Florida is miserably hot and sauna-like for 8 months of the year. Rain will make a 94 degree day with 80% humidity go down to 89 degrees with 100% humidity. I save $6500 a year in state income tax from my previous state of California. You are seconds from water because of ponds, lakes, and retention ponds. Florida is a great place if you're a palm tree. The only alligator I've seen in 5 years is a dead one that got run over on a highway off ramp. Traffic around Disney is a pain in the ass. Jobs in Florida pay a lot less than states like California and New York. Home prices are equal to most other states, unaffordable. Florida has some of the most insane driving habits and the people are generally not friendly.
I live in Port Orange. The weather is miserably hot for 2-3 months during the summer, but only during the day. Six months out of the year, it feels like San Diego without the crazy Californians, crime, and sky high taxes. People here are SO NICE. Quite a switch from the northern and Midwest cities I've lived in. I got a great deal on a lovely home five years ago, across the street from the intracoastal, where there are NO alligators because it's saltwater. Yes, drivers are crazy here. But drivers are crazy in Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Beijing, too. Florida is a great place, and I am not a palm tree. You are free to leave our state if you're not happy here.
There's not a whole lot to do that doesn't involve drinking. I lived in St. Pete, there's like 60 bars downtown. New bars new restaurants open and close all the time. Golf, boating, sporting events, eating out, the whole economy revolves around people going out and eating and drinking and spending money. After a while it gets boring, what is there to do? Sit, eat, drink, repeat. How many times can you get a beer and watch the sunset? the whole Tampa Bay area is a Gigantic parking lot surrounded in water. I moved, I hike and mountain bike and fly fish on weekends now its much healthier.
It sounds like you've made a significant shift towards a lifestyle that suits you better! St. Pete definitely has a bustling social scene centered around dining and nightlife, which can be great but might not fulfill everyone's interests. It's fantastic that you've found more engaging activities like hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing in your new location. These activities not only offer a change of pace but also promote a healthier lifestyle. It’s wonderful to hear that you’ve found joy and health in these pursuits. Thanks for sharing your experience-it's a great reminder of the importance of finding a place that aligns with our personal interests and well-being!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I completely understand how moving to Florida during the pandemic might have come with some unexpected challenges. It's tough when reality doesn’t match the image we had in mind. Wishing you the best as you make your next move. If you ever need any advice or tips for relocating, feel free to reach out-I'm here to help! 😊
Spend 5 months of the winter in Punta Gorda. By the end of April can’t wait to get back to Chicago. There are miles of forest preserves outside Chicago that you can bike or walk without passing out from the heat.
We have gators in places you would not expect. A lot lately have been in the gulf ocean. Pollution and globel warming is part of this happening. Gators be careful ive been chased twice .
I grew up in Florida. Gainesville in 1963. Boca Raton in 1970. St. Augustine in 1984. Augustine was so small so cheap and so cool. It was great. Everyone drank and got high. I put two and two together and started dealing. I bought my dream hippie house, traveled, lots of chicks, playing jazz. After 5 years I got sick of that life the people etc. I changed and lost my income. Plus St. Augustine started changing and growing. Plus the weather changed over the years. Florida has been ruined by greed and the Yankees and the humidity is unbearable. I moved to Nevada and the weather is great and my disability pays all my bills. I miss my friends but they are dead or gone. You have to make your life at 67. Be grateful and slow down. Veronica you're a cool lady. We should chat. I'm very eclectic.
1) It gets down in the teens a few times every year up here in north central FL 2) My car insurance may be a bit higher in FL but up in OH I had a state income tax and my property taxes were significantly higher too. 3) I am 1 - 2 hours from any beach (but that can also be a good thing when it comes to hurricane risk, crowding, tourist stigma, and home owner's insurance) 4) Where to retire is so subjective and personal 5) You have to go out of your way to see alligators otherwise you'll never see one 6) I have lived in FL x 13 years and have only been to Disney 2 times 7) I work remote so I do not have a FL job per se 8) Affordable housing is available in areas that you may not have considered (Tallahassee, Gainesville, etc). 9) There are hidden gems in FL still but they are not in Tampa/St Pete, Orlando, Miami.
You're absolutely right! Florida's climate can vary quite a bit depending on where you are in the state. The southeast coast has that warm, tropical feel that so many people love, but it can definitely get crowded, especially in popular areas. It's great to hear that you've been enjoying the area since 1975-there's so much to love about living in Florida, but it's important for people to know that the experience can be different depending on where they choose to settle. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Florida is miserably hot and sauna-like for 8 months of the year. Rain will make a 94 degree day with 80% humidity go down to 89 degrees with 100% humidity. I save $6500 a year in state income tax from my previous state of California. You are seconds from water because of ponds, lakes, and retention ponds. Florida is a great place if you're a palm tree. The only alligator I've seen in 5 years is a dead one that got run over on a highway off ramp. Traffic around Disney is a pain in the ass. Jobs in Florida pay a lot less than states like California and New York. Home prices are equal to most other states, unaffordable. Florida has some of the most insane driving habits and the people are generally not friendly.
