Ever considered moving to Florida?

[tjkraz]

I'm curious to hear from others who have considered moving to Florida, or even those who have done so.

Here's my story. My wife and I have both lived in Ohio our entire lives. Almost all of our immediate families are also within a 25 mile radius. Additionally I worked for the same (local) company for about 13 years and was well paid. Relocation has never been anything to which I gave serious consideration.

Recently some things have begun to change. I've been self-employed for about 6 mos now with long-term business agreements that insure our financial security. My primary client is 300 miles away from me now, so my place of residence isn't really a big deal. Also, my wife's mother died a couple months ago. That was her biggest anchor in this area. The couple of people to whom we have mentioned relocation already claim we would probably see them MORE frequently if we moved to a warmer climate. Oh, and we'd have to have a spare bedroom, too. :)

This is far from a done-deal, but I'm actually contemplating it for the first time. One of my primary motivating factors would be the weather. While I could certainly survive living up here, it gets a little old only having 4-5 really warm months per year. I know that summers in the south can be brutal, but I'm a lot more tolerant of warm extremes than cold extremes.

So, we're left cautiously examining our options.

Any words of wisdom?

[jiggerj]

Not going to be very helpful on the words of wisdom here but I will tell you that I have been in your shoes-

I was all ready to move- New England girl here and has had it with the shoveling, snow blowing ect... (I was a die hard skiier in my "past life" :) )

I had the appraiser to the house and was VERY happy with what she had to say- :) My only brother is in St. Augustine and is doing well for himself and really wants to have his family down in the state. I had (still do) a realtor that is working to find a house that fits what I am looking for.

I was looking in the Clermont, Winterhaven/garden, Celebration area. Although the schools are better than the average for FL. I am going to have to wait until my ds is older. I am not trying to knock the school systems in FL. BUT the system that I am fortunate to have my kids in right now are more suited to what my ds needs-

I was actually offered a job to manage a new store that just recently opened in DTD (I am a x-cm) but will have to wait for hopefully another opportunity to come up in the future.

Contemplating is a good thing that is where you discover your options :) Good luck in your decison :dust:

[RweTHEREyet]

I grew up in Fl for a good portion of my young life. Graduated from high school in St. Petersburg. The things I don't like about Fl. that you don't notice when just visiting there, is that there are no, absolutely no change of seasons; it is all flat land, no hills or mtns. (except WDW), there are lots and lots of bugs. And then there is the humidity, o.k., so you notice it when you are on vacation, but it is more of a nuisance when you are trying to get thru day-to-day stuff.

That being said, I was born in Ohio, Akron to be exact, and I am not so sure that all those things I mentioned about Fl. would be so hard to put up with. :hahahaha:

I know if I were considering this move, I would do it before the kids get established in school and have friends it would devistate them to leave.

[ghost1000]

The thought has crossed my mind, but it doesn't stay there for long. I know sometimes on my trips to WDW in May and October it's hot. I can't imagine what it's like during the summer months.

And there's the hurricane aspect to consider as well.

Here in my SE corner of Pennsylvania, our winters usually aren't too bad. Yea, in 1993 we had a 3 foot blizzard in March, but that's the exception, not the rule.

As much as I'd love to be local to WDW, I just don't see it happening.

[Rozzie]

I lived my younger childhood years in Orlando, and my teens and 20's in Pensacola. That being said, I drool at the mouth thinking of a way to make it back down to central florida. My dad is in Tarpons Springs (Tampa area), so there is family down there. My mom, on the other hand, just closed on her dream house 2 miles from our new home here in Alabama, and she would kill me if I moved now. (she moved when we moved)

Our situation is different, as our level of income would have to be kicked up a notch for the Orlando area. It blows my mind that what we paid for a new 2700sqft house here would only get us a 1br/1ba 1200 sqft condo down there.

The humidity? To tell you the truth, it is bad, real bad, but you learn very quick you just don't go outside from 11am-5pm. I second the change of seasons. I don't know how hard that would be to adjust to, as I never lived anywhere with a change of season.

It is a goal of ours to make it down there someday. I think if you had the opportunity, the financial security, and willingness of other members of family, it would be a dream move!:goodvibes

Good luck Tim! oh yeah, no state income tax!!!!

[ErinC]

I grew up in Bradenton, FL. There is not much seasonal change at all. I can recall many Christmas photos with shorts on and even some spent at the Beach with our northern cousins. I had never even seen snow until I was 18 and in college in Arkansas. My parents grew up in Indiana and when I would whine and complain about our "tropical" surroundings they would just laugh and joke that I thought I was being raised in "the armpit of the world"! I still live in the South now, so not much change in weather although it is a little more seasonal here. I would look very closely at the school systems if your children will be attending public school. I know in the past few years some counties have had some financial issues. Although, compared to what my kids have now in Alabama, we as a family didn't have to supply near what I have to supply for my kids now. If you move to Florida, you will notice Senior Citizens more than you ever have before. :laughing: They will be the one's in front of you on the street that have no business being out on the road (not all but some). They will be banging your heels with their publix shopping carts, and you'll be the one yelling "go back home up North you yankee"!:laughing: That is the difference in vacationing and living there in a nutshell!;) I'd still love to live down that way again someday, more inland so you don't have to mess with the storms so much.

