[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

And you missed my point. Weather can be the only factor for some people. And they will be happy.
Some of us don't need a job.
Some of don't have kids in school.
Some of us don't have to live in a big city
Some of us don't have to be in or around rush hour.

Some of us can consider the move merely due to the weather. Again that is why I stressed on my post. NJ winter? hah, piece of cake.

But if you read what people are asking on this site its not about the weather turn on the news you can get your forecast around the country. I think its a buyer beware kind of thing. You should know all the facts before making such a huge decision. Florida isn't so cheap and there are many other expenses that people don't realize before they come here. Let's be realistic. Once you live here the beaches get old quick. You wish the sun would go behind a cloud now and then and you pray for rain. Florida is mold capital so be aware if you have any allergies don't move here. My bottom line is I couldn't wait to get out but now I can't wait to go home.

[lilred0005]

I am a Florida native so this is "home" to me. Guess what, it doesn't even feel like home to me. I hate Florida at least S.E. Fla and I DO NOT sit at home all day w/ ac cranked. I hate the oppressive heat basically all year now. When I was a kid it did actually get cold, sometimes cold enough to use a fireplace. It even snowed on my birthday Jan. 19, 1976. I know I got the day right but it may have been '77 obviously I can't remember as I was 2 years old! LOL! I really hate the general nasty rude at times hatefull attitude of people down here. Someone could stab you in broad daylight and no one would notice much less care. Last month people were going into Dunkin Doughnut in the morn. and robbing and shooting the patrons. Even shot people in the parking lot. I don't know much but I do know that almost all my college friends moved back home out of state after graduation and these are people from so far up north(upper peninsula MI for example) that you know its got to be bad here. Plus I don't drink and I'm finding it hard to meet others who don't party. Is it like this all over Florida or is it just SE Fla? What is it like in other parts of the state,west coast, central, panhandle? Take care, lilred

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by dmccauley

But if you read what people are asking on this site its not about the weather turn on the news you can get your forecast around the country. I think its a buyer beware kind of thing. You should know all the facts before making such a huge decision. Florida isn't so cheap and there are many other expenses that people don't realize before they come here. Let's be realistic. Once you live here the beaches get old quick. You wish the sun would go behind a cloud now and then and you pray for rain. Florida is mold capital so be aware if you have any allergies don't move here. My bottom line is I couldn't wait to get out but now I can't wait to go home.

since I moved here. I went to dermatologist. She determined it is a contact allergy. I changed my detergents, soaps/body creams, shampoos, etc. It has subsided, but is still on my hands. Wearing long pants and sleeves seemed to help.

The school where I work has a very bad mold problem; the air ducts, countertops, closets, under tables, etc. They cleaned out the AC ducts (were actually told to REPLACE them), but were told all the classrooms had to be completely decontaminated. They were supposed to do this over Christmas break. They didn't. My hands cleared up over break, but it is back now. The are supposed to clean the rooms this weekend. We will see. This has affected my skin, but the teacher in the class is always coughing and so are many of the kids. I guess it affects different people in different ways.

Yep, mold is a big problem.

[TriMT7]

Things to consider before moving to Florida: You will not need your snow tires, and you won't be hearing too many stories like this one each year:

Dozens of Vehicles Collide on Highway

Stephanie Hasenauer was traveling with her son on a bus taking about 30 Boy Scouts on a ski trip. She said the bus came upon an auto accident at about 9 a.m. and stopped.Then, she said, "at least 30 or 40 cars all piled up behind us."

"It was unbelievable. There were cars, buses, 18-wheelers, plow trucks," Hasenauer told CNN. "Most people [in wrecked vehicles] couldn't get out of their doors -- they were climbing out the windows," she said.

Moderator cut: copyright

[Sheepie2000]

Originally Posted by dmccauley

Living in Florida is a totally different life style then living up north.

Isn't that the point? LOL! We've only been in Palm Coast for 4 months, but we love it. My parents live here, but that's only part of the reason we moved here.

Yes, the weather was a big draw for us. It's January and my son and I went for a nice bike ride today and it was 74F. It's not just fact that blue sky and sunshine are pretty, but it's that fact that we can get out and do things, excercise, be active, try to lead healthier lives.

Rude people? I'm amazed how friendly people here are. Whether you're walking, biking or even driving in a neighborhood, it seems like everyone is always smiling and waving.

Race relations? Maybe I'm really out of it, but Palm Coast seems racially diverse and I don't feel racial tension. Our neighborhood, our church, the school, all have people with widely varying ethnic backgrounds and they all seems to interact well and get along.

I think costs have risen everywhere, but moving here has eliminated my commute and reduced my dh's to 2 miles. I love saving on gas. We love the sense of community we get from living and working in the same area.

We have young children, so we're involved in school activities, scouting, and youth group at church. We have already found other activities/hobbies here that fit right in with our interests. And our neighbors are friendly and include eachother in their cookouts.

It seems like people here are always complaining about how awful Florida is and how rude the people are, especially in the South, and then I read that Flagler County is isolated and boring. Well, so far, I think Flagler County is delightful. It's just what we were looking for. We love the weather, we are not bored, and the people here are warm and friendly. I am really sorry that so many people have had just the opposite experience in Florida.

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Things to consider before moving to Florida: You will not need your snow tires, and you won't be hearing too many stories like this one each year:

Dozens of Vehicles Collide on Highway

Stephanie Hasenauer was traveling with her son on a bus taking about 30 Boy Scouts on a ski trip. She said the bus came upon an auto accident at about 9 a.m. and stopped.Then, she said, "at least 30 or 40 cars all piled up behind us."