I live in Port Orange. The weather is miserably hot for 2-3 months during the summer, but only during the day. Six months out of the year, it feels like San Diego without the crazy Californians, crime, and sky high taxes. People here are SO NICE. Quite a switch from the northern and Midwest cities I've lived in. I got a great deal on a lovely home five years ago, across the street from the intracoastal, where there are NO alligators because it's saltwater. Yes, drivers are crazy here. But drivers are crazy in Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Beijing, too. Florida is a great place, and I am not a palm tree. You are free to leave our state if you're not happy here.
There's not a whole lot to do that doesn't involve drinking. I lived in St. Pete, there's like 60 bars downtown. New bars new restaurants open and close all the time. Golf, boating, sporting events, eating out, the whole economy revolves around people going out and eating and drinking and spending money. After a while it gets boring, what is there to do? Sit, eat, drink, repeat. How many times can you get a beer and watch the sunset? the whole Tampa Bay area is a Gigantic parking lot surrounded in water. I moved, I hike and mountain bike and fly fish on weekends now its much healthier.
It sounds like you've made a significant shift towards a lifestyle that suits you better! St. Pete definitely has a bustling social scene centered around dining and nightlife, which can be great but might not fulfill everyone's interests. It's fantastic that you've found more engaging activities like hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing in your new location. These activities not only offer a change of pace but also promote a healthier lifestyle. It’s wonderful to hear that you’ve found joy and health in these pursuits. Thanks for sharing your experience-it's a great reminder of the importance of finding a place that aligns with our personal interests and well-being!
Unfortunately, I learned this after being lured here😢 during the pandemic… after 2 years, it’s time to get out. Thanks for your honesty.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I completely understand how moving to Florida during the pandemic might have come with some unexpected challenges. It's tough when reality doesn’t match the image we had in mind. Wishing you the best as you make your next move. If you ever need any advice or tips for relocating, feel free to reach out-I'm here to help! 😊
Spend 5 months of the winter in Punta Gorda. By the end of April can’t wait to get back to Chicago. There are miles of forest preserves outside Chicago that you can bike or walk without passing out from the heat.
Finally an honest you tube vlogger. Thank you Veronica!
Thanks for dispelling the story about all the money people save with no state income tax...
The Florida Fantasy is just that 😮Thanks for sharing the truth 😢
We have gators in places you would not expect. A lot lately have been in the gulf ocean. Pollution and globel warming is part of this happening. Gators be careful ive been chased twice .
Wow, that sounds intense! Thanks for sharing your experience-reminds us all to keep an eye out, even in spots where we might not expect to see them!
Those would be marine crocs Gators don't do salt water
More people equals. More gator. Banquets
I grew up in Florida. Gainesville in 1963. Boca Raton in 1970. St. Augustine in 1984. Augustine was so small so cheap and so cool. It was great. Everyone drank and got high. I put two and two together and started dealing. I bought my dream hippie house, traveled, lots of chicks, playing jazz. After 5 years I got sick of that life the people etc. I changed and lost my income. Plus St. Augustine started changing and growing. Plus the weather changed over the years. Florida has been ruined by greed and the Yankees and the humidity is unbearable. I moved to Nevada and the weather is great and my disability pays all my bills. I miss my friends but they are dead or gone. You have to make your life at 67. Be grateful and slow down. Veronica you're a cool lady. We should chat. I'm very eclectic.
Good stuff. Florida isn't inexpensive anymore. Housing is awful now with prices, HOAs getting bad...hopefully I can stay.
1) It gets down in the teens a few times every year up here in north central FL 2) My car insurance may be a bit higher in FL but up in OH I had a state income tax and my property taxes were significantly higher too. 3) I am 1 - 2 hours from any beach (but that can also be a good thing when it comes to hurricane risk, crowding, tourist stigma, and home owner's insurance) 4) Where to retire is so subjective and personal 5) You have to go out of your way to see alligators otherwise you'll never see one 6) I have lived in FL x 13 years and have only been to Disney 2 times 7) I work remote so I do not have a FL job per se 8) Affordable housing is available in areas that you may not have considered (Tallahassee, Gainesville, etc). 9) There are hidden gems in FL still but they are not in Tampa/St Pete, Orlando, Miami.
And the moral to the story is… whenever you hear a place being hyped and pushed…STAY THE HELL AWAY!
Daytona: Armpit of Florida.
Please explain why that comment.
Yeah it's bad vibes. Very negative.
I live eight miles south of Daytona Beach. It's lovely and safe here in Port Orange. So is the adjacent Daytona Beach Shores. DBS is high-end.
the climate is not the same all over Florida i have lived in the very south east coast since 1975 and love it here but its to crowded
You're absolutely right! Florida's climate can vary quite a bit depending on where you are in the state. The southeast coast has that warm, tropical feel that so many people love, but it can definitely get crowded, especially in popular areas. It's great to hear that you've been enjoying the area since 1975-there's so much to love about living in Florida, but it's important for people to know that the experience can be different depending on where they choose to settle. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Too many ADS. Unwatchable video
@@dougb3699 that’s a shame. That is RUclips running them. I’m still not monetized 😞
WIERD, I only got one ad. no problem.