Anything I should be aware of when I arrive? (Tampa: health insurance, transfer)

[SammyLeopold]

Hello all! First of all thanks to those who responded to my previous post. I do have another question. Can some of you give some things about FL\Tampa area that you DON’T like? The upsides are obvious, but how about things one doesn’t normally think of when relocating. How about some things that a few months in you think “wow, I wish I would have known about THAT!?!?” I am coming from the Philadelphia\NJ area and some things I would tell someone coming here: NJ is a very corrupt, regulated state, which screws things up for its residents, tax wise, and public service wise. To do ANYTHING in this state you need a permit, inspection, tax, and fee. Philly’s public transportation is horrible, the city is dirty, smelly, and generally gross, the people are for the most part rude and have a lot of unwarranted attitude, the city government doesn’t take care of the city or its residents, auto insurance in NJ is the highest in the country and almost unaffordable, private health insurance (if you need it) is also unaffordable, taxes (sales, income, property are also exorbitant (which goes back to my slam on the corruption in gov’t). Finally most things up are “city-centric” meaning, there isn’t much to do unless you go into Philadelphia, where it is crowded, impossible to park, and overpriced, with nasty people. Ok I have ranted enough, but you get the idea, are there things I should keep in mind to expect once I get down there? Is it any wonder why I am moving? HA HA! Thanks and I can’t wait to get down there!

[Sunscape]

Welcome to sunny Florida!!
Most of your days will be sunny. Like today.....
Coming from NJ, where I also came when I moved here for the 2nd time,one thing that will strike you is that traffic is heavy and that ppl drive in a reckless way. So always be on the lookout for others who will from somewhere and just "cut" in front of you. It took a while for me to get used to this here.
Also, be on the lookout for speed traps on different areas everyday. The police needs their quotas...
there are traffic light cameras in various places around Tampa.Stop at the red lights!!
I'm sure many of the others will point out other matters to U.
You will have many things to enjoy here....
Welcome again!!

[Ken E]

Other than warmer weather it really isn't a whole lot different than the place you described.

[algia]

I'm with Ken....LOL

Wait till you "really" realize that everywhere you drive you end up on another beach!!!

You need permits here too for everything and taxes are not cheap, I don't know why people think they are?! It's a trade off...always a trade off...

[vaughanwilliams]

1: The endless heat and endless sunshine is torture. It reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode.
2: Our crooked state politicians make Jersey's look like choirboys. And they (or their clones) keep getting elected over and over.
3: You will literally take your life in your hands if you step off the sidewalk (or even on the sidewalk for that matter). Next to Houston, the most aggressive drivers I've seen.
4: Very iffy economy and sub-par pay. Very sub-par.
5: Don't forget hurricane season.

[Maggi07]

Drivers are terrible. Really awful. I used to drive in NYC and it wasn't like this. I hate going on 275.

Be prepared to shell out a ton of money at the DMV. They tacked on new fees last September and I was shocked when they told me what I had to pay to transfer plates and get my license.

The culture is different. Everyone seems much more friendly than I am used to (in Michigan). I think it must be because MI is so cold and gray all the time. Maybe everyone has a vitamin D deficiency. So, this is a good thing, but it takes some getting used to.

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by magijasakymaro

Drivers are terrible. Really awful. I used to drive in NYC and it wasn't like this. I hate going on 275.

That's because everyone from NYC decided to come down here .

[rogercobb]

Originally Posted by vaughnwilliams

1: The endless heat and endless sunshine is torture. It reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode.
2: Our crooked state politicians make Jersey's look like choirboys. And they (or their clones) keep getting elected over and over.
3: You will literally take your life in your hands if you step off the sidewalk (or even on the sidewalk for that matter). Next to Houston, the most aggressive drivers I've seen.
4: Very iffy economy and sub-par pay. Very sub-par.
5: Don't forget hurricane season.

THis made me laugh, probably because so much of it is accurate especially #3

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

Coming from NJ you will think you accidentally landed in heaven.

[ozlo]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

Coming from NJ you will think you accidentally landed in heaven.

Yeah, we don't even have any toxic waste dumps around! Like others, you'll probably spend the first year thinking the area off the causeway where people jetski (and where they pump out processed feces) is a "nice beach", before you realize we have real beaches here!