New post, old topic... trying to move to Florida... ;)

[Dsnygirl]

So, this topic seems to come up quite often around here, but I haven't seen a post about it in awhile, so thought I'd be the first to bring it up this year!

Short version - we are considering a move to Florida. Again. We've considered moving south for years, but mostly we considered NC... over the past few years, it's become more clear that Florida is where we'd like to be long-term.

We have had many reasons for staying where we are, but they're changing, and we're considering making the jump earlier than planned because of it.

Anyone else in this place right now?

My husband is the one who has to find work first, as I'm a nurse and I've already found numerous positions I could probably jump right into. He's an engineer, and while there are NUMEROUS engineering firms, there are so many specialties and sub-specialties to his work/ what's out there that it gets crazy, esp as he just starts looking/figuring it all out.

As well, we have quite a few things we need to do to our house to have it ready to sell - things we knew we could take our time with before, as we've been on a "after the girls graduate" plan, which is 6 yrs from now. Accelerating the process and trying to keep it good for them means trying to pull this off before school starts in August... so that's quite a rush on the house front.

If it's the right thing for us and meant to be, I know everything will fall into place... and am content with that. But just thought it'd be nice to start a thread for any of us in the same boat!!

[BrerGnat]

I'm not in the same boat, but I wish you luck if you decide to do it.

[TinkerbellT421]

Not in the same boat, yet. We've toyed with the idea, but that's eons from now. Just wanted to wish you luck in the quest though!

[Christine]

One word: c'mon!!!!!

[Ed]

One word: c'mon!!!!!

This seems to be a good time to consider a relocation. Florida (Central Florida in particular) has an abundance of housing inventory at very reasonable prices. Homes prices are roughly half of what they were about ten years ago. Employment is slowly improving, and residential and commercial construction is really picking up. The new "Medical City" at Lake Nona, near the airport, is almost complete. Nemours Hospital for Children is open, a new VA hospital is near completion, and medical research and education facilities are bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area.

IMHO, you're wise to be making the move before your girls are older and more firmly tied to your present area. Although we had talked about it for years, we didn't move south until our kids were married, had kids of their own, and were established in homes and jobs "up north".

We, too, had to do a fair amount of work to our old home before putting it on the market. Resist the urge to make any major improvements. We generally gave the home a thorough cleaning, a little painting and a few needed hardware changes, such as a new kitchen faucet. We ended up getting about $10K over our original asking price.

Oh, one more thing about this area. In case you weren't aware, there are a few little theme parks and resorts nearby.

Hang in there, and keep your eye on the prize. We'll be looking forward to welcoming you to your new home.

[Ian]

We continue to toy with the idea as well, but aren't quite there yet. DW has older parents that live in our area so she's (understandably) hesitant to leave them.

At some point, though, I'm certain we'll move down that way.

[disney obsessed]

If I could I would. I would have to go without my dh though. He is not licensed to practice there are does NOT want to sit for the bar so many years after school.

Do it. Have fun.

[AgentC]

If Florida is really where you want to be, do it.

We will be here for 11 years this July. Of course it was easier for us in some ways because we didn't own a house and didn't have kids yet. In some was a little harder because we were crazy enough to build a house in FL while still living in MA.

I agree with Ed that real estate is at great prices right now. I don't see them soaring anytime soon but they are still to level out.

I think there are benefits to moving while the kids are younger. My parents moved to FL when I was a senior in college. To me FL was never "home" and it took me quite some time to move down. I probably never would have done it if my husband hadn't convinced me. My brother was younger and moved with my parents. I think he feels my parent's home here is as much "home" and I thought our house in MA was.

Good luck with your plans!

[beksy]

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your decision...I know you will end up where is best for your family.

[VWL Mom]

My family knows I'm moving to Florida with or without them! I'm so done with NJ and next year DS21 graduates college and DS17 graduates HS so there is no need for the big house anymore. Just can't figure out what to do with DH

My parents always said tomorrow, tomorrow. tomorrow. My dad died at 52 and never saw tomorrow and my mom died less than 2 years after building her dream retirement home in Boca.

