Moving to Florida. Looking for advice.

[Brett]

My advice is DO NOT move to Florida. The land of lizards big enough to eat small people and pets. The land of pythons. The land of "no seeums" that can eat you alive.

And don't forget the fire ants !

But if you want to stay in the US and like mild winter temps choose a southern state

(I chose Florida --- as a temp snow bird)

 

[DrQ]

And don't forget the fire ants !

But if you want to stay in the US and like mild winter temps choose a southern state

Fire ants are endemic to most southern states now.

 

[TUGBrian]

doubt the villages is at risk of going under in any current residents lifetime!

ocala is great if you want a small town vibe for sure, though even the video only mentions its 20% cheaper...id think most would pay that premium for all the benefits that come with living in the villages.

not for everyone thats for sure!

 

[easyrider]

(I chose Florida --- as a temp snow bird)

My problem with Florida is it is just so flat. I did like the winter weather, fishing and general goofing around scene, so for snowbird stays its very ok.

Bill

 

[DrQ]

doubt the villages is at risk of going under in any current residents lifetime!

It won't go under, but structure of the CDD bonds seem to become an ever increasing burden on the residents. It's just another "straw on the camel's back" of people who are:

• Getting squeezed by increasing insurance premiums or repair demands to keep insurance
• Bought at the absolute top of the market and now are trapped being underwater in their mortgage
• High mortgage interest rates
• Decreasing choices for medical care if you have Medicare Advantage possibly having to pay out of network charges to keep their current doctors/specialists

If you want to use all the amenities afforded by The Villages, it might make economic sense, but just be aware that there is a price to pay.

Ocala has its own issues as it is located in a sinkhole region.

 

[Brett]

My problem with Florida is it is just so flat. I did like the winter weather, fishing and general goofing around scene, so for snowbird stays its very ok.

Bill

Florida is certainly flat but the lack of mountains doesn't bother me.
I suppose Southern California offers nice winter temps, mountains and seashores but then there are other issues ....

 

[Timeshare Von]

I have no suggestions . . . only condolences on the passing of your husband.

For us, the cost of insurance (homeowners & auto) plus the risks from hurricanes and alligators prevented us from giving serious consideration to Florida. We also don't care much for "no fault" auto insurance, which creates more financial risks if you are a safe driver.

 

[ScoopKona]

I left Florida because the only place I truly liked in the entire state was ruined by cruise-ship over-tourism.

Here are some things people never seem to mention about Florida:

1) Quality of life is 100% determined by proximity to the water. If you are right on the water, even the summers are tolerable thanks to the sea breezes. Also means fewer bugs and fewer crazies. If you can't live directly on the water because of budget constraints, live someplace better instead.
2) The amount of corruption at the county and municipal level is extraordinary. I once worked for a famous actor who owned a brewpub. This actor kept a box on her desk labeled "bribes." It was not labeled ironically. Every county inspector got something from the bribes box to make them go away. A local religious group ran a drug money laundering operation. Everyone knew about it. Anyone who said anything about it ended up at the bottom of the Strait. Crooked city employees (particularly health inspectors, building inspectors, and anyone in law enforcement) are a fact of life. The best way to deal with this is to take the philosophy "ignorance is bliss." People who fight city hall disappear.
3) Windstorm insurance makes Florida almost impossible. If you're going to buy a place, pay cash and hope for the best. Seriously. When I left, my Citizen's windstorm bill was $30,000 per year. (I lived directly on the water.)
4) The economy runs on tourism, fleecing retirees out of their retirement money, and cocaine. The people who don't see all the cocaine money should change their name to Pollyanna. It's everywhere. It also goes all the way back to prohibition. Bootleggers switched from rum to bales to bricks. But it's been the same business since the 1920s.
5) Speaking of fleecing retirees out of their retirement money, that is considered an honorable profession. They're aren't native so they're looked at as cattle. That state's existence comes from siphoning the life savings of tens of thousands of retirees each year. (Nearly 50K retirees move to Florida each year. Capturing their life savings keeps the state afloat.)

