[fore.RB]

Hello All,
I am planning on relocating next summer from California (he's leaving CA???? is he nuts????). Apparantly I am as I am tired of the cost and traffic here. I have, what I used to call a "cheap condo" but even in this market is still 425K, just crazy. I can buy something nice there and pocket cash and retire.

Anyway, to my question. Several years ago I spent the whole summer traveling FL in an RV and loved it. Was it hot? Yes (avg. 88-92) Was it unbareable? No... BUT....I spent the whole time along the coastal areas both west and east, and now am considering a move to the Leesburg or Ocala areas and just wanted to know the weather differences. It seems that it is 5-7 degrees warmer than the coast and just wondered if it was a big consideration.

Housing costs are important, and living on the coast probably means a nice DBL wide and hurricanes and all that implies. Inland means a house.

Your thoughts?

[doggiebus]

I can tell you things inland Florida Orlando, Leesburg, Gainsville, Lake City, Ocala, etc, are cooler in the winter but hotter May through Oct. As far a hurricanes, even inland you should worry, if a cat 5 hits Daytona it can still cab be a cat 3 or 4 in central Florida. Never buy a mobile home in Florida if you can help it. The east coast will be cooler than the west coast most of the time. As the east coast breeze usually wins and so the heat from the ground blows across the state and so the west cost is usually warmer than the east coast. With Central Florida being the warmest area.

[gypsychic]

I live in Lakeland now, almost center of the state, before that Dade City. Dade City was always many degrees cooler than south, say Tampa, so Ocala will be as well.

What I have noticed about the area I live now is that it is about 4 degrees warmer in the day, but several degrees cooler at night than the Gulf coast.

If you can find a hilly area in Ocala with a LOT of trees you will probably find it quite pleasant, but be warned, it will be very humid, and will take some time to get used to after living in California.

[fore.RB]

Thanks both for the advise. It seems the difference north to south does make it some cooler both at night and in the winter which makes sense. I don't think it will be a big transition for me as I am happiest here in Ca. when most are complaining that it's too hot. Most days November thru June it never gets above the 60's.

[TANaples]

Naples seems to be much more humid, and hotter, than when I lived in Gainesville.