If you can do it now, I say go for it! Best of luck to you.

[Melanie]

As much as I hate the weather, one day within the next 10 years or so, we will end up back in Tampa. It's the one place we've lived that both my husband and I have felt 'home', and you certainly can't argue with cost of living. I've just made him promise that he take me somewhere cold every year (preferably around Christmas), and to Georgia/SC/NC to see the leaves in the fall.

Good luck with making your decision and getting things ready for the move. Like Cindy, thankfully that won't be a factor for us. Kids will likely be gone and we'll likely be first time home buyers (wowsa, at 50!).

I do recommend moving sooner rather than later with your girls. Mine have moved all their life, but this last one (at ages 12 and 14) was particularly brutal. They too had come to finally think of somewhere (Tampa), as home, and their ages made the move hard. They are finally adjusted now and are both doing really well in awesome schools, but we won't move them again. Even if hubby has to go somewhere without us for awhile, our boys are graduating high school here.

Again, good luck!!!

[BriarRose0708]

I'm happy/sad for you. Even though we don't see each other up here often, I really love living close to you. It's so nice to have some Intercot friends close by. As sad as I'd be if you moved, I am so happy for you if it means you and the family would be able to meet your goals of relocating there!

[MNNHFLTX]

I lived in Florida twice, for a total of 18 years, I think? I loved our time there, although I was ready to move here to Houston when the opportunity came up eight years ago. The one piece of advice I'd give anyone moving down there to live and work (as opposed to retiring there) is to make sure that you truly like Florida as a place to live, and not just for the Disney/beaches/sunshine factor. Because once you are there, it's business as usual--work, school, grocery-shopping, paying bills, doing housework, dealing with hurricanes, etc. I've seen people who loved to come to Florida on vacation and then were disillusioned about it when they moved down, that it didn't feel the same.

I do think that the folks in Florida are some of the friendliest in the country. And yes, Blythe, you could absolutely get a job as a nurse almost anywhere you want to. Good luck to your husband on his job hunt.

[Melanie]

Because once you are there, it's business as usual--work, school, grocery-shopping, paying bills, doing housework, dealing with hurricanes, etc. I've seen people who loved to come to Florida on vacation and then were disillusioned about it when they moved down, that it didn't feel the same.

Oh, absolutely Beth. I totally agree with this, and have seen it happen. Don't forget the heat. But seriously, didn't we have someone here on the boards in this situation? My age is catching up with me....

[Dsnygirl]

You guys are all so great!! Thanks for all the advice, wisdom, tips, comments and general well-wishes!! You've given me/us some really good things to consider, and that's exactly what I posted the topic for. Figured we could definitely use the input, and if we can, I bet others can, too!

I found the "move down before they're too old" comments interesting... never quite thought of it that way. Our girls are 11 and 14, finishing 6th and 9th grade, respectively. Our 11yr old would obviously have an easier time from the schooling point of view... I feel bad at the idea of uprooting our 14yr old as she heads into 10th grade. But... I did bring it up to her awhile ago, just to get a feel for where she was at, and she's an "adventurer" like me, enjoys change, and said it'd be okay... she knows she'll stay friends with her closest friends, esp since the younger generations now have FB and the like... they take staying in touch SO for granted!!

And the comment re: not just moving for the "fun aspects" but being ready for real life down there... very good reminder... I admit I am soooooo looking forward to having a tropical feel and beaches close by... I am just SO done with snow and cold. And of course, Disney being around the corner doesn't hurt... but honestly, it's being able to live a "real life" down there and not just vacationing that appeals. Weird??

So thank you again for all the input, etc... keep in coming! We're starting to work on our resumes and trying to figure out who my DH will send his to... I've got a few contacts of my own, but we'll need to get him sorted first. Keeping our fingers crossed!!

[Melanie]

And the comment re: not just moving for the "fun aspects" but being ready for real life down there... very good reminder... I admit I am soooooo looking forward to having a tropical feel and beaches close by... I am just SO done with snow and cold. And of course, Disney being around the corner doesn't hurt... but honestly, it's being able to live a "real life" down there and not just vacationing that appeals. Weird??

