[Pattyswind]

Hi all,
For over 12 years I've had a major problem with winter depression (sad). Its really bad now. I was crying yesterday as I was shoveling out of another foot of snow. Winter is NOT good for me physically or mentally. For over 10 years I've been thinking I want to relocate to Florida for the winter. The area I know the most about is Kissimmee (Disney of course).
I've been to St. Augustine and I love that area.
Now the health issues...
I have a problem with my upper arms. They itch so badly in the summer that I have to secure ice packs to them with ace bandages. There are a few theories as to why this is happening but I have narrowed it down to sweat/humidity. When it's humid the itching is worse. This condition disappears 95% in the winter. The only positive thing about winter is I get relief from this maddening condition.
I "think" I have fibromyalgia. Never been officially diagnosed but I meet the criteria. Heat makes me feel better so living in Florida would be a positive thing.
I'm going to try to be clear as to what I'm looking for and maybe someone could help me zone in on a good area. PLEASE don't take anything that I say personally. It's not personal, just my preferences.

East coast or west coast? I like the gulf side better but I've heard its much hotter and humid? true?

I'd like to be no more than an hour from the ocean but far enough inland that if I decide to buy,homeowners wouldn't be sky high.

Im thinking if I stay "central" I will avoid the worst of the heat but yet be south enough of Jax that I won't get all the cold. ??

I DONT want to be in an area where I feel like I'm on vacation in another country and I can't speak the language.

I would like to be in an area where I have a little bit of property around my home. Not in a developement where my neighbors property line is 10 ft. away from me. I would be renting just to feel the area out but eventually buying if I like it.

I don't want to be in the middle of a tourist area. I don't want to be in the middle of knowwhere either. The outskirts would be OK.

Of course I don't want to be in a high crime, gang area.

Can anyone recommend areas that are an hour inland from either coast that fit what I'm looking for?

I was going to look into Lake Mary, Winter Park and maybe an area somewhere between Deland and Orlando. ????
As far as jobs go, I would be coming down with some savings and probably looking for a retail job or maybe even a Disney job. Although when my daughter worked for Disney the pay was terrible but the perks were nice!

Thanks, Patty

[pianogal]

Are you talking about being a snowbird? One who lives here in the winter and goes back north during the warm season. I know several of those - they come down in November and go back around the first of May. With your arm problem, I can't imagine how you would survive a Florida summer. I love many things about living in Florida but the 1 thing that does seem intolerable at times is humidity - that we have in spades from about mid June - September - at least those are the months it bothers me. Some people say it's bad for longer than that.

From what you want...I would suggest Deland. You are not far from the east coast beaches (I would guess aroung 30 min?), but you are inland and you would most likely find a home with land. Deland has a more small town feel, has Stetson College..not far from some beautiful springs (Blue Springs, De Leon Springs. Disney is probably about a 45" - 1 hr. drive down I 4. However, I have no idea what the job market in Deland is like.

For west coast beaches, I prefer the Sarasota area, but you are much further south.

[Coconut1]

My suggestion based off your medical problems is... west coast. California, that is. Southern California sounds like it would suite you best. Maybe Santa Monica or something like that. Summers aren't hot and winters aren't cold. Humidity isn't bad, either.

[TANaples]

I agree he is probably right about California, but the East Coast isn't quite as humid as the Gulf. Both are hot, but the ocean gives you more breezes.

[ChrisA70]

I hate to say this, but, no matter where you live here in FL, the humidity is REALLY high, except for the "winter" months of Dec-March. If you are talking about central FL, that would most likely be the WORST decision as it is rediculously hot and humid there. I lived in Winter park for years, and it was really hot there. St. Augustine north may be better for you. Don't let anyone talk you into South Florida either, I think this is the worst part of FL, talk about humid.... I myself am aiming at north FL when my boss retires, until then I am stuck down here.

And if you are dead set on FL, the EAST coast is a lot better. More seabreeze, less hot.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by ChrisA70

I hate to say this, but, no matter where you live here in FL, the humidity is REALLY high, except for the "winter" months of Dec-March. If you are talking about central FL, that would most likely be the WORST decision as it is rediculously hot and humid there. I lived in Winter park for years, and it was really hot there. St. Augustine north may be better for you. Don't let anyone talk you into South Florida either, I think this is the worst part of FL, talk about humid.... I myself am aiming at north FL when my boss retires, until then I am stuck down here.

And if you are dead set on FL, the EAST coast is a lot better. More seabreeze, less hot.

Sorry, Chris, but I don't agree about the East coast being a LOT better, I have been in St. Augustine a lot in the summer, and it is every bit as deadly hot and humid as here in Sarasota. We have breezes here, too, it's no different to me on either coast. Anyone who does not like heat and humidity should not only NOT live in Florida, but no where in the south.

I would advise the OP to look out west somewhere, and I mean west as in United States, not florida.

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Sorry, Chris, but I don't agree about the East coast being a LOT better, I have been in St. Augustine a lot in the summer, and it is every bit as deadly hot and humid as here in Sarasota. We have breezes here, too, it's no different to me on either coast. Anyone who does not like heat and humidity should not only NOT live in Florida, but no where in the south.

I would advise the OP to look out west somewhere, and I mean west as in United States, not florida.