[Colorado Belle]

Funny you should mention OHIO:
One of my good friends who went through a divorce while living in Ohio...where her whole fam still lives...decided she had to LEAVE and moved to Tampa. I think she is quite happy. Of course, her job was actually much better paying in Florida 9nurse practitioner). While the schools in most of Florida aren't so good...the really great thing is, if you have a 3.5 or better GPA, you can into Florida colleges for FREE (for a 4.0) or half free!!!!. Good incentive for those with kids!

I agree with most of the negs mentioned. My half sister lives about an hour north of Orlando ...moved there when I was about 10 years old. Summers CAN be humid but hey...that's what vacations are for, no?

I've lived in Colorado for a LOOONG time and winters are getting to be a pain. But I have the heart of an island girl, so Hawaii would be my first choice. I'm priced out of that market now, but looking at Puerto Vallarta...seriously....for a 2nd home choice. In fact....leaving to start that search in 10 days. ANd NO jiggs, I haven't even thought about packing yet....LOL

[cobbler]

What I am about to type will actually help you in no way I am sure but just thought I would interject.

Recently I am feeling the same way about the weather, I am getting seriously sick of the cold and snow.

I think about moving down south but not to FL, more GA. Possibly Atlanta suburbs. One I like cities (would love to live in Chicago for a year) and 2 because its not as prone to hurricanes, by the time it gets there it is mostly rain.

Hubby has a lot of family that transplanted themselves from here in MI to Atlanta so he would have someone down there.

All my family lives up here so it would be a big move for me. Now the biggest thing keeping us here is my stepson. We have custody and would need the courts permission to move out of state and that would be a long expensive battle as we know his mom would fight it tooth and nail even though she could give a damn and only sees him 4 days a month :rolleyes: But that is another thread all on its own!

If I could have my way, I would have a place to go in the winter and live up here in the Spring - Fall time. Be a snowbird really. MI is very pretty in the Spring / Summer time so ideally I would love to be home here during the nice weather and just transplant myself during the crappy winter.

[nono]

Tim,

We've moved a few times over the years. We approach each decision with an open heart -- if one of us really wants to go, the other votes to move too, with a caveat -- we give it 18-24 months. At that point, if both parties don't vote to continue living there, we start preparing for the next move! :)

So, if it turns out you really don't take to FL, you can always choose another place, or return to OH....just a thought!

[Disneymooners93]

My experience of living in Florida... I started out my career working seasonal jobs. Thought the Everglades would be a cool place to spend the winter. :yuck: At least now I know I never have to think that again. The weekend trip to WDW was about the only positive thing.

Of course, Ohio isn't my idea of a place I would never want to leave so I understand your wandering mind. Now, I am a mountain person and live where it snows every month, including July and August, so you definitely don't want to pay attention to me.:crazy:

[DisFlan]

I was born in Clearwater, but learned early that I like a more temperate climate for most of the year. If I lived in Fla. year round , I'd miss the deep fall colors, the spring dogwoods and a crackling fire on a cold day. And I can do without the hot and hyper-humid Florida summers.

The day to day lives of people living in Florida are as nice or bad or stressed as most other places - they just get less snow. As with most things, it's what you make of it.

BUT - this isn't to say I'd mind a few weeks in Orlando during January or February.


DisFlan

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all the great feedback so far. It's so interesting to hear all of the different perspectives.

To address some of the comments made here:

* The portion of Ohio we live in is just about as flat as anywhere you'll find on the face of the earth. I really don't see any downside to moving further south. ;)

* The lack of true seasons wouldn't bother me a bit. Even though DW is the one who has been suggesting a move for years, I think she is more like to miss it. I suspect we'd be making regular trips back to this area at least during Christmas, and a week of cold and snow per year is pleanty for me!!!

* Hadn't really thought about the bugs and that's a good point to consider. The humidity, too, is a valid concern. But it's probably not a deal-breaker.

* We've also considered moving elsewhere in the southern US. I have a lengthy relationship with a company in Birmingham and have been there a dozen times over the last decade. That's a very nice area. Atlanta is very attractive, too.

I think DW harbors these romantic visions of living 30 minutes away from WDW, being able to pop over there for a couple hours whenever we feel like it. She's even talked about working as a CM. Whether those thoughts are realistic or not is something we'd have to work through.

Certainly WDW would lose some of its cache being so close. Even my mother said something to the effect of "it wouldn't be as special if you lived that close." Well, I agree there wouldn't be the excitement and anticipation that currently accompanies making our annual pilgrimage, but it's hard to argue that getting 12-14 days per AP in WDW is somehow more special than making 50+ trips in a year's time. :)

* Far as schools go, our son has been in private school for 2 yrs and we've already paid the deposit for DD to start in the fall. I'm sure we'd plan on doing the same wherever we moved.

