N.J. to Fl. and back home? (transplants, rent)

[Blondie621]

How many people moved to Florida from Jersey only to return home and why?
Just wondering. I moved here three years ago and do not really like the area I am living in. I do miss my family and friends and all the good food back home. There is no sense of community in this State either! I have not made one friend yet and never will. I have nothing in common with these "Redneck Southerners". They are wierd. Everyone lives behind locked doors and closed blinds. One thing good about Florida is that it is definately cheaper living...depending on if you can find a job here. If you retire here, you better make sure you are in a hustle and bustle area otherwise you will get bored fast!
I do not think I would ever want to go back to the winter weather and those dreary, rainy, grey overcast days! But there is definately something missing from my life down here! I guess it is the true meaning of life! Live each day like it is your last! I did that in Jersey...here, everyday is like your last! Same s--t, different day!

[Spincycle]

To get an accurate basis of comparison would need to know the specific areas of NJ and FL which you are referencing? The grass may be greener in another part of NJ or part of FL. Much of the NJ-to-FL hype of the 80s and 90s has seemed to fade in favor of DE & NC from what I have seen on these forums.

[todd72173]

Florida - only go there to visit/vacation/ and Disney World!! Never live in florida! Its got such a horrible climate - Hot/Humid/Hurricanes/Flooding...Bugs..

Florida is not a good state to pick to live..There are many others better.

[BobKovacs]

As noted above, if could have alot to do with where in FL you moved to. And bear in mind that there are other places in the US besides NJ and FL- you don't have to go back to the "winter weather and those dreary, rainy, grey overcast days" just because you're not happy with your present location. We've been in GA for just over a year, and find the neighbors to be as friendly (or more) than what we left behind in NJ- my wife has already made some great friends, we've got neighbors who we trust to watch the house when we're away, take care of the animals, and watch the kids. You left NJ for a reason- you might just have made the wrong choice in where you went- not necessarily why you went.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

you might just have made the wrong choice in where you went- not necessarily why you went.

Maybe. All I know is I lived in a wonderful area around Charlotte and still moved back to New Jersey. Some people do find out that it's simply just not for them.

[EEEPNJ]

I have a handful of friends who moved out of state (FL, GA, AZ) and really missed Jersey so much they got out as soon as they can.... one is still praying for the day. Others have relocated (NC and GA) and love it and would not dream of coming back.

Florida can be very different depending on where you live. I had a friend who only knew Miami and loved it. He moved to the PANHANDLE and thought it would be similar, man, he had one rude awakening! LOL

[todd72173]

I classify Florida as an 'extreme' state - meaning it is very much different overall in living there. Specifically the weather is very unique. I would definately not buy a home and move to Florida to start off. Rent first, then decide.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by EEEPNJ

I have a handful of friends who moved out of state (FL, GA, AZ) and really missed Jersey so much they got out as soon as they can.... one is still praying for the day. Others have relocated (NC and GA) and love it and would not dream of coming back.

Florida can be very different depending on where you live. I had a friend who only knew Miami and loved it. He moved to the PANHANDLE and thought it would be similar, man, he had one rude awakening! LOL

Florida, along with New York, and possibly Texas, is the most dichotomous state in the United States. It is an amalgamation of at least 4 different cultures. Jacksonville is much more aligned, for instance, with Brunswick GA than Fort Lauderdale, or even Melbourne, for that matter. The I-75 corridor serves as a direct feed from the Rust Belt. My relatives who live in Brandon have more transplants from Ohio and Michigan on their block than any other state. The Panhandle is similarly more bent towards coastal Alabama and Mississippi than is the "Gold Coast". Then, of course, you have the West Palm-Ft Lauderdale-Dade axis.

Florida is another one of those states where I get a chuckle when someone on C-D.com says "I can't stand Florida". It's very hard to paint such a broad brush on such a dynamic and large area.

[solibs]

My dad lives in Orlanda (not for me) and my grandparents live in Ocala (definitely not for me). I much prefer the West Palm/Miami corridor or Tampa.

[Blondie621]

Originally Posted by solibs

My dad lives in Orlanda (not for me) and my grandparents live in Ocala (definitely not for me). I much prefer the West Palm/Miami corridor or Tampa.

Everyone wants out of Orlando, there is so much crime going on there now. Have not been to Tampa except for a concert a couple of weeks ago but came right back so I did not see too much of it. I would be happy in Ft. Lauderdale closer to the beach but it is way too $$$$. I just think that as a whole, Florida does not have much to offer except nice winter weather and overall cheaper living...depending on your circumstances. I myself like a cultural area and Florida just does not cut it!