[jhlcomp]

What a great read! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I almost feel like I know you as I've read your many posts, etc.

Once you get your stuff, your animals and, most important, your son down here - life will take an upward turn. Keep us posted.

Also, remember that we are having the worst drought in history which makes for unusual conditions. The rainy season will start soon (keeping fingers crossed) and you will see the change.

Turn indicators - Florida drivers are notorious in this department. Yes, it's not optional equipment and we would be ever so thankful if more Floridians used their indicators. :-)

Take care and enjoy!!

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by SKB

Hi Hockeymom,

Are you flying your cat? We did when we moved to Montreal. I know the hardest part was having to take her out of the carrier to go through the x ray machine. My cat is a nervous nelly and she really freaked out when we had to do this.
On the plane she was crying and making such a fuss we finally put her carrier into a little closet with a fabric door and she was quiet.
I think when we do it again in September I will be getting her something to relax her from the vet.
Have you tried Craigslist to sell your stuff?

Yes, I plan to post on Craig's List for the furniture in about a week. It certainly cannot hurt. We are renting a truck and taking the cat in her carrier with us. It is going to be a very long ride. Over 24 hours from NY, I would guess. Because of that we cannot possibly sedate her the entire time. Even if she doesn't eat, she will have to drink water to avoid dehydration.

Just hoping for the best with her. At least she will be WITH me and I can watch over her.

[firemed]

Nancy, Good luck and just hang in there.

[hiknapster]

Nancy Lynne:

I had to walk away three times from reading this thread. it just brought up such memories.

I think that Naples has more North Easterners, than Fort Myers. Maybe you can meet hockeymom and explore together?

The worst month in Florida, in my opinion, is May. It will DEFINITELY get better once the rains come and that will be very soon.

And you have a very healthy respect for hurricanes. You will do fine.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Nancy Lynne:

I had to walk away three times from reading this thread. it just brought up such memories.

I think that Naples has more North Easterners, than Fort Myers. Maybe you can meet hockeymom and explore together?

The worst month in Florida, in my opinion, is May. It will DEFINITELY get better once the rains come and that will be very soon.

And you have a very healthy respect for hurricanes. You will do fine.

The current fires really scare me more than the hurricanes. I know there is no comparison, but I have experienced a couple of minor cat 1 hurricanes where 20 foot trees bent in half. Yes, that was scary, but nothing in comparison to living through a fire in a crowded NYC apartment building. As a young child, I could hear people screaming who were trapped in the burning building. It leaves a lasting impression on one. I will not even get into 9/11 and the people I knew who died there.

I would rather live with the hurricanes and advanced warning, than a fire with no warning.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

The current fires really scare me more than the hurricanes. I know there is no comparison, but I have experienced a couple of minor cat 1 hurricanes where 20 foot trees bent in half. Yes, that was scary, but nothing in comparison to living through a fire in a crowded NYC apartment building. As a young child, I could hear people screaming who were trapped in the burning building. It leaves a lasting impression on one. I will not even get into 9/11 and the people I knew who died there.

I would rather live with the hurricanes and advanced warning, than a fire with no warning.

That has to be incredibly terrifying. I had a friend die in a fire when she was about 15. It's horrible.

The fires will stop when the rains come.

[Lulu101]

What ever happened with this? On the other (closed) thread "no more naples" you did not elaborate on why you left Naples? I'm curious to know if you decided to stay after all, if you don't mind sharing..

Originally Posted by Nancy Lynne

Hi old friends!
Sorry I haven't written. As you can imagine, being in a brand new job, I am working like crazy -- didn't have time to get internet access from where I am renting -- and absolutely no permitted to conduct any personal communications from the office. However, Comcast came yesterday...and here I am!

Thank you for lettiing me know that you enjoy my posts. I appreciate that. Sometimes I feel like it is "more of a blog" than a post. But here we go...for those of you who are following my new adventure...and I now hope to add some value for those who are considering the move --- particularly those of you from the NE.

I am still positive --- but as you asked me to do -- I will give you my very own, personal experience thus far (which keep in mind has only been 5-6 weeks) as objectively and honestly as I can....