Practically speaking, this is a decision that may take a couple of years to really come to fruition. DS finally starts all-day Kindergarten this fall, but DD won't start until the fall of 2008. We have several close family members here to assist with babysitting now so that I have some time to work and for the occasions when I'm out of town for a few days.

It looks like we'll be heading back to WDW next February before our APs expire. It might be worth our while to drive down this time and spend a few days scouting-out a few select communities between Atlanta and Orlando.

Keep the feedback coming. I'd love to hear more stories!!!
Tim

[Rozzie]

Tim, I lived in Birmingham for 3 years. I lived in the Hoover area, aka "Over the Mountain" area. Very nice area, wonderful school system (at least when we were up there, early 90s, you know how things can change), and plenty to see and do. Atlanta close also.
One benefit to that area is the humidity is less than here on the coast/Florida.

Someone mentioned bugs. Living in all the areas mentioned, I guess I don't know what life is like without bugs, just one of those things that come with life. But would never be a deal breaker, a exterminator of choice can eliminate most of those headaches. Lady bug season? Sure they cover your entire car for a month, but are otherwise harmless. (harmful only to paint jobs!) Palmetto bugs can be scary for new devotees. As nothing there is something about seeing a flying cockroach zeroing in on your head to make you run like a drunk chicken.

Really, they are bad, but not run for your life bad. Termites are a big problem, just buy a bond, and sleep at night. Heartworm medication for dogs is not a option, worst area in the country for heartworms.

The benefit of moving near WDW in my mind erases any negatives. Losing the magic being close? I guess everyone is different , and responds in different ways. I am like you, I just wouldn't see that happening.

Good luck!
Robyn

[TW1]

Tim,

I'm in a very similar boat. I think about it almost daily, especially in the winter.

I grew up in NY and lived here in the Philly burbs for 20+ years. This is the farthest north I ever want to be again. Winters just suck; if I never see snow again I'd be one very happy camper.

Winter is my biggest issue, but also, things in the northeast (or technically mid-Atlantic states) are pricey. Our insurance is higher, our housing costs are higher, there is more congestion, and we are always paying to fix our crumbling infrastructure through higher taxes.

So I hear you on the negatives of the north.

Also, DW and I could work anywhere, both of us are in jobs that can be easy to replicate in any major metro area, so I’m not worried about finding decent employment almost anywhere.

Our only draw back is the kids’ schools. We worked very hard to get them in the schools they are in and would love to see them graduate from them. It would be difficult to replicate the education they are getting, no matter where we move.

The counter-argument to that is that DW and I did just fine and we went through mediocre schools, so we'd simply make sure they worked their tails off and got the most out of any school they were in.

Our youngest is in 2nd grade and I tease him by saying I'm going to his HS graduation in the moving van, because straight from there we're heading south.

We don't have family in PA either, one more good reason to move.

But Florida may be out. I have my eye on Charleston, SC. I kick myself that I turned down a job there, for a great firm, about 6 years ago. It would have been the time to go, before all this school business made us feel we needed to stay here.

Go for it! Move south!

(And let me live my life vicariously through your move.)

"Celebration is the place you oughta be,
so load up the minivan and find a place for me...
Swimming pools and Mickey Mouse..."

[PoohsPal]

Tim,

There is at least one here (wish it was me) that goes almost every weekend. At LEAST once a month and still loves WDW.

I live in a smiliar climate, yet with hills and water, so I understand your dislike of the cold.

Howver, I could not take teh knowledge of possible gators in teh retention pond or things such as that. Being cooped up in the sumer because it's too hot to go out sounds almost worse to me.

DH and I contemplate this after almost every trip. Family is reason 1 that we do not d o it, but the "natives" (bug and gators) are a close second.

Good luck in your decision. If you do go, I'd go while the kids ar young so that it's easier to make new friends.

[Deep-Thots]

DH and I bough land in Cape Coral (about 2 1/2 hrs from Disney, on the West Coast of FL) two years ago -- on the water, with the intention of building our retirement home there. My sister lives there, chances are pretty good that my mom and other sister will be moving there, etc. Well, after having visited them through four summers' worth of humidty, bugs (including fire ants -- which I saw my sister step in), and the very frightening aspect of talking to them on the cell phone and having it die in the midst of the hurricane that destroyed Punta Gorda (can't remember the name....) while a tornado touched down a mere block and a half away from their house.... we sold our land and decided to make our retirement home in Charottesville, VA instead. (We also have good friends in Sarasota, Wellington, and Miami, and every time a hurricane rears its ugly head, I get anxious. They inevitably wind up without power, etc. That is no way to live.)

The coasts of FL we deemed too dangerous (we were actually at WDW for a hurricane), and the inland parts a bit too "backwaterish" for us.

