Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

We are thinking of moving to Florida as my DH has a potential job opportunity there. It would mean that I would have alot more time with my children and could be in a less stressful job. It would be great if it worked out. We have family down there so that wouldn't be a concern.

However, I'm so conflicted on my feelings on this. Nervous and worried, excited...you name it.

Have you known anyone that has done it? What are their feelings about it? TIA!

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Had 2 friends separately who did it. One moved to NC after, couldn't stand various things about FLA. And the other moved back to NY/LI, wasn't happy either. Have an aunt who moved there and came back. My dad's friend and family moved there and stayed but all of them have VERY tough times finding jobs/financially.

Message edited 10/27/2014 11:27:42 AM.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Posted by JennCo

Posted by Goobster

Had 2 friends separately who did it. One moved to NC after, couldn't stand various things about FLA. And the other moved back to NY/LI, wasn't happy either. Have an aunt who moved there and came back. My dad's friend and family moved there and stayed but all of them have VERY tough times finding jobs/financially.

Thanks for responding. I've heard the job market is tough down there as well. I'm concerned more about what those "various things" are in FLA that people from NY might not be able to stand. Looking for more of the inside scoop on those types of things, you know?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

We moved from NY to FL about 8 years ago and absolutely love it. I think it depends on what area of FL you would be moving to. Driving just a few hours in FL can put you in a whole different world!
As for jobs - I didn't have any issue finding a job when we moved down, but I am now a SAHM. My husband moved here for his training, so it was not an issue for him. I actually found that FL employers love people from the north east!
PM me if you have any questions!

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

I only personally know one person who did it. She is single and went straight out of grad school because the job opportunities in her field were good, as was the pay (not usually the case in FLA from what I know). I can't believe she's still there and it's been years. I'm not sure if she really likes it but she hasn't come back and hasn't moved elsewhere.

If you have a job lined-up and family there, I'd be out of LI ASAP. That said, I'm not an LI fan, I didn't grow up here and I wouldn't live here if I had a good opportunity elsewhere. I'm DONE with the traffic, overpriced homes, ridiculous taxes, overcrowding, etc. I just can't imagine living in an area where we'd have no family and no help, so that is a huge hurdle in leaving NY.

I also find that in other states to be less "ugly" in commercial areas. I don't know if it's just where I've traveled to but it seems like shopping centers in other areas I've been to, grocery stores, etc are usually nicer looking. Again, it might just be true for the places I've been.

Have you been to the area that you'd be moving? I would go down there for a good week and just drive around, meet with RA's, try to get a really good feel for the area.

Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

I think it really depends on the area of FL.

Personally, I would never live in FL again. I lived there when I was a kid - my parents moved us there because of my Father's Job. But we lived outside of the Tampa/Clearwater area. Like I said, I was a kid so my memories are different than what your like would be like there. But my DH's family lives outside of Daytona and I can honestly say as an adult I would not live in FL.

The job market is terrible. The chance of hurricanes is too much for me. The education system is not the greatest - maybe better in some areas but not comparable to NY.

But you have to do your research and make the best decision for your family. Are there any other states where you DH can transfer? Does your family like it there?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

We have never lived there, but have close family there and visit often for prolonged periods. I would never move there because:

the job market is terrible
its way toooo hot
giant bugs everywhere
can't spend any prolonged periods outside because of the heat
the grass is gross and you can't walk on it barefoot
schools aren't great

Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

I realized I sound really negative. Some people like heat and humidity, I don't. I can't stand it, and that may be influencing my choice more than anything. I guess on the plus side, you can go to the beach year round.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

DH and I moved down to FL after college and lived there for 4 yrs. We were on the east coast in Palm Bay, about 40 min. south of Cape Canaveral.

I think people either love OR hate living there. It all depends on what you enjoy. At the time we had no family there so that was hard but I deplore the heat and while I've always enjoyed vacationing in FL, living there F/T is a very different experience. I missed the seasons, the cold weather, and snow. FL just wasn't my thing so we moved back to NY four years after leaving.

The plus side of FL was that it was SO much more affordable to live there and DH made a NY salary so financially, life sure was easier. But there are trade-offs of course as there are with anything. Having family there already would make your move (and adjustment) much easier for sure so that might help your decision making.

Good luck!!

