Florida - 5/1/2013

I have read many reviews about living in Florida,most very negative especially regarding northeners. I have visited Florida on many occassions and the biggest problems I have noticed have been the lack of pride in the state itself. People talk about the cost of living being very high, I'm not sure they have ever lived anywhere else. I am not a New Yorker, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years. The cost of living here is very very high, when people mention AC bills they forget to understand that up north we have to pay heat bills. When people rant about heat and humidity, they forget that up here we deal with rain 9mo out of the year, and the rain up here is different than the rain in florida.. the temp here when its raining is about 40 degrees and very damp.So yes I suppose when its raining if you bundle up you can actually go outside . People also mention the Northeners moving down to Florida and taking advantage of the natives, or driving inappropriately ... up here we have many people that have moved here from different countries that have no understanding of traffic laws or feel the are like they are owed something. I guess my bigggest point of this comment is to say that every place in the United States has its ups and downs, its really just a matter of what lifestyle a person thrives in. I'm not sure if I thrive in cloudy , rainy weather 9 months out of the year, I know that I take extra Vit D just to stay in the healthy range, I know that if I see litter on the road or beach I pick it up, I also know that if I see someone being taken advantage of I speak up. I try to treat everyone respectfully whether they are from here or not, crime is everywhere due to the horrible economy and I really try to avoid situations that promote crime. Its sad to me that Florida doesn't have much industry or tech companies as I am sure it would help their economy, my question is why isn't the leaders of the state trying to promote such companies and why isn't there legislation down there to improve the communities,Once the leaders take pride in their own state then maybe the people will. As for myself, I thrive in warm weather and quite frankly the many times I have been to Florida, I have found it to be very beautiful and most people to be very friendly, maybe its just that vacation calm although when I ask people that have moved from other states what they think of the PNW they always say that the people up here are not as friendly as other states

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weather - 4/30/2013

too hot

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Florida - 4/13/2013

For anyone thinking of relocating to Florida, do it. I lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 + years. After I sold my house in a "short sale" I moved to Abilene, TX April 2012, where my daughter resides. She married an Air Force guy.I lived in the Brandon/Riverview area , 30 minutes from Tampa. I lived the dream in FL. I found paradise in the Tampa Bay area and lost the house in the great recession. The question now is how do regain paradise in my beloved Florida. Signed exiled in TX.

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safe place to live - 3/28/2013

were is a low crime low income city in fl to live like north ft meyers or cape coral or naples,

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A great place to explore - 1/13/2013

There is so much to do in Florida. The weather is wonderful. Out door activities are abundent.

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sunny, warm weather - 1/6/2013

sunny, warm weather

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Where in Florida - 12/17/2012

My husband and I are retired and would like to move to a warmer climate and are very interested in Florida. But we are not sure which area in Florida would be the best for us we are mid-age and like to have fun and make a modest pension

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We Are Getting Older - 11/5/2012

Florida has it's heat. Nineties in the spring and summer and mid to upper eighties, with a period of seventy degree weather a very short time of the year. We would appreciate temperatures to be more in the sixties and seventies, where a sweater can be worn. When I work on the house it is always blistering hot. I paint during the cooler months, mow the lawn always in the hottest months. We are thinking about living in the northwest where the cost of living is affordable (?) and trade homes with a family who would trade our home for another that does not require any work. I'll be retiring in four to six years, give or take and I want to be able to care for my ailing wife in a community that is calm, quiet and mostly laid back. I am a professional guitarist, so entertaining will always be something I enjoy. An area where needs can be met with little driving; doctors, supermarkets, gas stations, etc. especially doctors who understand our medical needs. That is always an issue when moving. We think our grandchildren would enjoy the northwest area and find it refreshing to get out and enjoy the country. So, that's our focus. We know that we will have to trade out when it comes to snow. How much snow is another factor to consider. That part I will have to tolerate in order to relieve me us of the heat. I wonder how long winters last in the northwest and if there are areas that see less bad weather than others. We are probably asking for a miracle and we should consider ourselves destined to live here the remainder of our lives, but we feel like we are living in Honduras. We are the only white family on our block.

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Sunny Florida - 10/3/2012

Although many love the weather in Florida, I've found that I really miss the four seasons. It get's so hot, and it stays hot year round.

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Don't make the Florida mistake - 9/29/2012

Over a 1000 people a day move out of Florida after they realize it's not the paradise they thought it was. Lots of people move to Florida for the vwarm weather, but it's only warm 3 months a year, the rest of the time it's hot and humid. Where you move to in Florida can make a huge difference in your chances of a successful long term move. Sarasota, Venice, and Gainesville are some of the best places to live or retire. Make sure you read Sperlings Most Stressful Cities 2012 because Florida Cities top the list of the worst places. Moving someplace only to find out you don't like it and then moving back is extremely expensive and disruptive.

