Florida Pros and Cons

[Bob]

I have been pondering moving to Florida for retirement in a few years. I know we have a big population of folks on here from Florida and I would like your take on the subject, pros and cons. I am retired military if there are any of you that can explain taxing on retirement pay.
The only Florida experience I have is in the Orlando area for Universal Studios and back in the early 90's we were sent down for Hurricane Andrew support.

Thanks
Bob

[ODZKing]

Well I can give my "Northerner" point of view.
I've liked Florida each time we've gone, Orlando, Tampa, and the east coast as well, we spent some time with friends in Melbourne.
Even in the Spring and fall it's hot ... bordering on too hot for me personally. I've never been in the summer but I can only imagine.
Now I have been to Arizona and Hawaii. Temps there are hot in/near Phoenix but somewhat nicer up by Sedona.  That was nice, no humidity.
Hawaii, IMHO is by far the nicest.  Average temp is 78, always a breeze.
Being a northern fellow I have never been able to take the heat but as I get older I can't take the cold anymore and I've always hated the snow, and look where I live, Syracuse. We mow our lawns in the snow. 
That is my 

[ACUDANUT]

All I can say is humidly.  Your going to feel hot and sweaty all the time,  until you adjust.  I would still go for it. 

[b5blue]

   What they said.... No state tax+ Lots to see and do+ Costs generally not high+ Good VHA facility coverage+    Hurricane possibility- Really REALLY old farts driving- Confused/lost tourists driving- Mosquitoes-
   Once you adapt to the -'s the +'s out weigh and life can be good!     

[Mike DC]

                       
         
You could always do what animals with pea-sized brains have been doing for millions of years - spend winters in the south and summers in the north.

[John_Kunkel]

I have been pondering moving to Florida for retirement in a few years.

¿Hablas español?

[Bob]

Well I can give my "Northerner" point of view.
I've liked Florida each time we've gone, Orlando, Tampa, and the east coast as well, we spent some time with friends in Melbourne.
Even in the Spring and fall it's hot ... bordering on too hot for me personally. I've never been in the summer but I can only imagine.
Now I have been to Arizona and Hawaii. Temps there are hot in/near Phoenix but somewhat nicer up by Sedona.  That was nice, no humidity.
Hawaii, IMHO is by far the nicest.  Average temp is 78, always a breeze.
Being a northern fellow I have never been able to take the heat but as I get older I can't take the cold anymore and I've always hated the snow, and look where I live, Syracuse. We mow our lawns in the snow. 
That is my 

Thanks Bob. Yes, Hawaii was my favorite also along with the Netherlands and Austria. The winters are getting colder as I get older and moving snow is for the young. We have not made up our minds but we would really like to go south.
I'm glad I got out of Watertown. We almost settled there because the summers were so cool. We didn't even have A/C. But the winter and 6-7 feet of snow is utterly ridiculous.

[Bob]

I have been pondering moving to Florida for retirement in a few years.

¿Hablas español?

Can't get away from that much anymore.

[Bob]

All I can say is humidly.  Your going to feel hot and sweaty all the time,  until you adjust.  I would still go for it. 

And what would be the adjusting time? 6-12 months?

[Bob]

                       
         
You could always do what animals with pea-sized brains have been doing for millions of years - spend winters in the south and summers in the north.

That's not an option, it's one or the other. Being a snow bird sounds good but once you sit down and weigh the pros and cons it's just not worth it.

[stripedelete]

No state income tax in Florida.  But, lotsa' bugs.  I'll take the tax.

I plan to visit 6 weeks per year someday.

[RallyeMike]

 

lotsa bugs

My buddy who moved from N to Florida said this was the one adjustment that was hardest to make coming from the North.

[Musicman]

Humidity (or a lack thereof) is the key to comfort, temperature is relative.
I have lived in the south and in the north... 55 degrees at my house on Virginia Beach in winter was farg'n cold, right down to the bone due to the high levels of humidity on the water. Staying at my cousins place in Pittsburg, NH this winter when it was -25 was extremely comfortable, or should I say refreshing, due to a complete lack of humidity in the mountains.
You won't find me moving to Florida anytime soon.

[TruckDriver]

Super muggy/humid most of the time, the bugs are extremely bad  certain times of the year, love bugs especially. Cockroaches and spiders are huge   and then you got the loose alligators occasionally that might be under your car, or looking to eat your dog or cat..  

