I was part of the Orlando Exodus (Jacksonville, Miami: real estate, hoa fees)

[ConfusedInDFW]

After ten years of living in Florida (8 years in Orlando, 2 years in Tampa) I accepted a job in a Dallas suburb called Las Colinas. My wife and I have been here for almost 18 months. It’s a nice, clean, safe area not far from the bustling downtown. We both have excellent jobs that pay about 15% more than we made in Orlando.

On paper, the move to Dallas was without a doubt an excellent choice. More home for the money, better pay, way less crime, and great restaurants. Our commute is shorter and we live in the “uppity” neighborhood of LaVillita in a $275k home that would have cost $350k in Orlando even with the recent price reductions. Throw on that HOA fees of $550 per year (not per month) and it’s a pretty sweet deal in comparison.

My problem is this: my wife and I both miss the “Florida lifestyle”. We also miss our friends. We have both been hinting to the fact that we would like to come back to Orlando some day – then we stop and think about what a dumb decision that is.

I hated the crime and low pay when I lived in Orlando and really wanted out. Now that I’m out, I think about what I’m missing constantly.

Can anyone slap me out of my nostalgia? I know I’m romanticizing it in my mind, and Orlando can be a tough place. Can y’all give me reasons not to move back so I can put this out of my mind? Dinner at Docs on Orange Ave. and a stroll around a (ugghh I cant believe I’m going to say this) theme park (choke…that’s so not me) sounds pretty good about now.

Any info or feedback will be much appreciated.

[Wilshire81182]

Maybe you should wait until the economy picks back up here, which will probably take longer than the Dallas metro and they open the new Medical City at Lake Nona and the like and bring some higher paying jobs to the area. If you still feel that way, you should consider coming back. I also think that crime will lower with more employment and a better economic situation as people are less desperate. I think the restaurant scene is debatable and the climate and entertainment suit me much better here in Orlando so I know for sure that I would miss the lifestyle and environs like you are now. You will also make more friends as you are there longer and that will balance out the turmoil!!!

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by ConfusedInDFW

After ten years of living in Florida (8 years in Orlando, 2 years in Tampa) I accepted a job in a Dallas suburb called Las Colinas. My wife and I have been here for almost 18 months. It’s a nice, clean, safe area not far from the bustling downtown. We both have excellent jobs that pay about 15% more than we made in Orlando.

On paper, the move to Dallas was without a doubt an excellent choice. More home for the money, better pay, way less crime, and great restaurants. Our commute is shorter and we live in the “uppity” neighborhood of LaVillita in a $275k home that would have cost $350k in Orlando even with the recent price reductions. Throw on that HOA fees of $550 per year (not per month) and it’s a pretty sweet deal in comparison.

My problem is this: my wife and I both miss the “Florida lifestyle”. We also miss our friends. We have both been hinting to the fact that we would like to come back to Orlando some day – then we stop and think about what a dumb decision that is.

I hated the crime and low pay when I lived in Orlando and really wanted out. Now that I’m out, I think about what I’m missing constantly.

Can anyone slap me out of my nostalgia? I know I’m romanticizing it in my mind, and Orlando can be a tough place. Can y’all give me reasons not to move back so I can put this out of my mind? Dinner at Docs on Orange Ave. and a stroll around a (ugghh I cant believe I’m going to say this) theme park (choke…that’s so not me) sounds pretty good about now.

Any info or feedback will be much appreciated.

I had a similar problem with moving to southern California from NYC. Then I did move for about 8 months, and my feelings were this: When I was in NYC I missed Ca a lot, and when I was in Ca and could not stop thinking about all the wonderful things NYC has to offer, plus many of the people there were way too materialistic, and not too interested in books. I moved back! And this is it. "THE GRASS ALWAYS LOOK GREENER IN SOMEONE ELSE'S BACKYARD." AND BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR, BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET IT, YOU MAY NOT WANT IT." Good-luck to you in your decision.

[compelled to reply]

Have you considered a different part of Florida? IMO, Tampa area, Jacksonville area, St. Petersburg area, West Palm area, Fort Lauderdale area and even Miami area offer more than Orlando, as well as the countless smaller cities/towns...you get more for your money in Tampa, St. Pete or JAX and even though South Florida costs a little more more, you get more in return IMO, especially considering even Miami-Dade County has a lesser crime rate than Orange County now and has for a couple years now.

