[rachaelb]

I moved away from Florida last year, but it took me about 1 -2 months of traveling around checking out different areas of the country to realize that every place kinda has the same benefits in some ways(malls, conveniences, etc) and that every place has its positives and negatives. I was probably one of those 'nay sayers' against Florida, but I realized on my trip that this was mainly due to a very emotional event I had gone through in Florida, that could happen to me anywhere - it wasn't b/c I was in FL!!

On this board, I have started to read comments (in other threads as well) to the fact that "if you aren't happy with yourself, you won't be happy anywhere" and I have come to the realization that this was my issue before I left Florida. I am now somewhere I wouldn't have chosen had I not been so emotional, and doing my best to get BACK to Florida or some other beach!! LOL

The great things I see about Florida are:

* beaches/salt water/sound of the ocean
* laid back lifestyle
* tiki bars, LOL
* surfing
* raising your kids where you can do things in the water almost every day
* small beach towns(where I lived)

Sometimes it takes longer for some of us to 'grow' up, and I know firsthand that is true on my part!!

Have a blessed day - wish I was there!! (but I will be soon!!)

Rachael

[Doctor Octagon]

Originally Posted by rachaelb

I moved away from Florida last year, but it took me about 1 -2 months of traveling around checking out different areas of the country to realize that every place kinda has the same benefits in some ways(malls, conveniences, etc) and that every place has its positives and negatives. I was probably one of those 'nay sayers' against Florida, but I realized on my trip that this was mainly due to a very emotional event I had gone through in Florida, that could happen to me anywhere - it wasn't b/c I was in FL!!

On this board, I have started to read comments (in other threads as well) to the fact that "if you aren't happy with yourself, you won't be happy anywhere" and I have come to the realization that this was my issue before I left Florida. I am now somewhere I wouldn't have chosen had I not been so emotional, and doing my best to get BACK to Florida or some other beach!! LOL

The great things I see about Florida are:

* beaches/salt water/sound of the ocean
* laid back lifestyle
* tiki bars, LOL
* surfing
* raising your kids where you can do things in the water almost every day
* small beach towns(where I lived)

Sometimes it takes longer for some of us to 'grow' up, and I know firsthand that is true on my part!!

Have a blessed day - wish I was there!! (but I will be soon!!)

Rachael

That's awesome and I'm glad you are back and enjoying it. I am curious though, looking at what I have highlighted above, they all involve the beach. How do you feel about jobs, schools, the people, the driving, the cost of living, the quality of life, the summer heat, etc???

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by Doctor Octagon

That's awesome and I'm glad you are back and enjoying it. I am curious though, looking at what I have highlighted above, they all involve the beach. How do you feel about jobs, schools, the people, the driving, the cost of living, the quality of life, the summer heat, etc???

I am sure most people like her have the ducks all lined up so they can enjoy those things.

So far your little of things probably were better in Florida and that is why she and many others move back.

For me, all of your items except for schools ( ours will go to private school in Florida so it is no worry ) are much better in Florida then where I live by a long shot.

People are nicer, driving is about the same, cost of living is much less ( 20-25% for me ) quality of life is so much better and the heat is what people love about Florida. Who wants to be cold?

Give me 85-90 and the beach I am set! Drop me a cooler and a beach chair and things are perfect.

Congrats on moving back rachaelb, your story is nice to share with us.
Your honesty is what makes your post so awesome.

Thanks for sharing!

[KathyA11]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

People are nicer, driving is about the same, cost of living is much less (20-25% for me ) quality of life is so much better and the heat is what people love about Florida. Who wants to be cold?

Not this little cowgirl.

Give me 85-90 and the beach I am set! Drop me a cooler and a beach chair and things are perfect.

I'm happy with a nice back yard, and a big mug of seltzer with ice. And books -- I need my books.

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by KathyA11

I'm happy with a nice back yard, and a big mug of seltzer with ice. And books -- I need my books.

That goes for me to, but a nice ocean breeze and the waves rolling in makes reading so much better.

Kathy, I am sorry I forgot where you moved to recently.

[KathyA11]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

That goes for me to, but a nice ocean breeze and the waves rolling in makes reading so much better.

I figure we can always drive to the beach -- and it will be as close then as the Jersey Shore is now.

Kathy, I am sorry I forgot where you moved to recently.

We haven't moved yet, but we're looking into the Ocala area. We're working with a real estate agent at the moment to find a home that suits our needs.

[airboat5]

steer clear of lake butler man.

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by KathyA11

We haven't moved yet, but we're looking into the Ocala area. We're working with a real estate agent at the moment to find a home that suits our needs.

Sorry, I could not remember your posting that.

There are some great buys in Florida, I mean "steals" in Florida.

Have you looked on Trulia yet?

We have our eyes on 3 properties that are coming up on the hot sheets as soon as they clear the banking people. Once they hit the hotsheet we will be there in a heartbeat. iIf they are going to sell for the price we were tipped off on they would be an absolute deal of the century!

We love Silver Springs!!

[KathyA11]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

Sorry, I could not remember your posting that.

There are some great buys in Florida, I mean "steals" in Florida.

We hope we can find one. We want room (so many of the properties are about a quarter acre, which would be huge in our area of NJ, but we don't want a property where the neighboring houses are right on top of us -- been there, done that, and now we want better), and a newer home, and paved roads are important (so many of the larger lots are on dirt roads -- and there's too much city kid in me to want that).

Have you looked on Trulia yet?

Not yet. I want to narrow our possibles down first.

We have our eyes on 3 properties that are coming up on the hot sheets as soon as they clear the banking people. Once they hit the hotsheet we will be there in a heartbeat. iIf they are going to sell for the price we were tipped off on they would be an absolute deal of the century!

We love Silver Springs!!

I'm not sure, but I don't think any of the properties we're interested in are that far east.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

The Spanish issue really depends on what part of the state you move to. Anything north of the Orlando metro area it should (mostly) be a non-issue. But in some places from Orlando southwards it will be a rude shock if your expecting people to have learned English.