Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?
3. What make you pick the area you moved?
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.
Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be?
Although I would like to keep this positive as possible, the bad is also welcome for those who have moved there, that way we all can judge for ourselves what you would consider bad or good and see if it would mean the same for us.
Input appreciated !
Please feel free to add your own info.
1.I moved here from northern NJ (elizabeth) been here for 3 years
2.I was forced to move here basically, my mother decided to come here and i was 17 at the time.
3.see above post /\
4.im still very much uncomfortable here, probably moreso than when i just came, since all my worst fears have just been confirmed with time
5.hell no i wouldnt have moved, but again, it wasnt my choice
6.life is 100 times worse
7.i would recommend florida to somebody who already has tons of money, and is over the age of 40 without kids,
to the parents out there, as someone who was in highschool and is a college student here,
PLEASE dont do it your kids. the drug and alcohol abuse here is beyond that of any place ive ever lived before. and 90% of it is done out of sheer boredom
Any one got advise on how to find a family doctor?
First find out which Drs in the area accept your insurance. Then you can check Florida's list for credentials, disciplinary actions-I'll try to find that link and post it.
If you know anyone in the area, neighbors, real estate agent etc. ask for their recommendations. Then choose and remember you can always change if you don't like them, especially if you are in an area where there are medical offices on every corner.
I did it this way.
I found a specialist that I needed and since I liked him, asked him to recommend a family Dr. He did for both me and hubby-asking preferences and considering personalities. We are both very happy with our choices. No long wait for appt's.
First find out which Drs in the area accept your insurance. Then you can check Florida's list for credentials, disciplinary actions-I'll try to find that link and post it.
If you know anyone in the area, neighbors, real estate agent etc. ask for their recommendations. Then choose and remember you can always change if you don't like them, especially if you are in an area where there are medical offices on every corner.
I did it this way.
I found a specialist that I needed and since I liked him, asked him to recommend a family Dr. He did for both me and hubby-asking preferences and considering personalities. We are both very happy with our choices. No long wait for appt's.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida
I came from LI and have lived here 25 years.
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?
LI was getting expensive and I was a singe Mom, plus my parents had moved here and kept sending my want ads and apts for rent.
3. What make you pick the area you moved?
I had never been in FL when I moved and my parents were in Hollywood and I found an apt in Davie.
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
After I got unpacked I was comfortable. The first Christmas season was a little weird tho because I wasn't use to shopping for a tree in shorts and spending my weekends by the pool.
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
Yes, I probably would because from what I hear LI is much more expensive then here and everyone is leaving there.
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
That is hard to say because my husband became disabled in 1990, so life isn't always how you plan it, but you make the best of what you have.
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
Yes, I always do. I found that people either love FL or hate it, no other response.
Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.
You know people say it is so expensive and it is, but I came from LI and I made more money here then up there and my apt up there in 1982 was $800 a month for a 1 bedroom, when I moved here I paid $350 for 2 bedrooms and made about $80 more. When I left my job to care for my husband I was making $520 week, and I don't have a college degree. I think it is all about yourself and what is important to you. Some people aren't happy no matter what and others that don't have anything are happy and content.
Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be?
If you don't like the heat you are not going to like it here. In the summer it is hot, but that is when you stay in the AC.
Although I would like to keep this positive as possible, the bad is also welcome for those who have moved there, that way we all can judge for ourselves what you would consider bad or good and see if it would mean the same for us.
I know that some of the schools aren't that good, but there are also some very good schools. When we were researching we kept that in mind. You have heard about the HOI and taxes, plus housing has went up, so if you are aware then it won't be a surprise.
Input appreciated !
Please feel free to add your own info.
I think that everyone has there own idea of what makes them happy and what they want in a neighborhood and house. I happen to love where I live and was really surprised that every one was making it sound so bad. I just don't see that, or I hang around with a different crowd.
I'd like to answer your questions. I'll type inside your post below.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida
I came to Florida from San Francisco in 1998, and have been here ever since. First to Pensacola, then to North Miami, then to Tamarac, and now Coral Springs.
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?
1st, my parents are in Pensacola.
2nd, I graduated from FIU in Miami and ended up staying.
