[8to32characters]

Originally Posted by ComSense

Uhh. And how about the FL natives! They all left and many used to love it down there.

Funny you mention that. I've met more native Floridians out West then I ever did in FL, and most see like wonderful people. Gee, if FL was filled with folks like that, I'd probably still live there! Unfortunately, it's not, so it's no wonder why so many native Floridians are either planning to leave or already long gone. Kinda sad.

[StreetSmarts]

It is. I'm a FL native as is my wife. We live in a nice area, but I know the feeling that a lot of others have.

[smarino]

Another post that says more about the poster than the state.

[Earl1940]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

I've met more native Floridians out West then I ever did in FL, and most see like wonderful people. Gee, if FL was filled with folks like that, I'd probably still live there! Unfortunately, it's not, so it's no wonder why so many native Floridians are either planning to leave or already long gone. Kinda sad.

When you say " out west ", do you mean California?

[Earl1940]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

I can resonate with the OP. It seems like the congestion, people, and overall culture of South Florida take a significant toll on transplants from more normal places (i.e., Northeast, Midwest, West Coast) after about 2-5 years, which is when most either return home or move on to a different place.

We've lived in east Ft. Lauderdale going on 3 years now. We had no idea that living here is totally different than visiting. My wife wants to leave ASAP, even leaving the house furnished, for sale. We're annoyed and feel disillusioned. All this said, to anyone contemplating relocating to Fort Lauderdale, do your due diligence and make darn sure you like it here.

[8to32characters]

Originally Posted by Earl1940

When you say " out west ", do you mean California?

Primarily California, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada.

Originally Posted by Earl1940

We've lived in east Ft. Lauderdale going on 3 years now. We had no idea that living here is totally different than visiting. My wife wants to leave ASAP, even leaving the house furnished, for sale. We're annoyed and feel disillusioned. All this said, to anyone contemplating relocating to Fort Lauderdale, do your due diligence and make darn sure you like it here.

Funny, that's exactly how I felt the last six or months so I lived there--I just couldn't wait to get out, and I didn't care how much it cost to get out. Other parts of FL aren't as bad as South FL, though.

I'm not sure where you're planning on heading next, but if you enjoy the tropical ambiance of Ft. Lauderdale and aren't willing to give that up, the Naples-Marco Island area is a very viable option, assuming work is not an issue. That area of FL has a rather lousy economy, but it's much safer and less congested than Broward. It also has better weather (less rain, less overcast), prettier scenery (nicer beaches, more greenery, more open spaces), and better people (more Midwesterners, New Englanders, Upstate New Yorkers), too.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

Funny you mention that. I've met more native Floridians out West then I ever did in FL, and most see like wonderful people. Gee, if FL was filled with folks like that, I'd probably still live there! Unfortunately, it's not, so it's no wonder why so many native Floridians are either planning to leave or already long gone. Kinda sad.

Tell me about it.

[wrema]

How is car insurance up there and what are mechanic rates

[Earl1940]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

Primarily California, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada. Funny, that's exactly how I felt the last six or months so I lived there--I just couldn't wait to get out, and I didn't care how much it cost to get out. Other parts of FL aren't as bad as South FL, though. I'm not sure where you're planning on heading next, but if you enjoy the tropical ambiance of Ft. Lauderdale and aren't willing to give that up, the Naples-Marco Island area is a very viable option, assuming work is not an issue. That area of FL has a rather lousy economy, but it's much safer and less congested than Broward. It also has better weather (less rain, less overcast), prettier scenery (nicer beaches, more greenery, more open spaces), and better people (more Midwesterners, New Englanders, Upstate New Yorkers), too.

This is interesting to us. Maybe we should head out west to California. We used to live out in LA, in the Valley but left after the Northridge Earthquake. A lot of California is a rat race also. We like north Jupiter on Donald Ross and PGA Blvd, bit it's helle expensive there. Homes start at $1M there. We would love to live in the Bear's Club or Old Palm ... My wife has family in Daytona and everything is cheaper there but it's really boring there, deadsville. Naples is worth another visit. We checked out Naples last year but my wife felt really bored there. I, however enjoyed the peace and quiet and good hearted, decent people of Naples. We're early 50s, early retirements, no kids. We can live almost anywhere within reason. We're not wealthy but comfortable. Any more suggestions?

[Tulippsy]

It sounds like you and your wife may have some conflicting wants, OP. She likes Daytona, you were bored. You like Naples, she was bored. Typically areas with a slower paced lifestyle and less congestion will have fewer options for entertainment. It sounds like you will have to compromise and either live someplace more urban and congested like Fort Lauderdale, with its attendant opportunities for entertainment, or learn to live with fewer options. What is it that you both love to do in your free time? That should point you or your advisors (us) in a better direction. And good luck! It's not easy having so many options, is it?

Have you checked out the Panhandle yet? Beautiful beaches, but not very cosmopolitan.