[Lord Warlock]

It really depends on if you don't mind hot climates and can deal with a little heat.  The bugs aren't much worse here than anywhere else in the US, we do have a few more zillion mosquitos but most cities spray for those during peak seasons for them.  The one major advantage here is cost of living, where we are substantially lower than most states up north.  I grew up Military living 2 years or less and moving elsewhere so got to see a lot of the country while young, and lived up North when in the Air Force myself, property taxes here are next to nothing in comparison with most northern cities.  We pay about 1700 a year for a 2200 sq ft home, we paid more than double that for a 900 square foot home in south Dakota.  Homes are cheap, most northerners move here and end up buying way more house than they need only because they're used to higher home costs. 

Add to that no state taxes, low property taxes, and its pretty easy to live cheap down here.  You will likely spend more on electricity here though, running the AC and heat, sometimes both in the same day.  There aren't many days where you can turn the AC off and survive without it, you kind of get spoiled with it.  I use an air conditioner in my hobby garage. 

Everywhere I've ever lived has had bugs, such as roaches, ants, spiders, and yes mosquitos, even in Newport RI, the bugs actually run the earth we just don't know it.  Moving south you just get a few new species you haven't seen before, like a palmetto bug, which is pretty much just a large red roach, that when squashed emits a foul odor...you learn..sometimes its better to catch and release than squash.  If it rains, you enjoy the fresh scents and the pretty colors, but you move inside around dusk or you'll get eaten by mosquitos.  When its been dry a few days mosquitos aren't as bad.  I got chewed today working in yard in shorts.  (it was on and off rain today, with a few tornado watch's thrown in for excitement)

Temps...tend to run differently depending on part of state, it gets warmer the further south you get, north florida has 3 seasons, Hell (summer) fall (autumn) and winter, winter here is the months of December-February where you see temps dip into the 30s, we rarely see 20s here in north florida, I've only seen it snow here twice in 25 years.  During spring, temps are best, 70s and 80s mostly, in March-August, expect to see high 80s to high 90s with near 100% humidity.  It kind of smothers you.  You do adapt to the weather here quick though, cool weather the first few years is a joke to northerners that have transplanted.  The fun thing we like to watch for is when the northerners start unpacking winter gear in year 3.  A 45 degree day is a medium weight coat day here, some even wear gloves.  The shocker is watching kids waiting for school buses, shorts, t shirts, flip flops are normal clothing even in mid winter.  Kids think wearing extra clothing layers isn't cool, neither are umbrellas, so they end up getting wet, and being cold a lot in winter.

[Bob]

It really depends on if you don't mind hot climates and can deal with a little heat.  The bugs aren't much worse here than anywhere else in the US, we do have a few more zillion mosquitos but most cities spray for those during peak seasons for them.  The one major advantage here is cost of living, where we are substantially lower than most states up north.  I grew up Military living 2 years or less and moving elsewhere so got to see a lot of the country while young, and lived up North when in the Air Force myself, property taxes here are next to nothing in comparison with most northern cities.  We pay about 1700 a year for a 2200 sq ft home, we paid more than double that for a 900 square foot home in south Dakota.  Homes are cheap, most northerners move here and end up buying way more house than they need only because they're used to higher home costs. 

Add to that no state taxes, low property taxes, and its pretty easy to live cheap down here.  You will likely spend more on electricity here though, running the AC and heat, sometimes both in the same day.  There aren't many days where you can turn the AC off and survive without it, you kind of get spoiled with it.  I use an air conditioner in my hobby garage. 

Everywhere I've ever lived has had bugs, such as roaches, ants, spiders, and yes mosquitos, even in Newport RI, the bugs actually run the earth we just don't know it.  Moving south you just get a few new species you haven't seen before, like a palmetto bug, which is pretty much just a large red roach, that when squashed emits a foul odor...you learn..sometimes its better to catch and release than squash.  If it rains, you enjoy the fresh scents and the pretty colors, but you move inside around dusk or you'll get eaten by mosquitos.  When its been dry a few days mosquitos aren't as bad.  I got chewed today working in yard in shorts.  (it was on and off rain today, with a few tornado watch's thrown in for excitement)

Temps...tend to run differently depending on part of state, it gets warmer the further south you get, north florida has 3 seasons, Hell (summer) fall (autumn) and winter, winter here is the months of December-February where you see temps dip into the 30s, we rarely see 20s here in north florida, I've only seen it snow here twice in 25 years.  During spring, temps are best, 70s and 80s mostly, in March-August, expect to see high 80s to high 90s with near 100% humidity.  It kind of smothers you.  You do adapt to the weather here quick though, cool weather the first few years is a joke to northerners that have transplanted.  The fun thing we like to watch for is when the northerners start unpacking winter gear in year 3.  A 45 degree day is a medium weight coat day here, some even wear gloves.  The shocker is watching kids waiting for school buses, shorts, t shirts, flip flops are normal clothing even in mid winter.  Kids think wearing extra clothing layers isn't cool, neither are umbrellas, so they end up getting wet, and being cold a lot in winter.

