Moving to Florida. Looking for advice.

[billymach4]

Never mind

 

[PigsDad]

On the lizard thing…. On one of my first trips to FL, I felt lucky that I noticed the lizard in my suitcase as I was packing to go. I would have freaked out, freaked out my dog, had it gone home with me. He was small, 3” or so, but I’m from the north. I can’t handle big hairy spiders a fraction of the size, but the lizard didn’t seem to be a threat. Female, solo travel, I threw a shoe, he got out of my suitcase and I got the hell outa there.

From your description, I'm almost positive that was a gecko. They are everywhere in FL, but rarely inside so that is a bit surprising. The good news is that they will eat those big hairy spiders (and cockroaches, ants, etc.). If one keeps those bugs out of house, hotel room, etc., there would be no reason for the gecko to be there.

My big issue with FL is humidity and gators. Gators scare the crap out of me. I couldn’t relax thinking one was always sneaking up on me. I know this from a subsequent trip to FL where rest area had warning signs.

I love seeing gators swimming in the ponds and canals in our neighborhood. They don't bother people. In fact, you are far, far more likely to be struck by lightning in Florida than to be attacked by an alligator.

Kurt

 

[rapmarks]

Ditto for what Pigs Dad said. First of all, when I go to Wisconsin, I have raccoons, nasty ones, climbing on my deck, five at a time, and red fox too, plus deer in my yard all the time. So a tiny gecko is not going to scare me.
I scream when I see a snake,nand they slither away. Believe me, raccoons don’t run when you scream at them.
A lot of people have made some pretty silly remarks about Florida.

 

[Brett]

Ditto for what Pigs Dad said. First of all, when I go to Wisconsin, I have raccoons, nasty ones, climbing on my deck, five at a time, and red fox too, plus deer in my yard all the time. So a tiny gecko is not going to scare me.
I scream when I see a snake,nand they slither away. Believe me, raccoons don’t run when you scream at them.
A lot of people have made some pretty silly remarks about Florida.

Our agressive neighborhood raccoons can open the trash containers. And we have possums, deer and foxes too.

We should be thankful we don't live in Australia, plenty of dangerous creatures. Just picking up a sea shell can kill you!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_snail

 

[Rolltydr]

Oh, my goodness…. Thank you all so much for taking the time. I have been traveling extensively and have had little to no time to be on-line the last few days. I quickly read thru your comments (wow, a lot to consider) and will take more time tomorrow to reread them. I will have some questions, I’m sure. First thing that popped in my head was the lizard/snake warning. Yikes, what if they find a way into my apartment? I know it sounds silly but as a single woman, what the heck would I do??? Also, please don’t laugh, but I have a phobia about frogs. Should I be rethinking this?|

I have a phobia of snakes. I hope I won’t regret saying this, but we’ve lived in northeast Florida with a pond in our backyard for 4 years now and I’ve seen fewer snakes here than I did living in Alabama. I only remember seeing one in the pond and I’ve seen a couple while walking through the neighborhoods around us. I’ll probably have nightmares tonight but as long as they’re in my dreams, I can handle it.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I suppose it depends on the definition of "hidden fees" and "destroyed".
My parents and their friends didn't seem to be "destroyed" retirees when they lived in Florida


View attachment 124685


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AI produces so much garbage. There are no taxes on retirement income in Washington State.

 

[chriskre]

A lot of people have made some pretty silly remarks about Florida.

Shhhhh. Let them think this is a scary place.
Maybe they'll stop moving here.

 

[chriskre]

I have a phobia of snakes. I hope I won’t regret saying this, but we’ve lived in northeast Florida with a pond in our backyard for 4 years now and I’ve seen fewer snakes here than I did living in Alabama. I only remember seeing one in the pond and I’ve seen a couple while walking through the neighborhoods around us. I’ll probably have nightmares tonight but as long as they’re in my dreams, I can handle it.

I live in a city condo in Miami and have a house in the suburbs and you'd be surprised how often I see snakes.
They aren't poisonous but they are everywhere. They don't really bother you but if you have bushes in Florida you have snakes.
Shoot I've been sitting on the patio at Marriott and HGVC Timeshares in Marco Island and Palm Beach and seen snakes in the gardens run across my path.
They are pretty much everywhere if you sit out long enough.