No, it's not weird at all, but just remember it's not going to be that 'butterflies in your stomach, so stinkin' excited you can't even stand it, I'm going to Florida feeling' all the time and you'll be fine. In fact, for me personally, that even wore off going to the parks after a year or so. But that said, I still loved going to the parks.

But for me, it was so much more than the theme parks. We love baseball and couldn't get enough of spring training and the Rays. Hopefully by the time we move back, Tampa will have a new stadium. And living in the Orlando area doesn't appeal to us. We liked being out a bit, between the beaches and theme parks, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the heavy tourist areas.

Seasons and such are very important to me. I never could, after six years in a tropical climate, get used to 75-80 degree Christmases. That's why I say we hope to travel during the holidays.

[dnickels]

Good advice already. As mentioned, some move down and find it's the best decision of their lives, some move down and it ends up being a very poor decision but you'll never know unless you take the plunge. With your job as a nurse that's definitely a plus.

One thing I always recommend (but people rarely follow) is to rent for the first 6 months or a year. Primarily because it's simply impossible to see all the different areas and neighborhoods of Orlando in a few weekends of house-hunting or to know what they're really like from looking at properties online. There's everything from new subdivisions in the exurbs to 100 year old downtowns and it takes time to really see what the area has to offer.

[Christine]

It is SO true! The real world definitely exists here. It isn't all theme parks and beaches.

I live literally 5 miles from the WDW gates and there are times that I just cannot find time to get over there. Working fulltime M-F, grocery shopping, cleaning, errands, kids and their activities,etc.

I've been here 4 years now. These are pros and cons as I see them:

Cons:
1-you become jealous of everyone who is on vacation..when I have to leave the parks at 7pm on a Sunday becauase we have work and school the next day, while the rest of the park stays til midnight and has their fun...stinks.

2- you have to abstain from "too much fun". When I vacationed here, I would spend the week as a glutton on all my favorite greasy foods, desserts, cocktails, etc. It's very hard to walk by Casey's or the Confectionery and say "no! it's just a random Tuesday!"

3- $$ We would easily blow hundreds of dollars a day on merchandise, food, entertainment on our vacas here. There's a LOT to do around here, and it all adds up. You have to be very self disciplined. And that' s not always fun

4- Tourists. Don't flame me, it's not what you think...well not ALL what you think
It is tough when you pull up to Target and a tour bus is unloading a hundred people in neon shirts with flags and walkie talkies to go shopping. Things get crowded! People are overwhelmed here..It shows in traffic! They make uTurns out of NOWHERE, I've even seen ppl drive backwards off an exit ramp on I-4. You also never see the same face twice like in small towns, so it's a very transient type of place to live

Pros:
1- There's ALWAYS something to do! Theater, art, parks, beaches, great entertainment and dining options. You don't have to plan and save to get to Florida that one time a year, etc. You're here! Go for it! Vacations are also cheaper and allow more flexibility: No airfare needed for cruises...drive to the port! No vacation left? Take a long weekend to the beach and go back to work Monday. Don't have enough DVC points or cash on hand for a week at the resort? Stay 2 days and go back home.

2- Depending on where in Florida you are, it's a very laid back way to enjoy Disney and the other parks. I always felt so "threatened" that time was ticking...get that picture! experience that favorite ride! get that ADR! will I be able to get a flight and vaca time off during MNSSHP time? When you're here, you can spend 4 hours and be done, knowing it's all going to be right there the next time. You can cover more details. We've spent HOURS in one country in world showcase. And it's ok if that's ALL we do that day.

3-Pop ins! When you DO have all that real world stuff...stressful day at work, bad day at school etc, it's nice to say, "you know what? let's get a dole whip, ride pirates, and then get back to the laundry and homework after that." It's a nice feeling to have a close escape.

4-The beauty of it all. The little town in Texas where I used to live is nice and all. But it's a lot of red clay and a lot of metal buildings and such. When you can just go have a walk around the Boardwalk area and take in the twinkle lights and water and gorgeous landscaping, that's a real blessing.

