For anyone who might be interested, I now have 5 months experience renting & living in Central FLA, 55+, moving here from a major east coast metro.
Pros:
Lack of intense traffic, no rush hour, less stressful driving, except for the major interstates and the turnpike, which are a challenge lol.
Most of the area seems relatively safe, lower crime.
Cost - excluding the current pandemic fueled run up in home pricing, many other costs seem lower than what I am used to: groceries, storage rents, personal services as examples.
Lack of queues for things that usually involve queueing in the big cities
There is a certain quirkiness around this state that I enjoy. I come from an area that was all corporatized, few indie businesses, so I enjoy this.
Lots of different music venues.
Cons:
I was prepared for heat and humidity, but not for this...it's otherworldy. For explanation, I think it's the addition of the angle of the sun at this latitude...it's intense, and I failed to comprehend until now, how year round this appears to be. (I realize that sounds ignorant).
I am losing patience for the intense onslaught of near constant advertisements for injury lawyers: on TV, print, billboards - everywhere. It appears injury law is a major business in Florida.
Speaking of injury law, my auto and umbrella policy rates jumped more than 20% when I moved here. Where is the State Attorney General?
Lack of diversity is a bit new for me. I am used to living around people of different faiths (or lack of) and races, ethnicities..my neighbors have been cordial, but it seems I have been singled out as some kind of progressive city slicker lol.
I am enjoying this experience, but I don't think this is a fit for me. I may end up leaving my stuff in storage here and taking off on an adventure when my current lease ends. Maybe see America by Amtrak or car? Maybe Europe? when travel concerns ease.
Peace all!
Pros:
Lack of intense traffic, no rush hour, less stressful driving, except for the major interstates and the turnpike, which are a challenge lol.
Most of the area seems relatively safe, lower crime.
Cost - excluding the current pandemic fueled run up in home pricing, many other costs seem lower than what I am used to: groceries, storage rents, personal services as examples.
Lack of queues for things that usually involve queueing in the big cities
There is a certain quirkiness around this state that I enjoy. I come from an area that was all corporatized, few indie businesses, so I enjoy this.
Lots of different music venues.
Cons:
I was prepared for heat and humidity, but not for this...it's otherworldy. For explanation, I think it's the addition of the angle of the sun at this latitude...it's intense, and I failed to comprehend until now, how year round this appears to be. (I realize that sounds ignorant).
I am losing patience for the intense onslaught of near constant advertisements for injury lawyers: on TV, print, billboards - everywhere. It appears injury law is a major business in Florida.
Speaking of injury law, my auto and umbrella policy rates jumped more than 20% when I moved here. Where is the State Attorney General?
Lack of diversity is a bit new for me. I am used to living around people of different faiths (or lack of) and races, ethnicities..my neighbors have been cordial, but it seems I have been singled out as some kind of progressive city slicker lol.
I am enjoying this experience, but I don't think this is a fit for me. I may end up leaving my stuff in storage here and taking off on an adventure when my current lease ends. Maybe see America by Amtrak or car? Maybe Europe? when travel concerns ease.
Peace all!