[CJFlorida]

Originally Posted by AROMERO624

The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.

For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.

1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida?

My family and I moved from Queens, NY to Homestead , Florida. We were in Florida for 8 months.



2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?

My husband had always wanted to move to Florida because he two brothers moved there from NY. They both have nice houses and in NY we were not able to afford a house of our own.

My husband's company offered him a job for the Miami Performing Arts Center. He took the job and we moved bought a townhouse.



3. What make you pick the area you moved?
The prices of the houses.

4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?

I was never comfortable there was always something missing. Yes I did have a nice townhouse but I didn't feel right in Florida. On the news all I heard was people getting shot and killed by guns and dying in traffic accidents. Even before I moved to Florida I knew two friends who had lost loved ones due to car accidents. At a school I was working as a paraprofessional I met two children who lost a parent to traffic accidents.

5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?

I wouldn't do it over again. My husband was laid off after 6 months of employment in Florida. He was laid off with no other option than to go on unemployment.

6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
In my position I was worse off in Florida. The only source of income was my husband's when he was laid off, I had to come back to NY and get my old job back. The fruits and vegetable was so expensive compared to NY prices. I was in shock cause I thought it would be cheaper....

7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?

No definitely NOT!!! I had to leave my husband and kids for 3 months so I could get my old job back and make the mortgage payments. My family finally joined me after the kids finished school. We had to live with my mother for sometime.

I did work for 2 months as a paraprofessional at an elementary school where I was getting paid $6 an hr. The pay was not worth the aggravation of dealing with kids with behavior problem which I have no experience dealing with.

Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.

Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.

If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be?

I would advise anyone considering a move to Florida to consider one thing, are they interested in Florida type activities?

For example, our family and circle of friends are into the following: outdoor exercise, tennis, golf, beach walks, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating. We all are exercise people and don't mind sweating in the summer.

For us, the ability to do these activities year round overwhelm any of the negatives, economically or otherwise.

But someone who is not into any of that stuff? They would really have to examine why a move to Florida would make sense.

If the only reason in their mind is to avoid the cold, yet they are not into Florida activities, I think it would grow old very quickly for them.

[Alphaman]

1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida

Bristol Rhode Island 20+ years

2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?

Was 14 came down with mom

3. What make you pick the area you moved?

My mom pick the area for a job there was nothing in Rhode Island.

4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?

Soon as I got off the plane.

5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?

I am happy here I would do it over again.

6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?

Better Rhode Island was terrible cold, boring and no work.

7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?

Depends on the person.

[St Starseed]

1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida

I spent most of my life, including my childhood, in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. I've lived in Florida for 34 months but am leaving in a few days for professional reasons.

2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?

An amazing, once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity. On the same note, I likely would have moved here at some point in my life anyway, having grown up in the gray winters of Michigan and spending so much time listening to people complain about the cold. I mean, people in airports going to Orlando, Tampa and Miami seem so happy.

3. What make you pick the area you moved?

I picked St. Petersburg because I wanted the shortest possible commute. It was 12 minutes, door-to-door, likely the best I'll ever have in my life. I hate driving and I hate traffic. A lot of people in their 20s (as I am) choose to live in Tampa because it appears hipper, and it is. A bit.

4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?

I drove down to Tampa Bay from Raleigh, NC for a weekend to find a good, livable apartment. The first time I stepped from my car to get fuel in Daytona...I knew everything was going to be great. The sun and sea breeze practically kissed me.

As for actually settling...well, I jumped pretty hard into my new job and spent a lot of time working, which made the transition pretty easy...plus, I had just lived in Raleigh for about 13 months, which I still consider the most boring part of my life.

For me, the warmth of this state resulted in almost-instant comfort. The climate's like a blanket; palm trees in the parking lot of the grocery store signify that you're somewhere people dream about. There's no worrying about snowstorms, ice, frostbite. Everything appears cleaner, having not been worn down from salt, slush, and cold. The abundance of lakes creates tranquility. I relaxed a lot more.

To that end, I think it's difficult to be 100% comfortable in Florida. There's such an abundance of people here from other places...you'll meet some good ones, and you'll meet ones who talk about "home" all the time and how Florida's lame. No matter what, a lot of people who live here have things going on in other states...whether they're family issues, friendships, even sports teams, which makes it difficult to foster a sense of community.

This difficulty manifests itself in a kind of selfishness that pervades Florida (well, Tampa Bay anyway...can't speak for the rest of the state!). Everyone moved here for their reasons, and they're here to fulfill those reasons...or, equally often, get away from other parts of their past. I found it difficult to create sustainable relationships because people didn't have your well-being on their mind...they had theirs. Hope this makes sense.

5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?

Loaded question. I'm glad I moved, because I was able to experience this state and all it has to offer, and my work was amazing and very fulfilling. As is pretty obvious, I love the weather. (Yes, the heat can be difficult, but I'll take 95 degrees with humidity and a perfectly blue sky over 20 degrees with a hellish windchill and permagray skies. To each their own...there's no right answer to the weather question.)