Charlottesville seemed perfect: temperate, growing, good educational systems (especially on the university level). As an alternative we'd consider the research triangle area of NC.

[AFMom]

I'm originally from CA - in the foorthills of the Sierra's. We had snow, beautiful Falls, moderate Summers, and wonderful Springs. Good schools, hiking, biking, skiing, water - everything.
We moved when I was 25 for the first time- we actually came here (near Pensacola) and are now back here again for the 2nd time and will be here for a while.
The contrast between where I'm from and where I'm at couldn't be any greater! You'd think coming from CA it'd be somewhat similar to FL - but it's nothing like it!!!!!
Food - different. Culture - different. Seasons- different/non-existent. People - yes - they are different too! Bugs everywhere, humidity you wouldn't believe in the summer.
I guess coming from CA - winters are nothing like Ohio!- it's been a harder move for me. That said..... The beaches are beautiful. Poison kills the bugs. A/C, a pool, and the Gulf take care of the humidity (grocery shopping sucks, though....), and like you've said - you could start vacationing to the snow! We actually have a great school district here in Gulf Breeze - one of the highest rated in the state. I have no idea how that compares it to other states, but everyone seems pretty happy with it! I homeschool mine - so I can't say personally....
Then there are the hurricanes.....:crazy:
I think the most difficult thing for us is - we are out-doorsy people. Camping, biking, hiking, etc. There isn't a lot of that around here, and the summers and even the early spring are too hot to really camp. So we're moving our camping to the winter!
We are about 6 hours from WDW and still plan on only going once a year. Takes some willpower - but really, between the money, the timing, vacation times, and dealing with leaving our pets - the driving distance isn't as helpful as you'd think.
If you aren't set on moving to actual Orlando - there are some great places on the northern Eastern coast, and here in the panhandle.
The biggest advice would be to stay with someone for a while in the summer without going to theme parks, or vacation-y stuff. See if you think you'll adapt to funtioning in the heat and humidity! It's very hard to wear work clothes on days like that!

[Rozzie]

Tim,


Howver, I could not take teh knowledge of possible gators in teh retention pond or things such as that. Being cooped up in the sumer because it's too hot to go out sounds almost worse to me.

DH and I contemplate this after almost every trip. Family is reason 1 that we do not d o it, but the "natives" (bug and gators) are a close second.

.

Carrie, not to hijack, but this is so funny you brought gators up. Yesterday DH and I were driving to Waffle House for some grub, and I yelled "stop the car!" at the small bridge overpass, sat (or is it lay?) the most beautiful gator. He was one of the largest I have seen that close in to town. DH commented that he was as big as 10-12 ft. We stopped and stared for several long minutes (from a safe distance of course) and marveled how weird it must be for the gators to learn to live with all these crazy humans. LOL, DH said it made him miss the Safari.

Gators really are dangers for dogs, if they are wild. If they are fed by humans, well, run for your life is all I can say. Being a dog lover/owner, I am extra careful. I never take my dogs to the bay or creeks. But it really is something to share your "backyard" with such creatures! Yes, I am all about the safe distances! As a child, I remember once where one walked up our sidewalk to our front door and took residence for an hour. Now that is WAY TOO CLOSE.:holymoly:

[PoohsPal]

As a child, I remember once where one walked up our sidewalk to our front door and took residence for an hour. Now that is WAY TOO CLOSE.:holymoly:
:holymoly: :holymoly: :holymoly: :holymoly:
Yeah, I can live with MI weather.

[TW1]

Gators really are dangers for dogs,

:scratchch Hmmm...do they like fluffy ones?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/90Jetta/SnowyPeanut2.jpg

[Rozzie]

:faint: I am pretending that never happened!!!!!!!

[lllovell]

I am in Atlanta and summers here are hot hot hot, but NOTHING compared to Florida. Even at the beach with its nice breezes, and here in Atlanta, which isn't as hot as FLA, there are MONTHS when you can't do much. (and I am a southern girl, burn and raised in Atlanta...so I am "used to" the humidity and heat to a large extent).

I know you say that you won't mind some things, but I am not sure that actually living in 100+ temps for days on end in the summer wont change your mind about that. Not when you know winter is coming and while it is cooler, you never really get "cold" anymore.

We avoid the summer months in Florida no matter what our destination is because getting out and enjoying ourselves just isn't fun when your clothes are sticking to your body or you are constantly concerned about your children overheating, etc. If I were in your shoes, I would try to find something a further north.

Laura

[AFMom]

I am in Atlanta and summers here are hot hot hot, but NOTHING compared to Florida. Even at the beach with its nice breezes, and here in Atlanta, which isn't as hot as FLA, there are MONTHS when you can't do much. (and I am a southern girl, burn and raised in Atlanta...so I am "used to" the humidity and heat to a large extent).

I know you say that you won't mind some things, but I am not sure that actually living in 100+ temps for days on end in the summer wont change your mind about that. Not when you know winter is coming and while it is cooler, you never really get "cold" anymore.