Thanks for your insight.

Bob

[Paul G]

When we decided to leave the upper mid west we visited Florida, and Arizona. We rented a car in Tampa, then drove down the west coast, crossed the everglades, then down to Key West. Drove back to Tampa and went home. This was in January when Chicago has been cold and gray for several months with several more months of cold and gray ahead. I hated the weather in the mid west.

The thing that swayed my wife away from Florida was the bugs. As we drove in to the neighborhoods we noticed screened rooms around all out door areas in peoples yards. Sitting areas, pools, everything. No bugs in January, but the summer belongs to the bugs. The weather in January was fantastic, 60's with clouds and sun. I already knew about the extremely hot and humid summers. Just going outside the house you break out in a sweat. I would trade snow and cold for that any day. The drive down the west coast of Florida was absolutely beautiful. I love the sun, sand, and water. Living a little further inland, less expensive, and boating on the gulf would be great.

We (she) decided on Arizona. Few bugs, little bad weather, 9 months a year of just nice out. Winters are chilly, but sunny with an occasional rain shower. Summers are hot, Monsoon comes and we get rain with a few weeks of higher humidity. Crickets, scorpions, Africanized bees, snakes, coyotes, bobcats. We have 'em. Just not in the neighborhoods (Phoenix suburbs) for the most part. 4 months per year it is STINKIN HOT out. But still swimming pool and car guy weather.

[myk]

^^^I could say the same about California, but the cost of living pretty much defeats that idea for most.  That, and if your political views aren't compatible you will be an outcast here.  My sticking points are car friendly weather and the surf, but that's absolutely IT as far as I'm concerned.

Strange, I never saw any bugs on CSI Miami; it was all two piece mini-bikinis, bright lights and fast cars, lol...

[sanders7981]

I think Lord Warlock captured the jist of it all.  I am an active duty Marine, and spent the last 15 years in NC, also a FL resident, and just got stationed down at MacDill AFB last July.  So no state taxes are great, and I have been doing some researching about the retired pay.  A lot of the guys I work with here told me FL does not tax militrary retirement pay.  So that's a huge positive right there.  It took me about a month or less to adjust in July from being in NC all those years. The heat has never really bothered me, and the bugs ain't too bad.  Maybe that's just my tolerance level, but I experienced worse bugs and mosquitoes at Camp Lejeune!  The housing market is decent here too if you are buying.  I say go for it!  There are a lot of positives with the many different things to do down here as well.  Disney, Universal, cruises, the beaches, hunting and fishing!   

[Lord Warlock]

Political view wise, the north east tends to be Republican, and turns more liberal the closer to Miami you get.  Pensacola is great for ex military folk, and retired folk and tends to lean Republican as well.  The only reason why I don't live there is wages are lower there than here in Jacksonville, and also we have much more corporate headquarters located here than there, so IT and Accounting and finance jobs are plentiful here.  

[Charger_Dart]

My wife and I lived in Florida for 20+ years. We lived on both coasts - Jacksonville & Sarasota. At some point we decided the heat & humidity were just no fun any longer. Afternoon thunderstorms every day did not allow us to enjoy our cars after work and the lovebugs just wreak a paint job no matter what you do. Anyways, we moved to New England and have been here for 10 years now. Far fewer bugs, no snakes, no gators, or huge spiders, and for us better weather. Yeah the winters can be bad, but the frigid days don't last long. The part my wife loves the best is real seasons here. She is always looking forward to the next change, something we did not have in Florida. Florida is ALOT less expensive to live in though. I do kinda miss seeing the jacked up bubba 4x4's with the bed sides flapping in the wind going down the road 

[GMP440]

Everything Lord Warlock wrote was right on the money.
I also live in Florida.  Pembroke Pines which is just southwest of Ft. Lauderdale.
South of Palm Beach is a lot more expensive to live.  Houses,land , etc is more.  South Florida is more saturated with people than in other parts of the state.
Palm Beach and above the properties and homes are a lot less expensive.  For example; in Palm Coast new homes on 3 acres are going for around $220,000.  Same size home and property where I'm
at  are least double that.
Lots of classic car events and swap meets in mid and north Florida.   
Seasons,  really don't have much of that.

