who lives in florida ?

I am thinking about moving to fla .
tampa /st pete/ Clearwater area
really looking for some ideas
what neighborhoods to not move to
what neighborhoods are nice
how is job market
looking for a house / mobile home is not out of the question / no apartments !!
is flood insurance real expensive ?
I hear car insurance is high .??
really just want some insight from people who live there
tell me the good and the bad
since I am 50 I hope to stay there till I pass on
I live in tenn so I am used to the heat
I will be in the area this summer to check things out
any and all comments welcome

 

We moved to central Florida from Maine 15 years ago. I can't deal with winter (icy roads biggest factor). We are an hour away from Tampa, but I'll address some of the questions.

Our car insurance does seem higher than it was in Maine, but we opt for very high protection. Florida has HUGE numbers of uninsured motorists which increases the cost to everyone. Yes, insurance is required, but so many irresponsible people will lie about policies or buy them for car registration renewal, then let them lapse. Minimum insurance required is only 10% of the protection required in Maine and too many of the insured have inadequate coverage, so when they cause an accident (nightmare, by the way), your costs many well end up on your insurance. Big problem here.

House values in central Florida vary tremendously by area. A good, safe area with good schools will cost you far more than the same home in a less desirable area. I'm sure Tampa (and most of the country) is the same. If you want neighbors who speak English, be prepared to pay more.

Winter and spring here are amazing. We get cold weather (sometimes freezing at night), but little rain during that time. Daytime is almost always short-sleeve weather during that time frame. Summer and fall are horrible. Heat is one thing, humidity is quite another. It is brutal. Then there's the rain...did you watch "Good Morning Vietnam"?

No state tax (I think Tennessee is the same?) Sales tax runs 6% statewide with many communities adding another 1%. Not bad.

Florida population continues to grow exponentially. But the state is so myopic that they don't plan for it. Not with roads (at all), not with schools...

Our area is impacted by the tourist industry with notoriously low wages. Tampa may be much better. I wouldn't do it unless you have a good job opportunity.

We are the lucky ones. Winter in Florida and summer in Maine. If it weren't for Maine taxes, we would change our residency and come down here for just three months (Jan, Feb, Mar) - unless our budget allowed for a 3 month winter cruise...

 

Old people

 

Hey! What's wrong with us old people?

Actually you'll find higher percentage of seniors in the population in certain areas, too. Check the demographics for a basic idea of the breakdown. For example, I'm retired, but not old enough to live in Ft Myers or The Villages. In those communities, you'll certainly see a lower crime rate (and I like old people)!

 

I have to ask you what you perceive Ft.Myers is like? Ever been?
I did my jury duty just this morning in the Lee County seat and the sampling of 334 people called was quite the range of age etc..
There are retirees all over FL but believe me Ft Myers is not the last stop.

I'll now share my thought on FL living with the OP

 

Lucky 13, If you are not set on the Tampa area,do take a look further south into SW Fl...I live in Estero which is between Ft.Myers and Naples..2 hr drive to Tampa or Miami if interested in City events like NFL or MLB..

That said my State Farm auto ins runs under 1k a year full coverage (clean record)

We have the best weather in the country I believe year-round wise..Always hit the high temp of the USA in the winter every year one or 2 days in Jan/Feb.

The Summer temp never goes above 95 along with the humidity,it's better than the 104's they get up north..

Be prepared for some pretty violent thunderstorms though which are scattered everywhere ..surge protectors on all electronics a must.

But I've lived down here 20+ years and survived many hurricanes..and I love a day off and the summer rain pouring down just like a snowstorm w/fireplace,but the next day nothing to shovel..

 

We visit my aunts and one uncle in Ft Myers and my niece lived there for a couple years. The population at least appeared much older than ours in central Florida. FYI - census for our area has 65+ at 9% but Ft Myers at 14%.

 

Check out Bradenton and Sarasota. You get the small town vibe with all the advantages of a big city, Tampa/St. Pete, about 30 minutes away. I used to live in Bradenton and it was great.

 

r

Above is true... and during the summer the population shrinks from the snow birds leaving.

BTW, Tampa's median age has decreased by 10 years lately. It is real noticeable. oh and Tampa has some of the best craft breweries in the US.

 

I was born and raised in Florida and love it here. I live just outside Tampa, there are tons of things to do. Insurance rates are high for auto, flood, home, etc. Traffic is a beast. The weather is awesome. For awhile, there were a ton of good deals on foreclosures in the area, not as much right now and home prices have started to climb a little, but if you're flexible good deals are still out there. Salaries are low in Florida. Finding a job will probably be harder than finding a home.

Good luck on your search.

 

I'm just to the north of tampa and have been here a couple of years.

jobs are still tough to come by.

re housing - i'd suggest you get a quote on flood insurance before you buy - it can be outrageous..