We avoid the summer months in Florida no matter what our destination is because getting out and enjoying ourselves just isn't fun when your clothes are sticking to your body or you are constantly concerned about your children overheating, etc. If I were in your shoes, I would try to find something a further north.

Laura


All i have to add is :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

[doombuggy]

I typed a response, but it took me so long I was logged out. LOL
:solikeiwa
Do your research. I moved down here thinking that the cost of living was less. I lived in Phila all my life and took a pay cut here, but still spend almost the same amount of money on groceries, insurance, etc than I did in PA. No state tax, so that helps some. Unfortunately, the housing market went thru the roof last year and I now can't afford a single family home in a decent area (I am single). Many apts are going condo, so I have to either move to a new apt or move back home by Nov. 1.

The hurricanes - charley (the name you were looking for DeepThots), francis & jeanne all within 6 weeks.

The heat - I thought I had a problem with the cold - I lose feeling in my hands when they get too cold, but the heat gives me migranes.

The bugs - a palmentto bug the size of my palm landed on my head one night :faint:

Please do your research, but like my step-mom and another poster said, you can always move back or somewhere else.

Sorry to be a downer.

PS: Make sure you know which town is where. Winter Springs & Winter Park are east of Orlando, Winter Garden is west (near Clermont) and Winter Haven is way south, near Lakeland (on the way to Tampa).

I forgot to add a blurb about home owners insurance: some companies have pulled out of FL and some have really raised their rates. Your deductable is at least 2%, sometimes more. The last house I tried to buy (I had bids on 8 houses last year) was a villia and the rate was a bit better b/c of that, but was still going to run me around $1000/yr. And that was with some company I have never heard of.

[idratherbeinwdw]

This thread is extremely interesting to me because I have seriously been considering moving to FL in 2 years when my youngest graduates HS. The terms of my divorce agreement are such that when she graduates I either have to buy out my ex or sell the house and give him half the money. I've been researching areas just north of WDW, Deltona being one of them. I can get a house there for half of what I would have to pay here on Long Island. Plus, of course, I'd be near the mouse house.

I can see the point of it being less thrilling to visit WDW when you can drive there any time you want, but I don't see that stopping me. Imagine being able to see Off Kilter 5 out of 7 days a week if I want to, LOL, I'll be in heaven.

The bugs don't bother me. They're just bugs, it's not like they give you malaria or anything worse than a northern bug.

As far as the heat-- living in NY I find I just avoid being outdoors for long during the cold winters. I have heard those in FL do the same during the hottest part of the summer. I wouldn't want to go to WDW then anyway, too many people to deal with. So on a day to day basis, how often will the heat effect me? Doesn't A/C make it all bearable? I am living in lala land, but I don't see it as that big an issue.

Ahh no more snow to shovel! Snow is pretty, but I won;t miss the slush and all the accidents related to bad roads.

I think I will miss being near mountains. I live 2 hours from the catskills, and enjoy going hiking. But this is certainly not a deal breaker, nowhere is perfect.

Job-wise I feel confident I could get something in the blood banking field most anywhere. The blood bank I work for is one of the top ones in the US and I know I'd get a good recommendation. But part of me wants to work at WDW. My current job entails I teach a number of customer service/management courses. I would LOVE to do that for WDW if they'd hire me.

BUT, my big issue is leaving friends and family. I am single, there is a guy I care for but I don't know what's going to happen with him and I have to plan my life assuming I will remain single. My kids, will be 18 and 23 when I have to decide what to do, and the older one has made it clear she does not want to move to FL. Younger one is more iffy, but she wants to go to college with a friend of hers and that won't be in FL. My sister who I love a lot leaves in Manhattan, only 30 minutes away now. My dad, will be 89, no way of knowing how much longer he has, and I feel guilty leaving him AND for all the burden to be on my sister. He lives in a senior residence, where his meals are taken care of, as is the cleaning, but he still counts on us for some things. My best friend lives here (although she MAY be getting a winter place in FL, so if she did that'd be great).

I guess I am worried about starting over alone in a strange place. If I end up with the guy I mentioned it just so happens he lives in FL, so that would work out very nicely. But otherwise I just don't know what to do.

Wow I really went on here didn't I? You touched on something that is at the forefront of my mind Tim, hope you didn't mind the tome too much. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread and reading all the advice about moving to FL, thanks for starting it! :woohoodan

[Rozzie]

I was born in Clearwater, but learned early that I like a more temperate climate for most of the year.


DisFlan

Really? What part? I was born in Dunedin! Small world! OKay, lots of people are born in Clearwater I guess, but still fun to meet someone that was born in the same town!

[DisFlan]

Laura isn't kidding about the heat - it's relentless and it can be absolutely debilitating in the hot months (not necessarily limited to "summer" months). I've spent plenty of summers in Florida, and I now avoid anyplace where it's hot enough, long enough for my shoes to stick to the pavement.

