Community Chat

[gmkb]

We moved to Central Florida 15 years ago and have never been sorry.  We live in a gated 55+ community and love that also.  There are many activities, amenities, and opportunities for friendships.  We own a single family home.

Several people mentioned The Villages.  Some  things to know about the Villages are they have a gate, but are not gated; their roads are public and anyone can enter.  

 They also have a hefty impact fee when you purchase.  The traffic is horrendous!  

There are many activities and the people we know who live there like it a lot.

We came here from the Northeast also and it was such a pleasure to find such a difference in the cost of living.  Lower house costs, lower taxes, lower energy costs, many discounts to various activities for Fl. residents, eating out much less costly.

I hope you find your ideal community.  Take your time, there are many communities to visit.  One will be right for you.

[AuntG]

Ft. Myers - nice city.

[Gardengal55]

I love the beach and love the Gulf but could never live in Florida.  The humidity there is just too much for me.  I'm not keen on the insects either and I have only ever had to hire an exterminator once here at home in the Great Lakes area and that was for a bee hive, so just don't like the idea of using pesticides in my home on a monthly basis.  

Another reason is the traffic--too much for this small town girl.  But the main reason I wouldn't live in Florida is I must have a basement in my home.  Having lived through 3 tornadoes and countless severe storms over the years I would never feel safe if I didn't have a basement to run to if necessary.  With so many storms and lightning  strikes occurring in Florida I wouldn't be comfortable.

We are retired and my SIL retired to Tampa so we visit twice a year.  We enjoy our visits there immensely.

[ROMARY]

I haven't read every single post.  However, 'ditto' to those who suggested spending at least a month in each area that you might be considering.  During the hottest and coldest seasons.   Sounds as though Northern central-inland areas might be the best (for you), avoiding high humidity and strong hurricanes.   p.s.  Also, I don't know anything about alligators and/or snakes, but if they live in or near lakes, I would avoid interior lakeside areas, too.   The best of luck in your new adventure!

[Ocalagala]

We are on a lake and have never seen an alligator or a snake.  The exterminator sprays all the shrubs and bushes.  He also sprays the perimeter of the house on the outside.  He has never sprayed inside the house and we have lived in this house for 10 years.

As far as paying for an exterminator goes, when we lived in Ohio we paid for a plow service to shovel the snow.  It was more expensive to do that than to pay the exterminator.  It's the price you pay to live in this beautiful climate.

[151949]

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@ncascade wrote:

Before you make the big move I will tell you about friends of ours. They wanted to retire and move to Florida. Had always taken a winter vacation there. When they did retire they sold their house which was a beautiful home and moved. Did not realize how very hot it was in the summer. Moved back here but had to buy a home not at all like their former home and were very unhappy.My advice is this: live in Florida in the summer to see if you like it.

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Let me tell you my story - we wanted to move to Fl for years when we retired. We had family there and had vacationed many times. The first winter we went down in our camper, found a home , sold our northern home and moved . However, we kept our camper , so we could come home for a while in the summers and spend some time with friends & family.We have come home to Pa. every summer for 7 years. We also get a lot of company thru the winter.This year my Dh has been ill and he has decided he'd like to stop snowbirding after this year. We are selling the camper - God willing, at the end of the season.The point is - just because you move to florida does not mean your feet are set in concrete here. You can go north to visit when the weather is nice, and be assured, when it is cold up north the family will be visiting you.

[AngelPuppy1]

My best advice is to visit a few cities after you get advice from family and friends.

I have been to a few cites in Florida and I personally love it there.

My favorite place so far has been St. Pete Beach.  It is beautiful, clean and so many things to do and see.  People have always been so warm and friendly, as well.

Best of luck and let us know what you find out and where you decide to go!

So exciting!!!!!! 

[151949]

The only insect issue we have had since we moved to Fl was the first summer - we came home to Pa and when we returned to Fl in the fall we had ants everywhere. We called an exterminator and they sprayed once only and the ants were gone - now we do have the outsiide of the house sprayed 4x a year.And when we come north I make absolutely certain everything in the pantry is wrapped in a sealed container like a lock n lock or a ziplock bag. Never had an issue again.

My DH did once buy some peaches at a farmers market and there was a palmetto bug in them - he was easily killed with some wasp spray. Never have seen another one.(knocking on wood). I assume what the exterminator spray keeps them out. 

[FrostyBabe1]

I'm not a Florida resident, but do spend part of the year living on one of the Gulf barrier islands in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Island living, particularly beach front as I am, is not inexpensive. You will get far more space for your money inland, but that's not something I would consider. Ever. I'd rather have a smaller space and be where I am. I would never consider a 55+ community. Just not my thing. 

I would highly recommend spending a month or so in a couple of different areas that interest you to see what suits you. Optimally, commit a full year to renting, split amongst the areas that you're interested in, and do it both during season and summer. Season will be nicer weather wise, but the traffic can be a nightmare. Summer is hotter than heck, and if you're on the coast, the traffic can be just as bad with folks who live inland headed to the beach for vacations. I have friends who own a beach resort, and they absolutely HATE the summer season. I've lived thru one Florida summer and won't do it again. I may take a long weekend trip down, but as a rule I stay out of Florida between May 1 and Oct 15. 

Yes, there are bugs, gators and snakes. If you hit your ball into a water hazard on the golf course, you leave it there. You treat for bugs. I don't go off the trails when I hike in one of the many nature preserves near me.  On the opposite side of the coin, I can sit on my balcony or patio and watch dolphins swimming in the gulf, pelicans diving for fish and enjoy the most spectacular sunsets. 

No place is perfect. You just need to take the time and have the patience to find what works best for you. 

[151949]

We have bugs and snakes everywhere. We don't have alligators up north but we do have bears and other critters.