Tell me about the good, bad and ugly! (Orlando, Tallahassee: 2014, insurance) - Florida (FL) - City-Data Forum

minniemom2014 · 04-29-2015, 08:59 AM

So we are seriously considering a move to the Tallahassee area. We have been wanting to move to a warmer climate for quite some time now and DH has actually been offered a job in the Orlando area, but Tallahassee seems a bit more welcoming based on what we are looking for. We're thinking of just taking a leap of faith and making the move . . . without a job! While it's super scary, based on property prices I'm seeing I think we could afford to buy a comfortable home and have enough left over (without a mortgage) to last several months while DH looks for a job.

So, that being said, here's what we're looking for in our new home environment. Can you please shed some light on whether or not Tallahassee is a good fit for us? We will be visiting the area next month, but I want to get some information ahead of time. We've been to pretty much every area of the state except Tallahassee, so it will be interesting to see what we think!

1. We definitely want a rural area with acreage, so obviously we know we don't want to be right in Tallahassee - something more on the outskirts of town.

2. With two kids - ages 10 and 15 - who are currently enrolled in gifted programs at their schools I want to make sure we are moving to an area with a good district. Suggestions?

3. We really want to be within an hour - hour and a half TOPS - of a beach.

4. Definitely looking for low storm risk. Based on what we've been reading, Tallahassee seems to fit this. What are insurance premiums like?

5. How about cost of living / utilities / etc?

6. We are huge seafood eaters - we want to learn to fish, shrimp, etc, but at least need access to good, fresh, local seafood.

7. Good weather! For us, this means warmer rather than colder! We generally tend to handle the heat a lot better than we do cold weather.

8. Ok, now tell me about bugs. Everyone I talk to about moving to FL tells me to get prepared for the big bugs. How bad are they, really?!?!

Thanks for any input!

minniemom2014 · 05-04-2015, 07:32 AM

Any input at all?! Thanks

trobesmom · 05-07-2015, 10:13 AM

Hi Minnie. I hope someone who lives around Tallahassee will answer your questions soon.

My husband and I live in north Florida, and are relocating to Madison (about an hour east of Tally) next month. It is VERY rural. We bought 5 acres of property with some outbuildings, and are looking forward to getting around from all the traffic and people where we are now. There are no big box stores and hardly any restaurants, so it will be an adjustment. However, we should be able to find anything we would need about 1/2 an hour away.

Tallahassee is really pretty, as are the surrounding areas. It has all the amenities you could want.

As far as bugs, yes, there are bugs. I'm a native Floridian, so I suppose I am used to them, so I don't find them too offputting.

Good luck with your decision.

minniemom2014 · 05-08-2015, 07:14 AM

Thanks for the response Trobesmom. Yes, I am hoping to get some other responses as well, but I appreciate your input

Macgregorsailor51 · 05-09-2015, 08:31 AM

Well Minnie: You need to do a personal search about schools..

Florida is not known for Quality Schools but some areas are worse than others.. Plain and Simple its just not where Our Govenor has sent or spent the money..

Florida is IMHO a Very Narrow State, so its seldom that you find yourself too far from a Coast be it the Gulf or the Atlantic..

COL is relative.. Relative to where/the cost to you to live where you do now and how much you will have to spend when you get here.. If your making $60K in CO and come down and find out most jobs down here pay $10-$15 an hr.??
Jobs pay poorly over all, in Florida. Nation wide Florida is most often ranked in or around 39 out of 50 for Wages/Income.. You might not find it appealing to live and work in one of the lowest paying counties in one of the lowest paying states..( if you were not aware of that do some due diligence )

Huge Seafood Eaters? Well Fresh Caught Seafood can be IMHO very expensive.. So unless you buy frozen at Costco or Sams I suggest you be ready to spend in or around $15-$20 LB. Depending on where you live as to whats available to TRY and catch.. Thats why we call it fishing not catching : )

Weather? well your about 1000 miles south of CO so its warmer but can still get chilly and even a frost here and there..
The Farther inland the less concern with Hurricanes..

Maybe? Look Around The Lakeland area as well.

You didnt say what your husband does for work so we have no idea what to say about that.. but again.. wages are low across the board compared to most areas North of the Mason Dixon Line.. Average Family Income ( figureing on 2 incomes in Florida) is IIRC $43K there is no state income tax but everything you buy is taxed at 6.5% or above..

Heck check Gas Buddy for your town and where you want to live.. and remember gas will be returning above $3 and maybe even go to $4 .. Right now its around $2.50 give or take...

Good Hunting.. Put I suggest not just pulling up stakes and hoping..

minniemom2014 · 05-11-2015, 07:25 AM

As you can imagine, this is a very difficult decision to make. I've read some wonderful things about Tally - I've read that it's much more liberal in Tally itself, but the surrounding areas are very conservative and yes, "redneck." That's not quite what we're looking for, but we do want something more rural. We're hoping to find 5-10 acres with a nice home for less than $250k. That seems to be no problem on the outskirts of Tally - we've looked at other areas of FL, but property prices are so much higher and the areas are so built up. We really want something more rural.

AustinTraveler · 05-11-2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minniemom2014

As you can imagine, this is a very difficult decision to make. I've read some wonderful things about Tally - I've read that it's much more liberal in Tally itself, but the surrounding areas are very conservative and yes, "redneck." That's not quite what we're looking for, but we do want something more rural. We're hoping to find 5-10 acres with a nice home for less than $250k. That seems to be no problem on the outskirts of Tally - we've looked at other areas of FL, but property prices are so much higher and the areas are so built up. We really want something more rural.

If you want rural in Florida be prepared for redneck cause that's what you're going to get.

TD* · 05-14-2015, 09:11 PM

Tallahassee is a beautiful city! Come Check it out

Clayton white guy · 05-15-2015, 04:04 PM

Tallahassee is a gorgeous city!

flyboytampabay · 06-18-2015, 09:22 AM

We almost move to Tallahasee a few years ago. It is a great area check out greatschools.org for the better schools. Regarding insurance, I think anywhere in Florida ( I live in Central FL) you have to have "wind insurance". This if for damage from named storms. It is usually about double the regular insurance. Also many insurance companies stopped selling home insurance in Florida a few years ago, so there is little competition. Regarding the beaches close by to Tallahassee, they are not that great. You have Panacea and Alligator Point.

Still not a bad place to live.