[rachaelb]

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???

Actually, if you look at my post again, I am not quite back there - but working on it.

In terms of the questions, here goes:

jobs -- I telecommute now, so this wasn't an issue as I built my telecommuting job up until I could live anywhere (which was when I left FL). If I worked in construction, or customer service/tourist industries, this would be a HUGE issue -- I have many friends still in FL who are hurting

schools - I am a teacher, but I was in a great school district. My personal experience was one of frustration, but there were also limited resources at the time for my special needs child.

people - some great experiences, some negative, my negatives were mainly due to living in a small town with an ex that had a BIG mouth, lol in a bad way

driving - I lived in a small beach town, but when I taught in the school district, I did have to drive 45 min each way. HOWEVER, I am originally from the DC area, so not a big deal as I was used to that.

the cost of living - I found some prices higher surprisingly on some items that I would think would be cheap(fresh fish), but rent prices tanked right after I left, as did house prices. Insurance on my house as well as taxes were as much as my house payment, but I think that may be offset by the fact that there is no state income tax. Not sure as I am not as aware of this as others may be on the forum.

the quality of life - I lived in a super small beach town that I loved, but there were the regular issues you find anywhere. My biggest concern was the sexual predator issue (see other threads)

the summer heat -- coming from DC where you have Red Alert days b/c of the ozone level and the humidity is SOOOO horrible, FL was a cakewalk to me! One thing I used to hate though -- the rainy season is during the summer when teachers are off! Cruel irony!!

Since this is a positive thread, I tried to remain as focused on the positives as I responded to these questions. I am sure that you will find more information the more you dig.

OH but one really positive aspect of the schooling --

FL is one of a few states where you can "combine" homeschooling w/virtual school or have your child enrolled in school as well as taking additional classes virtually. That was one of the aspects I felt was very positive, as they do offer a lot of flexibility in your schooling options -- many states are "either/or" and you can't pick and choose as you can in FL. I have nothing but great things to say about flvs(the FL virtual school) - my son took classes through them and they have fantastic teachers as well as curriculum!

[Doctor Octagon]

Originally Posted by 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.

Got that right!

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by Doctor Octagon

Got that right!

Yup, I agree, one of many reasons why we are looking at north of the I-4 corridor!

Actually my husband and I spoke to an antique dealer couple today who are selling out their antiques here in Ohio as they do not want to lug them all the way back to Florida, plus pay the huge moving bill, they moved back to Ohio after being in Florida for 25 years, they moved here in August of last year, they sold their house here in Ohio already and are heading back to Leesburg. The lady said she will be glad to be back home. I had to laugh at her and she asked what was so funny so I told her that people here on this board are saying people cannot wait to get out of Florida and you cannot wait to get back to Florida.

Mod Frank, she bought in the Villages I believe! So you will have some new neighbors soon.

We had a long discussion about Florida of course and the pros and cons. I asked her many questions but the one's that we discussed the most of quality of life and Cost of living. Her answer was quality of life is better in Florida, COL is about the same but the advantage they had in Florida was they could make a lot more money with antiques in Florida then they can in Ohio.
Right up my alley!!

[Doctor Octagon]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

Yup, I agree, one of many reasons why we are looking at north of the I-4 corridor!

Actually my husband and I spoke to an antique dealer couple today who are selling out their antiques here in Ohio as they do not want to lug them all the way back to Florida, plus pay the huge moving bill, they moved back to Ohio after being in Florida for 25 years, they moved here in August of last year, they sold their house here in Ohio already and are heading back to Leesburg. The lady said she will be glad to be back home. I had to laugh at her and she asked what was so funny so I told her that people here on this board are saying people cannot wait to get out of Florida and you cannot wait to get back to Florida.

Mod Frank, she bought in the Villages I believe! So you will have some new neighbors soon.

We had a long discussion about Florida of course and the pros and cons. I asked her many questions but the one's that we discussed the most of quality of life and Cost of living. Her answer was quality of life is better in Florida, COL is about the same but the advantage they had in Florida was they could make a lot more money with antiques in Florida then they can in Ohio.
Right up my alley!!

It really just depends on the individual and where in FL they are. North of the I-4 corridor is much more to my liking (overall). S FL I really dont like anymore, with the exception of a few nice places (PBG, Jupiter, the Acreage)...

Orlando and central FL is like congestion city, much like S FL, and I find the people in North FL to be friendlier, more courteous, and more "American" which to me, is kinda important.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Doctor Octagon

It really just depends on the individual and where in FL they are. North of the I-4 corridor is much more to my liking (overall). S FL I really dont like anymore, with the exception of a few nice places (PBG, Jupiter, the Acreage)...

Orlando and central FL is like congestion city, much like S FL, and I find the people in North FL to be friendlier, more courteous, and more "American" which to me, is kinda important.

You can't make a blanket statement like that about central FL, Lakeland-Winter Haven area is beautiful, not really that congested and has a more friendly southern flavor to it, while at the same time showing signs of being a bit more progressive than in the past. It is as American as it gets - in fact, a couple years ago Polk county won a prestigious award - All American County, which was one of only TEN in the whole country. This was based on civic pride and projects among other things. We lived in this area for 2 years and enjoyed it - it is NOTHING like the Orlando area, which I personally despise, and agree with you about that city.

[Doctor Octagon]

Yeah, you're right. Lake County, Sumter, Polk, Highlands, are definitely different than Orlando. When I think of Central FL, I just usually think of Orlando.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

Her answer was quality of life is better in Florida

Poor delusional old people...

I guess if I were old I would think getting out of the snow for sunshine and not having to work and bust my butt looking for that next low paying job would = a better quality of life too...

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Poor delusional old people...

I guess if I were old I would think getting out of the snow for sunshine and not having to work and bust my butt looking for that next low paying job would = a better quality of life too...

I am 60. The LAST place I want to be in the world at my age is in FLORIDA. I don't want to become a joke in my old age. I would rather just blend in somewhere else among the young, middle aged, and old.

Besides, you can always PAY other people to shovel your snow when you can't do it yourself anymore. My former neighbor was a woman in her 70s and was still shoveling her own snow. She never gave one single thought to living anywhere else. She also had a younger attitude than many 40 year olds I now know.

[KathyA11]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Poor delusional old people...

Nice insult there.

I guess if I were old I would think getting out of the snow for sunshine

You don't have to be old to want this, by any means.

I'll be 54 in July, and I don't consider myself old by any means -- but I've had my fill of shoveling, digging out cars, and scraping ice off windshields to go anywhere. I went to Easter Mass in a snowstorm when I was a kid -- in New Jersey, which isn't exactly the frozen north. Enough already.

[KathyA11]

Originally Posted by TANaples

I am 60. The LAST place I want to be in the world at my age is in FLORIDA. I don't want to become a joke in my old age.

You become what you make yourself, you know. If you don't want to be a joke, you don't have to be -- and it doesn't matter where you live.

I would rather just blend in somewhere else among the young, middle aged, and old.

Besides, you can always PAY other people to shovel your snow when you can't do it yourself anymore.

Been there, done that. We spent nearly $600 to have the snow shoveled from our property this winter. I can think of a lot of things I would have rather spent that on.

My former neighbor was a woman in her 70s and was still shoveling her own snow. She never gave one single thought to living anywhere else. She also had a younger attitude than many 40 year olds I now know.

Kudos to her. It's wonderful that she has the physical ability to do so. OTOH, both my husband and I have been told by our doctors that shoveling snow is on the forbidden list because of our back problems (especially for him -- he's had three epidurals, and shoveling snow could destroy the good those procedures brought him).