"It was unbelievable. There were cars, buses, 18-wheelers, plow trucks," Hasenauer told CNN. "Most people [in wrecked vehicles] couldn't get out of their doors -- they were climbing out the windows," she said.
"

As terrible as that story is, there was a massive pileup on I-4. Don't be fooled Florida does have weather problems. It may not be snow but when we do get rain its not a sprinkle. The sky opens up like you have never seen it before. You can't see to drive. I won't even go into hurricanes. The fog as shown in this attachment is treacherous. Smoke, Fog On I-4 Trigger About 50 Wrecks, Kill 4
Don't forget when an accident happens in Florida on a highway they usually shut it down. There are very very few alternative routes. In this case if you had to go from Tampa to Orlando you had to wait until the next day. It was a terrible accident

[DivingPrincessE]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

In fact Florida really isn't that boring, it's just that nobody really wants to do anything. I could find a ton of stuff to do, but when you ask other people to join you they almost always decline. I just started doing things by myself and enjoy Florida for what it is. You can only blame the people who live in Florida for making it boring since nobody wants to do anything, and clubs get old quick.

Exactly!! Hence all the stuff I listed in my thread, there is PLENTY to do in FL http://www.city-data.com/forum/fort-...ng-really.html

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

learn to swim? or stay at home and complain on internet forums all day, hmmmm.
Unfortunately there are many people like you in Florida who make it boring and would rather stay home all alone and do nothing, but to each their own I guess.

Couldn't agree more. FL has to be the BEST place for active people to live.

Originally Posted by lilred0005

Plus I don't drink and I'm finding it hard to meet others who don't party. Is it like this all over Florida or is it just SE Fla? What is it like in other parts of the state,west coast, central, panhandle? Take care, lilred

I don't party either, and don't drink too often. Why don't you get active? Learn to SCUBA dive, then you'll have something to do every weekend and you'll meet TONS of people who dive and have get togethers often. Or pick up another hobby/sport and make friends that way. I've found it extremely easy to make friend in FL who aren't partiers.

[dmccauley]

[quote=DivingPrincessE;6956478]Exactly!! Hence all the stuff I listed in my thread, there is PLENTY to do in FL http://www.city-data.com/forum/fort-...ng-really.html




This thread was not meant to be a discussion on Florida being boring. As stated over and over its suppose to forwarn people that there are things that you may not have considered and to check it out thoroughly before you make the move.

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

learn to swim? or stay at home and complain on internet forums all day, hmmmm.
Unfortunately there are many people like you in Florida who make it boring and would rather stay home all alone and do nothing, but to each their own I guess.

I found this remark quite funny especially coming from someone who has a number of posts. Hmmm practice what you preach. Maybe Tanaples doesn't like to swim in RED TIDE.

[jshenry1963]

Yes, there are a lot of things to consider when moving to FL.
Hurricanes, the extremely high cost of home owners insurance, traffic, etc..... well I was born and raised in Orlando Fl, lived in many places across the country for many years. Spent my high school and college years living in St. Cloud. Where do I still want to call home?
St. Cloud.
Yes, I have been there many times over the years, even recently, visit relatives there, and just vacation there from time to time. I know of the influx of the spanish community, well, so what, so do many of my school age friends.
Yes, it has changed a lot since the 80's, but it sure ain't the crime of NYC, nor the problems with the other areas I have lived in and seen.
If you like your four seasons, then don't go there.
If you find yourself staying in the AC all of the time because it is too hot, then you won't acclimate to the area and will always ***** & complaina bout the heat. Get out and go for a walk in one of the millions of parks, and slowly get use to the heat, and you will end up seeing and enjoying more of what FL has to offer.
For those that say there is nothing to do in FL simply don't see what is around them. If you like sports, there is the magic in town, there is UCF for some very competitive college sporting events, there is.. too much to state. You are within an hours or so drive of several football teams that will fill any sporting fans desires. NASCAR is within an hours drive at one of the best DAYTONA. Lets not even get into the beaches, if you like family type beaches, or nudist beaches, or toursit beaches, or... they are there.
You can find in Orlando, museums, fine arts, ballet, etc. Culture is alive and well in sunny central FL.
Did you know that UCF is one of the largest colleges per attendance offering courses from advanced degrees in Engineering to Teaching to humanities to...
Traffic is tough, but if you plan your day to skip rush hours, then you will be pleasantly surprised that what can take an hour or two to get to can also take 20 minutes. Funny thing is, I find the exact same to be true almost anywhere I have ever lived. So, no difference. Work travel? Leave a few minutes earlier, or see if you can shift your schedule a half an hour later, you will be amazed at how easier it is.
For those that say there isn't enough to do, then you probably haven't found the Webster flea market, nor the myriad of movie theatres, nor the dozens of huge shopping malls, nor the hundreds of things to do in and around Disney that don't cost a dime to go see, nor have you enjoyed the hundreds of the public parks that are within an hours drive.
But I do have to admit, if you like snow skiing, you won't like it in sunny FL. But if you like water skiing or water sports, you won't be able to curtail your joy at the thousands of likes within an hours drive.

Sorry for such a long one, but if you do look, you will find hundreds of things to do. You could do something different every day of the year and not do the same thing twice. Only in how you want to find it.

John