It's one thing to vacation in the Florida heat and surmise that you can "take it" - it's a whole 'nother thing to do it day after day, week after week.

And did anyone mention the rainy season, yet? It's not only hot, it clouds up and rains almost EVERY DAY. Can you say "MOLD"? Let me count the kinds....

Then the bugs. They aren't just bugs. They can come tiny and in the thousands, or in smaller numbers and HUGE. The no-see-ums at sunset are why so many houses have screened lanais around patios and pools. You can't stay out in them without protection or a hell of a lot of chemicals. And the romantic love bugs. They don't do anything, but they turn up during mating season in the millions and get splattered all over cars, windows and just about eveything else. There are more, but it would be a long list.

Frogs and toads - they've become so plentiful and noisy that they keep people awake at night in many areas.

Alligators. Yes, they can be a problem (I grew up with several in the swamp behind our house.) You won't want to let your poodle run around the back yard if you live anywhere near a fresh water source, pond or canal. Don't feed them. Anything.

But it's really a lovely state... Really.


DisFlan

[jnrrt]

Wow, DisFlan, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking of how you must long to go back! Such devotion is really touching...


Mar, one thing I will say, having lived on LI for 5 years: FL has way worse bugs, but none of them can beat the dreaded LI slug. Enough said.

[DisFlan]

Really? What part? I was born in Dunedin! Small world! OKay, lots of people are born in Clearwater I guess, but still fun to meet someone that was born in the same town!

LOL! I was born in the Clearwater part of Clearwater. The area we were in is now prime hotel land near the beach. My grandparents had one of the early ranch/farms there. (They originally purchased it in the 1920's). I lived there in a huge old house (built to withstand most hurricanes) when I was small and spent most of my summers and many holidays through my teens there. My grandfather purposely left part of the property as swamp land for the wildlife. It was heaven for kids. Flowers, hammocks between pine trees, citrus trees outside my bedroom window, john boats for the swamp, horses - and the beach.

We were sorry to see it go when the last of it was sold. It was the special kind of place that today can't be replicated - short of buying your own island. We make do with DVC and WDW.


DisFlan

[DisFlan]

Wow, DisFlan, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking of how you must long to go back! Such devotion is really touching...


Oh, I still love Florida, but I love it warts and all. And I still don't want to live in the heat. Many people contemplating moving there don't really check out the warts enough.


DisFlan

[Rozzie]

LOL! I was born in the Clearwater part of Clearwater. The area we were in is now prime hotel land near the beach. My grandparents had one of the early ranch/farms there. (They originally purchased it in the 1920's). I lived there in a huge old house (built to withstand most hurricanes) when I was small and spent most of my summers and many holidays through my teens there. My grandfather purposely left part of the property as swamp land for the wildlife. It was heaven for kids. Flowers, hammocks between pine trees, citrus trees outside my bedroom window, john boats for the swamp, horses - and the beach.

We were sorry to see it go when the last of it was sold. It was the special kind of place that today can't be replicated - short of buying your own island. We make do with DVC and WDW.


DisFlan

sounds like a little slice of heaven! It is sad to see treasured childhood memories turn commerical. The beaches we used to race our horses up and down are now superoff limits high rises. I wonder what todays generation of children will see in their lifetime?

Speaking back OT, my dad lives on Lake Tarpon down there, and I really like that area. Large trees, wildlife, and a quietness that is getting harder and harder to find in Florida. Granted, I am also priced out of that market, LOL.

[DisFlan]

sounds like a little slice of heaven! It is sad to see treasured childhood memories turn commerical. The beaches we used to race our horses up and down are now superoff limits high rises. I wonder what todays generation of children will see in their lifetime?

Speaking back OT, my dad lives on Lake Tarpon down there, and I really like that area. Large trees, wildlife, and a quietness that is getting harder and harder to find in Florida. Granted, I am also priced out of that market, LOL.


I would love to have my son see even a little slice of the "Old Florida", but I think it's mostly gone now - or on its way out. All we have is old photos. I still have lots of relatives all around the area, but like pretty much everyone else, they all live in 'burbs. I could do that anywhere.

There are still some nice areas left, but you're right - they're usually Exxxxpen$ive.


DisFlan

[idratherbeinwdw]

Mar, one thing I will say, having lived on LI for 5 years: FL has way worse bugs, but none of them can beat the dreaded LI slug. Enough said.

LOL those things really are pretty intense. For the uninitiated they look like huges snails but without shells, and usually are speckled with brown spots. They love to eat your garden.

Actually there are weirder bugs that have shown up on LI lately, ones I don't recall seeing until recently. I really truly don't know what they are but they resemble huge jumping spiders, really icky. :scary:

[chimera]

Tim,

There is at least one here (wish it was me) that goes almost every weekend. At LEAST once a month and still loves WDW.

Wondering if Carrie was talking about me, but we don't go every weekend. Just about once a month and there's NEVER enough DVC points to do that many weekends :) My first trip was in 1972...now WDW is our 'comfy place'.

