by Danielle P.
Member since:
March 26, 2007

Opinions

April 30, 2011 11:28 AM UTC
views: 0 | 9 people recommend this | comments: 47

Hi Everyone,

My life has been absolutely crazy the last few months with all that I have taken on.  In Jan my Mom had a car accident and broke her neck, in Feb I took a part time job, in March Mom had the brain tumor removed they found when they did the MRI for her broken neck.  March and April have consisted in working, starting Graduate school for Counseling and helping Mom get back on her feet.

So...............for a few years now we have been thinking about moving to Florida.  I have a dear friend that lives near the beach in Daytona and my Dad and his wife live near Tampa.  Chris' mom died in Oct and we have her house that we can move into while we look for a nice area and work. 

What are your thoughts everyone? 

I have heard good and bad things about Florida.  I know about the extreme heat, but I feel we would be trading the extreme cold for the extreme heat and all this cold and snow are tiring.  My kids are all for the idea and so is my hubby......

Just looking for some pros and cons out there...................

Comments: 47

Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 11:29am UTC
I would have to sell my house here, but the house in Fla will have no rent, until we sell my house.
Barbi P. Apr 30, 2011, 11:38am UTC
Would your mom be going with you?
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 11:45am UTC
No my sister lives in the same home and Mom is about 90% better now.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 11:48am UTC
Part of the reason I want to move is that my Mom does not like my husband. He cooked for her while she was ill and she still won't give him a chance. Things have been like this for almost 5 years and I realize they won't change so I have to do what is best for my immediate family and realize that things will never be what I want them to be with my extended family.
Marianne K. May 2, 2011, 2:01am UTC
Yes, I believe your first priority is to your husband, Danielle. Once married we are leave mother and father not only physically but also emotionally. You and your husband are now a new unit. Of course you know this already !! And your mum has someone already to take care of her.........~
Jean R B. Apr 30, 2011, 11:39am UTC
It cost me $3,500 to move. Get estimates first. Moving companies are not reliable. It took 45 days for my things to arrive it should have taken four days. Plan ahead and expect the unexpected.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 11:46am UTC
That stinks. I might use pods since we have the home already to move into and it's empty. Where did you move from and to?
Kevin E. Apr 30, 2011, 11:57am UTC
Seems to me that your plate is very full indeed. My sympathy goes out to your family and your mother. my hope is that she will mend well and mend quickly. I am not sure how much help I can give you on Florida other than to say I live in central Georgia after migrating east from Washington State and California. The humidity and insects were the hardest things for me to get used to but then again the west coast is very dry and not terribly hot. The humidity varies in Florida depending on where you live. We see a lot of FLA license plates driving up and down Hwy 75. Based upon that unscientific study one can assume many Floridians have a lot of fun going places and then coming back from them. I miss the beauty of the great Northwest but I live in a part of the south where some of the finest people in the world live alongside some not so fine I will grant you, but it's the people and the low cost of living that will keep me here.

Wish I could have helped you a little but I did try.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 12:16pm UTC
Thank you so much Kevin. I'm not into bugs and grew up on LI, NY so am used to the humidity and it gets pretty darn humid here in pgh when it's not snowing. lol
Heather - child of God, C. May 6, 2011, 4:45pm UTC
We take the cat and check into a motel once a year... so we can bomb the house to kill the bugs. Pretty much that takes care of it, instead of seeing bugs, you clean up the bugs that don't make it all year long. :)
Kerrell Goolsby Apr 30, 2011, 12:00pm UTC
I would do what is in your best interest. Keep us in the loop on this.
Sandy Moore Apr 30, 2011, 12:03pm UTC
If this is what is in your heart then I say go for it. I know it will cost to move but your happiness is what counts.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 12:16pm UTC
thank you :)
Debbie W. Apr 30, 2011, 12:10pm UTC
That is a big decision, but you and your husband have to do what is best for the family. The heat/humidity is bad but it does beat shoveling snow! Just an FYI, research jobs as Florida has a high unemployment rate right now.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 12:16pm UTC
I would like to have jobs lined up before we go. ;)
H M Apr 30, 2011, 12:46pm UTC
It is horribly hot and humid, lots of pesticides, and the crime rate is sort of high. Your car insurance will skyrocket (Florida and New York have the highest rates). The unemployment rate is high (I've been here for several months and still haven't found gainful employment, despite a good resume and solid educational background). Then, of course, there are the somewhat frequent tornado warnings (which aren't something I've ever really had to deal with before). Oh, and the sunshine... it gets kind of dull after a few months of it. No double coupons. Very little sense of community.

