[schoenberger]

Wow, in reading all of these replies to NY--fl, at least I know I'm not the only one that has found Florida distressing. My husband and I (54 and 63) bought in Naples 5 years ago and spent 5 winters there. This year when we headed back to Ohio we listed the house for sale. Luckily we'll make a bunch of money on it hopefully but we just have had enough of the rude people and hustle and bustle, we live on a farm in Ohio in the summer, what a culture shock. But we haven't lost hope, when the house sells we'll start looking around in Citrus County. I just can't believe that there aren't friendly laid back places in Florida where you can meet other folks and hang out and have fun. Where are all the old hippies in Florida??? They have to be there somewhere!

[tishababy]

Look things are not as bad as they're seeing. I move to Altamonte Springs in 2002, lived there for less then a year my kids and I loved it. My hubby decided that we move back to NY and it didn't feel the same. I didn't want no longer live in NY so we move to philly for worse. and now we are saving money and posting my resume so we could move back to FL. relax and try to enjoy what is infront of you.
GOOD LUCK

[rootseye]

We moved here in 1990 from Colorado. All we want to do is go home... back out West!! In general,We find folks out west much more pleasant to be around. To hot,humid,overcrowded for our tastes. Personally I would take living 5 miles outside Chaco Canyon any day over this place. Everyones tastes are different lots of our friends love it here. Just not for us, and when you love New Mexican Green chillie....Its hard to go to sleep some nights here dreamin bout green chillie.

[cdrako]

Moved from Jersey 4 years ago and don't care to ever go back north. I absolutely love it here!!

Cindy

[CURT]

Originally Posted by ny2fl2nc

Is it just me? I moved my family from NY to Florida and have a bad feeling in my stomach. I feel as if I went on vacation and now it's time to go home, and you can't. Florida is a great state with lots to offer, but it just isn't for everyone. If anyone else feels like this please, your comments would be welcome. In case yor wondering, we moved to Wellington, FL.
ps.-we are considering North Carolina

i moved to fl from nj. after a few years i was missing it. believe that? missing nj.. i started taking vacation to nj in july and relaized it was just home sickness and i was missing seeing friends, relatives, etc. anyway, visiting once a year got rid of my ill feelings for here that i was getting.

[Alaska-Florida]

I worry about how I'll like living in FL as well. The last thing I want to do is move to the opposite side of America and find I don't like it. However, I believe where you are/will be comfortable has a lot to do with your personal ideals (as another poster mentioned). I think that for people used to very defined 4 seasons it may take more getting used to. I've heard the 'permanent vacation feeling' comment several times. If you like more defined seasons, you may want to consider Northern Florida. Just a suggestion as I know the climate change during the spring and winter is a bit cooler and crisper.

Being raised in Hawaii, I look forward to the heat, humidity (beats utter cold and dryness which have been horrible for my hair and skin). I know it can be rough during its peak, but I would sure rather have that than bellow 0 and freezing temps. I'm sure there are more neutral climates, however, I love the tropics and miss the beaches and swimming.

[Summerbreeze]

In a lot of places they are just building soooo much that they are plowing down everything, and all the beautiful floiage, and it is all just sub-divisions. I have a pool and that makes it nice, but if I look out off my patio, it could be anywhere USA! That bugs me. That's the most thing I complain about..... Also they are very rigid down here...meaning the laws. And they enforce them. I'm talking traffic, working license's and all that. ....I don't know...it is beautiful, but like I said, mostly just close to the water. I live about 4 miles in, and that's not far, but it isn't like near the shore. ........I like the outside pubs with the music, and all that, but I guess it could get to ya after a while.[/quote]

[Jammie]

"I just can't believe that there aren't friendly laid back places in Florida where you can meet other folks and hang out and have fun. Where are all the old hippies in Florida??? They have to be there somewhere!"

We're all still working up North, but are on our way down there soon. LOL

[pianogal]

I think I understand how you feel. When I first moved to Florida 22 years ago. I HATED it. When the calendar said October, I wanted to wear sweaters! I despised putting up my Christmas decorations in shorts and a tank top. What happened to coats, scarves and hot chocolate.

However, as soon as I changed my wardrobe, quit looking at the calendar and got involved with church and community - I found that I was loving that I could enjoy being outside in January, February and March while the rest of the country was freezing. In the hot summer, I stay inside under the fan, or better yet....get in the water! A pool is the BEST.

Now, although I miss my family, I have friends here that are as close as family to me. The hurricanes haven't really bothered me. Charley made us get a new roof, but then we were going to need a new one in a few years anyway. A hail storm back in 1992 paid for our first new roof. We live inland so we don't have to worry as much about the storms as our coastal neighbors - I have to say I would not be as comfortable living on the beach.

I hope you find the place you're happy.

[pianogal]

I grew up in SC and most of my family still lives there. It is true that you have to pay taxes on your vehicles. Also you have state income tax and pay taxes on food and drugs (we don't have state income tax or taxes on food or prescription drugs here in Florida.)

However, that is more than made up for in the lower cost of living and lower property taxes we have here in Florida. For example, our property tax is about 2%. Our neighbors just paid $550,000 for their home, their property taxes based on the county property appraisal of $460,000, is $9K a year. Their home is very similar to one we looked at in the Greenville area of SC. That home was on a larger lot and cost $364,000 with property taxes of $3K per year. Think of the differences in home cost and property taxes - for the same size/quality home!

Also utilities are MUCH higher here than in the areas of SC where my family lives. My sister's home is huge and she runs 3 air units in the summer - plus runs a pump for a 25x40 pool. Her HIGHEST electric bill has been $225.00. My home is 3200 square feet and I run 2 units. My home is much newer with all the latest energy effiecient appliances and 3 feet of insulation in the attic and my pool is only 15x32 - BUT my electric bill runs from a LOW of $250.00 to a high of $450.00. There's much more, she has 3 kids, I have one, she does a ton of laundry every day, I do 4-5 loads a week, etc.

I won't even start with the differences in the water bill. Our runs from $90.00 to $120.00 a month. Theirs runs around $90.00 a QUARTER!!

However, and this is a biggie....the job opportunities just aren't there like they are here....and even if you can find a job in your field, they don't pay like the ones here in Orlando. At least that has been our experience - I'm sure there are exceptions.

There are times I think I would love to move back and enjoy the seasonal weather, cheaper living expenses, etc. but then when I look at the pay scales I realize it's all relative.