As for FL, I am born and raised here, so I don't know any better. For living areas, I prefer either coast to the center of the state. You get breezes off either the Gulf or the Atlantic that keeps the climate a bit more temperate. In the interior, you don't get that kind of relief and it can be a bit sticky. Aug and Sept are the worst months as far as humidity.

I guess take this with a grain of salt, 'cause I've never experienced the change of seasons y'all mention, but we do have seasons here, they're just more subtle. Fall is in Oct/Nov when the humidity drops, but it's still warm. Winter means little to no humidity and it gets cold. Our oak tree lost its leaves last month. Spring is here now...lots of flowering trees. The further north you are in FL, the more seasons you'll experience. I grew up in Cape Coral and called my mom when I was in grad school in Gainesville to tell her how the trees change color up there :)

Bugs and snakes and gators, oh my! Bugs are controllable. We don't spray our house, just our yard and that's only quarterly. Snakes are around occasionally, but you see them rarely in residential areas. Gators are found in most any standing body of water, but they're USUALLY more afraid of humans than we are of them. The problem comes when people think it's cool to feed them...they lose their fear of humans and start knocking on your back door, looking for poodle snacks (happened to my grandmother's neighbor). Our biggest problem is the uncontrolled growth that's destroying their habitats. The animals have to go somewhere so they end up in people's yards. I remember a black bear running around Apopka a couple years ago 'cause he didn't have much of anywhere else to go anymore.

Home prices are ridiculous in most coastal areas now. I've had probably 10 patients in the past 2 months tell me they're moving back north because of the cost of living now. If you want old FL, there's some left in the center of the state, but it's going quickly. I guess home prices are probably relative to what you're used to in your particular area.

That's my take on life in FL, but I've never lived anywhere else. YMMV!

[JohnNJ]

Actually there are weirder bugs that have shown up on LI lately, ones I don't recall seeing until recently. I really truly don't know what they are but they resemble huge jumping spiders, really icky. :scary:
Does it look like this?

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/entupdates/Indoor_pest/images/cave_cricket.jpg

[idratherbeinwdw]

Does it look like this?

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/entupdates/Indoor_pest/images/cave_cricket.jpg

YES! What ARE those things?? :bugeyed: :jawdroppi :eek: :yuck: :holymoly:

[DisFlan]

Does it look like this?

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/entomology/entupdates/Indoor_pest/images/cave_cricket.jpg

What IS that? It looks like a spider grasshopper.

DisFlan

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the additional comments.

I know the high heat and humidity is a big deal for many during the summer months. In my mind, it's just trading one extreme for another. Setting-aside the fact that this has been a rather mild winter, we normally have 7-8 months per year when it's virtually impossible to do anything outside. From mid-October to mid-May, daytime highs top-out in the 50s with a lot of gray skies and rain/snow.

My kids have a yard full of playthings (house, fort, sandbox, etc.) and haven't been able to use them in about 4 months now. Sure they've been out a few times in coats and snowpants to play or help shovel snow, but you can't dig in the sandbox with Tonka trucks when the ground is frozen. You can't go down the slide when it's coated with snow and ice or just dirt from the last rainfall.

Further down south, the opposite is basically true. There you get 7-8 months of what I would call "good" weather with 4-5 mos of really oppressive heat. And personally I'm a lot more tolerant of the heat than I am the cold. I like to play outdoor basketball during the summer here. And, yes, I've done it when the temp is 90+ with high humidity. I'm sure there are periods where the conditions would be just too oppressive down south, but those see more like the exception rather than the rule.

Really dealing with these two extremes isn't all that different. During the winter months here, we go from a heated house to a heated car without stepping outside. Further south during the summer one goes from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car without stepping outside.

I've tried throwing some of the great comments posted here at DW and she always seems to have an answer. I guess we'll just wait and see what the future holds. I suggested to DW that maybe in August we can take a family road trip into Georgia and Florida and see if we both still feel the same way about relocating. We can make Atlanta in about 10 hours by car. From there we could spend the next 2 or 3 days making our way further south, looking at a handful of communities and experiencing the heat first-hand. That should help us determine whether we're really out of our minds for contemplating such a move. :)

[jiggerj]

I think that you can often adapt to the environment- I remember living in Daytona Beach as a kid and during the 'winter" months in Fla. we would have on hats/gloves and winter coats while the vacationers from up north would be having a blast on the beach swimming and sunbathing. Just this last Dec. trip I was the vacationer from up North and noticed ALOT of the cms at Disney had on winter coats while we were running around in shorts. We at one point rode in the front of the monorail and the driver was bundled up with the heat blaring- Again we were dressed in our daytime shorts ect (but nighttime was cold) I couldnt believe that the driver was "chilled" when I asked him-

We have snakes, bugs,bears,bobcats and the coyotes that have all made their way thru my back yard.. happily can not add gators. As mentioned concerning the gators dont feed them just as you wouldnt feed the bears that are looking for some filled birdfeeders up north-

The frogs (sorry Tony! :)) well ... I am frogophobic. So I had a huge deck built off the back of my house- Works for me! :)



My kids have a yard full of playthings (house, fort, sandbox, etc.) and haven't been able to use them in about 4 months now. Sure they've been out a few times in coats and snowpants to play or help shovel snow, but you can't dig in the sandbox with Tonka trucks when the ground is frozen. You can't go down the slide when it's coated with snow and ice or just dirt from the last rainfall.



