[richord]

I have a couple relocation opportunities coming up very shortly. I currently reside and work in central NJ. I have lived here my entire life. I have visited Orlando FL before, but I'm not familiar with the culture, etc. I've only been there briefly on business and visited a couple of tourist areas.

One option would be a lateral move to Jacksonville, FL and we would consider living in the St. John's area.

The other is a promotional opportunity working in Brunswick, GA and we could live in Kingsland, GA or possibly commute to Yulee, FL.

I hate the cold weather, so FL or GA would be a plus in that regard. The cost of living aspect is great considering I would maintain my salary or likely make more money.

I've gotten the city-data for various areas. I'm working on some school info.

But I would love to hear from people regarding everyday life in FL and GA vs. NJ.

I've heard that some people who made the move to FL from the North East wind up coming back to NJ or the North East and would like to hear some of the reasons why. I don't want to make a really bad decision...

Thanks in advance.

[vegasandre]

NJ sucks. I Lived in Monmouth County(which probably is the best area in NJ) my first 32 years of existance and moved to Vegas last 10 years. Every person I knew in NJ is doing the exact same things as when I left. Nothing every changes. Nothing ever advances. People are leaving that state in droves. Now I am probably moving to Florida in a couple years as i need to be close to the water and fishing/sailing. Sorry I didint have any info for you about FLA or GA.But I love to pipe in to rip NJ. But from what I seen in Vegas from the people who moved here from The NE and then moved back- it was usually because they didnt have relatives out here OR were introverted and unable to make friends/aquaintances easy. That is usually the main reason. I see it all the time.

[richord]

Thanks for your reply.

I live in Ocean county, not too far from Monmouth county. The only things I don't like here are the high cost of living and the long cold winters. People can sometimes be snobs and be too concerned about trying to "one up" each other. That gets old. But not everyone is like that.

I was told that FL has no state sales tax. Hope that's true. It would be like getting an additional 7% raise!

[RMD3819]

Is it just you? Spouse, kids?

What is your housing budget?

Florida has no state income tax. There is a sales tax. I think the minimum is 6% and some counties can charge more.

[annerk]

Florida most definitelly has a state sales tax, but no income tax. I've been a Florida resident for almost five years. The only place I'd consider moving to is Napa County, CA. You couldn't pay me to move back north--in fact I turned down a job offer up there about a year ago. It's nice to breathe clean air.

[richord]

We are a family of 4. My wife and I have two small children. Our daughter is 10 and our son is 7.

Housing budget would likely be between 275,000 - 300,000.

There is a potential opportunity in Jacksonville, where we would consider St. John's area or Yulee.

There is another opportunity in Brunswick, GA and we were considering commuting to Yulee, FL. Kingsland, GA and Woodbine/St. Mary area are also considerations. I'm not sure if GA has a state income tax or not, but property taxes are a bit cheaper.

Any other area's come to mind?

Would like to stay away from the city area and about 15 miles or so inland.

annerk, where did you live in the northeast? So far, the only reasons presented that people might move back to the northeast was for being close to family again or because they had a difficult time making friends.

I'm a bit concerned for my kids adjusting to a different culture. Not sure what to expect. I'm only guessing that FL would be an easier ajustment than GA.

Weather and finances seem to be huge pluses for moving to FL. Higher crime ratings from where I'm at now is a bit disturbing. My current area crime ratings are a 5 vs. decent areas in FL at about 75? Different culture and perhaps not finding foods and items in the local area's seem to be the only other ajustments so far. Am I missing anything to consider? I've heard that pizza and beef may be hard to come by? Or should I say decent tasting pizza. Can you get a cheese burger down there? Not a fast food burger, but a fresh ground beef one.

I'm waiting to see if they will offer me a relo package, otherwise, while it may be financially huge in the long run - I could get beat up pretty bad if my house doesn't sell quickly.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by richord

annerk, where did you live in the northeast? So far, the only reasons presented that people might move back to the northeast was for being close to family again or because they had a difficult time making friends.

I've lived in the capital District area of NY, the greater Syracuse area, and central NJ. I had no problems making friends here. I overall didn't find the culture all that different, although the town I settled in has a large number of transplanted northerners. I had no problem finding every food item here that you can get up north except Lupo's speedie sauce. Pizza is iffy. Beef hard to come by? You're joking, right? There are a ton of cattle ranches in FL.

[Ellwood]

We spend a month in FL each winter. Lived in Jersey quite a few years and moved north to upstate NY which we love. The only feedback I can provide about FL is the tremendous amount of traffic at all hours of the day (think Route 80) and the humidity that starts in May (August in Jersey). This year we traveled from the Gulf region down to the Keys and no matter where we were the businesses closed and large amount of homes for sale were worse than last year.

[RMD3819]

I'm not familiar with Jax or GA but I'll give some general FL thoughts.

You are in good shape with that housing budget unless you are expecting to live in a beachfront mansion.

I would take a good look at the schools and get housing from there. FL schools do not measure up to the standards in the NE or MW. There are many, many posts on here that testify to that.

Why do people move back north? There are some posts on here about that, too.

Some reasons commonly mentioned:
-Schools
-Payscales
-Hurricanes
-Cost of living
-Miss the seasons
-Family
-Taxes
-Too hot in the summer

[MovedfromFL]

I grew up in FL and now live in GA ( but I want to move back to FL). My husband grew up in NW NJ (Sussex County).

From what I understand, crime is more randomly distributed in FL/GA than NJ. Many of the NJ suburbs are very safe compared to similar "nice" areas of FL and GA. I've heard this from many people who moved from up north. They are amazed at how in FL and GA, you can have "bad areas" and "good areas" very close to each other. You just have to be aware of things in FL/GA more than you would in NJ. Expect some property crime if you aren't careful. (things tend to "walk away")

As far as Brunswick, I have a friend from college who lives there. There are some not so good areas/ schools in that town. Brunswick would not be my first choice. I also have friends who live in the Fernandina Beach area of FL (just north of Jacksonville). They love it there.

Georgia does have a state income tax. It varies depending on your income bracket. Investment income is also included in your taxable income.

FL and GA have both made deep cuts to education due to the economy. GA has furloughed teachers for 6 days this school year (all teachers have been docked for 6 days pay), on top of local pay cuts and layoffs. Things seem to be better in FL at least up until this point. (FL has not furloughed teachers statewide) You will see a lot of variation in school districts, so you have to do your homework to see what your best choice is.