[vaughanwilliams]

In the past, the Tampa Bay area was awash with New Yorkers. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing how good it was "back North" and what a bunch of shoeless bumpkins Floridians are. I haven't heard that whine about "back North" for many years now, so either the New Yorkers have found greener pastures or they've become fellow bumpkins.

I agree with everyone who said the East coast would be a good fit.

[Florida or Bust....]

Originally Posted by Sonorio

Which coast is less likely for a storm to come by and take away everything I own? My environment is not particularly replaceable.

I'm older and I play rock and roll but when I go to a show, it's classical music. Or baseball. And, my resources are modest.

The west coast appears to have less issues with storms then the east coast. But IMO all of Florida's coast line is a target. Living in a "no flood zone" which would be further inland away from the beach might be the way to go. Keep in mind that you can live inland and the whipping winds from a hurricane and debris flying can cause window breakage. So you may have some damage to your belongings. Is this the norm? I would think not but anything can happen - anywhere.

Depending on your income, you can look on the real estate/rental sites to see what you can comfortably live on. Then any questions you may have, the people on CD would be able to give you more of an insiders view since most have experience living in Florida in one area or more.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by Florida or Bust....

I agree with Kyle. The east coast of Florida would probably be your best choice. The areas he mentioned has many people from New York with the attitude, unfortunately. If you choose the west coast, then I would say Tampa.

^ This

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by ComSense

Everyone here in CFL is from NY too, or NJ.

I certainly haven't seen that in Seminole County unless perhaps you've seen it in Oviedo which I'm never in. Orange County and Osceola County has had a large influx of Puerto Ricans from NY/NJ but I don't think that's the environment the OP had in mind.

[wolf39us]

I have lived in Lakeland, FL and have had experiences with people in Plant City and the surrounding areas. Didn't come across many New Yorkers or northerners for that matter.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

In the past, the Tampa Bay area was awash with New Yorkers. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing how good it was "back North" and what a bunch of shoeless bumpkins Floridians are. I haven't heard that whine about "back North" for many years now, so either the New Yorkers have found greener pastures or they've become fellow bumpkins.

I agree with everyone who said the East coast would be a good fit.

Agreed ^^^^^. OP should stick to east coast, in particular SE coast.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I certainly haven't seen that in Seminole County unless perhaps you've seen it in Oviedo which I'm never in. Orange County and Osceola County has had a large influx of Puerto Ricans from NY/NJ but I don't think that's the environment the OP had in mind.

Oviedo is now filled with (and most are pretty nice) ppl from NJ. I mean its A LOT.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by Florida Vince

I'd say that in order to enjoy it here in FL you have to leave the NY mindset behind. I wouldn't expect to find "a place like Florida" in NY if I were moving there and vice versa. Florida is a completely different world than NY and why so many people love it here.

Florida will be a huge culture shock and you will be extremely disappointed if you come here "wanting a place like NY" ... but if your looking for a change of pace and come here not expecting to find NY around every corner then you may actually enjoy it here.

You can pretty much forget having a close proximity to nightlife, public transportation and deli shops, that just isn't Florida - and if you find a place like that it will most likely be in a major city, be pricey and still not the same as NY. Also, don't forget that having a car here is pretty much a necessity, as everything "close by" is usually within a few miles at best.

Living in Florida means having close proximity to water, seafood, hispanic culture, palm trees and cities like Miami, Key West, Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Augustine for day trips and nightlife ... but it also comes with hot, sticky weather for eight months of the year, lower pay scales, mutant sized bugs, hurricanes and occasional tornados.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but just trying to be honest with your expectations. Many northern transplants only last a few years here at best (my dad lasted eight months here, moved back due to it "not being the same" as Baltimore), but IMHO I think it's a generational thing.

Older folks seem to crave change but cant deal with it once it happens, hence why they come here and leave so fast, wanting everything "like it was" back home. The snowbirds seem to be able to deal with it best - residing here during the warmer winters and heading back for their fix of the north during the summertime.

Like clockwork, every fall people start inquiring about moving here (my friends and family included) once the wintertime settles in up north. Their first question - "Is there a place in FL thats like where I am currently at?" My answer - "No". Once springtime arrives they disappear off the map again. Lol.

Personally, we came here wanting nothing like it was back north and thats why we love it here so much. Good luck with your journey and we hope you eventually find what you are looking for. Florida Vince @

Nah, they dont. Its so overwhelmingly in their favor and the others (natives/long-timers) are so outnumbered that FL belongs to them now. They dont have to change one bit.

[Florida or Bust....]

Originally Posted by ComSense

Nah, they dont. Its so overwhelmingly in their favor and the others (natives/long-timers) are so outnumbered that FL belongs to them now. They dont have to change one bit.

IMO No matter how many people come down from the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) it will never be the same way or feeling in the Northeast. They can think inside their gated community that it's the same, but once they go into the population, it all changes. This is the South with its own life and culture. Either you accept it or go against it. But you will never be able to beat it.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by Florida or Bust....

IMO No matter how many people come down from the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) it will never be the same way or feeling in the Northeast. They can think inside their gated community that it's the same, but once they go into the population, it all changes. This is the South with its own life and culture. Either you accept it or go against it. But you will never be able to beat it.

I wish this were true, but I dont really consider most of FL to be the South anymore, in all honesty. This is their "hood" now. I've accepted it, I dont like it, but I have accepted it and who knows maybe down the road I'll move back to the real South.