Orlando or Boston? (wages, crime, move)

[Alphaman]

I agree with the posters so far, Boston is one of the Best cities in the country I was born and raised in New England and even as a kid hated the winters and late fall. I could not live in a city in the snow belt.

But if you like change of seasons You will love that city I know I do, too bad I dont like the climate Or I would live there.

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by miakelly

I To be honest, it's downright depressing in the Winter. It's dark outside & freezing in the morning when you wake up, and it's dark outside and freezing again by 4:30 at night.

You need to ask yourself how important weather is, as well as cost of living. Orlando beats Boston in both of those areas.

Miakelly, agree 100%....that's why I'm still in Florida. The farthest north I've ever lived was TN. I'll never forget the winters - cold and seemed to be either snowing or raining every day. January of my senior year I didn't see the sun for a full month! It was the most depressing thing I had ever experienced. I know Boston would be much worse. It's good that some people enjoy it, it's just not for me.

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by pianogal

Miakelly, agree 100%....that's why I'm still in Florida. The farthest north I've ever lived was TN. I'll never forget the winters - cold and seemed to be either snowing or raining every day. January of my senior year I didn't see the sun for a full month! It was the most depressing thing I had ever experienced. I know Boston would be much worse. It's good that some people enjoy it, it's just not for me.

Snowing and raining every day in winter - are you describing TN???? (never lived there - I'm just surprised!)

Not the case in MA - at least since I moved here 3.5 years ago. It'll snow one day, then 4 or 5 days of blue skies and sunshine before it snows again. I moved here from the UK and the beautiful sunny winters just blew me away compared to what I was used to (and the OP will be in the same boat). Far from depressing!

[pianogal]

[quote=tonrob;4453246]Snowing and raining every day in winter - are you describing TN???? (never lived there - I'm just surprised!)

I lived there for 4 years about 30 years ago. It was very cold when I was there, I understand from some of the posters on this board that it's not so much now. I remember my sophomore year the entire month of January - it either rained or snowed every day - that was the time I didn't see the sun for an entire month. It didn't help that I was taking an Honors Botany Class and had a 7:00 AM Lab....I remember walking to class in the freezing cold with an umbrella every morning...depressing. In my senior year we had 3 big snow storms. By that time I was living off campus on the side of a montain and couldn't get my car out to get to classes or the store.

That experience made me realize I was a warm climate person......I enjoy the snow on vacation once a year, but prefer to live with the warm sun on my face.

[Alphaman]

Was Born and raised in Rhode Island and the winters were cold long and depressing for me.

I always hated winter, yes there are sunny days in the winter but the wind and cold with trees that look like sticks depresses me.

But I understand some people like that and thats fine with me.

The New England area is Beautiful But I could never live there again.

[Magnulus]

Florida: warm weather, cold-hearted people.

Yeah, it's sunny every day but there are plenty of depressing things you can wittness here every day. How about the number of makeshift monuments along the side of the road, I see them all the time, all because the cities down here hate pedestrians. Or how about the number of people I've seen panhandling, in a suppossedly upscale suburban area.

[Kali's Grandma]

While I love Florida I would have to say Boston.

Mainly because of the children. Boston is so rich in history while preserving history is not one of Florida's strong suits.

You'll have the change of seasons...I'm a transplanted yankee that even after 25+ years still misses the fall and the 1st snow fall. Trust me I get over it by Dec 26th.

The fall colors up there are hard to beat.

Boston

[miakelly]

Originally Posted by tonrob

Although as the OP's coming from the UK the daylight hours in winter are longer in Boston than in London (with the reverse obviously being true in summer). Also while there will be stormy days with lots of snow and freezing temperatures there is a lot more blue sky here in winter vs. the endless weeks or boring drab grey cloud back home in London. This is something that I was pleasantly surprised with when I first moved over - UK winters are really dark and depressing.

And I still find the snowy winters a novelty - 3 years in - despite all the shovelling I have to do. Winter doesn't have to keep you indoors - although I do realize that a very young child will present additional challenges. Difficult to make a blanket 'Orlando is better for weather' statement as it depends on the individual's preferences.

Excellent point about them coming from the UK. I don't know about UK weather so thank you for pointing that out. I guess from my perspective and based on my place in life, I think climate in Orlando is more conducive to raising little kids.

You are absolutely right that we do have some sunny days in the Winter...it's not all bad. And the summers are PERFECT up here.

I have never liked Winter, but I never hated it enough to really up and move. I guess it wasn't that big of a deal until I had kids. That really changed things for me. Now I dread Winter.

A single or childless person would have a great time in Boston. I used to go into the city often prior to being married and having kids. It's great to visit, it's a very intellectual area, I really can't say anything bad about Boston other than the weather (for me) and the Massachusetts taxes. But those two things (mainly weather) are big deals for me now with little kids. I want a place where I can go outside for at least a little while every day. It's no fun getting the kids all bundled up and trying to push a double stroller through the slushy, snowy sidewalks....plus it's just too darn cold

So to the original poster, my advice as a stay-at-home Mom of two little girls who LOVES getting outdoors, I would pick Orlando....actually I am picking Orlando and we'll be there soon .

Good luck to you, whatever you choose, what an exciting adventure for you and your family!! And also, if you have the option of Boston or Orlando now, and you end up not liking your choice, you can probably always try the other city later.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Kali's Grandma

While I love Florida I would have to say Boston.

Mainly because of the children. Boston is so rich in history while preserving history is not one of Florida's strong suits.

You'll have the change of seasons...I'm a transplanted yankee that even after 25+ years still misses the fall and the 1st snow fall. Trust me I get over it by Dec 26th.

The fall colors up there are hard to beat.

Boston

Yea if it snowed for christmas the went away florida would be perfect but it`s just a thought

Same here cold for christmas then back to the 70`s is fine with me

The cold snaps are nice in florida because its a break from the hot season but you know it wont last for months on end. I can deal with cold when it is little snaps not prolonged.

[hurt]

BOSTON, BOSTON, BOSTON!!! yOU WILL BE SO DEPRESSED IF YOU SELECT ORLANDO. ALSO A POOR EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD. MY SON STRESSED OUT EVERY DAY UNTIL WE MOVED. UNBEARABLE HEAT IN SUMMER, LOTS OF CRIME. YOUNG WOMEN ALWAYS LOOKING TO SNATCH YOUR HUSBAND. YOU COULD BE IN A NICE AREA IN ONE BLOCK AND A DUMP IN THE NEXT BLOCK. TOO MANY TRANSIENT PEOPLE. A CULTURE SHOCK. NEED I SAY MORE, I COULD GO ON FOREVER.