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worried - 9/28/2012

Hi My husband and I recently put a bid in for a house in Florida on west coast. We dream warm sunshine and easy living as we enter our 50's. Recently Ive been bombarded by alot of negative comments about Florida. I need some more updated views on the subject please. I presently live inPA and have everything around me(stores/concerts/parks etc.) Now Im worried about moving to Cape Coral area Recent post make it sound like theair is nothing to do but get eatin by bugs and go to the beach.

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Poor - 8/26/2012

I have been very displeased with the school system in Florida. My children are not receiving the best education they could be.

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YUK!!!! - 8/18/2012

I have lived in Florida for 27 years and I grow to detest it more and more every year. Let's start with the weather first...It's ALWAYS hot here. You WILL NOT get the 4 season effect here. Many of you are probably thinking "hmm, I could deal with tropical paradise weather year round" but when it's Thanksgiving and Christmas and your siting around with the AC cranking and it's to hot to put up your tree or to cook a nice holiday meal for your family, you will think twice about it. Maybe if your as sick of snow as I am of constant hot weather, this place would be for you. Next...raising a culturally well rounded child here is really hard as there is little to no culture. Museums and good plays are sparse and there is really nothing to do in most areas unless your visiting Orlando (home of Mickey Mouse) or going to the beach, which got really old for me around the second decade I was here. Actually, come to think of it, Florida has some of the most polluted beaches in the country...right up there with New Jersey beaches (Google it!!), so I wouldn't want to get in the water here anymore anyhow. And let's not forget about the cost of living, which is ridiculously high and the fact that there are no jobs for any of the locals (probably explains why the crime rate is so high!). The only people who can actually live comfortably here are northerners who work up north for 20-30 years and then come down here and live off their pensions (which by the way is part of what screws up our economy here!!!). If I had it my way, it would be NO NORTHERNERS ALLOWED!! They mess up the cost of living, cause traffic jams, create long lines, take our Dr appts and Hair appts in the winter and are in general, just a giant pain-in -the-you-know-what!! If living in a state infested with snakes, mosquitoes, lizards, hot humid weather and old people sounds fun to you, then this is the place for you. I'd trade places with someone who lives ANYWHERE else in a flat second.

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State of crime - 8/12/2012

I know crime is everywhere, but trying to find a place to retire is so difficult. I live in South Fl. and would like to stay in Fl. I am looking in the west coast of Florida but even many locations there seem to be rated high in crime.

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Best Cities to get started... (Question) - 8/5/2012

My husband and I are looking to relocate to a great place where we can get started, we are recently married, we have no kids (no kids in the near future planned), and we both come from small towns. My husband is an I.T and a U.S Army Veteran and I have a B.A in Adm. Assistant. Where can we find a good city to live that has good jobs,cheap rent,peaceful. We are not looking for busy, crowded cities or anything like that. We love nature, the outdoors. Any help will be greatly appreciated. P.S. I only choose FL. as a state because I needed to choose one to post this. My options are open to any state. Thanks!

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SARASOTA A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE - 8/3/2012

Everything is convient, clean, friendly and easy. You feel healthy just being here.

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Comments - 6/10/2012

I live in the Tampa Bay metro area. The quality of life living in this area is poor. This opinion is based on the following: the harsh climate, threat of disaster, high unemployment rate, high cost of living, and local and state leadership.

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peterson - 6/8/2012

yea

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Economy - 4/10/2012

High reliance on service sector.

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Jacksonville, FL is a nice compromise - 3/13/2012

I am pretty disturbed by the negative reviews I've read about a city I've lived in for the subsequent 15 years and have yet to experience anything of the like as a resident. Jacksonville, FL is a perfect compromise for someone that enjoys the feel of city life and cannot afford to live in the major ones of the US; yet also enjoys the down-to-earth pace of a small town. It has both elements incorporated into certain parts of the city. For the parents concerned with school districts: Jacksonville is the largest city in the US (land mass) and consists of several different school counties. Duval is not my favorite, however, there are other excellent ones such as St. Johns and Clay that make up for it. Areas like Argyle, Oakleaf, Julington Creek, Nocatee, Mandarin, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, World Golf Village, Switzerland and Fruit Cove are all wonderful communities to live and raise children in. For the younger professionals, take note that Jacksonville contains campuses but does not cater to college kids (which is a plus for me). There are young, fun areas like Southside and Gate Parkway for the hipsters. I would eventually like to move back to my home (Orange County, CA) but I am definitely comfortable here in the meantime.

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