Thoughts on Florida

[Big A]

I can't imagine "retiring" in TX. If you have a chance, jump on it. My sister just moved to FL and seems to like it.

I hadn't thought of living anywhere else most of my life, but now that I've lived in CA for a few years, I'm not so quick to come back. Having family there is the only draw really, and I can visit from wherever.

If you've got the opportunity, then I say go for it. Nothing in life is permanent, other than death and taxes, so if it doesn't turn out then move elsewhere.

[mk5.0]

What's the deal with screened in pools? Every place I've looked at has one. Bugs? Gators? George Zimmerman?

Mosquito's.....

[Sean88gt]

I hadn't thought of living anywhere else most of my life, but now that I've lived in CA for a few years, I'm not so quick to come back. Having family there is the only draw really, and I can visit from wherever.

If you've got the opportunity, then I say go for it. Nothing in life is permanent, other than death and taxes, so if it doesn't turn out then move elsewhere.

The hardest part is leaving the family, but once you realize the freedom without them, it makes wanting to GTFO that much more enticing.

[trblshooter]

I've always pictured myself retiring on or near the sea. Can't say I'm close to that but maybe this is one step closer. A skipper license and a 42ft schooner seems just about right IMO.

[helosailor]

Oh, and if you ever have the occasion to go to Bradford county...don't do it.

[YALE]

I'd do Tampa. Tampa's ok. It's about the only place in the states, outside of Miami, where Cuban coffee is normal.

[Nash B.]

My dad moved to Miami for a little over a year. He hated it. Everything was more expensive than he thought. He also felt people were really rude.

We went to Orlando for a few days last year. Outside of Pensacola Beach, the people there seemed pretty shitty. It was humid as shit, too.

[68RR]

In-laws had a condo in Seminole , friend in Cape Coral and a cousin owns a bunch of land near Ocala.. I never really got used to the humidity in the summer and yes, count on rain between noon and 3 every day in some parts.. The screened in porches are called a Lanai, and are very useful.
On buying ground.. watch out for areas that have Burrowing Owls as they're a protected species and no building of any type can be done till they clear out.. My friend in Cape Coral has two empy lots on either side of her property that has the owls. She's been there 11 years and the lots are still unusable..
my cousins recommendations to me were this:

Naples- big money but extremely nice... Destin- absolutely gorgeous beaches, fantastic fishing, and great prices on homes. Finally Lake Placid.. Great fishing, very quiet ( country style living) negative is 40 minutes from Sebring, so a drive for any Chain store/ restaurant.. Stay away from the east coast!

[VaderTT]

I went to Florida once, it was aiight.

[dcs13]

On buying ground.. watch out for areas that have Burrowing Owls as they're a protected species and no building of any type can be done till they clear out.. My friend in Cape Coral has two empy lots on either side of her property that has the owls. She's been there 11 years and the lots are still unusable..
t!

Thanks. that's very good to know.

[bcoop]

The girlfriend just moved back to TX from Jacksonville. She loved it, but her family is there as well. We're keeping her condo as a rental property for the time being, but it will be a vacation house for us here in a couple of years. The people are crazy, and it's humid as hell.

[68RR]

bcoop..

Jacksonville..some people love it, others meh! Tons of mosquitoes.. a lot of the areas east-to-north along the St John river are backfilled. Very large population of Bull Sharks that like to cruise the St John..

[mstng86]

We went to Orlando for a few days last year. Outside of Pensacola Beach, the people there seemed pretty shitty. It was humid as shit, too.

It may be because he worked with all Cubans and Puerto Ricans.

I dunno

[davbrucas]

I did my residency in Florida. I enjoyed it there. Tampa is one of the better places to live in Florida. Traffic is pretty bad and people can't drive, but it's the same in any big city.
It does rain just about every afternoon in the summer.

[95DRGT]

Nice place for vacay but I couldn't live there. Seems like the backwash of America down there