3. What made you pick the area you moved?
Broward County is the last "American" county moving south down the peninsula. There's a joke that you might need your passport if you're going to be spending any time in Miami---that's how "ethnic" Miami-Dade County seems. Tropical Florida (as opposed to North Florida) has extraordinary sunsets that have the ability to stop you as you walk, or pull you over while you drive, or quite literally make your jaw drop---that's how dramatic the sunsets can be.
I'm in Coral Springs (NW Broward County) and love it! Most everything is around me. My location (on University btwn Atlantic and Sample) has tons of restaurants, the post office, the library, the mall, the hospital, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Home Depot, Sams Club, Publix supermarket, Albertson's supermarket, LA Fitness, 24 hour fitness, Kinko's/FedEx, Sprint, Verizon, Enterprise Car rental, Coral Springs Auto Mall, Washington Mutual, Wachovia, golf courses up the nose ---everything!
If it's not here, it's near by: Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall, Bank Atlantic Center, Coral Springs Aquatic Center, Butterfly World, Coral Springs Center for the Arts, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is only an 1/2 hour away: Riverfront w/ all the bars and clubs on both sides of the street going on for blocks, Broward County Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Art and Discovery with an IMAX, Las Olas Blvd at the end of which is the Atlantic Ocean!
I follow professional tennis and the Sony-Ericcson Open is held on Key Biscayne every spring along with the Delray Beach International Tennis Championship held in Delray Beach. Both events are within an easy commute of Coral Springs as are the Florida Marlins games, the Miami Dolphins games, the Miami Heat's games, the Florida Panthers matches, and the Miami FC matches. Highschools in Coral Springs are fairly decent: Coral Glades and Taravella. The next town up (Parkland) is upper-income, and their highschool (Stoneman Douglas --- a top-notch public school) takes a portion of Coral Springs' kids. The number 2 bus goes straight up and down University every 20 minutes, which is just enough time to jump off, do your thing, and catch the next one. Listen to your IPOD, read, or catnap on the number 2.
No place is perfect, but I'm content.
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
1 year
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
Yes I would do it over again, but possibly to the New Tampa area, or Wesley Chapel if I'm going to settle down (get married, buy a investment property, raise kids). I have few regrets.
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
Worse b/c I came from San Francisco, California which is very cutting edge, intelligent, friendly, innovative, forward-thinking, customer-oriented, educated, and law-abiding.
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
Sure, but know that "Florida" comes in many facets, and local cultures cannot be lumped together into one. A wise transplant will investigate---using a shrewd eye and a fine toothed comb ---the parts of Florida that peeks the interests. Tallahassee, Florida is exceeding different from topless South Beach.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be?
Always have an escape plan on how/when to relocate out of Florida, and I'm not referring to hurricanes. Florida has a way of growing on you like slow-growing ivy. Before you know it, you're stuck like the rest of us!
Jump in, and bloom-where-you're-planted. Florida will be what you make of it. My advice is to plug yourself into stuff you like to do. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself fearing the diversity here. Feel welcome b/c everyone here is new to Florida anyway, domestically and internationally.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida Suburban MD/NOVA area
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida? Loved the nature Coast, wanted to retire here
3. What make you pick the area you moved? Beauty in nature, lots of state owned land to alleviate sprawl
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move? not sure if I am comfortable, people are really different
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida? No, probably not in FL
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from? Worse
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida? Not unless they try it out first for two years minimum! It is very different!
Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.
Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be? It is not at all like being on holiday, the people in general are extremely nice, but so naive in so many areas. I took it for granted that I had friends with intelligence before. I know that sounds snobbish, but it's true! I have no children, but from what I have observed, generally the schools are seriously lacking here, and education is not encouraged. I am still shocked at the prejudice and bigotry. Drunk driving is rampant. Healthcare-I work in the field, and call it the "rape of the elderly and Medicare". I am horrified at the difference between what I define quality care, and what is delivered here, all in the name of money. Taxes, insurance, hurricanes, BUGS, are some of the negatives. No shoveling of snow, less traffic, a beautiful view of the water, lots of parks and nature things to do are plusses.
Although I would like to keep this positive as possible, the bad is also welcome for those who have moved there, that way we all can judge for ourselves what you would consider bad or good and see if it would mean the same for us.
Input appreciated !
Please feel free to add your own info.