When I lived in melbourne, came out here to SWFL, there was a 9 degree, yes 9 degree difference in temp, it was September one time I came over to my moms from Melbourne, when I left there(Melbourne) it was comfortable 82-85ish, we got out of the car in Cape Coral at Publix, and when i opened the door it was shocking... I am not making this up, I remember saying "holy crap"... it was like 92+ and WAY more humid. The seabreeze in melbourne, was/is way stronger than over here. And cooler. i lived and live in both areas, I can feel a huge difference. Any time I went over there from here or even up to St. Pete the temps were a ton better than down here. Yes you are right no matter where you go in Fl, or the south, hot, humid, h e double L... The 3 H's. I have been told it is a bit better up in N. FL. though.

I agree also that if the OP has the humidity problem, this is NOT the state to live in with those health problems.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by ChrisA70

When I lived in melbourne, came out here to SWFL, there was a 9 degree, yes 9 degree difference in temp, it was September one time I came over to my moms from Melbourne, when I left there(Melbourne) it was comfortable 82-85ish, we got out of the car in Cape Coral at Publix, and when i opened the door it was shocking... I am not making this up, I remember saying "holy crap"... it was like 92+ and WAY more humid. The seabreeze in melbourne, was/is way stronger than over here. And cooler. i lived and live in both areas, I can feel a huge difference. Any time I went over there from here or even up to St. Pete the temps were a ton better than down here. Yes you are right no matter where you go in Fl, or the south, hot, humid, h e double L... The 3 H's. I have been told it is a bit better up in N. FL. though.

I agree also that if the OP has the humidity problem, this is NOT the state to live in with those health problems.

Well, since you live so much farther south than I do, I can see where there could be a huge difference. Sarasota/Bradenton (where I am) actually feels pretty good, most of the summer we get nice breeze and it usually doesn't go much over 90 degrees, at least where I live. You will probably like it a lot more in north Florida, it cools off a litter earlier there.

[007.5]

Originally Posted by Pattyswind

Hi all,
For over 12 years I've had a major problem with winter depression (sad). Its really bad now. I was crying yesterday as I was shoveling out of another foot of snow. Winter is NOT good for me physically or mentally. For over 10 years I've been thinking I want to relocate to Florida for the winter. The area I know the most about is Kissimmee (Disney of course).
I've been to St. Augustine and I love that area.
Now the health issues...
I have a problem with my upper arms. They itch so badly in the summer that I have to secure ice packs to them with ace bandages. There are a few theories as to why this is happening but I have narrowed it down to sweat/humidity. When it's humid the itching is worse. This condition disappears 95% in the winter. The only positive thing about winter is I get relief from this maddening condition.
I "think" I have fibromyalgia. Never been officially diagnosed but I meet the criteria. Heat makes me feel better so living in Florida would be a positive thing.
I'm going to try to be clear as to what I'm looking for and maybe someone could help me zone in on a good area. PLEASE don't take anything that I say personally. It's not personal, just my preferences.

East coast or west coast? I like the gulf side better but I've heard its much hotter and humid? true?

I'd like to be no more than an hour from the ocean but far enough inland that if I decide to buy,homeowners wouldn't be sky high.

Im thinking if I stay "central" I will avoid the worst of the heat but yet be south enough of Jax that I won't get all the cold. ??

I DONT want to be in an area where I feel like I'm on vacation in another country and I can't speak the language.

I would like to be in an area where I have a little bit of property around my home. Not in a developement where my neighbors property line is 10 ft. away from me. I would be renting just to feel the area out but eventually buying if I like it.

I don't want to be in the middle of a tourist area. I don't want to be in the middle of knowwhere either. The outskirts would be OK.

Of course I don't want to be in a high crime, gang area.

Can anyone recommend areas that are an hour inland from either coast that fit what I'm looking for?

I was going to look into Lake Mary, Winter Park and maybe an area somewhere between Deland and Orlando. ????
As far as jobs go, I would be coming down with some savings and probably looking for a retail job or maybe even a Disney job. Although when my daughter worked for Disney the pay was terrible but the perks were nice!

Thanks, Patty

Panhandle of Florida....inland by an hour . Around Crestview/Baker/Holt/Milton/or Pace . Theses areas are the highest in elevation for the state of Florida and hence, the mildest . Still gets good n hot though, but not like southern florida . People very friendly...easy to make new friends especially if you get into a nice local church. Lots of activities, beaches, entertainment , restaurants within 1 hour (such as Destin and Ft. Walton , Fl) . Cheapest place to live in Florida with a super selection of very affordable homes, mobile homes, or apartments. More country atmosphere with I-10 closeby as well as other more major highways. Property taxes cheap. Lots of wooded areas if you want to be more isolated and amongst nature yet still close to towns . I moved down here from northern illinois after spending some 50 winters snow shoveling , driving on dangerous icy roads, and being kooked up in the house for 5 months straight -- once cabin fever sets in its followed by depression . Ive never felt better in my life now. Makes ALL the difference. Florida is a good move.

[Pattyswind]

Thanks for all the responses. I think when I start searching I'll definitely stay North. I plan on making a trip in the hottest part of the summer just to see how my arms handle the heat. When I came to Kissimmee in July a few years ago I had a few incidents with the arms itching but it wasnt unbearable.