The upside? No shoveling snow (which is something that I will happily embrace when I can return North). Umm... Oh, and most things are within fairly easy driving distance. Then, there is the fact that there isn't an income tax (but, then, you get hit with a 6.5% sales tax on just about everything, which ends up being more costly).

I've been here for a few months. I'm ready to go back home to the North.
H M Apr 30, 2011, 12:51pm UTC
There are Floridians, and there are those who definitely aren't. I fall into the latter category. Before you take the plunge, do a lot of research to make sure that you don't as well. Otherwise, you'll be doing what I'm in the process of doing right now--plotting escape back to the North.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 12:52pm UTC
Thank you for your input. :) I hope you get to go back North soon.
Heather - child of God, C. May 6, 2011, 4:47pm UTC
We came down in 97 without a job. It's hard to get employment from one state from another... people like to hire in the area.

If you do decide to move down, I would happy to give you my info and be a reference for both of you.
Danielle P. May 28, 2011, 6:45am UTC
That is really sweet. I figured out that if we move I don't have to work because the cost of buying a house is so low there. Chris will definitely need a job though. He has done security, retail and the lately Christian Worship leader for churches.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Apr 30, 2011, 1:46pm UTC
We made a similar decision three and a half years ago, moving from Pennsylvania to a warmer climate. We played around with the idea of Florida but after vacationing two years here in the Surfside/Myrtle Beach area of SC we were hooked. We bought a place while here on vacation that wasn't built yet and nine months later we moved. We love it. We go back home to visit family and friends a few times a year but do not miss that cold weather at all.
Depending on the type of work you do I think will be the deciding factor when moving. The job market is different in each state so that would be where I'd start my research. We thought for sure DH would have no trouble finding a job since he was a college graduate and worked in the car selling business for years with experience in the finance office. Not one dealership interviewed him so he went into timeshare sales instead. There are tons of those jobs it seems. Lucky for us he was close to retirement age and now we are both retired, but if we were younger this would have been the hardest part of moving out of state.
Linda T. Apr 30, 2011, 1:54pm UTC
There are a lot of factors to consider with a big move like that. In this economy I would never chance it unless I had a job already in place. I would love to move to a warmer area myself but even with the hassles my adult children provide me I would not be happy being away from them. Good luck with your decision but remember the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. You may move and find yourself not enjoying your new location.
Danielle P. Apr 30, 2011, 1:58pm UTC
Wise words Linda that's why I am am agonizing over the decision. It's a hard one to make and I don't want to regret it.
Lori A Apr 30, 2011, 2:06pm UTC
Florida is ok I moved down here in 2002 and it is hot and than you have the big bugs and hurricanes . I also miss snow and the change of seasons . we get summer and winter here no in between and we are about 1 and a half hours from daytona . I moved here to be closer to my dad I did live in Michigan and my son is still there so I miss him but Florida is OK I guess I'm not unhappy I made the decision but things are really spread out in Florida and walking to the store like I use to do in Michigan is not an option . the good thing is we have no state income tax but property tax is high
Chris E. Apr 30, 2011, 9:29pm UTC
Property taxes are low compared to where I live. I compared them on the FL tax website. I pay about $4500 more per year here than I would if I lived there.
RedBird. B. Apr 30, 2011, 3:53pm UTC
Danielle, You sure have had your Hands full. I'm glad Your Mom is doing Better. I think that you and the family might be better off with a new place. It just might ease up on some tension for your Household.
Sincerely,RedBird!
Danielle P. May 2, 2011, 7:46pm UTC
Thank you for the advice....I appreciate it. ;)
RedBird. B. May 2, 2011, 10:01pm UTC
Your Welcome! :)
Anne Gresinger Apr 30, 2011, 4:27pm UTC
My first instinct on this, Dani, is go for it! But to be sensible, you might want to take some time (if you can) to just go down and feel it out. It's definitely a big decision.

Best of luck to you!
Danielle P. May 2, 2011, 7:46pm UTC
Thank you :)
Chris E. Apr 30, 2011, 9:24pm UTC
Considering my family lives in Tampa and I am panning on moving there as soon as my husband retires I am probably not the best person to ask. lol Just keep in mind that t he unemployment rate is very high there my father and sister have been looking for a job for about 3 years now. Even part time jobs at McDonald's or Target are hard to come by in the Tampa area right now. Daytona is awesome love the are there too. Pro of course are no state taxes there and the housing prices are extremely low there right now.
Danielle P. May 28, 2011, 6:56am UTC
My Dad lives in Hudson and there seems to be a lot of retail jobs. I believe that is what my husband will do. He currently works from home for Sony music writing songs, but not sure how long that will last. I plan on not working until I finish my Master's degree in Counseling. Housing is so inexpensive there right now I will most likely pay 1/2 the mortgage I pay now thus allowing me not to work. If you move let me know and maybe we can meet one day!!
For me, the biggest concern is also probably the most illogical when it comes to others. I would never move there because of the snakes. Seriously, I know that's odd, but up here in the north, we don't have the snakes they have down there, and snakes absolutely terrify me. Would never be able to live out west, either, for the same reason.