[hemi68charger]

I am a Florida native ( a rare breed to say the least ). I left Florida in '87 at the age of 23 to join the Air Force and never went back ( except to visit friends and family ). From the middle of Florida down, everyone there can have it. Absolutely nothing there for me. As eluded to previously, in the Spring-early Fall, you can count on a rain shower sometime. IF I was to move back to Florida, it would have to be up north in the Panhandle for retirement. There's really no industry/career for me there. I am retired military too, so it would be nice to live near Pensacola or Eglin AFB. The cost of living has lowered some since the real estate crash, but it is coming back...

I like Texas now.........

[ACUDANUT]

What ? you don't the Key West crowd.. LOL

[Nacho-RT74]

I have been pondering moving to Florida for retirement in a few years.

¿Hablas español?

Can't get away from that much anymore.

LOL, I was to say about that... lot of Cubans and of course latelly Venezuelans, specially on Weston and Doral areas, so prepair for that

[Paul G]

Same in Arizona. No hablo español. Wish I paid more attention in Spanish class in high school. I am lucky though, I love Mexican food, and tequila, and ........

[AKcharger]

Hi Bob

We moved here Last April from Alaska here's what we found:

- Taxes already covered
- Temps...in summer it wasn't as bad as we feared, we adapted pretty quick BUT I did learn no gardening or mowing the lawn in the middle of the day and having a pool to jump into is AWESOME!
- I looked around a lot before we bought, and zero'd in on the North Tampa area. Home prices are such that I could live on retirement (E-9) alone, it's close to all the major attractions and wife and I grew up around here so have some family near-by
- Bugs? well I guess, but hardly a big deal
- LOTS of cars shows...something sorely lacking in AK
- You can Drive to everything!!! well, wait, this was probably just an AK thing

CAUTION
- Watch where you buy very carefully. With the "Boom/Bust" there are some brand new neighborhoods that are going down hill quick because they've been turned into rentals.
- Any services/contractors get multiple quotes...Prices vary by 50-100%!!! I was told $6400 for my A/C unit and got it by another place for $3400...exact same one!
- This place is the wild west for contractors and construction...make sure you do your homework on licensing and bonding!!!
- Had to look a bit for Tricare® provider not hard just not as easy as in AK

PM me with any questions


Tell ya' what when I see all the winter storms and record breaking cold temps...this makes it all worth it

[ACUDANUT]

E-9 ? damn your good to go. I am a lowly E-7. Retired USMCR

[Bob]

AKcharger and ACUDANUT, I retired a CW3, tanks and big things like that.
Thanks for the input.

Bob

[ACUDANUT]

I have been pondering moving to Florida for retirement in a few years.

¿Hablas español?

Can't get away from that much anymore.

LOL, I was to say about that... lot of Cubans and of course latelly Venezuelans, specially on Weston and Doral areas, so prepair for that

I am moving to Mexico and demand they speak English and have mass in English too. Hell we do it for them here.   

[sanders7981]

I'm also in the north Tampa area, Wesley Chapel to be more specific. I've only been here since July 2014, but this place is growing pretty quick and will continue to do so over the next few years.   I have no regrets buying here, and hope to be able to retire from the Corps in a few years myself. 

[Steve P.]

I think everyone before me covered most everything just as it is. I just want to clear a few things up.

First off, everyone will get use to our weather. It may take some longer than others depending on a lot, but mostly where you are use to now and how much time you spend outside.

Second, we do have 4 seasons. You just can't tell some apart from others.. lol 

Third, I can't remember the last time I have heard of a gator where it didn't belong. (DO NOT FEED THE GATORS).

Forth, It is true that many places DO spray for mosquitoes. I would check before buying for sure. We do have plenty of skeeters, but for the most part, you won't be outside when they are bad. Thus the use of screens covering pools and garage doors.

Fifth, Florida is LOADED with ex-military. We have many vets hospitals and clinics. Could use more, but I am within 25 miles of 2 major vets hospitals.

Sixth, Everything here is air conditioned and if your Charger is not, we have ICE COLD AIR in Tampa.

We have lived here coming up on 21 years. We live in Holiday, Florida. That is about 20 miles North of both Tampa Bay and Clearwater. The West coast of Florida doesn't normally see the amount of really bad weather as the East coast.

The afternoon rain sucks if you work outside, but it also keeps everything growing and GREEN... Also cools off your roof and keeps most roadways clean.. But driving in heavy rains can really suck too.. Be very careful when stopping at intersections in the rain as the oil in the roads from dripping and the asphalt anyway, will come to the top in the rain and it is like trying to stop on black ice..

Everywhere in Florida has nice homes that are built around not so nice homes.. And yes, during the BOOM, many investors bought homes and turned them into rentals. Some areas are worse than others and many homeowners are getting after the crappy landlords.. But you can buy a lot of home here much cheaper than most places in the USA.

