[PDF]

I'm a Florida native. But if I wasn't born there, then I definitely would have never lived in FL. I was just curious if there are any Florida natives who love it or felt that they would have been drawn to the state if they grew up elsewhere. Transplants outnumber natives to begin with.

It seems that most people who are attracted to tropical places are those who never had it growing up. On the other hand, I grew up in Florida...so I like the opposite: cold weather, urbanity, and lots of history.

Thoughts? The natives I've met in real life have yet to come back to FL, so it seems like you leave for good once you do leave.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by PDF

I'm a Florida native. But if I wasn't born there, then I definitely would have never lived in FL. I was just curious if there are any Florida natives who love it or felt that they would have been drawn to the state if they grew up elsewhere. Transplants outnumber natives to begin with.

It seems that most people who are attracted to tropical places are those who never had it growing up. On the other hand, I grew up in Florida...so I like the opposite: cold weather, urbanity, and lots of history.

Thoughts? The natives I've met in real life have yet to come back to FL, so it seems like you leave for good once you do leave.

You're largely on track with your theory I think, and those who tend to come back largely do so via family obligations it seems (aging parents for example) and not via choice. It certainly fits my situation and that of a good number other "native" Floridians I know who have lived elsewhere.

[StreetSmarts]

As a native I enjoy FL. But no, I don't think I'd move here if I was from elsewhere. Unless I was from up north and never wanted to be cold again lol.

[Pincho-toot]

Technically I wasn't BORN here, but I lived here since I was a toddler so I consider myself a native. (Wasn't born in a US state either) I don't think I would have moved there had I grown up in another state. Lot of things South Florida has that I don't, especially. I like cold weather, seasons, and many things Florida lacks. I like Texas a lot, but overall I'm mostly drawn to the Upper Midwest. I came to Texas because of romance, not my personal independent choice ^^

I don't see myself voluntarily moving back to Florida, especially Miami, nor do I see myself moving back to Texas whenever I move north. I do see myself happily visiting both states, though.

If we could have chosen where we're born, I'd have picked Minnesota, Wisconsin or Iowa most likely.

One thing I like, is living where people are patriotic about their home. I like the Texas pride, though at times arrogant. I like the pride many Southerners and Midwesterners have for their states. Much of Florida lacks that because of so many people who moved there as adults and have ties to their home state. Closest thing is probably Miami Heat fans lol

[chopchop0]

Yes. FL has a relatively low col for a well-populated state which offers beach living and multiple metro areas to choose from. I would have also considered tx.

It's funny, I meet lots of transplants but I rarely find a lot of Floridians moving to other areas after they grow up.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

It's funny, I meet lots of transplants but I rarely find a lot of Floridians moving to other areas after they grow up.

A map put out by one of the class reunion sites shows about half to two-thirds of my South Florida high school graduating class scattered all across the US and certainly don't think my high school was much different from others in that area of the state. Perhaps it has more to do with where many wind up going to college as graduate's from my high school (and others in the area at the time) had less tendency to settle on UF, FSU, etc and more on a national scope of the best college you could get into. I know where I live now (Orlando area) there's been more the tendency to not stray far from home, which of recent years probably has more to do with the economics of in-state tuition in my opinion, versus being unable to move anywhere else because it's too much to pass up staying here.

[Arcenal813]

Not born here, but I do believe you're on track with your mindset. FL cities don't have the urbanity and/or history and charm that northern cities do, but I think that's mostly just a southern thing. I don't find Atlanta (despite its high population) to feel particularly urban; feels more like an oversized Orlando/Tampa.

But yes, you are correct: I was attracted to FL due to never really having been exposed to tropical climate growing up. That and the fantastic beaches.
My wife was born and raised here, but particularly chooses to stay here due to family obligations.

I love FL, but I can definitely see where you're coming from.

[jwolfer]

My mom is a native Floridian(Gainesville but family moved to Jacksonville after high school). My parents moved to NJ to my dads hometown right before I was born. She liked NJ after adjusting to living in a small Jersey Shore town ,from a larger city(ironic I know, leave the deep Southern North Florida city for a small town in NJ), they lived in NJ 31 years. My mom wanted to move back to Florida to be near family and they were tired of winter cold and winter storms. They also made out with selling house in NJ and buying in FL, not to mention lower property taxes and no state income tax. They also like having big city amenities( like plays, symphony etc and health care specialists and even airport access) much more accessible than going into NYC or Philadelphia, granted Jacksonville is not NYC.. but 30 minute drive without tolls and parking hassles as opposed to 1.5 hour and lots of tolls, parking fees.

I think the motivation to return home is greatest when you have roots in a place, through my moms side my roots in FL are very deep. If you were born in Florida to parents who moved from NY or MI the roots are not that deep, so leaving it behind isn't that surprising.

[kellygirl925]

I'm a Florida native.....born in Jacksonville, grew up in Ocala (prior to that did live in NY and Maryland due to my dad being in the Army) and was in Ocala till I was 21. I then moved to CT for 24 years. We moved back to Florida in 2013 for a few reasons. Yes, aging parents, wanting to be closer to family, but also to escape a very expensive suburb of NYC, we were beyond tired of ice and snow and cold weather, wanting to slow down a bit, get out of the rat race. I'm very happy to be back. I do have roots in Florida and a lot of very happy memories. I don't live in the town I grew up in but I'm not too far away. I couldn't wait to leave Florida when I was young and I'm happy I did but with age comes appreciation for what you had and what you want for your future. My kids would prefer that we didn't move, they feel that where we are is too rural, etc.....And I guess that's payback for me as I'm sure I complained about the same things growing up.
I'm not sure if I wasn't born and raised here if I would have moved here....just can't answer that. I do know I hate driving in the snow and ice, shoveling and freezing. If I wasn't in Florida I think the Carolina's would be where I'd settle.

[Happiness-is-close]

I think it would have been on my radar, yeah. It's a big state with many interesting cities. I love to party at clubs and bars and Florida cities do that type of thing better than most places and have affordable living to boot.

I personally don't like the long long heat, but I prefer it to long long cold. Think Jacksonvile would have the perfect weather for me.