5- BEACHES! I could see a time where our park time becomes less and our beach time becomes more. I think when DD graduates in 5 years we may look at a place by the ocean. Still just an hour or so from WDW and Universal, but at a beach. Florida beaches are lovely. The sunsets are phenomenal. I am finding I'm a REAL beach bum!

6-Finding new magic. It's true the "OMG I'm walking down Main Street USA" feeling fades. But you find new magic. Meeting CMs and seeing them every visit. Finding nooks and crannies where you like to sit and people watch and see THEM oooo and ahhhh at it all. It's a different kind of magic. But it's still good. My family STILL steps back here and now and says "I can't believe we can see this (Illuminations, fantasmic, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the OCEAN etc) on just a random day?"
And while the OMG feeling fades, and I am jealous of those experiencing that, I can say I am so grateful to not look like the folks I see when they're getting ready to board that Magical Express Bus. I used to cry every time

7-Health. I truly believe that living in a place with so much to do , where there are places to bike, swim, and golf, etc in the sunshine ALL YEAR round, impacts your health positively. Imagine how much you walk in a Disney Day...now imagine doing that every weekend! I have never been so active as I have since living here. I started running here. I've lost 20 pounds since my move to florida and feel 20 years younger. It's either too pretty outside or there's so much to do that I don't sit around sedentary anymore. It's nice. It's an active lifestyle.

8- You're never lonely! When you move to Florida, you'll become VERY popular! Especially when you have a guest room But seriously it's great! I've I had moved to Joe Blow USA, no one would come see me. No one came to see me in my little neck of the woods in Texas. But You move next door to Mickey, and you WILL see your friends and family regularly It's great...I'm not homesick for my Texas friends bc they all come here at some point!

9---Weather! Yes it gets hot, but it's really just June-September that I find horrid. And we acclamated eventually. Or you stay inside or by the pool. But when you're out in the sun in January wearing shorts and sitting under a palm tree...that's HEAVEN!

10- Nature. While I'm no fan of the gators, snakes, etc (and boy do we have them here in Celebration as it is built on a preserve!) you really do learn to appreciate the majestic beauty of it all. For example, tonight I was out running and what a sight... (see below)

Living in Florida (Celebration in particular, I can't speak for the rest) is definitely not "living on vacation." But if you have to work anyway, why not work and play in the same place? Moving here was everything my family hoped it would be, and there aren't many things in life that you can say that about.

I hope you find this is for you and you can "Let the Memories Begin!"

[Ed]

I'll just say to everything in Christine's post.

Expanding on one of her "bullet points" regarding entertainment ~~

Before we moved here, I had attended exactly one professional theater show and one music concert.

Shortly after we moved here, I bought us tickets to see the road show of Lion King as a Christmas present, thinking it would be a one-time shot. I never expected to become a theater junkie. I was wrong.

We have been season ticket holders for all the shows at the Bob Carr PAC in Orlando for several years. (Lion King twice, Wicked twice.) We have gone to several shows and concerts at the King Center in Melbourne and the Peabody in Daytona Beach. We visited the museum in Fort Lauderdale when they had the King Tut exhibit a few years ago. We've attended concerts in Orlando and Melbourne, including Elton John, Jimmy Buffet, Chicago, Michael Buble, Il Divo, Mannheim Steamroller, and several others. We attended a comedy show by Howie Mandel. We've been to a Renaissance Festival. We're frequent visitors to a local winery that holds events year-round in Clermont. We've lost count of how many times we've taken out-of-town visitors to see La Nouba.

A new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center is being built in downtown Orlando; it is due to open next year, and will basically be a replacement for the Bob Carr, which was built in the 1920's and is showing its age. This will enable them to attract even more of the highest quality Broadway road shows and music concerts.

And all this while both of us are holding full-time jobs and doing a fair amount of traveling.

The bottom line is that if you can't find high-quality entertainment to fit your taste in Central Florida, you just ain't looking!

Oh, and there's a great authentic Irish Pub in Downtown Disney. You might have heard of it - Raglan Road. Who knows; perhaps they'll have an opening for an experienced fiddler!

[Melanie]

Blythe, are you guys thinking of moving to Orlando, or somewhere else in Florida?