Cut your lawn just before the sun goes down and you'll be fine..

The one thing that I didn't see from anyone else is STORAGE... A basement is 1 in a million here. Maybe 5 million.. Most of us use our garage as a storage unit. Many others find out they don't need NORTHERN things here and try to sell things they should have sold back home where people will actually use them.. (I have seen a snow blower and a ski-do here). People just can't let go of crap they love..

I am also born and raised in Upstate New York. Rochester to be exact. I can tell you I will N E V E R go back. Also use to spend some time in Vegas and though I love it there, it is way too dry for me or my wife. It is rare to need chapstick and lotions here and if you are smart and stay out of the sun, your skin will love you forever!! Those who are sun worshipers get to about 45 and they wish they never were.. They begin to look like the gators..

Pasco County is one of the cheaper places to own a home, but moving inland is much cheaper for all insurances. What stinks about living more inland is dealing with the heat and way more rain storms. So really everywhere you look there is ups and downs. It is really what you feel is worth dealing with..

Best part of living here is NO SNOW!!! All the hot rods are out all winter long and many to most are out year round..

Biggest downfall for me is the food... Growing up in Rochester, we ate food from all over the World and it was ALL GOOD!! Here the food sucks for the most part. They say it is the water. I don't believe it.

Hope this all helps.

Ps. Bring some PIZZA with you when you come!!!!!!!   

[Bob]

Steve, that is a great write up. I spent 3 years at Ft Drum NY and lived in Carthage. Even though the summers are awesome, the winters are worse than Alaska.

[Steve P.]

I hear ya. Bob.. We use to head up to 1000 Islands and Chatagua, NY. and White Lake in Canada. Beautiful in the summer. But WINTER!!!!!!   

Florida has a lot to offer.

I forgot one big thing for those of us who hobby cars.. NO POLLUTION TESTING cars here anymore....

Also no front tag on cars..

Oh yeah, in Pinellas County there is a gas station the pumps CAM II.

[b5blue]

Some areas are prone to sink hole activity, I can't stress enough to research any area your considering buying in.

[AKcharger]

Some areas are prone to sink hole activity, I can't stress enough to research any area your considering buying in.

While true, and a good suggestion I'd bet there will be a LOT less sink hole activity in the futures due to the laws changing. Before if you found a few cracks in the slab you could claim a sink hole and get your house paid off...LOTS of fraud in the late 90's and 00's

[stripedelete]

Biggest downfall for me is the food... Growing up in Rochester, we ate food from all over the World and it was ALL GOOD!! Here the food sucks for the most part. They say it is the water. I don't believe it.

Hope this all helps.

Ps. Bring some PIZZA with you when you come!!!!!!!   

Same deal I'm Atlanta, including the Pizza.   Someone blamed the water just the other day.  I don't get it.

[ODZKing]

My aunt lived in Houston, Texas for a while.  She was a good cook and she said on many occasions that she had to adjust to weather conditions to get bread especially to taste the same.
MANY of the foods she used to cook with were also not available down there. The canned tomatoes for sauce for example.  This was back 64, 65 66, 67 so they probably are now.
But, I dunno, maybe there is something to it.   

[Lord Warlock]

The food in the south is great, just have to like seafood to take the most advantage from it.  We have food from all over the world here too, just have to go look for it, its here.  There are some changes while cooking, mainly timing it slightly different due to altitude differences, better like BBQ. 

[Steve P.]

Yeah, that was why I said: FOR THE MOST PART... I don't care for seafood.. I am told it is wonderful here though...

We have a pizza place about 2 miles from us. The owner is from Buffalo and use to have a guy that drove up and picked up all the good stuff and drove it back.. He was retired and from up there too, but he finally had enough of the drive.. Now their pizza really sucks.. I confronted the owner and he asked if I wanted the job.. Said he knew it, but can't find anyone to make the drive every month..   So please, BRING SOME PIZZA!!!!!!   

[Bob]

Yeah, that was why I said: FOR THE MOST PART... I don't care for seafood.. I am told it is wonderful here though...

We have a pizza place about 2 miles from us. The owner is from Buffalo and use to have a guy that drove up and picked up all the good stuff and drove it back.. He was retired and from up there too, but he finally had enough of the drive.. Now their pizza really sucks.. I confronted the owner and he asked if I wanted the job.. Said he knew it, but can't find anyone to make the drive every month..   So please, BRING SOME PIZZA!!!!!!   

So please, BRING SOME PIZZA!!!!!!