[Jo48]

Originally Posted by Sweetbottoms

Husband and I moved to NH in 07. We did it in a rushed manner, unorganized and didn't look long and hard enough. He is from New England and altho I was born up north had lived in Naples , Fl since 1983.

I was shocked by winter having never seen snow, we choose a town very secluded in the mountains far from family and friends and it just wasn't what we thought... So we moved back to Florida.. About a year into moving back we realized what a huge mistake it was and why we left in the first place... Our mind set? Get the hell out and do it right this time. We're old now, have a kid now and have different priorities. Almost all my family has moved out also and those left are planning their moves out in the next 2 years. We are going back to New England to the coast not interior close to family and the city.

Having children changes your priorites, and it doesn't end when they are grown up and on their own. When they are little, you have to consider what will be best for them, and not just your own needs. Even when they are on their own, the majority of people still want to near them, and grandkids, and still a part of their lives. I guess that is why there are so many Snowbirds here. They get to have their cake and eat it; be with their familes the majority of the year, and yet for some months do what they want to do. Unfortunately because of finances, most people cannot do that.

We told you so. All areas up north are not the same. The coasts generaly don't get the extreme weather as farther inland. At any rate, as a young family, you will need to decide on factors far more important that weather what will be the best place for raising your children.

Good luck on where you decide to go.

[pcbgirl99]

Originally Posted by observer

How long did you live in Seattle and how did you like it. What part of Florida do you live in?

I visited Seattle the last 2 summers spending 6 weeks there this summer; summers are beautiful in Seattle. I too agree that visiting after July 4th is probably the nicest time of the year weather wise.

It has crossed my mind to consider living in Seattle but I am not sure if I can enjoy living there for most of the year with lack of sunshine, lots of rain(even though it is light rain), and pretty much depending on sweaters and jackets about 9-10 months of the year. Summers though, are probably the best in the USA in my opinion.

we lived in seattle for 3 years. we absolutely loved it. there's just so much to do. there's an amazing theater and music scene. you can do pretty much anything outdoors within a 2 hour drive. skiing, fishing, kayaking. so many parks. it's very laid back.
yes, it is kind of gray sometimes, but it doesn't rain nearly as much as everyone thinks. it's a light, functional rain. you definitely can't swim there, though. not without a wetsuit, if you're used to warm bathwater temperature ocean like in florida.
we didn't mind coats year round. it was so nice to get out of the heat. there's no extreme temps, for the most part. not too hot, not too cold.

i'm in panama city, in the panhandle.

if you want seattle but with more sunshine, go to the central coast of california.

[randian]

Originally Posted by pcbgirl99

if you want seattle but with more sunshine, go to the central coast of california.

I like California, but between the spectacularly high cost of living and the determined effort by their political class to destroy what's left of their economy (two quite related things) I wouldn't move there.

[pcbgirl99]

Originally Posted by randian

I like California, but between the spectacularly high cost of living and the determined effort by their political class to destroy what's left of their economy (two quite related things) I wouldn't move there.

i agree about the high cost of living. we were lucky enough to have subsidized housing from my husband's employer. otherwise, i don't think we could have afforded it.

[noe.cerezo]

My name is Noe Cerezo and I've been a teacher and a soccer coach in the state of Texas for the past 14 years. I will like to relocate in the state of Florida and continue with my profession. I am in need of getting information about what will happen with my teacher retirement. What is the procedure in the State of Florida? How will it be affected by making this move? Any help will be appreciated

[funyunnyc]

I was born in NYC, grew up in Florida, live in NYC now for many years and I have had it! I want to move back to Florida, even though people remind me how different it is there now than when I grew up. Just venting

[Adelle]