I'm extremely happy with St. Pete/Tampa. It has all the amenities of modern life (including a great airport), sweet beaches (did I mention the weather), is a nice drive from Orlando, and doesn't have the closed-in feel of larger cities. Indeed, that's one thing I really appreciate about St. Pete...it feels very open, very liberating. Roads are wide, freeways aren't crowded, restaurants never have waits.

While I'm talking about the merits of St. Pete, I'd like to put in a motion to dispel the myth of "old people" running around here like the zombies in 28 Days Later. Wikipedia says only 17.4% of the population is 65+, and while the number is probably just as high or slightly higher in the nearby cities of Clearwater, New Port Richey and Bradenton, you'll find boatloads of people who are young, good-looking (Target is good for this) and full of life. (This is not where America comes to die. The city where I grew up--Warren, MI--sports a 17.3% of people 65+, and I'd bet that's actually low. A lot of people in metro Detroit are veterans of the auto industry who've never left and are living out their retirement near their children and grandchildren.)

While we're at it...I'd like to challenge the notion that drivers here are universally bad. I've found the opposite; drivers here are spectacularly better behind the wheel than my native Michiganders. When the snow fell in DC and NC, it wasn't even a game.

6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?

Raleigh was dull. If you want to be the quintessential American family, go there. St. Pete was a nice change. If you take out the weather factor, I'd give my previous home--Washington, DC--the nod, thanks to its public transportation, beautiful people, intellectual verve and historical atmosphere.

Florida has no history. That's not entirely true--it does. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders staying on the porch of what is now the fixture of the University of Tampa. Land speculation. St. Augustine and its "first city" characteristics. But due to the transient nature of the population, Florida's yet to develop a real culture beyond its sun and sand (and Disney) vibe. If you're okay with that (does Wyoming have a history?), not having the sense that you're somewhere that mattered at some point in history, then you're all good.

As for "life," it's (like everyone's been saying in the forum) what you make of it. My life's better--I have more friends, I've gained valuable work experience and professional contacts, and I've had some great times. But who's to say those same things wouldn't have happened in Seattle? Kansas City? San Diego? Some tiny town in western Pennsylvania?

I might not say the same thing if a hurricane had hit Tampa Bay. The media tend to blow these storms into disasters of gigantic proportions, but I don't believe there's a place you can live that's truly safe from nature. Snowstorms, tornados, earthquakes, mudslides, fires, floods: each is somewhere. The threat of a hurricane, at minimum, gives you something to talk about with family members up north.

Last myth I want to take a shot at dispelling: Insects. There are critters here. The central and lower part of the state is some form of swamp. But I personally cannot recall being bitten by a mosquito ever since I moved here. (The small lizard that moved in with us is a different story.) I recall a relative, upon telling him I was moving here, saying I'll regret it because of the insects. They've been a nonissue.

7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?

My 27-year-old best friend who's a lawyer in New York and thinks Disney smacks of all that is horrible about America would hate it here. My friend who couldn't stand the cold in Cleveland and wanted to wear shorts every day loves it here.

Like moving anywhere, you have to consider a number of factors, particularly strength of economy, housing, and schools. [By the way...I've lived in apartments for all my time down here. My wife and I did, however, consider buying a house. We found a great brand new 2/bed-2/bath townhome in Brandon for $210,000 near shopping, good schools, expressway, etc. The same kind of townhome, in a non-notable suburb of Detroit, cost, at the time, $250,000. Property taxes and insurance are downright insane here, but I think the idea that houses in Florida are unaffordable has been blown out of proportion thanks to the few places in the state (Naples, Palm Beach, Sarasota) where prices are truly wacky. We didn't buy the house, by the way, because we got cold feet.]

I can't answer the question; only you know if it's right for you. Good luck.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida

I moved here from Texas and I have been here now for 6 years.

2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?

I was offered a job here and I wanted to get away from my family in the worst way. It was the best decision I had made in a LONG time.

3. What make you pick the area you moved?
Again, the job offer was here, I had an old friend who lived here, she had an idea for a job, I applied and got it. I had visited here just before moving and loved it.

4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
Probably about 6 months. I think it took that long because we lived in an apartment when we first moved. It was when we moved into our own house that I felt better about it.

5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
Absolutely. My daughter and I have gone to the beach alot (New Smyrna and Ponce Inlet) and have enjoyed International drive as well as Disney. She was the perfect age for it at the time. I do think in the future I might consider living on the West coast of Florida, posibly as far south as Fort Myers but that remains to be seen.

6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
My life is SO much better it can't even compare. My family had a lot of impact on my life when I lived in Texas. Frankly I was a nervous wreck when I lived there. I also hated the weather there, even with the hurricanes I much prefer the weather here.

7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
I don't believe any one place suits everyone. It would depend on their preferences for weather and of course the amount of money they would have to invest in a home AND what field they work in.

[sunrico90]

Very difficult to answer, but the forum members are providing superb advise is up to you:

I don't believe any one place suits everyone,

I can't answer the question; only you know if it's right for you.

Depends on the person.

