South Florida bashers read this (Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach: pros and cons, restaurant, cost of living)

[HopToIt]

Originally Posted by Rock Newman

I will take my palm trees , lovely clean blue skies and beautiful ocean beaches over hills any day .... and March has been beautiful so far ... if you think it has been hot and humid this March then you do need to move .

You kinda do the same thing dont you, when people mention states a little further north, and how they like the 4 seasons, and hilly terrain, you always say, "I will take my palm trees , lovely clean blue skies and beautiful ocean beaches over hills any day

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by HopToIt

You kinda do the same thing dont you, when people mention states a little further north, and how they like the 4 seasons, and hilly terrain, you always say, "I will take my palm trees , lovely clean blue skies and beautiful ocean beaches over hills any day

The only thing I'll agree with him on is that March here has been beautiful....especially today (perfect weather).

[fauve]

This has been an incredible winter. Hope this bodes well for the summer.

[HopToIt]

It has been nice, I've enjoyed the last few months! But we pay for it in the summer, for those of you who think were so lucky!

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by HopToIt

[i]"I'd kill for 4 actual seasons again, cold and all.....and scenery, real scenery with hills, forests and beautiful jagged coastline."

I will take almost all 4 seasons, I could do without Winter. Oh and the jagged coastlines of the west coast of this country are just so amazing! The weather here since late October has been great, but this winter isn't normal. It will be interesting to see what happens this summer.

[warpedg]

Originally Posted by BCreass

It's funny, because that's one place my wife & I would consider relocating to, although I've never been there.

How's the job market? How is it for affordability?

The job market here is just about as bad as other places right now. Though Ive heard some people on here say that even low level jobs in Florida are insanely hard to come by. Those jobs are still available here though not in huge amounts. Manufacturing jobs up here are going away even more quickly now. The majority of business closings/bankruptcies etc, have been in that sector. Nursing jobs are VERY plentiful up here. Cost of living is for the most part higher up here but usually a degree based job pays well enough to account for that in most positions. People always bi*ch about high taxes up here but you get what you pay for...we have lower crime ( I think Maine ranked in the top five safest places to live in the US), no killer weather and traffic is mild.

I would say the biggest drawback to Maine are the long, grey winters. Not necessarily snowy or cold...they just seem long and grey.

[HopToIt]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

I will take almost all 4 seasons, I could do without Winter. Oh and the jagged coastlines of the west coast of this country are just so amazing! The weather here since late October has been great, but this winter isn't normal. It will be interesting to see what happens this summer.

My wife and I were just talking about that. Last winter was (imo) awful, one or two cold days it seemed like. We were jipped! But this year, far more days have been cool (and even what I call "cold" as well). I really have enjoyed this FL winter, but it isnt the norm. I remember the year before at Christmas, it was hot and humid and we had to turn on the A/C as soon as we got back in the car... at like 7pm too... that is ridiculous!

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by warpedg

The job market here is just about as bad as other places right now. Though Ive heard some people on here say that even low level jobs in Florida are insanely hard to come by. Those jobs are still available here though not in huge amounts. Manufacturing jobs up here are going away even more quickly now. The majority of business closings/bankruptcies etc, have been in that sector. Nursing jobs are VERY plentiful up here. Cost of living is for the most part higher up here but usually a degree based job pays well enough to account for that in most positions. People always bi*ch about high taxes up here but you get what you pay for...we have lower crime ( I think Maine ranked in the top five safest places to live in the US), no killer weather and traffic is mild.

I would say the biggest drawback to Maine are the long, grey winters. Not necessarily snowy or cold...they just seem long and grey.

I'm from the UK originally...I'm used to "grey" and I actually like it. I hate bright sunlight all the time....the power of the sun in South Florida is too much for me and it's too much for my wife, who has lived here all of her life.

To me, higher taxes are a trade-off. I'd gladly pay more tax to live in a more scenic place, where I'm not surrounded by complete and utter morons 24/7 and reckless/insane drivers and people who either refuse to speak English, or just don't speak English at all.

Maine...sure, I'd give it some thought. I think I'd have more chance of getting a job in MA or PA though.

[Rock Newman]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

I will take almost all 4 seasons, I could do without Winter. Oh and the jagged coastlines of the west coast of this country are just so amazing! The weather here since late October has been great, but this winter isn't normal. It will be interesting to see what happens this summer.

The only places that I would leave South Florida for are the Texas Hill Country ( San Antonio or Austin ) both are hot as hell , but again I like the heat and of course the area that I would kill for is San Diego .. beaches , palm trees , Spanish and Italian architecture .. sort of like a giant Coral Gables on steroids with nicer people !!!

And yes the weather has been amazing here and in fact it has felt like San Diego for most of February and March .

[fauve]

The fruit trees are loving it too. Everything is blooming.