DH is putting feelers out for a possible transfer.We can deal with the storms,critters (except maybe the flying roaches), and crime( we have lived in high crime states in the past). I am just really nervous, we really regret our last move( Utah). Any info would be greatly appreciated .

I thought I could deal with the storms. Then came hurricane season 2004. We took three hits between August and October, with Charlie being the worst. Checking the National Hurricane Center website every few hours to check the latest tracks, and making sure we had an evacuation plan was psychological torture. Then living without power, in the hot and humid Florida summer, while trying to clean up down trees and such was just the icing on the cake. I left after that, and never had a desire to head back.

Thank you

Go! Some family lives in Tampa. No State income tax, can buy liquor in grocery stores, kids play sports on Sunday and no one cares about (or asks about) your religion. The storms are infrequent and if it does happen, people don't act like it's the apocalypse. Great seafood and fun, non-oppressed neighbors. There's a reason why so many people move and retire there.

Sinkholes.

ok ~ so ~ ziller married a Floridia girl an got alot of outlaw in-laws from there ~ (srs) ~


so = semi-expert ~


so ~ here's ther deal ~


in b 4 ~



storms ar no problem ~

you jus get enough liquor an d0pe an foods an stuff together an you be fine ~


(kinda like a Mormon food-storage plan in the 1980's) ~


(but different ~! OK) ~


OK ~ rilly cool people ~


everybody from the rich new york jews to the broke-assed Floridia-breed of red-necks are rilly nice ~ (cool) ~


try to make friends who have boats ~



OK ~ they got these mosquitoes that are bigger than U.S. American Eagles ~ (no lie) ~


in b 4 ~ once a flock of these mosquitoes jaws lock down on you it = over ~


srs ~ these flock of blood-sucking vermin will carry you away to their nests to feed their young on your living but unconscious body ~


SO ~ be sure to carry bug-spray ~


AND ~ as you run to safety ~ swing a towel or chain or something around your head to ward them off ~



um ~ ya ~ the scenery is fantastic ~



no income tax ~ (cuz jews obvi) ~


ALSO ~


in b 4 ~ be carefee in Key West ~


it is like a dirty little LasVegas on the edge of the world ~


it is full of strippers, nazi submarine crews, trans-folk, prolly gambling, Hemmingway stuff, booze runners, dope addicts, pornographers, fighters, musicians an artistic types ~ (srs) ~


stay safe OPie ~

Do you like steam baths? I visited Orlando once during the summer and every time I was outside felt like I was living in a steam bath!

The few other times I've visited Florida have been in the winter and I enjoyed those visits a lot.

Yeah, but you get used to it- so does your skin. You look 10-15 years younger in the humidity. (gotta put extra starch in your shirts and pants at the cleaners to hold a crease though).

I worked with a guy that lived in Florida in the winter as a retired and worked in Alaska during the summer.

When I asked how he spent his time in Florida, he said liquor was cheap and there was always gas wars, so he said he drove around drunk.

Where exactly in Florida? I would think the living experience would be different in different parts of the state.

That is true. North of Orlando, you are living in the south - Confederate flags, run down mobile homes with old living room furniture for lawn furniture, monster trucks with confederate flags and gun racks. Orlando and south are transplants from northeast or Cuba.

I have lived in Florida on three separate occasions, twice in northern Florida - Jacksonville and Ocala, and once in the Orlando area. Last time, the summer of 2004 which drove me out, was in the Ocala area.

Utah is not Florida and vice versa. The geography, scenery, elevation, weather, climate, social life, politics, religion, topography, architecture, everything is so different.

Florida is more like, Florida. The south way from the south.

Where in Florida?

Never lived there but I went last year to the tampa area, housing prices seemed alot more manageable then southern California if you could stay inside during the day to avoid the peak of the humidity wouldn't be too bad

Avoid the fire ants like the plague.

Thank you everyone, it would be around the city of Melbourne.

I went to Orlando once. God, what a horrible place.

Depends on what interests you. It seems to me (from my observation in both my trip and just general knowledge of the state)that it is very heavily populated and highly developed. If you like sprawl, this may be the place for you. Imagine any retail chain to whom you could possibly want to give your custom only a couple miles from your home.

Also, basically no seasons.

So, if you're someone who likes to be out there in the marketplace and consuming stuff as opposed to someone who likes quiet and nature, Florida may be the place for you.

I think, politically, it's rather conservative.

Thank you all,Ziller you made my husband and I laugh( we really needed it so a double thank you).
Sounds like we need to visit the area to check it out.

Trevor Noah, on the Daily Show, last night described Florida as " The place you can visit Mickey Mouse, a strip club and your grandparents in the same day".

Yes, you need to visit Florida. Will it suit you? You may not know until you have lived here for a few years. I’ve seen several members of my former ward move on (not for employment reasons) after a year or two. They either went back home to Utah, or moved to North Carolina.

Demographically, it is as if the entire US were contained within one state. Plus millions of tourists - lots of them from Europe and South America.

Republicans hold the reins of political power in most of the state and funding of some government programs is lean.

I’m one of those who stayed. Here that’s called getting sand in your shoes.

I lived in Idaho for thirty years, spent ten years in church mission and post high school education, and have lived and practiced on the west coast of Florida for almost thirty years. I have just retired.

Florida has become my home and I’ve made a life for myself.

Housing is cheaper here than in Utah right now.

If you are looking for work, finding a job that pays well can be hard.

The quality of tradesmen can be a mixed bag. Check references.

The roads are very congested, especially when the snowbirds are here. Crazy drivers, but not as bad as Utah’s.

The mosquitoes are smaller than in the west. They don’t whine in warning, but attack in silence. Mosquito control is very effective in populated areas.

Humidity is a thing. People from the Midwest, the rest of the South and from the East Coast say that Florida humidity is more tolerable. I spend a lot of time outdoors all year long so the slow transition from dry to humid helps me adapt.

Hurricanes happen. Fires and earthquakes tornadoes happen in other parts of the country. You prepare, plan, and act if you must. Hard cider helped me get through Irma last year.

You will find things you dislike here, and things you love.

I like music, dance, and outdoor recreation.

During the past year I have been to performances of the Sarasota Ballet and Symphony. I’ve been to the Dali Museum for their Frida Kahlo exhibit. Ive been to the Clearwater Jazz Festival. I go to local clubs for dancing - swing, Latin.

I’ve spent several days camping and hiking in Floria’s National forests and wilderness areas. I’ve kayaked flat water rivers, springs, and between islands in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Florida Keys.

I’ve been to Busch Gardens in Tampa, and Downtown Disney in Orlando. I’ve been to numerous farmers markets and craft fairs.

Next month I start classes sponsored by the University of Florida adult education division.

Whatever your interests are, you will find ways to enjoy them or develop new ones here.

Once upon a time...

(read Ziller"s answer)

And they lived happily after ever.

THE END (of the beginning)