Should I move back to Florida? (Tampa, Tallahassee: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[returngirl]

I was born and grew up in South Florida. I went to college in Tallahassee and when I left Florida in 1994 I SWORE I would never return. It was too hot, too un-cosmopolitan, and I wanted to see the world. Surely, the world had to be better than FLORIDA, right? Well, now I have seen the world (most of it), and I have lived in many places, and I am seeking somewhere cheaper, warmer and close to family (my family is in Fla.). Which means going back to Florida. Ideally I would love to live in California but I can't afford to buy a house there. So, will I regret going back to Florida? Has anyone left Florida and then returned, only to leave again?

[jessiesma]

you've done your thing and seen the World. you know what your ideal is and that you can't reach it. family is important to you and you have it here. I say come back and try it. You can always leave again The world has changed. Fewer people are looking for that one perfect job and one perfect house and then planting themselves for generations to come. even the ones who are, are finding that sometimes life just won't cooperate with them. Anytime you put other people into the mix, there risk. Unfortunately, job security is largely a thing of the past for most employees.
You don't ahve to go to So. FL but do come back if this is wehre your heart is right now.

Originally Posted by returngirl

I was born and grew up in South Florida. I went to college in Tallahassee and when I left Florida in 1994 I SWORE I would never return. It was too hot, too un-cosmopolitan, and I wanted to see the world. Surely, the world had to be better than FLORIDA, right? Well, now I have seen the world (most of it), and I have lived in many places, and I am seeking somewhere cheaper, warmer and close to family (my family is in Fla.). Which means going back to Florida. Ideally I would love to live in California but I can't afford to buy a house there. So, will I regret going back to Florida? Has anyone left Florida and then returned, only to leave again?

[returngirl]

THANK YOU for the great post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lior Arel]

I think the noncosmopolitan nature of Florida is my biggest complaint, but I've discovered the right neighborhoods in the right cities here take the edge off of that. Sure, it's no NYC or San Francisco, but there is culture. You may want to try Sarasota if you can afford it. One of the most cultured cities in Florida. If I didn't like larger cities so much, I'd totally live there!

[Oobie119]

I agree, I think there is no place like HOME-- meaning, if your family is here, come back. There is nothing like being near those that love you when things get rough (hopefully, they won't). If youre asking our opinion, it sounds like you're looking for us to say "stay away", or like we are going to say there is more out there..In reality, you already know, this is as good as it gets, and it's not really that bad : )

[Floridabound09]

This is one of the reason I started a thread in the Florida forum " For those who have moved or planning on moving to Florida".

Many posters have posted some great info for us the share.

There is a large trend of people who have left Florida and are moving back and you can see some of that info in that thread.

[jessiesma]

for 2 years and the job situation didn't work out as planned but our research shows it won't be any better in any other State. Looking at what we've discovered about ourselves even at our advanced ages, from living here, we can't see leaving FL. Our daughter lives in Hawaii and even that doesn't stack up for us. We may have to leave the St. Pete area because of the job issue and my husband is applying elsewhere, but we really like it here.
I went back to my chiropractor and am feeling much better. I've been able to drive a little again and where I live is very convenient to every kind of shopping, drs. and library. I like to give my husband some downtime by going out when he's home and needs to do some work since we only have the one veh. I like not having to drive for 20 min. in horrible traffic just to get to the store. When I do that, I'm exhausted before I begin.
Even tho' there are many corporations here in Pinellas, there is a vibe in St. Pete that speaks to being a little outside the box and that's us. It's what we have learned about ourselves, that we really are the artsy type and need to be in that sort of environment. Kinda of dichotamous with being religiously observant, I know but, Oh Well! See what I mean by "outside the box?" I didn't "feel" it in Tampa but have gotten my creativity back even tho a small project makes me ridiculously tired.

Originally Posted by Floridabound09

This is one of the reason I started a thread in the Florida forum " For those who have moved or planning on moving to Florida".

Many posters have posted some great info for us the share.

There is a large trend of people who have left Florida and are moving back and you can see some of that info in that thread.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by jessiesma

for 2 years and the job situation didn't work out as planned but our research shows it won't be any better in any other State. Looking at what we've discovered about ourselves even at our advanced ages, from living here, we can't see leaving FL. Our daughter lives in Hawaii and even that doesn't stack up for us. We may have to leave the St. Pete area because of the job issue and my husband is applying elsewhere, but we really like it here.
I went back to my chiropractor and am feeling much better. I've been able to drive a little again and where I live is very convenient to every kind of shopping, drs. and library. I like to give my husband some downtime by going out when he's home and needs to do some work since we only have the one veh. I like not having to drive for 20 min. in horrible traffic just to get to the store. When I do that, I'm exhausted before I begin.
Even tho' there are many corporations here in Pinellas, there is a vibe in St. Pete that speaks to being a little outside the box and that's us. It's what we have learned about ourselves, that we really are the artsy type and need to be in that sort of environment. Kinda of dichotamous with being religiously observant, I know but, Oh Well! See what I mean by "outside the box?" I didn't "feel" it in Tampa but have gotten my creativity back even tho a small project makes me ridiculously tired.

Hey, Jessiesma, it sounds like we have a lot in common - I too, must see a chiropractor for various issues, and am a young-thinking "older" bohemian type. We live in Lakeland and I love where we are because I can literally walk to stores, restaurants and parks, or a very short drive to library, art museum, theatre, more parks, etc. I haven't been to St. Pete in a while, but always here good things about it's more "Bohemian" vibe there. I love "outside the box" stuff - hehehe - that's kind of why I use the name "gypsy" in my user name here.

Glad to hear you are feeling better, and I thinks it's great how you give so much great and honest advice to those seeking answers to their questions.

ETA: I don't "feel it" in Tampa, either, even though it's my home town! lol

[jessiesma]

name. we have sworn off conventional med. LOL My 2 parental units were docs. My husband has a few issues like anxiety maybe ADHD etc. When he gets the "atlas" adjustment, he's a new man, a much more likeable one, his true self. I find that when I get adjusted, my only MS symptom is fatigue. I have pretty good overall strength and my mood is great and my mental energy is that of someone half my age. You might wat to try some CoQ10. The stuff is amazing. Just make sure you can use it if you're taking anything else.
I'm glad you like Lakeland. It sounds fun but I need my beach and also there are spiritual community needs that don't exist there.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Hey, Jessiesma, it sounds like we have a lot in common - I too, must see a chiropractor for various issues, and am a young-thinking "older" bohemian type. We live in Lakeland and I love where we are because I can literally walk to stores, restaurants and parks, or a very short drive to library, art museum, theatre, more parks, etc. I haven't been to St. Pete in a while, but always here good things about it's more "Bohemian" vibe there. I love "outside the box" stuff - hehehe - that's kind of why I use the name "gypsy" in my user name here.

Glad to hear you are feeling better, and I thinks it's great how you give so much great and honest advice to those seeking answers to their questions.

ETA: I don't "feel it" in Tampa, either, even though it's my home town! lol

[Jammie]

Jessie, it's so good to hear that you're feeling better. So have you decided on staying in Fla? I know you were tossing around the idea of moving.