advise from the Yankees who have made the plunge? Good idea or no?

Thank you!!

[Denise in Fla]

I am from CT and moved here 5 years ago, like you because of the weather. I still have family back there and I do miss them, but try to see each other as often as I can. Be prepared for a big cut in pay in the job market here, and I have no regrets moving here. Good luck in your decision!