 

[Brett]

I left Florida because the only place I truly liked in the entire state was ruined by cruise-ship over-tourism.

Here are some things people never seem to mention about Florida:

1) Quality of life is 100% determined by proximity to the water. If you are right on the water, even the summers are tolerable thanks to the sea breezes. Also means fewer bugs and fewer crazies. If you can't live directly on the water because of budget constraints, live someplace better instead.
2) The amount of corruption at the county and municipal level is extraordinary. I once worked for a famous actor who owned a brewpub. This actor kept a box on her desk labeled "bribes." It was not labeled ironically. Every county inspector got something from the bribes box to make them go away. A local religious group ran a drug money laundering operation. Everyone knew about it. Anyone who said anything about it ended up at the bottom of the Strait. Crooked city employees (particularly health inspectors, building inspectors, and anyone in law enforcement) are a fact of life. The best way to deal with this is to take the philosophy "ignorance is bliss." People who fight city hall disappear.
3) Windstorm insurance makes Florida almost impossible. If you're going to buy a place, pay cash and hope for the best. Seriously. When I left, my Citizen's windstorm bill was $30,000 per year. (I lived directly on the water.)
4) The economy runs on tourism, fleecing retirees out of their retirement money, and cocaine. The people who don't see all the cocaine money should change their name to Pollyanna. It's everywhere. It also goes all the way back to prohibition. Bootleggers switched from rum to bales to bricks. But it's been the same business since the 1920s.
5) Speaking of fleecing retirees out of their retirement money, that is considered an honorable profession. They're aren't native so they're looked at as cattle. That state's existence comes from siphoning the life savings of tens of thousands of retirees each year. (Nearly 50K retirees move to Florida each year. Capturing their life savings keeps the state afloat.)

Sure, but Hawaii is also economically dependent on tourists and retired people. Google "tourists and retired people economic impact on Hawaii".

And Hawaii has the highest state income taxes and sales taxes in the US

(But, yes, the OP is not considering living on an Hawaii coffee farm )

 

[vacationtime1]

Sure, but Hawaii is also economically dependent on tourists and retired people. Google "tourists and retired people economic impact on Hawaii".

And Hawaii has the highest state income taxes and sales taxes in the US

(But, yes, the OP is not considering living on an Hawaii coffee farm )

It does not. NY and CA have higher income tax rates; CA and WA have higher sales tax rates. I'm sure there are others.

 

[Brett]

It does not. NY and CA have higher income tax rates; CA and WA have higher sales tax rates. I'm sure there are others.

I suppose -- but overall combined "tax burden" is high

.

 

[rapmarks]

I like living in Florida, but I do leave for four or five months for better weather.
No state income tax, for me a big savings.
I have owned my home 22 years and my property taxes have barely risen.
I have lots of activities and lots of people my age to do them with. Also, lots of theater opportunities, shopping, and easy access to the beach.
There are several Handiman in the neighborhood, so I can remain independent. I can have the house ready for me when I return, and closed up for me when weather turns scary.
I have a library right outside my gate, and a park right across the street.
I have doctors nearby.
I have a community that takes care of yard work, and has activities, a restaurant, dinner dances and other events weekly.
There are alligators, but I don’t worry about them
Our area is relatively crime free.
Some things cost more, but not everything.

 

[ScoopKona]

It also has nothing to do with retiring to Florida.

I still would have left because of the frequency of tropical cyclones. But the points on my list were very heavily weighed in my decision to leave. I had a great thing going on there. And it's even worse today than it was when I left. Last time I went home for a visit was the last time ever. I have no desire to go back.

 

[easyrider]

Florida is certainly flat but the lack of mountains doesn't bother me.
I suppose Southern California offers nice winter temps, mountains and seashores but then there are other issues ....