If you moved to Tampa/St. Petersburg or even maybe towards the coast in Brevard County, you would still be relatively close to your friends, but you would be in a different place instead of the one you already hated. Well, I don't know how you guys liked Tampa.

[GloryB]

I know exactly what you are saying...but I feel that way after moving to Orlando from Jacksonville, FL. I think we all have a tendency to get home sick and only time makes that one go away. It is hard to start all over in a new place that you aren't yet comfortable with.

Just because you may not come back at this time due to your new location being a good deal for you and your family, you can always keep the option on the table for a later date or even as a retirement destination.

Maybe looking at Hanna, Ike and Josephine will help change your mind.

[ConfusedInDFW]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Have you considered a different part of Florida? IMO, Tampa area, Jacksonville area, St. Petersburg area, West Palm area, Fort Lauderdale area and even Miami area offer more than Orlando, as well as the countless smaller cities/towns...you get more for your money in Tampa, St. Pete or JAX and even though South Florida costs a little more more, you get more in return IMO, especially considering even Miami-Dade County has a lesser crime rate than Orange County now and has for a couple years now.

If you moved to Tampa/St. Petersburg or even maybe towards the coast in Brevard County, you would still be relatively close to your friends, but you would be in a different place instead of the one you already hated. Well, I don't know how you guys liked Tampa.

We really liked Tampa. Bought a nice house before the price boom and had good jobs. We only left for the wife's promotion back to the home office in Orlando.

If/when we return to Florida, we will probably investigate all the cities you mention. I went to school in West Palm Beach, so we're pretty familiar with the areas in the south.

[ConfusedInDFW]

Thank you to everyone who responded so far. You are saying exactly what I already know, but needed to hear from someone else! If the economic situation in Orlando was better, I'd come "home" today. I just can't believe how few professional jobs are available down there. Even if I got a good one, I'd be scared to death that I'd lose it and not have any replacement options.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by ConfusedInDFW

Thank you to everyone who responded so far. You are saying exactly what I already know, but needed to hear from someone else! If the economic situation in Orlando was better, I'd come "home" today. I just can't believe how few professional jobs are available down there. Even if I got a good one, I'd be scared to death that I'd lose it and not have any replacement options.

I personally LOVE the "Florida lifestyle" and would find it difficult to move anywhere else lock, stock and barrel. You brought up a good point in your original post when you mentioned how things "looked great on paper." That is the problem when people are trying to decide what to do, it may work out "on paper" but then they find the quality of life isn't what they expected, or there were too many things they miss about their old place or don't like about the new one.

There is always an adjustment period, but if after awhile you still feel the same, you may be able to come back to Florida and get a good deal on the ever-dropping real estate. As others have mentioned, maybe an area other than Orlando. I would recommend nearer the coast - Tampa/St Pete area might be a good choice, I think the jobs are better there, my hubby and all his friends/colleagues have great jobs.

Good luck to you.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

I've been told by several people it takes about 3 years to adapt to your new location. I never thought I'd get used to living in Orlando from the northeast. Well, it's almost 4 years and life isn't so bad here. It's not perfect, and most likely not where I'd like to stay permanently (still dreaming about living in CA again! haha) but it's so much better than my first year or so.

Seriously though, Orlando gets a bad rap from time to time but there are plenty of nice safe places to live in greater Orlando area. I have found that every place has it's good points and bad; so just come to terms with it and place yourself where the good outweighs the bad for you and your family.

Best of luck!

[ConfusedInDFW]

Originally Posted by BeenAroundTheBlock

I've been told by several people it takes about 3 years to adapt to your new location. I never thought I'd get used to living in Orlando from the northeast. Well, it's almost 4 years and life isn't so bad here. It's not perfect, and most likely not where I'd like to stay permanently (still dreaming about living in CA again! haha) but it's so much better than my first year or so.

Seriously though, Orlando gets a bad rap from time to time but there are plenty of nice safe places to live in greater Orlando area. I have found that every place has it's good points and bad; so just come to terms with it and place yourself where the good outweighs the bad for you and your family.

Best of luck!

I know it will probably take a few years, and we don't hate it in Dallas, it's kind of just "blah". We feel like we've been on an extended vacation and are ready to go home. Time heals all though, and you never know what the future holds! We'll just try to bloom where we're planted until we get ready to move back.