So I am thinking about packing the bags and hittin up the east coast. I am getting sick if the rat race here in San Diego. I have enough equity built up in my home here in San Diego that if I sell it I would make around $275,000. So I could go over to Florida and by a house cash and not have a house payment.

So what’s it like over there in Florida? I would like to here everyones opinion if you have been there. Also if you have lived in both places (San Diego, Florida) I would love to here what you think about the two.

 

Donte,

I currently reside in Longwood which is about 20 mins outside Orlando so I would say that this qualifies me as knowing about the state

I can't really compare California to Florida as I have never been that far west (have only been as far as Colorado). One thing I will say is that if you are planning on making the move, get ready for some SERIOUS humidity..and I do mean SEEERIOUS (98-99% is typical). I loved Colorado and the fact that once you went into the shade you actually cool down, whereas here it makes no difference. When you walk outside, you sweat plain and simple. I also think alot of the states appeal would depend upon what it is you do for a living. Florida is not as tech heavy as the west coast, so don't expect silicon valley (although it is getting better).

All in all I like the state, cost of living is relatively low (you could get a nice 3000 sq ft house for money you mentioned), it has a relatively good job market and generally pleasent.

 

Florida's a huge state. Parts of it are as different from other parts as San Diego is different from the Ukraine.

Miami/Fort Lauderdale would be the most similar region to San Diego - lots of construction, lots of growth, nice water vistas, high real estate prices, good food, lots of tourism.

At the opposite end of the scale would be, for example, Apopka - small towns in the northern part of the state that are almost as redneck as Bama. In fact, areas around Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee, and even Jacksonville don't really consider themselves Floridians so much as they consider themselves SOUTHERNERS. Many residents of Jacksonville actually believe they live in Georgia. Some actually do.

Tampa/St. Pete is kind of the midwest part of Florida - laid back but still metropolitan. Some of those folks think they live in New Orleans. Ya know, Super Bowls and Gasparilla parades (a poor man's version of Carnival or Mardi Gras).

Orlando is like Los Angeles - everything is phony.

There are lots of other interesting areas - Naples (rich resort), Daytona Beach (yes you can actually drive on the beach), Gainesville (where I left my heart, down where the ol' Gators play), and Key West (Cuba with English subtitles and queer subplots) to name a few.

As I said, it's a big state, like California. More humidity, less smog. No income taxes. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for you info guys. I think i will be taking a trip there in mid May to check it out.

 

TL Gator's response is a very good one, especially for someone living in Baltimore. I'll add that, in my exerpience, the humidity is lower in coastal areas than it is inland. Also, real estate prices in South Florida (and all coastal areas) have increased significantly during the last two years. But, with your $275K, you can still get a very nice home in most areas.

 

I moved to Lakeland from Philly 6 years ago and never looked back. To me, it only gets extremely hot during July-August while the rest of the year is a virtual paradise. Beaches are within 1 1/2 hour drive from here; Disney and Universal only an hour. All major sports are represented nearby as well as the top college teams in the country. We are far enough inland that hurricanes are no real threat. Cost of living is low but so are incomes for the most part. If I had my druthers and the money we'd probably live closer to the water, but in any event it is a move we have never regretted.

 

True, and let's not forget that most of the eastern seaboard gets just as hot and humid. The Carolinas, Virginia, DC, Maryland, NYC all have summer weather that is really no less extreme than in Florida. But for someone living in San Diego, it is a bit of a change.

jonro - I agree, coastal is better. By the way, I've lived most of my life in Florida, all over the state.

 

I lived in San Diego for 3 years and I lived in Pensacola for 3 years. I would take SD over Florida any day. I didn't like the humidity at all. The place was just to "flat” And the Hurricanes are a big pain in the butt. But with all that said, I much prefer Colorado Springs, CO to either location. That is why I live here now.

 

Yeah, we Gators have had to put up with their arrogant bling-bling thug brand of football for far too long. Um, you were talking about college football, right?

SD is a great place to live. I love it there. Too bad it's too damn far from: my family, my career, my life. Also, moving east to west puts a hurting on the wallet, whereas going the other way, as our original poster might discover, is much nicer financially.

 

I lived in Pensacola for 24 years before moving to Tampa 3 1/2 years ago. Pensacola had much better/cleaner beaches, however, there is a lot more to do in Tampa than Pensacola. Pensacola seems to be a little to crowded. With $275,000 you could buy a nice house in Tampa and still have enough to buy a couple TL's.

 

Any time I've been in FL, different areas, it's been humid ugh! Yes, I live in NJ where we also have humidity during summer (usually August). But we're moving to western - mountain area of North Carolina where there is no humidity and temp is cooler in summer and warmer in winter and spring and fall are longer.

So, while you're down in FL, check out the area. In fact, where we're moving to - a lot of people from FL and GA go there during the summer to get away from heat and humidity.