It's not better in FL! (Tampa, Bradenton: daycare, how much, homes)

[hdzup3]

Originally Posted by NewFLGal

Athorson---

I think you speak like someone who KNOWS what cold is- Originally from Chicago, I also know what a true winter is like. A cold so freeezing that you cannot feel your face, and the stinging of that -30 wind chilll-- NO thanks! I'll take a day on the sun any day over that. Not to mention solid ice streets and dull dreary fall and spring days.. Some people don't really know what cold is. When it's 50, we are used to grilling out and driving with our windows down, people here think thats cold! Although, 2 years here and my blood is already thinning out (and I always was a freezy cat!) LOL LOL

MEEEE TOOOO!!!!

[Oobie119]

HDzup,
Just be aware of CDD's. I think think the 34202 area is Lakewood Ranch?? That is a CDD community and you need to do your research on that. It's always a good idea to rent first (we are still renting). It gives you some time before you buy, we've been here 2 years and are still learning. If you have any questions about schools or areas let me know and I'll do my best. My hubby and I both work for school districts so we have that area covered!

[athorson710]

Originally Posted by NewFLGal

Athorson---

I think you speak like someone who KNOWS what cold is- Originally from Chicago, I also know what a true winter is like. A cold so freeezing that you cannot feel your face, and the stinging of that -30 wind chilll-- NO thanks! I'll take a day on the sun any day over that. Not to mention solid ice streets and dull dreary fall and spring days.. Some people don't really know what cold is. When it's 50, we are used to grilling out and driving with our windows down, people here think thats cold! Although, 2 years here and my blood is already thinning out (and I always was a freezy cat!) LOL LOL

I was in Milwaukee this past weekend and they have been bombarded with snow this winter. I couldn't believe how high the snowbanks were and only thought of how long it will take for the snow to thaw. Probably June, ha. Although it was about 40 degrees there yesterday and I was walking around with a t-shirt and jeans. And of course my windows were down too. The dull dreary days are something that I completely agree with you on. The sun sets at about 5 for a few months and it's just depressing!

[athorson710]

Originally Posted by anywherebutpinellas

It's not warm here, it's sweltering hot! If you are tired of the extreme northern states, why make such a drastic change to come to the extreme south? Why not choose a state that has the four seasons, but doesn't get as cold or as much snow? Let's face it, Florida is ugly, except for the beaches (if you like the beach). Skinny slash pines, scrawny palm trees and scrub, and almost completely flat. Roads in dire need of repair and acres of pavement, strip malls and fast food places. They keep encouraging us to conserve water, they've told us that since the 1970s, but they don't stop developing. They let the developers build without improving the infrastructure of the roads, resulting in the current traffic mess. Now they want to build a new baseball stadium on the waterfront in St. Petersburg - when the one they already have is less than 20 years old, partially paid for by the taxpayers. Guess who's going to get stuck with the bill for the new one, if it gets approved?

I know it's going to be sweltering hot. I have visited there in July the past few years. After 25 years of being cold, I'd now rather be hot for awhile. The winters up here suck. Period. That's the thing, if I'm going to move, it's going to be drastic and far away. And it's going to be near the beach. I'm in a spot now where I just want to get away and try something completely different. Plus I have some family in the area.

[hdzup3]

Originally Posted by NewFLGal

HDzup,
Just be aware of CDD's. I think think the 34202 area is Lakewood Ranch?? That is a CDD community and you need to do your research on that. It's always a good idea to rent first (we are still renting). It gives you some time before you buy, we've been here 2 years and are still learning. If you have any questions about schools or areas let me know and I'll do my best. My hubby and I both work for school districts so we have that area covered!

i noticed that about all the cdds too. actually asked the realator ive been chatting with to send me homes not in the gated and restricted communities. my friends live in that zip as well, i will be staying with them next week and will look around. i am set on robert willis school or gene witt. robert willis is the first choice.
im so excited but very scared too. we just hope we can find jobs. i am a hairdresser but will have to just do that on the side and get a job with benefits. i have 2 small girls. one almost 6 and one 3. i may or may not have help with the little one, so that will determine the job situation for me.
we are thinking of renting.... not sure, we are pretty set on the area so if we can snag a forclosure in our price range that would be perfect. thanx!!