If considering a move to the Sunshine State, you would be wise to make a in-depth comparison of what you have now, and what you will encounter. The tax base is a critical factor in the amount of services you will receive, and how high your taxes may be when you arrive. I would talk to the tax appraiser of your particular location choice, or better yet, look on the website. Florida has one of the best open records laws in the state, so not much is hidden, its all out there. Also, we seem to have a lot of pedophiles here, maybe it is everywhere, but it sure seems like a lot.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?
3. What make you pick the area you moved?
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.
Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be?
Although I would like to keep this positive as possible, the bad is also welcome for those who have moved there, that way we all can judge for ourselves what you would consider bad or good and see if it would mean the same for us.
Input appreciated !
Please feel free to add your own info.
1. Manhattan, Long Island, NY. First time I lived in Florida (Gainesville) was for 6 months. Now, I have been here for 3 months (Naples). I left the first time because I missed my family and hated the weather. Today, I miss my family and hate the weather, but have no choice. I stay inside as much as I can and talk to my daughters as much as I can.
2. Husband was out of work for almost a year and got a job here. I left mine and now cannot get job here. We can survive w/o me working, but it is driving me crazy just sitting around inside. Plus side, I don't have to go out.
3. Where he was hired.
4. Didn't the last time. Doubt I will now.
5. No choice. Wouldn't matter. He likes Florida more than me, but would still go back to NY if was possible.
6. Any job beats no job at all. But the trade off is that we are now thousands of miles away from our kids and will only see them maybe once or twice a year. No, they don't want to come here. They make more money in NY and can have a better life there. They are hoping we come back to NY someday.
7. No. If you intend to retire here and your children/grandkids are thousands of miles away, no beach is every going to replace them. Nearly all the homes we looked at to buy were being sold by retirees moving back to where they came from because they missed their families.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida
NYC 20 years in Fla
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida?
Sunshine, boats, Warm clean beach and ocean
3. What make you pick the area you moved?
Palm Beach; opulent tropics
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move?
2 hours
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida?
no
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from?
I travel to NY all the time but I'm always glad to come home to Florida
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida?
If they are happy people in the first place they'll love it
Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.
Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be? have an education, have a skill, bring money with you.
Although I would like to keep this positive as possible, the bad is also welcome for those who have moved there, that way we all can judge for ourselves what you would consider bad or good and see if it would mean the same for us.
The purpose of this thread is to ask the following questions.
For those who moved to Florida from somewhere else and have been there for awhile could you please answer some of these and also add your own tidbits as well.
1. Where did you come from and how long have you been in Florida - Philly, 2 months ago
2. What was the most important reason you moved to Florida? Career Opportunity
3. What make you pick the area you moved? Came to visit and loved Atlantic Ave
4. How long did it take you to get comfortable with the move? 2 weeks
5. If you had to do it over again would you still move, if no, would you have chosen another area in Florida? Yes, I would move again
6. Is your "overall " life better or worse in Florida then where you moved from? Life is good in either Philly or Florida -- I love both
7. Would you recommend others move to Florida? Absolutely
Many of us want and are looking to move to Florida and who better to ask them those who have done what we want, move from somewhere else to Florida then you guys.
Many posters on this board seem to be extremely happy with moving there, whether they moved 30 years ago or 6 months ago.
If you have any opinions/advise on anyone moving to Florida, what would they be? Make sure you visit the area you are thinking of moving to before you head down here...do research online, but make sure you see the place in person (I would recommend this to someone moving anywhere though, not just Florida)
Although I would like to keep this positive as possible, the bad is also welcome for those who have moved there, that way we all can judge for ourselves what you would consider bad or good and see if it would mean the same for us.
Input appreciated !
Please feel free to add your own info.
Don't let the negative posts dictate your decision. Life is what you make of it. If you work hard and keep a positive attitute good things will happen, regardless of where you live. Florida is great
Last edited by philly76er; 09-03-2007 at 03:03 PM..
Don't let the negative posts dicate your decision. Life is what you make of it. If you work hard and keep a positive attitute good things will happen, regardless of where you live. Florida is great
I agree except for the last sentence....
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Here's what you need to know:
Tropical Florida (as opposed to North Florida) has extraordinary sunsets that have the ability to stop you as you walk, or pull you over while you drive, or quite literally make your jaw drop---that's how dramatic the sunsets can be.
Been in Florida 8 years, not what I hoped for
