[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by SlewsTheGoat

I just found this board last week. I must say, this is a very informative 27 page thread. I read all the way through and have really enjoyed reading all of the opinions, stories, rants, etc.

Just curious if anyone here sent their kids to college in Florida as an out of state student? The tuition seems very reasonable. We live in the Philly suburbs and my kids could go to school in Florida as out of state students for about what we would pay here as a resident. I know USF has very good reviews as does UCF. My oldest in only in 10th grade, but has his mind made up that he wants to go to school in Florida. We'll need to start thinking more seriously about this next year. We all hate the cold winter weather here and would like to be in a warmer place. However, I need to work about 5 more years before making any permanent move.

One area of concern I have about Florida is the job situation. I have done a lot of research and one of the biggest complaints seems to be a lack of well paying jobs. My kids haven't yet formed an idea of what they will want to major in, but I want them to have opportunities to succeed when their education is complete. I'm just wondering if anyone here has young adult children in Florida that have completed their education and are now working or looking for employment. What has their experience been? Is it as bad as I have heard? I understand Florida is a big state and the larger cities provide more opportunities.

We were recently in Florida during the Christmas break and spent a little time on both coasts. We really liked the Ormond Beach area as well as parts of the Space Coast. We still have some other areas we'd like to investigate, like St. Augustine and west coast areas like Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, but so far have our sites on Ormond Beach.

Don't know about south Florida, but central (east Orlando area) and south Jacksonville, have some really good paying jobs. My wife, who is now 70 and has a Bachelors Degree from 1997, has a salary of 60k a year. Awful good for someone of that age and with a degree that old.

And, Florida doesn't control the market in the U.S. for nice paying jobs. We have friends that are retired "snowbirds" from a Detroit suburb, where both of their sons live and both sons make a very nice salary as Engineers.

Ormond Beach is ok, but we have turned out not to be a "beach couple" anymore. We live in Jax for now, but are making plans on moving out of Florida and back to northern Colorado. By the time of our move, we will both be retired. Like I tell everyone, "Florida isn't for everyone."

[Fredesch]

Originally Posted by bookspage

Did anyone who came from the north to FL have a ragweed allergy? If so, how do you fare in Florida?

I am sick as a dog from August to November here in NJ

Move to the beach in Florida and your allergy problem will be solved. I have allergies including most tree pollen, ragweed and I had frequent sinus infections when living in Virginia. We moved to beachside (the strip of land between the intercoastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean) Florida and I have taken 3 allergy pills in 3 years, no sinus infections or bouts of hay fever.

Location is key to avoiding allergies. Get as close to the ocean as you can. Live beachside. Beachside we don't have lots of trees mostly Norfolk Island pines a few live oaks by the river, the odd magnolia and palms. We get breezes from the ocean which are pollen free. Our salty air and soil prevent lots of pollen creating plants from growing in this environment. Being cut off from the mainland probably keeps most of their pollen from reaching us.

Mainland Florida may be a different story, tons of pollen producing plants.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Fredesch

Move to the beach in Florida and your allergy problem will be solved. I have allergies including most tree pollen, ragweed and I had frequent sinus infections when living in Virginia. We moved to beachside (the strip of land between the intercoastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean) Florida and I have taken 3 allergy pills in 3 years, no sinus infections or bouts of hay fever.

Location is key to avoiding allergies. Get as close to the ocean as you can. Live beachside. Beachside we don't have lots of trees mostly Norfolk Island pines a few live oaks by the river, the odd magnolia and palms. We get breezes from the ocean which are pollen free. Our salty air and soil prevent lots of pollen creating plants from growing in this environment. Being cut off from the mainland probably keeps most of their pollen from reaching us.

Mainland Florida may be a different story, tons of pollen producing plants.

I am now impacted by air pollution here in Tn and am moving to FL, East Coast central, to get better air. My wife and I have been there multiple times and generally within 1 day I can feel the difference. Anywhere within about 10 miles of the beach works for me.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Thundarr457

As far as making the move from up North, it was THE best thing I ever did. My only regret is not doing it sooner. I don't miss the cold depressing grey skies, bare trees, snow and ice. For those moving here and not liking it, you are entitled to your opinions and no one is forcing people to move here. If everything was equal (always tradeoffs) the sunshine, beaches and palm trees make things here a lot more bearable. My level of depression is a fraction of what it was up North.

I'm wondering if a warmer location like southern FL would do the same for me. As an adult I have never liked the long, dark and cold winters up north. I completely deflate during the winter, and it negatively affects every facet of life. On the other hand, I light up and come alive during the summer. My productivity goes way up. I love getting outside when it's 90+ during the day, and love being outside at night when it's warm. I love the greenery and seeing everything vibrant and alive.

[bookspage]

Originally Posted by Fredesch

Move to the beach in Florida and your allergy problem will be solved. I have allergies including most tree pollen, ragweed and I had frequent sinus infections when living in Virginia. We moved to beachside (the strip of land between the intercoastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean) Florida and I have taken 3 allergy pills in 3 years, no sinus infections or bouts of hay fever.

Location is key to avoiding allergies. Get as close to the ocean as you can. Live beachside. Beachside we don't have lots of trees mostly Norfolk Island pines a few live oaks by the river, the odd magnolia and palms. We get breezes from the ocean which are pollen free. Our salty air and soil prevent lots of pollen creating plants from growing in this environment. Being cut off from the mainland probably keeps most of their pollen from reaching us.

Mainland Florida may be a different story, tons of pollen producing plants.

Oh right, that makes perfect sense. Thank you!

We do go to Orlando once or twice a year and I do have allergies if it's outside of Jan and Feb, although not as bad as NJ. I think the frequent rain helps in FL helps wash away the pollen versus NJ.

Thanks again!

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

I'm wondering if a warmer location like southern FL would do the same for me. As an adult I have never liked the long, dark and cold winters up north. I completely deflate during the winter, and it negatively affects every facet of life. On the other hand, I light up and come alive during the summer. My productivity goes way up. I love getting outside when it's 90+ during the day, and love being outside at night when it's warm. I love the greenery and seeing everything vibrant and alive.

Southern Florida would be great for you, but just don’t forget about Florida’s high humidity in the summer.

Absolutely don’t move to northern/northeastern Florida! Sometime our so-called “winter” temps would shock you. It can, and does, get cold in this part of Florida!

[Ct_bow]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

Southern Florida would be great for you, but just don’t forget about Florida’s high humidity in the summer.

Absolutely don’t move to northern/northeastern Florida! Sometime our so-called “winter” temps would shock you. It can, and does, get cold in this part of Florida!

When you say northern/northeastern Florida how far up are talking? Generally what areas or cities do you have in mind? Thanks

[Charlie&Rose]

Originally Posted by bookspage

Did anyone who came from the north to FL have a ragweed allergy? If so, how do you fare in Florida?

I am sick as a dog from August to November here in NJ

Off Topic....I have always had allergy`s, especially ragweed, doctor prescribed Flonase....works wonders for me. Now you can get it without a prescription

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Ct_bow

When you say northern/northeastern Florida how far up are talking? Generally what areas or cities do you have in mind? Thanks

St Augustine and up to Jacksonville.