When I was 3 yrs. old Mama said she knew she had lost me to north Georgia ( a beautiful area with 7 hills, 3rivers and wonderful creeks---Rome) . But when I saw Jax beach all I did was dream of moving to Florida. I planned to go to college here when I was a bit older, saying I would live at Aunt Margaret's or Aunt May's. But Daddy had a major heart attack and could no longer carry the huge stress load of being upper level at Cleanese Corp, so we sold and moved to Florida. He wanted to teach at the college level and got a position immediately as a chemistry prof. as St. Petersburg College. I started in middle school and have lived in Florida ever since. I almost moved to Houston Texas area, but then did not. I love Rick Perry the governor, but Florida is my home. I almost moved to Port Sr. Lucie on the east coast but after all the voting fraud that turned me off. I have a nice home in the Tarpon Springs area of Pinellas county, My daughter was born and raised in the Clearwater area and doesn't want to leave it. I love the quietness of this area. I moved here 9 years ago. I have had to fight the HOA here, but I won!!! I am very involved in this area with a republican club and my church. I see my daughter often having to go down there for some meetings and she comes here after work Fri. at SPC( the rest of the week she is advising at another campus. Yes, it has come full circle.
My late husband and I met at SPC, and my daughter works there. This is such a good college that if it had been a 4 yr. when we went we would have stayed there. I went to USF, but my daughter got a far better education I think at UF which is a public elite university. My Daddy graduate with B.S. and M.S. in chenistry there.
I love Florida. I love the beaches( we are very light skin and have to be careful), the weather( yes even the hot summers), and the mild winters which when they go down to under 60 I say I am ready to move south. I can;t imagine anything is better than Florida and if people don't like it they are able to leave. Its these that people run into and hate, and they clog up our roads.
If you want to be nice, then you are welcome, but go home if you don't like us, as YES...we are as smart or smarter than you are. Anyone that doesn't like Florida can't be very bright.

[cinnmingirl]

Originally Posted by Florida15

Moved to Florida because of a job transfer(Orlando area) and was there for fifteen years. Moved to Wilmington,N.C. six and a half years ago. We have been wanting to go back to Florida ever since the first year here and as soon as we get the opportunity,we're going to move back to Viera in Brevard county and hopefully,want have to move again. Love the lifestyle there!

Moved to Florida in 1990, got married had 2 kids, moved back to Ohio in '98, (in the middle of winter); couldn't stand it, chucked my Xmas tree over hill and fled back south. 2 years later, husbands job went belly up, and I didn't like public schools, drugs, gangs, packed up and moved back up here to Ohio where we still are., but we are divorced. My oldest is 18 and I am once again contemplating a final move to Florida....just not sure about FL economy..

[startingalloveragain]

Itsajourney, I related so much to your entries on the living in FL topic. I am moving back down to Pinellas County some time this year from Asheville, NC. I hope I am not making a mistake. I really don't know anyone down there but I am so sick of grey cold and damp. I become very inactive and depressed during the Winter. I was wondering if you ended up moving back there and staying there...??? Are you content yet?? Where did you settle?

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by itsajourney

I am just curious on the opinions/experiences floating around out there right now. There have been variations on this question in the forum previously.

My question is directed to those of you who moved to Florida from elsewhere; then left Florida BECAUSE YOU DID NOT LIKE IT HERE, then moved BACK TO FLORIDA because wherever you went wasn't what you thought it would be either.

After all of those moves, where is your mindset now? Do you like Florida any better or do you still dislike it?

Are you staying here? or where are you going next?

Thanks for replies. I am really curious about this as I hear more stories than one would think on this topic.

I moved to Daytona Beach from Alaska then moved back to Alaska because of the family business. I moved to Orlando from Australia then to San Francisco. I moved to Boca Raton from San Francisco then to Alaska because of another family business. I currently live in San Francisco, but plan to move back to Florida in about three years either Orlando or somewhere in South Florida.

Reasons why I left:

-I wanted mountains or at least hills.
-I wanted mild weather.
-I wanted an urban atmosphere.
-I didn't want to have to drive everywhere.
-I wanted authentic Asian restaurants and culture.

Reasons why I want to come back:

-I want warm beach weather.
-I want a nice home with a pool without having to fork over a couple million dollars.
-I want a yard.
-I want easy parking.
-I want a tropical atmosphere.