 

[chriskre]

Oh, my goodness…. Thank you all so much for taking the time. I have been traveling extensively and have had little to no time to be on-line the last few days. I quickly read thru your comments (wow, a lot to consider) and will take more time tomorrow to reread them. I will have some questions, I’m sure. First thing that popped in my head was the lizard/snake warning. Yikes, what if they find a way into my apartment? I know it sounds silly but as a single woman, what the heck would I do??? Also, please don’t laugh, but I have a phobia about frogs. Should I be rethinking this?|

Try to take a 2nd floor or higher apartment if you want to decrease the chances of critters getting in.
I live on the 3rd floor and never get any critters in my condo.
In my house on the street level I have lizards, iguanas and frogs and yes even snakes getting in.
I don't know how they get in but they do.
Luckily I have 2 cats so they pretty much find them and take care of that for me so maybe you might want to get a cat.
If not then stay in a higher floor and you'll reduce your chances of dealing with the critters. Less roaches up higher too.

 

[Greg G]

We like the geckos that hang around our lanai. We also tend to name them when one is around a lot. They've never bothered us, and we like having them around.

Reminds me of the Mystery series "Death in Paradise" where the British inspector on a Caribbean island interacts with the lizard on his porch from time to time.

 

[topmom101]

Try to take a 2nd floor or higher apartment if you want to decrease the chances of critters getting in.
I live on the 3rd floor and never get any critters in my condo.
In my house on the street level I have lizards, iguanas and frogs and yes even snakes getting in.
I don't know how they get in but they do.
Luckily I have 2 cats so they pretty much find them and take care of that for me so maybe you might want to get a cat.
If not then stay in a higher floor and you'll reduce your chances of dealing with the critters. Less roaches up higher too.

Fabulous idea about the cat.

 

[topmom101]

First, my condolences on the loss of your husband. I really can't give you any advice about rentals but I applaud you wanting to realize your desire to live in Florida near the beach. My wife and I moved from Alabama to the St. Augustine area 4 years ago because we wanted to live outside the state of Alabama and I wanted to be close to the beach while my wife wanted to be inland far enough to not have to worry too much about hurricanes. We now live in a beautiful community about a 25 minute drive to the beach. We did rent a 2 bedroom apartment in a large complex for a very short period of time until we found our house. We paid $1750/month at that time so I'm thinking the post above about renting from a private owner is probably your best bet in your price range.

We love it here in Florida and have never regretted the move. Best of luck to you!

Thank you. I appreciate the condolences. I have visited St. Augustine and loved it, but I think it’s out of my price range.

 

[topmom101]

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.

Thank you. It’s a big decision and based on everyone’s comments, it will require a lot of consideration. At this point, I am very confused.

 

[topmom101]

That reminds me of something else that should be mentioned to the OP. Find a residence that is not in an evacuation zone. Look at the counties emergency information website and find the map of evacuation zones. Either find zones that are way down the list of those to be evacuated first or just find a place not in a zone at all. It certainly won't prevent issues in the event of a storm, but one may not want to own or rent in Zone A, B or C.

Yes, certainly something important to consider. It’s turning out not such an easy decision after all. A little scary…

 

[Luanne]

Yes, certainly something important to consider. It’s turning out not such an easy decision after all. A little scary…

Have you spent much time in Florida? During all seasons of the year? My best friend move to Florida a few years ago. Her older daughter and her family (husband and sons) live there. Before that bff lived in California her entire life. She moved to Florida to be closer to her older daughter because first her husband passed away, then maybe a year or two later she lost everything in the Paradise Camp fire. It made sense for her to move closer to her older daughter. She is settling in, there are things she likes (the weather during the months of the year when it's good) and many more she doesn't. Just do a lot of thinking before you make the move.

 

[geekette]

From your description, I'm almost positive that was a gecko. They are everywhere in FL, but rarely inside so that is a bit surprising. The good news is that they will eat those big hairy spiders (and cockroaches, ants, etc.). If one keeps those bugs out of house, hotel room, etc., there would be no reason for the gecko to be there.


I love seeing gators swimming in the ponds and canals in our neighborhood. They don't bother people. In fact, you are far, far more likely to be struck by lightning in Florida than to be attacked by an alligator.

Kurt

From your description of “pencil thin”, I don’t think so, I thought geckos were smooth-skinned, usually green or yellow. This one was tan or beige and not shiny. Can’t say he had bumpy skin like my friend Lizzie and so many of the pine tree loving lizards in NC foothill forest. I do like the bug-eating features of the critters. Lizzie dutifully went to my veggie garden every day to eat, and not my crops!