Well, the honeymoon is over but that is to be expected and you SHOULD expect it. I am VERY homesick, but know, that that is absolutely normal. However, I am homesick for what most of you will not have to experience as a result of my individual personal situation: I am a single parent and I left my 10 year old son in NJ so that he could finish 5th grade there. I am currently flying back and forth every week-end, which is no longer so easy, as the flights have cut way back now that the snow birds are gone. I have also not yet relocated all my animals, who are my kids, so it is lonely. Having said that, the movers are all their way down as we speak with all my STUFF. They should be here on Friday...and all the unpacking will begin. I am still trying to figure out how in the heck to get all of my animals down here without killing them with stress...I have 7 parrots - someof which are very large McCaws, 2 cats and a reef tank --- all of which I dearly love. I having been renting a different car every week which is costing me more than my rent. I plan on driving my critters down over the Mem Day week-end. It will be a Noah's Ark experience I am sure.

Because of my homesickness -- I know in my heart that my general feeling about Florida is clouded. I do like it here. I love the wildlife. I love the weather ---but don't kid yourself...it can be hot...and I am told...this is absolutely nothing! Every day is in the high 80's, low 90's -- and I haven't seen a drop of rain since I've been here. There was a slight rain on one day last week and we all started cheering in the office. Our wildlife and foliage desperate needs wataer. Not to mention the horrific, destrutive wildfires.

I like my job. Here is an interesting observation that those who advised me from this board long before I came here. "Working class people (like me!)" are desperate to hang on to their jobs here in Naples. The company I work for in Naples is a very solid, stable, corporate company. For the people that have moved their families here for the job...if they lose their job...they are in deep trouble! There is literally no other place to work like this is all of SW Florida. So...the desperation lends itself to....an environment of "yes sir - whatever you say", no push back, follow all the rules and policies to a T -- and I would say --- not necessarily alot of happy campers because they are literally held hostage in the job that they have --- they simply cannot find another job elsewhere. So, I think, there is resentment and hostility, perhaps inwardly, but prevasive throughout in general attitude. "Whatever they say or ask...you do...if you want to work here". The company also knows this...so I think, and takes full advantage. But this has alot to do with the culture of this particular company.

The pay is about 50% less than NJ/NY. No bones about it. It just is.
However, my benefits are great which goes along way. I was paying $1200 for just myself when I was unemployed in NJ so I add that to my salary and it means alot.

The traffic is worse than anyone can EVER describe. My intention is to live as close as I can possibly afford to my job (as in a few miles) so that I can get there in a reasonable amount of time.

Like many of the newer posters, some of you are considering "packing it all in and just moving down". I was absolutely there with you --- but the board convinced me not to do that until I found one --- and they were spot on! I cannot even imagine being down here without a place to go every day --- where I have the opportunity to meet new friends -- where I am immediately engaged. It can be --- as is for me -- even though I am a very independent person -- lonely and isolating. So --- having a job to slip right into has kept me sane. It took me over a year to find a job here --- and even once I received my first inquiry for this job...as you will all painfully remember...it took me 4 full months to actually receive the job offer!

It IS very expensive. Don't kid yourself about that either. Yes, I am watching the prcies go down...but keeping in mind that everything is so "uncertain" relative to job security --- I am pretty sure I will just keep renting for awhile. I did get a great price for a rental in a great community - $1500 a month for a home that is for sale for $699K.

Schools ----- oh boy. I think my son would be absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer size of the schools around here. So -- I am probably going to spend all the money I was spending on NJ property taxes --- on a private school (which, by the way....is lovely, lovely lovely!).

I didn't know a soul when I moved here --- still don't except for the people I work with. That's ok for now. But somehow, I don't think I will ever fine the "community" feel that is prevelant in the NE. Not necessarily a bad thing -- just different. It is indeed a very transient State.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone...but I don't think the people (in general) are as friendly, warm, considerate, courteous...as in the NE. Again, I get this sense of desperation everywhere --- and altho there might not be the stress of the so-called "fast pace" of NY....there is the stress of survival.

...I am going to send this ....as I fear I might exceed my words (typical for me)...but I;ll do a part 2 for those of you who can endure the length

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Lulu101

What ever happened with this? On the other (closed) thread "no more naples" you did not elaborate on why you left Naples? I'm curious to know if you decided to stay after all, if you don't mind sharing..

Obviously, she is very happy back home. Why is that so hard for you to believe? You cannot accept that people would prefer their hometowns to Florida, and especially for you it seems, NAPLES.

What is this fixation with Naples since you call yourself a free spirit. What do you care?

[Lulu101]

The other thread dead-ended without her posting again. Nobody knew what happened to her.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Lulu101

The other thread dead-ended without her posting again. Nobody knew what happened to her.

Case closed I guess. I think she even said she got her old job back. No, I won't go back and look. If it interests you so much, you search it.