[jake4sally]

Well after years of planning, we finally arrived. The trip was exhausting, but we made it. Here are some highlights, observations of life in FL, smiles and tears!!

1) LEARN FLORIDA TIME: Never really knew this existed, but it does. If you are like us when you say "I'll be there at 10am", your there at 9:45am. Not in FL. They might not even show up that day. Your on Florida time baby. We've been told, "get used to it, it's not gonna change".

2) You have to decide what it is you want!! Just because the "Jones" want to live in a high rise in "whatever town" doesn't mean you'll want that. We're all different.

3) Haven't seen a town except in the panhandle I would raise a child. Florida is much easier without the children to worry about.

4) There is a beach everywhere. If you love H2O, your in lucky. Within the 1st few days we saw dolphins, a hammer head shark, countless beautiful birds and fish I have never seen before.

5) Thoughen up your heart, there is a lot of destitution. We've seen the drug addicts, prostitutes, tons of homeless, over burdened police, and run down neightborhoods.

6) Don't confuse yourself with vacationing in FL and living here. HUGE difference. You'd better be prepared. Thankfully, my husband and I are thrilled. It's all about your expectations.....hope your bubble doesn't get burst.

7) WOW....the beauty. If you love nature, water, wildlife, palm trees etc....you'll be blessed. We thankfully are simply happy with the vegitation, water, wildlife and small town feel of where we live.

8) Floridians are SO friendly...... there are the con artists out there, but if your smart enough to see through it...you'll find the wonderfully helpful and happy Floridians that we have.

9) It's so hard to leave the family and friends behind. Don't worry though, if they ever come to visit, they'll probably stay!!

[Floridabound09]

Thank you for your post.

What town did you move too please?

[jake4sally]

We choose this town because it was on the gulf, many beaches within miles and somewhat of a small town feel.

[Floridabound09]

So you bought in St Pete?

[jake4sally]

No thankfully we did not buy yet. We thought it best to live where we intend to settle for a while 1st. There is such a difference between living and vacationing. The market being what it is also makes it hard to make a good decision right now.

[Floridabound09]

I agree! Renting is a smart move until you know the area.

You might be able to get a great deal once you think that is the place for you.

You sound happy ! That is what counts.

Enjoy the sunshine..

[TheRollingSurf]

I just secured a rental myself in Brooksville. 26 days and counting!.

[gypsychic]

Jake4Sally - welcome to Florida! You are wise to understand the difference between vacationing and living somewhere, and also to rent before you buy. I hope you will continue to post your impressions of Bradenton, I know on the surface it seems like a quaint, sleepy little town, but have read so much on the crime lately! We were interested in possibly relocating there to make my hubby's commute easier, but backed off after all the headlines and crime reports lately. I am really hoping the town can turn around, I know they are trying to redevelop the downtown, and maybe that will help to clean up some of the not-so-nice areas. I love the little Village of the Arts area, that is doing a lot to rejuvenate a very bad part of town.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by TheRollingSurf

I just secured a rental myself in Brooksville. 26 days and counting!.

Brooksville seems to be a cool smaller town from what I've seen (I've noticed I say this a LOT... ). I'll be curious to hear how it is living there....

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by jake4sally

Well after years of planning, we finally arrived. The trip was exhausting, but we made it. Here are some highlights, observations of life in FL, smiles and tears!!

1) LEARN FLORIDA TIME: Never really knew this existed, but it does. If you are like us when you say "I'll be there at 10am", your there at 9:45am. Not in FL. They might not even show up that day. Your on Florida time baby. We've been told, "get used to it, it's not gonna change".

Florida time is like this: 9:00 am really means noon...just add three hours...
2) You have to decide what it is you want!! Just because the "Jones" want to live in a high rise in "whatever town" doesn't mean you'll want that. We're all different.

3) Haven't seen a town except in the panhandle I would raise a child. Florida is much easier without the children to worry about.

4) There is a beach everywhere. If you love H2O, your in lucky. Within the 1st few days we saw dolphins, a hammer head shark, countless beautiful birds and fish I have never seen before.

5) Thoughen up your heart, there is a lot of destitution. We've seen the drug addicts, prostitutes, tons of homeless, over burdened police, and run down neightborhoods.

US 41/14th street has been chosen to be redone due to the drugs & prostitutes...revitalization, they call it....it's working, a bit...they took the crime off the main road and put it on the side streets...lol...just read our police briefs like "news of the weird".

6) Don't confuse yourself with vacationing in FL and living here. HUGE difference. You'd better be prepared. Thankfully, my husband and I are thrilled. It's all about your expectations.....hope your bubble doesn't get burst.

7) WOW....the beauty. If you love nature, water, wildlife, palm trees etc....you'll be blessed. We thankfully are simply happy with the vegitation, water, wildlife and small town feel of where we live.

8) Floridians are SO friendly...... there are the con artists out there, but if your smart enough to see through it...you'll find the wonderfully helpful and happy Floridians that we have.

9) It's so hard to leave the family and friends behind. Don't worry though, if they ever come to visit, they'll probably stay!!

Welcome to Bradenton, stay safe!