Say what you will about gators, I just picture me and my little dog out for a walk…. A lot of wildlife, if you don’t bother it, it’s not gonna bother you. For whatever reason (likely irrational, having never lived among them ), I don’t trust gators!

 

[Rolltydr]

I live in a city condo in Miami and have a house in the suburbs and you'd be surprised how often I see snakes.
They aren't poisonous but they are everywhere. They don't really bother you but if you have bushes in Florida you have snakes.
Shoot I've been sitting on the patio at Marriott and HGVC Timeshares in Marco Island and Palm Beach and seen snakes in the gardens run across my path.
They are pretty much everywhere if you sit out long enough.

 

[WinniWoman]

Oh, my goodness…. Thank you all so much for taking the time. I have been traveling extensively and have had little to no time to be on-line the last few days. I quickly read thru your comments (wow, a lot to consider) and will take more time tomorrow to reread them. I will have some questions, I’m sure. First thing that popped in my head was the lizard/snake warning. Yikes, what if they find a way into my apartment? I know it sounds silly but as a single woman, what the heck would I do??? Also, please don’t laugh, but I have a phobia about frogs. Should I be rethinking this?|

The huge crabs they’ve got there freak me out as well as the reptiles and insects. lol!

 

[DrQ]

Luckily I have 2 cats so they pretty much find them and take care of that for me

True dat!!!

I do like the geckos and chameleons. I can take or leave iguanas, DW (girlfriend at the time) would babysit a 4 foot iguana that was a friend's who was a teacher and was a classroom pet for the summer. I would let it sit on my shoulders when we would take it out of the cage to get some exercise. If startled, it could have done some damage with those claws.

I would keep a wary eye at fresh water shorelines and definitely would not walk my dog on the shoreline. The thing to understand is how far they can lunge and stay on the edge of that range. Gators out of the water are not a problem as they are visible and you can give them a wide berth, unless you are an oblivious ninny with your nose in your phone and not paying attention to your surroundings.

 

[silentg]

We have lived in Florida for 39 years. We just sold our house last year and moved to a 55+ community in Clermont, Florida called Kings Ridge. We love it here lots of hills and trees and many activities there are many single ladies living here it’s not near the beach but is an easy drive to Tampa about an hour away. Close to Orlando but a peaceful community. Condolences on the loss of your husband. Don’t let others discourage you from moving here. You will be welcome no matter where you decide to live.

 

[silentg]

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

You obviously never been to Clermont Fl we have many hills

 

[silentg]

Another question for florida residents? How is your water quality? Do you have in house water treatments? Reverse
Osmosis system?

No we have tap water it’s fine

 

[easyrider]

You obviously never been to Clermont Fl we have many hills

Honestly, I've never been to most of areas of Florida. We did drive across Florida from the Gulf to the Atlantic and that area is flat. The lower part of the hill I'm living on is about 1100 ft above sea level with about another 3000 ft of elevation behind us. We are surrounded by hills and mountains. Its what I'm use to seeing. I like to see something break up the horizon. Its what feels like home to me so I get why you like where you live.

Does Florida have hills ? I thought Florida has some areas of Knolls or Humps maybe a few hundred ft above sea level at best.

Bill

 

[silentg]

Honestly, I've never been to most of areas of Florida. We did drive across Florida from the Gulf to the Atlantic and that area is flat. The lower part of the hill I'm living on is about 1100 ft above sea level with about another 3000 ft of elevation behind us. We are surrounded by hills and mountains. Its what I'm use to seeing. I like to see something break up the horizon. Its what feels like home to me so I get why you like where you live.

Does Florida have hills ? I thought Florida has some areas of Knolls or Humps maybe a few hundred ft above sea level at best.

Bill

Highest point is 300 ft.

 

[rapmarks]

We have lived in Florida for 39 years. We just sold our house last year and moved to a 55+ community in Clermont, Florida called Kings Ridge. We love it here lots of hills and trees and many activities there are many single ladies living here it’s not near the beach but is an easy drive to Tampa about an hour away. Close to Orlando but a peaceful community. Condolences on the loss of your husband. Don’t let others discourage you from moving here. You will be welcome no matter where you decide to live.

We looked at that community, went back three times, finally decided to move further south.