[Oobie119]

You're better off renting. It really gives you some time to get settled and learn the areas. Plus, if you need to live on one salary its not too bad. We are still renting (almost 2 years now) and its not ideal, but we're grateful. Check out the Bradenton Yacht Club- they were very reasonable, and beautiful! Gene witt and Willis are both A schools (I used to work for Manatee county). The childcare thing is another story. Really look at your finances when you get here--make sure you aren't working just to pay for childcare, that would be insane. There are hiring freezes right now in the school districts, otherwise Id say a job as an aide or other support member would be ideal. Not great pay but good benefits and convenience for the little ones. Also, when looking at homes, keep in mind- not all gated and deed restricted are CDD there's a difference. Im sure you know, but purchase over '96 to maintain GOOD insurance. Companies out here will drop you like a hotcake if you buy an older home- they aren't up to current hurricane standards..

[cherubicwindigo]

I live in Venice, a town you've probably never heard of. My mom moved here after her divorce (to be with her retired parents) and dragged her four children here in tow, and I may never escape. Venice is a retirement city, where most people are retired, the second majority work at a fast-food joint/Olive Garden and the smallest catagory is comprised of the unemployed and severly underpaid. I see all kinds of posts about people living "within their means" I drive a 1992 Honda Accord and my 2-bedroom (craptastic) aparment, costs a cool $875 a month, we have a roomie, which helps, but I would like to live alone with my fiance, who I will never be able to afford more than a courtroom marriage if I want to make nuptuials with him. I love Florida, its my home, but if you are just starting our in life, this place will suck out your soul. If I could afford to save money to move out of this hellhole I certainly would, but where would I go? Where are the jobs aplety and the houses resonably priced? Nowhere I have ever heard of, or else I would already be there. I've lived here for 11 years, three or four years ago, I would have said Florida was the best place to live, now I want to scream my head off at anyone who thinks they should move here DO NOT MOVE TO FLORIDA YOU WILL END UP RUNNING HOME IN DEBT!!! *Unless you are old and rich, if you are, Venice is beautiful and its the sharkstooth capitol of the world, you would love it here.

[InLuvWitFlo]

The craziest thing in the world to me is to hear folks say "I'm moving because of the weather!" No wonder so many people are packing up and leaving florida.

[Sunnydee]

[quote=cincyreds45212;2919297]

Originally Posted by anywherebutpinellas

My point is the summers don't last as long up north. Here they can be from April to November. Ninety degree heat with no let-up (except for the rain showers, then when the sun comes back out, it's twice as miserable.) I'm sorry northerners, don't tell me about the heat up north. You start getting cool weather in late August, early Sept


the weather up north sucks. You go from winter where its cold everyday from november till mid march, then you go through have 2 days in the 60's to having a week in the 20's or 30's...its very frustrating. Then in the summer, which i love, you have 85 to 100 degree weather everyday. Heck, last summer it was over 90 degrees for like 32 straight days in Cincinnati...thaats worse than most summers, but its still usually really hot in the summers here....We honestly get about 3 months a yr of comfortable weather thats neither hot nor cold, then another 2 months where it goes from warm and nice one day to freezing cold the next.....weather is an issue anywhere you live...

I'm in Cincinnati, too and I agree with you 100%. We have five months a year when I can be outside and seven months a year that are completely horrible - gray, dreary, and cold. We had two snow days last week and right now it's 27 degrees and snowing again. I'd love to see the sun again and be warm. I figure when I move to Florida I'll gain seven months.

[LukePH]

To the girl in Venice..obviously you are not happy with your life in its current state. You would be unhappy anywhere. The greatest thing about our country is that with a little hard work you can change your circumstances. If someones education level will only land them a job in a fast food resteraunt, then yes, you will not live very well. I wish you well but only you can change the life you live, not your fiance or your mother.