I know how you feel- My little guy wants to ride his bike- :(

My dd drives and I stress out over her driving home from school and or work during icy conditions-

Just my 2 cents...again! :) Good luck! :)

[TW1]

I'm really enjoying this thread. I find myself feeling much like Tim and Mar.

Here's a fun web-based quiz that helps you decide what time of place you might find appealing. I was a bit surprised with the results but it is why I'm still thinking about Charleston, SC.

Just scroll to the bottom of the page to find thelink to the quiz

http://www.findyourspot.com/home/OurCompany.asp

[JohnNJ]

YES! What ARE those things?? :bugeyed: :jawdroppi :eek: :yuck: :holymoly:

Don't mean to hijack your thread Tim.

That ugly sucker is called a camel back cricket or cave cricket. They move in to your basement during the winter and multiply. They like to move in to the areas near your furnace or water heater. The good news is that most of them go back outside in the spring.

You can spray or bomb the basement like you would for any other pest. I don't do that because of the kids and pets but I do put out sticky traps around the basement. One of them will get stuck in the glue and the rest are so stupid that they can't wait to come over and see what their friend found. The more that get stuck, the more that come over, so even though it's gross to look at you have to leave the trap there until it's full. If you put it out in the fall as the temp cools you can wipe most of them out before they settle in.

BTW, these are crickets. They don't bite or sting and they don't damage anything like clothes or food or wood. They're just really ugly and they jump out and scare the you-know-what out of you.

For Tony - I catch some of them and feed them to our pet frog. He loves them.

John

[AFMom]

I have to say - even when it's really hot here - my kids still go outside. They slather on sunblock, put on thier swim shorts and play with a hose, water guns, etc. We set the sprinkler up under the trampoline so the can get wet and slide around on it. So I guess even our hottest months are still outside-able in many ways. I tend to get a bad headache if I go back and forth from A/C to the heat - so we don't A/C the heck out of our house anyway!
I think it's more oppressive when you have to be out working in it. Mowing the lawn (which grows like crazy here!), getting the groceries in the house, pulling weeds, walking the dog! I think that's why vacations here are ok - no working in the heat!

[lllovell]

The interesting thing is that most of us saying "man - its REALLY hot...we hope you understand we mean REALLY REALLY hot" are from here and don't know much about wintering north in the snow.

The real difference to me is that in April or May, when we head down to WDW for example, it can be so hot that you need to find shade or go swimming or stay in doors and here in Georgia, it is so nice that I would LIVE outside if I could! Same for those early fall months. Come October, when it is still warm in Florida, it is very nice here to me as well....a good crisp morning with sunshine is heaven to me in the fall. Winter is about the same really - - chilly, wet, blah...a bit colder here, but not significantly. (we are one of those families that look funny at people bundled up in big parkas and I might MIGHT be in a wind breaker...so bring your coats if you are coming to our house).

I think Charleston might be nice...somewhere that is still far enough north that you get a nice change of season. You can obviously thrive anywhere, but trick o treating where it is so warm that the kid's costume has to be modified is just weird to me.

Also, the person that said you adapt to the temps is probably quite correct. My sister lived in Orlando for two years after living her whole life in Georgia. She moved back last summer and spent the winter FREEZING and it was actually pretty mild. Apparently, her body is still on the "Orlando" setting.

Laura

[doombuggy]

don't know much about wintering north in the snow

Ah, yes I do. The winter of 1978 we had over a foot of snow in Center City Phila. Nowadays, that is more common. We had a bizzzard during the winter of 1983, again in 1993 (I got to drive back from Hartford after that one was over, what a joy), 1996 when the gov. declaired a state of emergency and all businesses were closed for a day, and just about each winter of the new millenia. Don't even get me started about the President's Day weekend when my dad, step mother & sister were down here and we got 21" of snow. I had to shovel some of my dad's deck so the dog could go out to do her business! :tongue: It was crazy.

Sometimes I think I would take back a blizzard as opposed to a hurricane. You still have a mess to clean up afterwards, but it's not as scarey as a Hurricane. :-)

To the person who was thinking of looking in Deltona for a home. I did look at some places there last summer and I have noticed that it is in a low lying area that can be prone to flooding. Be careful. Also, if you wanted to go to EPCOT 5 times a week, it would probably take you at least an hour to get there, not including any I-4 traffic (another joy of this area). :woohoo: