Are we nuts to want to come back? (Orlando: rent, condo)

[Rcm58]

Originally Posted by ang08

First off, I know there are those who just plain HATE Florida, no ifs ands or buts. No offense, but this question is not for you

We lived in FL (Orlando) for 2 years about ten years ago. I LOVED the climate, summer included. I've never been so comfortable in my life. No mountains but it has it's own unique beauty. We currently live the Pacific NW (to be near family) and I am miserable. Seasonal depression that lasts November - May and only 2-3 months a year are tolerable here .

I know FL has it's problems - crime, poor schools, economy, etc. We have a good quality of life where we are - low crime, good schools, etc. BUT I hate it every time I walk outside. I'm sick of walking around hunched over and angry. I love to be outdoors but can't most of the year.

So I guess my question is this: Would it be a huge mistake to come back? We have two young kids. We could afford a decent house in a nice community, if that makes a difference, and my husband telecommutes from home so he can work/live anywhere.

thanks.

We are moving back to Florida as well when our youngest son graduates, we decided this a few years ago and bought a condo on the beach during one of our vacations. Florida has a lot to offer so no I don't think your crazy. Life's too short to be miserable.

[beckycat]

I lived in NE PA. In PA, it starts to get cold in October and doesn't warm up until June. By cold, I mean anything under 45 degrees. Don't get me wrong, the summers and fall are beautiful. Then comes the cold, grey, dreary days which cause me to have severe SAD. I remeber years where we had ice storms on Halloween and snow storms on Easter. I need my sunshine!

[ngrome]

Originally Posted by blueoktober

If that is her experience then why is it exaggerate? As someone who lived in Chicago you can attest that it is gloomy and gray from October to sometimes mid May! It does happen. Even in Nashville It was nothing but rain, cold temps and gray sky for almost 6 months. It almost killed me inside.

I don't find Orlando that hot to be honest. A couple of weeks last year it was bad but even in the 90s it is not that bad. It's all relative and a person cannot regulate how another person feels about weather...so there's no way her post was exaggerated or irrelevant.

I asked the poster this question, I probably should have PM'd her but I see her subsequent response below. Thanks for trying to answer on her behalf, though, I think...

[ngrome]

Originally Posted by beckycat

I lived in NE PA. In PA, it starts to get cold in October and doesn't warm up until June. By cold, I mean anything under 45 degrees. Don't get me wrong, the summers and fall are beautiful. Then comes the cold, grey, dreary days which cause me to have severe SAD. I remeber years where we had ice storms on Halloween and snow storms on Easter. I need my sunshine!

Ok, thanks. That's all I wanted to know, but I still think 8 months of dreary weather is slightly exaggerating, but if you say that anyting under 45 degrees is cold to you, then that's your right and preference. In the same way, I think anything above 80 for me is too hot. But I will tell you my personal experience since I do live up north part of the time (on extended vacations either in summer or winter), that when it is around 40 degrees in FL, it does feel colder here than when it is 40 degrees in IL.

The reason I think is this (which sounds obvious), that it can be less than 40 degrees up north for an extended period so when it does finally get back to 40, it actually feels warm. I experienced that this past winter, when it was 10 below for a few days outside of Chicago, when it hit 20, I was actually just wearing a layered sweater and sweatshirt. But when it goes down to 40 in FL after experiencing constant heat for the most part of the year, then it feels you need to wear a coat, LOL!

[HopToIt]

FL has a lot of moisture too, so I know what you mean. In FL, it feels a little cooler than the temp would indicate. The drier air some of the other states have (IMO) makes it feel a little warmer than the same FL temp. IMO.

[bbills03]

Originally Posted by ang08

First off, I know there are those who just plain HATE Florida, no ifs ands or buts. No offense, but this question is not for you

We lived in FL (Orlando) for 2 years about ten years ago. I LOVED the climate, summer included. I've never been so comfortable in my life. No mountains but it has it's own unique beauty. We currently live the Pacific NW (to be near family) and I am miserable. Seasonal depression that lasts November - May and only 2-3 months a year are tolerable here .

I know FL has it's problems - crime, poor schools, economy, etc. We have a good quality of life where we are - low crime, good schools, etc. BUT I hate it every time I walk outside. I'm sick of walking around hunched over and angry. I love to be outdoors but can't most of the year.

So I guess my question is this: Would it be a huge mistake to come back? We have two young kids. We could afford a decent house in a nice community, if that makes a difference, and my husband telecommutes from home so he can work/live anywhere.

thanks.

You should sell asap and move to Orlando! We live in Buffalo, NY for the past 30 years and its crappy, crappy, crappy from September-June (varying) but mostly gloom, gray days, rain, rain, rain, wind storms like crazy (ruined 2 brand new vinyl fences), severe power outages, below freezing temps, horrible sports teams, winter blues galore, and there is NOTHING to do here but shop at Kohls and go out to eat!!!!! I cannot wait to move down to Florida. AND TO THOSE FLORIDA HATERS TRY LIVING HERE FOR 1 MONTH! NY taxes, weather, housing costs, traffic, and crime far outweighs yours!!!
UGH!!!

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by bbills03

You should sell asap and move to Orlando! We live in Buffalo, NY for the past 30 years and its crappy, crappy, crappy from September-June (varying) but mostly gloom, gray days, rain, rain, rain, wind storms like crazy (ruined 2 brand new vinyl fences), severe power outages, below freezing temps, horrible sports teams, winter blues galore, and there is NOTHING to do here but shop at Kohls and go out to eat!!!!! I cannot wait to move down to Florida. AND TO THOSE FLORIDA HATERS TRY LIVING HERE FOR 1 MONTH! NY taxes, weather, housing costs, traffic, and crime far outweighs yours!!!
UGH!!!

At least somebody agrees with me. Hurry up and get to FL!

[billybobtoo]

oh no. it's much easier to be comfortable in the cold. put a sweater on!
summers suck in florida.
the snowbirds have the right idea....just visit for the month of jan or feb.

[billybobtoo]

Originally Posted by bbills03

You should sell asap and move to Orlando! We live in Buffalo, NY for the past 30 years and its crappy, crappy, crappy from September-June (varying) but mostly gloom, gray days, rain, rain, rain, wind storms like crazy (ruined 2 brand new vinyl fences), severe power outages, below freezing temps, horrible sports teams, winter blues galore, and there is NOTHING to do here but shop at Kohls and go out to eat!!!!! I cannot wait to move down to Florida. AND TO THOSE FLORIDA HATERS TRY LIVING HERE FOR 1 MONTH! NY taxes, weather, housing costs, traffic, and crime far outweighs yours!!!
UGH!!!

you have it backwards. buffalo has it all over orlando in terms of charm, good food, things to do, and seasonal variety.
orlando has 4 seasons. hot, hotter, hottest, and hell.
as far as food goes, it's basically restaurant chains. some good seafood joints i will admit.
no historical architecture to speak of. buffalo has tons.
no nightlife, unless you count the dumb theme parks, or redneck cowboy joints.
no real downtown...basically it's empty downtown. cheesy condos nobody is buying.
nothing to do here really. that's why everybody stays home.
the beaches are nice of course. i like march, april for the beaches. forget summer months.
the people are nice enough, but they are all from somewhere else.
try finding a native orlandian. i never have.
i miss those cold grey december days, when i would go out and shovel the driveway, and then go for a brisk walk in the bracing air.

[Ghenges]

Is this dude really trying to make a case for BUFFALO? Really? BUFFALO? Lol.

One thing you can always count on Orlando to have: bitter northerners who hate their lives.

Again, Lol.