Do you live in Florida?
Replies
What do you like about it? What do you not like?
I've been wanting to move to a warmer climate for a long time now. I live in Michigan currently, and have for my whole life. I know it'll be really hard to move somewhere so different, but it's something I really want to do. It really kind of cemented in my brain when I visited a friend there this past summer. I had an awesome time. My other friends who were with me were kind of whiny about the heat, but it didn't bother me. In fact, I loved it. The main reason I want to move there is to be near the ocean. In recent years, I've really gotten into conservation, especially as it pertains to Sea Shepherd, so I want to move closer to somewhere that I can help more. I want to do beach clean-ups and help with SS's turtle campaigns and help educate people about why the ocean is so important. I also have depression that is exacerbated by dingy days, days with less light, so it'd be nice to be in a more sunny area.
I'm kind of really afraid of tornadoes and hurricanes though. I'm thinking I might want a condo, versus a house, mainly so I can be on maybe the 5th floor and above and then not have to worry as much about storm surge? What kind of dwelling is safest for a hurricane? I'm going to be on the gulf side of the state if and when I move. I won't live right by the ocean, but I'd like to be within 5 minutes' drive I think, maybe close enough to walk, so maybe a couple of miles away from the ocean would be good, but close enough that I can be there every day.
It's not like I'm really that close to anyone where I live anymore. I see my few friends maybe once a month. I live with my parents, but they'd move too (they're retired and want to move to a warmer place too). I have a decent job here, but I know I could find something else there, possibly with the same company. My biggest worry is how to move my two cats down there. They hate travel. It's a yowling mess when I have to take them a few miles down the road to the vet. How does one move so far with animals? Leaving them is in no way an option - they're family.
The other thing I'm worried about is the bugs. When I was visiting my friend, there was this huge-ass spider in her room and I almost died of a heart attack. It was a big, black, fuzzy one. She says she has to call an exterminator once a month, sometimes more, and shrugged it off like no big deal. I figured if I sealed the house really well and kept things super clean (which I do anyways) and sprinkle some kind of bug-be-gone stuff around the perimeter, it wouldn't be a problem. The lizards wouldn't bother me - I love them, lol. It's just...spiders and scorpions. I'm not hugely arachnophobic, I just don't want them near (or God forbid, on) me. Also, I've heard bed bugs are a big problem down there? My friend said she'd never had a problem, but I still wonder.
I really like the Tampa Bay/Sarasota areas. Close to Tarpon Springs would be awesome, because that's where my friend lives. My parents and I don't have the biggest budget though, so I'm wondering where would be best to go. Ideally there'd be a TJ Maxx, Kohl's, Best Buy, JC Penney and some other bigger stores like that nearby. Meijer isn't a thing in Florida, is it? What's the Meijer equivalent there?
I don't know if I'm going to do this for absolute certain yet. There's a lot to think about. So let me know anything you can think about living in Florida.
Two words: Palmetto bugs.
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE
(Disclaimer: I don't live in Florida. Kind of... the opposite.)
- I lived in the Orlando area my whole life, but have been to the Tampa area a few times. Tampa is huge, so I'm sure you'll find something nice there that is not too expensive. I'll address some of your questions below.
Bugs: The main ones are mosquitoes. They're around all year, even when it's cold (they like staying in buildings). There's roaches, especially in older buildings. They tend to be the big, flying types too. Spiders are around, but they're good for eating nuisance pests. Bed bugs are in some complexes, but I've never had an issue with them. I've never seen a scorpion.
Weather: There's two seasons: hot and muggy season and warm and not as muggy season. The areas near the coast have a more consistent temperature year round, but it's still possible for it to get what Floridians consider cold in the winter (40s). It's never snows here. The summers are always humid. Expect afternoon thunderstorms every day and highs in the 90s.
Hurricanes and tornadoes: Tornadoes are very rare. They're either with a cold front during winter, a very strong afternoon thunderstorm, or during a hurricane. There are no basements here, so if there's a tornado warning in your area, the best place to go is the innermost part of the building where there's no windows. Also, moving to the first floor if possible is usually advised.
Hurricanes are also very rare. Tropical storms are more common, but they're nothing to be concerned about... buildings here are built for them. Mobile homes are not built for hurricanes. Since you're thinking of being on the coast, if there's a major hurricane on it's way, several things to keep in mind. Keep an eye on the local news for the hurricane's track, closures, and evacuation orders. You'll want to board up your windows, take everything important, and evacuate as soon as you can. Storm surge can be much taller than you would expect and can spread pretty far inland, especially since Florida's elevation is at sea level. There would end up being shelters further inland (like in Orlando) that you could stay at. Some shelters are pet friendly while others aren't.
There seems to be a major hurricane every 10 years or so.
Shopping: I've never heard of Meijer, and there doesn't seem to be one in Florida. Looking at the site, the closest thing to it is Walmart. As for just groceries, Publix is the largest chain in Florida. Publix is great for sales and subs, but expensive otherwise. There's going to be discounted grocery places wherever you go, like Aldi's or Save-a-Lot. (Not sure what's exactly in the Tampa area.)
The other stores you listed are in Florida, and most likely are in Tampa. There's also a place called Marshall's that's owned by the same company as TJ Maxx. Ross and Bealls outlet are similar to TJ Maxx. I'm sure Dillard's and Macy's are around.
Some other notes: Due to the muggy nature of Florida, mold can become a problem easily.
Don't go to the beach in mid to late March, because spring break is full of crazy, drunk party people.
Driving is absolutely insane. No one uses their turn signals, people feel the need to push you off the road just to go in front of you during a merge point, and there's no such thing as leaving enough space behind cars.
There's no state income tax!
They're GIANT COCKROACHES and they FLY. Like 5 inches and will CHASE YOU DOWN THE STREET IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IT'S AWFUL
I feel like a terrible person for laughing as hard as I did at your post, but in my defense, all I can picture is a massive cartoonish cockroach chasing people up and down sidewalks.
Please be aware that bed bugs have nothing to do with a houses cleanliness or lack there of (except a very cluttered house is liable to be next to impossible to get rid of them). They like clean homes just as well. Bed bugs are also stubborn and suck balls to deal with, but it seems like most areas of the country have some spots that have problems with them. Just be aware of what they look like and where they can hide, what to look for when you're checking rooms. It also helps to have some poor, highly allergic sod as bed bug bait - many people have no reaction to the bite, whereas I however, light up like a christmas tree. Our run-in was courtesy of a friend who's wife was in the Navy. They had a problem on her ship and she wasn't quite careful enough...and it went from there. I can't chime in about any of the other bugs down there. XD
Do you have a rare item that just won't sell? Are you going through the high levels of Item Hunt? Or maybe you just HATE that blue bunny? Then you should join IHH helpers and IHH bargain in the forum groups!