Moving to Florida

BlueRidgeHomeRN · May 22, 2008

i'd look long and hard about what it is that attracts you about florida. we lived there for 15 years (1989-2004) and couldn't wait to move out by year 12.

on the pro-side is the weather..as long as you like it hot, hot, hot, and don't mind the threat of hurricaines. there is also a lot to do, both in nature and at all the amusements, and it doesn't snow...:weathersunsmall:

on the con side, however (and this is just imho)

*cost of housing

*traffic!!!!

*blue haired drivers doing 38 mph in the fast lane

*poor pay for nurses and cops (and every other "public servant")

*english is a disappearing language--many jobs [especially those like health care and law enforement] require you to be fluent in spanish:flamesonb

*hurricaines/tornados/severe thunderstorms/lightening capitol of north america:weathertornado:

*wildfires

*poor infrastructure (roads, medicaide, public transportation) due to lack of a state income tax (i guess that could be a "pro", except you make up for it in sales and real-estate taxes)

*crime, especially drugs:sstrs:

*more and more people--few of them educated

*poor schools (overall)

sorry to be so negative, but that is my experience! everyone has visions of endless sunshine and disneyworld, but that's not the reality. i'm more than willing to pay the commonwealth of virginia a state income tax for civilization and public services.

florida is a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there!!

suzanne4, RN · May 22, 2008

Thread moved to the Florida Forum, where you will get better responses.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 22, 2008

Hi Tony! I love Florida.

The cost of living has rising the last five years drastically for several reasons: hurricaines - and the high cost of insurance, out of control real estate prices (which have rebounded some in the last year), and the same funk affecting the rest of the country meaning high gas prices and inflation.

I've lived in Atlanta and Raliegh-Durham and I don't think the crime rates are worse, but it could just be a perception, as I don't have the facts. I know the times I've been robbed and mugged weren't in Florida.

Education is relatively poor in Florida as it is in the rest of the South, as the focus is on tourism and the retirement aged community, but there are some success stories scattered about.

If you're from the South the pay here in Florida is about the same, or only slightly lower, but if your from the North, don't expect those kind of wages here.

Welcome to Allnurses. Good luck and feel free to ask questions.

It's not paradise, but there's no place I'd rather be. Florida offers a lot in the way of entertainment, arts, urban living, and lovely beaches and parks, and great winter weather.....if you can stand a long hot six-month long summer (that has already started here).

BlueRidgeHomeRN · May 22, 2008

hi tony! i love florida.
if you can stand a long hot six-month long summer (that has already started here).

tweety--

we both know there are only three seasons in florida....december, january, and summer! :lol2:

but, compared to bangkok, it's fine:yeah:

pat:heartbeat

motyandproudofit · May 23, 2008

I agree with the previous poster. I moved here 5 years ago. I am getting through the RN program and then I am outta here. The weather is great......but that is where great begins and ends.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · May 23, 2008

and i almost forgot: fire ants! (ouch)

AlienBob01 · May 25, 2008

I'll move to Florida, I am living in Michigan, and am having so many "low census days" I was elegible for unemployment. I am tired of being cold, not being able to drive on ice. No one can afford their heating bills. I have been on interview and interview with no luck finding a job.

flightnurse2b, LPN · May 25, 2008

i moved from FL to NC and am planning on returning to FL after i graduate in october. there is no where i would rather be. its not for everyone, but its beautiful and i love it. my family lives in martin, st. lucie and palm beach counties and that area although it does have its rough spots, is very beautiful and scenic and the community college system is excellent. there are some great hospitals on the east coast and west coast, depending on what specialty you are looking for. the pay isnt great but a day at the beach really makes you realize how worthwhile it is to be in florida... atleast for me anyway. in some areas, the houses are so cheap its insane. in know in the port st lucie area you can buy a pool home for under 200,000. yes you will have to deal with grannie holding up traffic and the threat of boarding up your house from june-november, but i really think the good out weighs the bad. if you have any questions about the east coast area, pm me and i will help you as best as i can. good luck!

BlueRidgeHomeRN · May 27, 2008

i'll move to florida, i am living in michigan, and am having so many "low census days" i was elegible for unemployment. i am tired of being cold, not being able to drive on ice. no one can afford their heating bills. i have been on interview and interview with no luck finding a job.

it's not heating bills in fl, its 9 months a year of electric bills for a/c.

ours used to run 180-250 dollars a month..and that was when gas was $1.78 a gallon! :bugeyes:

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 28, 2008

and i almost forgot: fire ants! (ouch)

don't forget the huge roaches....i see a new one every day and they look at me like "what are you doing in my house?". :yeah:

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 28, 2008

it's not heating bills in fl, its 9 months a year of electric bills for a/c.
ours used to run 180-250 dollars a month..and that was when gas was $1.78 a gallon!

only people from up north run their a/c that long. we southerners can stand a little heat and run the air at 78 to 80 degrees. i've had the cheapest bills i've ever had this past year because it's been so mild.