These are truly honest opinions that everyone relocating to Florida should consider. Always do your research and base your opinion on real facts. Again Florida is not for everyone, YOU must decide and live with your decision good or bad.

Best of luck.

[nene39]

Originally Posted by JB77

This is a great thread! I'm moving to NE FL here in a few weeks, and though I've visited and know I will like it, it's always nice to read about experiences others have had.
I've moved around the country (and Europe) most of my life, so I'm used to the stresses that are inherent to picking up your life and moving it somewhere else, and I've come to realize that it really is all about your attitude. Life is what you make it (as the saying goes).

Keep the responses coming!

MOD deleted
Like I said, Palm Coast hasn't had a hurricane landfall here for more than 130 years...also the natives, LOL!, are friendly, and the atmosphere is family and goal oriented, which I think are important whether you're a young or grown up family. You for sure want a progressive community, Palm Coast is that, and more....
The market is down, this is the time to invest in a home, you'll be getting more for your money. I'd be getting some, but you definitely will be benefiting more if you're really looking for a good buy. Good luck whichever direction you go. Merry Christmas and peace and goodwill to all!

[totsuka]

1. I would not recommend moving to Florida. The big reason is property taxes and home insurance. You get slammed for 2 years when you buy a home before the homestead exemption kicks in which will save you a few hundred dollars. Home insurance is very expensive and I don't think they will pay off if their is another major disaster.

2. Local government , at least in Martin County is very inept and corrupt. They are constantly looking to increase taxes and fees, always spending money on consultants, very high salaries for public employees (our fire chief makes 160k per year!..and his pension is 160k per year). The biggest problem with local gov. is they refuse to cut spending. Our county (martin) has over 500 million in spending for a county of 140k people!. Cut spending? no way!..just increase property taxes and fees. Want to replace a window in your home? 170 dollars for a permit...yup...good old public service at it's best.

3. I-95 is a death trap. Every week there is a major accident going South to West Palm Beach and beyond.

4. Violent crime - getting much worse down South of Martin County.

5. Schools - Florida does not seem to put much effort in improving their schools. They don't pay their teachers very much of a salary. Only 60 percent of our teachers have a BA!. Amazing. I grew up in Ohio and 100 percent of our teachers had a BA with 30 percent having MA's. And this was a public school system too.

6. Water - We are running out of water, but they keep allowing massive housing projects and golf courses to be built. Now the county wants to increase property taxes to cover "storm drain run off"..what is that?...

7. Jobs - Low pay and mostly service economy. Many retired folks live here and the county just can't seem to spend enough money on them. Now they are talking about a special tax to support more services for the elderly. We have a bus service for them and they don't use it!, but the taxpayers still have to fund it.

8. Gov. - Our Gov. Crist, is a joke. He is all show and no go. Wants to have a "panther rep" . Another useless gov. job...says he is conservative, but can't lower taxes...can't cut spending.

9. Where to move?. My friends like Washington State. Very affordable home insurance and property taxes. Stay out of Seattle and affordable homes are available.

good luck

[12paws42]

We moved from a West Suburb of Cleveland Ohio in late July 2007. We had it in our "5 year plan" to move down here to care for my in-laws as they became older. My husband is a letter carrier, and transferred to Plant City, so that is what determined where we were going to live. We moved to Mulbery, which is a very small city, but away from the hustle and bustle, but close enough to EVERYTHING in Lakeland. We love it here!

We are comfortable now (5 months), but it is still surreal going through the winter holidays in shorts (we love it).

We always said (as we have visited FL every year for the last 14), that we would never live here - we would NOT go anywhere else now - we love it.

Our overall life if MUCH better here than in Ohio - we took some steps to downsize and now live a more comfortable life vs paycheck to paycheck.

I would reccommend a move here; how can you have a bad day with each day being sunny? Makes a HUGE difference in our lives.

Did I mention WE LOVE IT!

[JimMe]

CJForida

There is merit to what you write. But I believe that even if one is not into all those Florida-type activities Florida is a good option for retirees. I live in Maine. My next door neighbors--wonderful people--are in their 80's but continue in excellent health. However they are homebound four to five months a year because of the weather. The lady enjoys walking but gives it up in the winter for fear of falling on snow and ice-covered surfaces. One of the things I marvel at in Florida is how active the seniors are. In the final analysis it's a quality-of-life issue. If you can afford to retire to Florida or anywhere that the climate is similarly welcoming I'd say do it.

[SgtAJC]

1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida?
New York City since October 1 of this year.

2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?
Employment


3. What make you pick the area you moved?
Familiarity from visiting family over the last 15 years.


4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
One day!!

5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
The job I have here makes it easier to stay. I can say one thing..I love the weather and the palm trees.

6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
Overall better but I do have concerns.

7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
For those of you considering Florida without a good paying job.....go elsewhere...it is like the Wild Wild West here with the crime...like I said before I'm happy here but I am nervous about the future my children will have here in South Florida. There is so much violence. I came from NYC which historically has been considered crime ridden...I don't know what it is but violent crime is definitely worse down here.