We've found those things to be a major consideration. Before moving to Florida we lived in smaller towns and cities and were never closer than 1-2 hours drive from a big city. We really like living as close as we do now to a big city much more than we expected. Living in Tamarac is still somewhat like living a small town.
Since moving to Florida and having access to cheap flights out of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando we have done more traveling with our timeshares than we ever dreamed of doing. Plus we've enjoyed staying at different resorts all over Florida that we drive to.
We still haven't given up hope that our DIL will start seriously looking for a job somewhere in the vicinity of Tampa and get one. Our son could easily transfer there if she did. They live in Ohio near Cleveland and have talked about moving. We would move to the Tampa area to be close to them in a heartbeat. The only way we are moving to Ohio is if something happens with one of us that leaves the other one with no other choice. I grew up in Ohio and have other family there but we want no part of long, gray winters and all too often cold, wet springs.
Wish my flowers outside showed up in the picture. My husband moved everything around and out of his way when he was putting up the lights and Moravian star. Being in shorts on December 23rd and having our coffee and tea on the patio while we watch the egrets and other birds on the canal never gets old. This is my view right this minute from where I'm sitting at the computer.
View attachment 15690 View attachment 15690