Aside from that, the job would be the biggest concern. It's hard to line up work ahead of time, and if you do, there's the concern that something will happen before you arrive. You have to have a plan in place for supporting yourself if a job does not appear right away.

All that aside? I say, if you are willing to make the move, and everyone is on-board with it? Why not try it. All too often, people are tied to their roots, and it makes something like this hard to accomplish.
J F. May 1, 2011, 8:58am UTC
I love visiting Florida, but I would never live there. The humidity is awful and the insects are terrible. Would be nice to go just for the winter months, then come back to PA.
Danielle P. May 1, 2011, 4:10pm UTC
If the kids weren't in school that would be great. We own a house in the Tampa area we could go to .......it might be an option if I am willing to homeschool. ......It's kinda hard to keep two homes up though. :)
Heather - child of God, C. May 6, 2011, 4:53pm UTC
Owning a house is a plus.... and if you sold the one you have, you would at least have something backing you. I would suggest selling furniture and buying down here. Sometimes moving it all costs a lot. If you can rent a trailer for your "have to haves" it might save you. We moved down with the two vans we owned at the time and I mailed 27 boxes to my late Dad. I gave most of my furniture to my two older children, the people buying the house and friends. A lot of stuff went to Goodwill and the Salvation Army. My thought was this, if hubby didn't find a job we would have a second move and I didn't want to be moving all this stuff all over the place. One can find great stuff from people who are moving on Craigs list.
Gina M. May 1, 2011, 10:40pm UTC
I say follow your heart. It sounds to me like you already have a desire to move. As I read from one person above, it is expensive to move. I wanted to move to Seattle a few months ago from Philly and after much research realized that it would be no less than about $4,000 to move. That's just not possible right now.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Marianne K. May 2, 2011, 2:14am UTC
Well, I can't give any advice on the move to Florida, I live in OZ. But I had to decide whether or not I would stay in Germany or move back to Australia. I married in Sydney, my husband and I then lived in Germany for 3 years. He was not very happy there, felt like a stranger, and I missed the sunshine and the easy-going culture in OZ. We trusted God, moved and have lived here for the last 38 years. My mum misses me terribly, and I miss her. But my husband and I are VERY happy here, we wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I think if you make a list of the pros and cons, pray for guidance and wisdom, then step out in faith, God will look after you whatever your decision in the end.
Danielle P. May 2, 2011, 7:47pm UTC
Thank you. I am counting on God looking after me whatever I decide. Your comment means a lot, thank you.
Heather - child of God, C. May 6, 2011, 5:00pm UTC
When we moved to Florida, our house sold to the first person cash, settlement in 3 weeks. Since we had tried to sell our house before to move closer to where my husband worked and it didn't sell, I saw that as a sign from God opening up the doors for us to go... Who has the cash to buy a house?

So I'd say to spend some time in prayer with your husband and ask God for his guidance. It was hard to come down here without employment, it was on a wing and a prayer...and my husband did take a big hit in pay, but it was a good move for us.

Personally, it is good to get away from family that is toxic to you or someone in your family. I have had people in my life trying to "break up" my marriage. Sometimes it is best to limit the exposure to these people. One person tried to spread lies to my husband at the same time spreading lies to me, they were that desperate. I warned my husband not to be alone with this person, and that is how I found out he was being bombarded with lies.

Sometimes people want to rain on your parade and it's best to pick another place for your parade.

But ultimately, the one who knows best, is God.
Danielle P. May 8, 2011, 7:46am UTC
Thank you Heather. I posted my house on Zillow.com and a person has contacted me several times already. I take it as a sign!! The post has only been there 7 days. I did not list with a real estate agent yet. I will see if this person makes an offer. I told her we would not move until the kids were out of school. I found a home in FL I really like but would have to sell this one first. It's all in God's hands now. :) Thanks for all your advice.
Danielle P. May 28, 2011, 6:59am UTC
There are two different people coming to see my house here in Pa today!! Let's see if God is opening up the door to move!!
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. May 11, 2011, 5:37pm UTC
My parents lived in Florida for ten years and loved it. I have often thought about moving there, too. Good luck in selling your house. If it's meant to be, it will be. Just be patient.
Danielle P. May 16, 2011, 4:35pm UTC
Thank you. That's how I feel, if it was meant to be it will be.
:)

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