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Posted by JennCo

Posted by Goobster

Had 2 friends separately who did it. One moved to NC after, couldn't stand various things about FLA. And the other moved back to NY/LI, wasn't happy either. Have an aunt who moved there and came back. My dad's friend and family moved there and stayed but all of them have VERY tough times finding jobs/financially.

Thanks for responding. I've heard the job market is tough down there as well. I'm concerned more about what those "various things" are in FLA that people from NY might not be able to stand. Looking for more of the inside scoop on those types of things, you know?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

I lived there for a few years. Had a great job lined up but the company went out of business after 6 months. I couldn't find anything in my field. Ended up working 2 crappy part time jobs just to pay the bills. I haven't even visited there (which I used to do multiple times a year) since I moved back here... that's how much I hated it. I would never recommend it to anyone.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Yes, fireants too! You can't really live in FL without paying for monthly pest control. My in-laws have to keep their cereal and other dried foods in tupperwares because the bugs get into the boxes. And their house is spotless.

Those dumb little lizards get into everything too. But my kids love them...

But, they love it there.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

We moved to FL in May 2014 with our 2 very young children. We have no family here and didn't know anyone. We are LOVING it!!!! We have no regrets. Even my 4 turned 5 year old tells me how happy he is here.

My DH transferred with his employer so job market wasn't a concern for us. DH is in investment banking and with the number of companies relocating personel here, someone in a related field shouldn't have a problem. We live in St. John's county which is the #1 school district in the state. Cost of living where we live is comparable to NY and groceries are actually more expensive but I think a lot depends on where you live. We live in a new community that is mostly upper-middle class surrounded by really upper-middle class areas so that's why COL is what it is. Real estate was less than in NY but you won't find anything for $200K, most homes start in the mid-300's and go up steadily from there.

DH's commute went from 1hr+ each way to 15 minutes! We see him in the mornings before school and he's home by 6:15 even on a late day bc the commute is so short. Our quality of life is much improved. We see him more, he's happier. Our son is happier bc he's outside every day playing. Our community has lots of events and bc most people have relocated from elsewhere, people tend to be friendly and welcoming.

Yes, it does get really hot but it's for about 2.5 months. That's like winter in NY. But when it's hot you can at least go to the pool. We are in NE Florida so temps do cool down. Our temps now are mid-70's to low 80's. It's great! It will get cooler in January and February and lows could drop to the 40's but daytime temps hover around 60 those days.

We have no regrets. I never thought I'd say that. We'd never lived anywhere but LI/NYC and didn't know what to expect but we are so happy to be here.

A lot depends on where you are moving and why. I'd never move somewhere if my DH didn't have a job which furthered his career lined up. Also, living where we are with the school district being top in the state allayed any fears about our children's education. Having 3 seasons also helps. Bugs haven't been an issue.

That's our experience. You really ahve to look at where you'd be living, what you are looking for in terms of quality of life and what's important to you. Everyone's experience is different. GL with your decision.

ETA: We walk outside on the grass barefoot. Even my 11 month old would walk out there, he hasn't known any different.

Message edited 10/27/2014 3:18:49 PM.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

i have friends that are moving down soon. They already sold their house and they are looking for houses now... it was their plan for a while now. He is a retired cop and shes a SAHM. They have 3 girls. The youngest is 7 or so.

Ive spoken to him a few times about it and they are all of those things as well. Not sure you can do a huge more like that without being nervous and excited.

Good luck!!

Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Me! 8 yrs ago, BEST decision we've ever made. We have a beautiful home in a gated community, awesome friends, perfect weather. Sure it's hot, but it's hot & humid for long island summers too. The weather down here right now cannot be beat. Warm, low humidity winters, it's heaven. I've never once seen a palmetto. Beaches are awesome year round. Yea, there are red ants, gAtors and snakes, but any sub-tropical climate is like that.
You're not swimming in lakes or canals anyway, Pm with any questions. I'm about 90 min north of boca.

Message edited 10/27/2014 3:43:54 PM.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

I have lots of family that moved down, my parents just recently. They all love it down there. I guess it gets hot, but then you don't have to deal with the cold winters and snow. LI is getting so expensive with taxes that so many people I know are talking of leaving.

Re: Have you (or anyone you know) moved from LI to Florida?

Not me, but a friend of mine. Said she would never even come back to visit NY cause she loves it so much.