That sounds right. My biggest problem in many areas of Southern California is traffic and people. I will never drive I-405 again, lol. I think I'm going to avoid I-5 as well.

I wouldn't mind doing a road trip to Florida. We would take a week or better to get there, hang out for a week then loop a different route home.

Bill

 

[WinniWoman]

Honestly New Hampshire and Vermont are also heavily dependent on tourists and second homeowners. Living where I do in NH the crowds do get annoying after awhile. We finally get nice weather and then we can’t enjoy our own state to the fullest. I guess there’s just too many people in the world now.

But I also I can’t live in a place like Florida and no interest in going south anywhere. North for me. Either northern NH, Maine, VT, Canada, NY….

 

[Brett]

Honestly New Hampshire and Vermont are also heavily dependent on tourists and second homeowners. Living where I do in NH the crowds do get annoying after awhile. We finally get nice weather and then we can’t enjoy our own state to the fullest. I guess there’s just too many people in the world now.

But I also I can’t live in a place like Florida and no interest in going south anywhere. North for me. Either northern NH, Maine, VT, Canada, NY….

I think most people don't move when they retire if they live near family and friends.

 

[WinniWoman]

I think most people don't move when they retire if they live near family and friends.

Yes. I’ve read that also. For us we had no reason to stay in NY where we lived. No close family or close friends nearby anyway. Made sense to move close to where our only child lives. Though we don’t see him a lot, but certainly a lot more than we would have if we still lived in NY by a long shot.

 

[billymach4]

My problem with Florida is it is just so flat. I did like the winter weather, fishing and general goofing around scene, so for snowbird stays its very ok.

Bill

Yes no contour to the landscape

 

[rapmarks]

Yes no contour to the landscape

Being from Illinois, I never noticed

 

[billymach4]

Being from Illinois, I never noticed

It's nice see some mountains and hills. Nothing too crazy. Some streams and rivers with nice small water falls.

 

[Rolltydr]

Yes no contour to the landscape

We don’t need it. We have thousands of miles of beach and shoreline.

 

[easyrider]

Yes no contour to the landscape

Not much. Even the golf courses are a bit flat. There are nice beaches though.

Bill

 

[geekette]

It's nice see some mountains and hills. Nothing too crazy. Some streams and rivers with nice small water falls.

I’ve got it made. Live halfway up a mountain, creek runs down it, I have minor waterfalls viewable from deck, creek down a steep embankment so I won’t flood. I like the constant water sound. Leaving home, more glorious views. Not sure what’s “too crazy”, but I think for me it’s the ear popping that doesn’t stop for too long after I’ve come down the mountain or back up. Sometimes it’s a few days. This week was just a few hours. Worth it. Cost of living pretty low, great roads. Access to airport, eh, unless my next boyfriend has his own plane, probably 90 min from major airport. About same to make it to interstate.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

It also has nothing to do with retiring to Florida.

I still would have left because of the frequency of tropical cyclones. But the points on my list were very heavily weighed in my decision to leave. I had a great thing going on there. And it's even worse today than it was when I left. Last time I went home for a visit was the last time ever. I have no desire to go back.

Someone earlier mentioned the Villages (which is inland). Your point about tropical cyclones is significant. So, the Villages aren't going to be as threatened when the cyclones/hurricanes role through.

 

[ScoopKona]

Someone earlier mentioned the Villages (which is inland). Your point about tropical cyclones is significant. So, the Villages aren't going to be as threatened when the cyclones/hurricanes role through.

The Villages is the polar opposite of my first point -- Quality of life is 100% determined by proximity to the ocean. They don't have to worry about Hurricane Zelda. But it's a bugs, humidity, horrible-transplant fest every day of the year. I wouldn't live there even if all my expenses were picked up by some anonymous benefactor. "Thanks but no thanks. This place sucks worse than a VW microbus full of dead skunks being driven by John Tesh and Kenny G."