[ExNooYawk]

The most consistent reason given for Florida not being a good place to live is the weather. I get that, given that we lived in the Bahamas for almost four years. There were times I'd have given anything for an Alberta Clipper, a fireplace and a hot cuppa cocoa.
However, upon reading forums from some other states, weather is frequently discussed as a reason to move there/leave there (except for California).
Most states have a period where the weather is just plain uncomfortable. That's why I want two homes. No money for 'em, but that's my dream.

[patron305]

I was born and raised in FL. I've also have the chance to visit many other states year around and I must say,there is NOTHING quite like living in Florida great night life good schools and the beaches! Great spots to go to on vacation and spring break.Fantastic weather year round. If you take notice ounce people get some money they dont move to NYC or LA they come to Florida and it's for a reason

[clammy ear]

The first time I visited Florida, I knew I wanted to live here. I grew up in the DC area, which is a great place for jobs that pay well, but the cost of living is insanely high, it gets cold, and the traffic and people are horrendous. Just because a place has jobs does not mean it is worth living in. Florida may not have the best, most robust economy, but having seen what happens to a place when it booms, I consider that a good thing. I honestly would rather live in poverty in FL than live the most luxurious life anywhere else. I love Panama City and consider it my home. It's not perfect, but no place is....although it's about as close as you can get, IMO. I can't imagine not liking Florida, but I have a friend back in VA who absolutely hates it, so I guess it's just not for some people. That's good though, because somebody's gotta live in the other 49 states!

[tercel95]

Originally Posted by clammy ear

The first time I visited Florida, I knew I wanted to live here. I grew up in the DC area, which is a great place for jobs that pay well, but the cost of living is insanely high, it gets cold, and the traffic and people are horrendous. Just because a place has jobs does not mean it is worth living in. Florida may not have the best, most robust economy, but having seen what happens to a place when it booms, I consider that a good thing. I honestly would rather live in poverty in FL than live the most luxurious life anywhere else. I love Panama City and consider it my home. It's not perfect, but no place is....although it's about as close as you can get, IMO. I can't imagine not liking Florida, but I have a friend back in VA who absolutely hates it, so I guess it's just not for some people. That's good though, because somebody's gotta live in the other 49 states!

I'm with you born and raised DC/Metro area, moved to Jacksonville 6 months ago and absolutely love it... There is nowhere in the entire state of MD that I feel is worth the money...

[harrymiafl]

Originally Posted by Rwarky

Native Floridians and Transplants, do you consider Florida a good or great place for a vacation or to visit, yet a bad place to live year-round?

FL is the greatest place in USA ( & probably in the World ) for vacations & leisure,
a bad place to live & work for people without degrees,
a moderately good place for persons with Master & PhD degrees who are willing to trade higher income for unbeatable weather...

Of course it is THE place for retirees on fixed income...

[clammy ear]

Originally Posted by tercel95

I'm with you born and raised DC/Metro area, moved to Jacksonville 6 months ago and absolutely love it... There is nowhere in the entire state of MD that I feel is worth the money...

Haha yeah, MD is a cesspool. I was born and raised in Northen VA, which as you probably know, is very different than MD, but the whole area has changed drastically, and NOT for the better. I always thought I'd like to live in Jax, but we ended up in Panama City, which is beautiful. Have you been to Fernandina Beah/Amelia Island yet? We stopped there when we were moving down, and the beaches are gorgeous! I met some locals and apparently you can see the Space Shuttle launch from there...it was supposed to launch that day, but they scrubbed it due to weather, which sucked. I want to take a trip down the Atlantic coast on A1A, I did it years ago from Jax to Ormond Beach, and it's just so beautiful, it's amazing! If I didn't live on the Panhandle, I'd totally wanna live in Jax. Nice place, and I'm always happy to hear people like living there!

[TANaples]

I spend my entire life in Florida trying to AVOID the sun (Summer SAD) and the heat (heat hives). Maybe this is paradise for many people, but it is an absolute nightmare for me and it is 12 months a year, unlike those who have problems with the darkness and cold. This is no way to live. Having enough money makes no difference at all.

[**NoodLes**]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Having enough money makes no difference at all.

I beg to differ, money can make a huge impact whether or not you enjoy a place, just like the weather. Money is probably the most important factor besides family for me. If you can't afford to do things in the city, than what's the point of living there. Money definitely makes me happy

[clammy ear]

Originally Posted by TANaples

I spend my entire life in Florida trying to AVOID the sun (Summer SAD) and the heat (heat hives). Maybe this is paradise for many people, but it is an absolute nightmare for me and it is 12 months a year, unlike those who have problems with the darkness and cold. This is no way to live. Having enough money makes no difference at all.

Wow...I can't even imagine not loving the sun and not spending every possible second in it. I've never even heard of summer SAD, not that I doubt that it exists, but....wow. It's just incomprehensible to me! I'm sorry that you don't like FL, have you thought about moving if it's that bad for you here?

As for the money thing, I'd happily live in poverty in FL over living in the lap of luxury in, say, Minnesota or some other frigid wasteland. I lived well in VA and it didn't make the cold any more bearable to me, even though I was born and raised there, but I am a sun worshipper extrordinaire. I spent so much more money in VA than I ever even think of here in FL, simply because I spend so much of my time outside, and it's not cold and I'm not buying things to alleviate my depression like I did in VA, so yeah, it's nice to have money but I would take happiness any day over money. We almost moved to Ohio, my husband would have taken a HUGE pay raise and advanced his career, but it was so horrid that we took a huge pay cut to come to FL because being happy was more important to us than having money. And we don't regret it for one second! Because money cannot buy happiness....

[tercel95]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

I beg to differ, money can make a huge impact whether or not you enjoy a place, just like the weather. Money is probably the most important factor besides family for me. If you can't afford to do things in the city, than what's the point of living there. Money definitely makes me happy

I agree, money and cost of living is why I moved out of MD... There are just no affordable places in the entire state of MD... Every last penny of mine was going to my crappy 600 sq/ft 1 bedroom apartment that was $1100/month...

Moving to FL has completely changed my life for the better...