Florida residents, should I move there?

[e36andy]

Life in Los Angeles is not the same as it used to be. The last 10-15 years has been rough and it continues to get worse for various reasons. Keeping politics out of it, the main thing is that it is so expensive to live here. My wife and I have been considering moving to Miami or another part of Florida (open to suggestions) that is close to the beach. We visited a few times and really like the weather and the vibe. It feels like there is always something to do...

Hit me with your insight! We are in our mid 30's for the record.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I don’t think Miami is going to be much cheaper if that is your main concern.

I spend a decent amount of time in Naples and can see the draw to spend winters there in retirement. Go north from Miami or Naples and things get cheaper.

 

[Falcon_LS]

You might want to consider looking at Northern Florida (e.g. Jacksonville, Tallahassee or Pensacola) in terms of affordability; it is cheaper compared to South Florida and major metropolitan areas within Central Florida. Housing prices, in particular, are significantly lower.

 

[CKN]

Life in Los Angeles is not the same as it used to be. The last 10-15 years has been rough and it continues to get worse for various reasons. Keeping politics out of it, the main thing is that it is so expensive to live here. My wife and I have been considering moving to Miami or another part of Florida (open to suggestions) that is close to the beach. We visited a few times and really like the weather and the vibe. It feels like there is always something to do...

Hit me with your insight! We are in our mid 30's for the record.

Look on the popular real estate sites. If you looked you would know Miami isn't cheap. Even if you rent-there is a direct correlation between property values and renting.

 

[dishdude]

Home and auto insurance is a huge problem in Florida, prohibitively expensive and difficult to get.

 

[edyvw]

Check insurance rates before you pull the trigger.
Do you have kids? What schools are you looking?
Miami is a huge metropolitan area, and you will face many similar challenges.

 

[e36andy]

For added clarity, I don't exactly mean Miami but rather that general part of Florida. Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood/ Aventura etc...

I don’t think Miami is going to be much cheaper if that is your main concern.

I spend a decent amount of time in Naples and can see the draw to spend winters there in retirement. Go north from Miami or Naples and things get cheaper.

Yes, I've heard good things about Naples.

Home and auto insurance is a huge problem in Florida, prohibitively expensive and difficult to get.

What do you mean by it's hard to get? It's expensive, or do you mean they literally don't insure you?

Check insurance rates before you pull the trigger.
Do you have kids? What schools are you looking?
Miami is a huge metropolitan area, and you will face many similar challenges.

We're going to start having kids ASAP, we were both in grad school so we waited a little longer than we should have...

 

[football]

Miami is north Cuba. Do you speak Spanish? It’s pretty much required. I went to a Taco Bell drive through and not a single person spoke English. I was unable to order and left.

If you are Hispanic you might fit in and like it.

If you are an average white boy like me I don’t think you’ll care for Miami.

 

[Dave Hess]

Life in Los Angeles is not the same as it used to be. The last 10-15 years has been rough and it continues to get worse for various reasons. Keeping politics out of it, the main thing is that it is so expensive to live here. My wife and I have been considering moving to Miami or another part of Florida (open to suggestions) that is close to the beach. We visited a few times and really like the weather and the vibe. It feels like there is always something to do...

Hit me with your insight! We are in our mid 30's for the record.

What career fields are you and wife working in ?

How many kids ?

South Florida is expensive if you want to live in a clean, safe neighborhood.

 

[Zee09]

@RhondaHonda said it well and you need to stay in Florida on a lengthy vacation to see for yourself.

LA to Miama is the same war zone but only a different climate.

 

[e36andy]

Miami is north Cuba. Do you speak Spanish? It’s pretty much required. I went to a Taco Bell drive through and not a single person spoke English. I was unable to order and left.

If you are Hispanic you might fit in and like it.

If you are an average white boy like me I don’t think you’ll care for Miami.

No Spanish unfortunately lol.

What career fields are you and wife working in ?

How many kids ?

South Florida is expensive if you want to live in a clean, safe neighborhood.

I'm a therapist and my wife is a soon to be doctor.

0 kids but hopefully soon.

What about Fort Lauderdale/ Aventura/ Hollywood area?

 

[Dave Hess]

Aventura is nice if you make good $$$$.

Fort Lauderdale has some nice areas also some very sketchy neighborhoods.
Hollywood has gone down hill over the past 20 years. Stay out.

Maybe:
Weston, Davie, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Parkland….

Sunrise / Plantation near Sawgrass Mills Mall are nice safe areas.

*** Edit ***
With both of you working in Healthcare you have tons of cities along the East coast near the beaches to choose from.

 

[Lubener]

Life in Los Angeles is not the same as it used to be. The last 10-15 years has been rough and it continues to get worse for various reasons. Keeping politics out of it, the main thing is that it is so expensive to live here. My wife and I have been considering moving to Miami or another part of Florida (open to suggestions) that is close to the beach. We visited a few times and really like the weather and the vibe. It feels like there is always something to do...

Hit me with your insight! We are in our mid 30's for the record.

I would go anywhere to get out of California.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

Move to Las Vegas. Cost of living and state taxes will be reduced so much you and your wife can save enough to retire in 15 years and then live anywhere you like. Plus it's close enough to Southern Cal to spend your weekends there.

if you do have kids here, put them in private schools though.

P.S. I lived in Northwest Florida for a while. Great beaches (but lousy surfing/boogie boarding/body surfing), good cost of living, low taxes, but will be a bit of a culture shock.

 

[andrew_j]

Go where the job is if soon to be dr. No kids explore. Miami could be on that list. My wife loved Miami and learned Spanish as traveling hospital physical therapist. No Spanish at Taco Bell is not a barrier.

Being a Dr if medical you can go anywhere and live well once you clear school debt if any.

 

[Donald]

I don't see the draw to Florida. Hot (very hot) in the summer, insurance and real estate costs are high, hurricanes and alligators.

I think you need to also look at police. California is pretty liberal and Florida conservative. The governors could not be more different. If your leaning liberal you might want to live in a blue state

 

[Wireman1987]

Life in Los Angeles is not the same as it used to be. The last 10-15 years has been rough and it continues to get worse for various reasons. Keeping politics out of it, the main thing is that it is so expensive to live here. My wife and I have been considering moving to Miami or another part of Florida (open to suggestions) that is close to the beach. We visited a few times and really like the weather and the vibe. It feels like there is always something to do...

Hit me with your insight! We are in our mid 30's for the record.

if not in school debt i would consider Silicon Valley. you can always vacation at the beaches.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you're medical professionals look into the reciprocity of your degrees, skills, licenses between CA and FL.

There are plenty of old customers in Florida to be sure but you also want to look at reimbursement rates, and on someplace other than an oil forum, LOL.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Florida is like California but you're trading fires for hurricanes. Consequently there's an insurance crisis along the coasts. It's a hot subtropical environment. West Coast of Florida is full of Midwest retiree's and East Coast is full of NE retirees. Traffic is bad but not as bad as LA. Jacksonville reminds me of a flat Sand Diego but humid.

 

[Mainia]

Life in Los Angeles is not the same as it used to be. The last 10-15 years has been rough and it continues to get worse for various reasons. Keeping politics out of it, the main thing is that it is so expensive to live here. My wife and I have been considering moving to Miami or another part of Florida (open to suggestions) that is close to the beach. We visited a few times and really like the weather and the vibe. It feels like there is always something to do...

Hit me with your insight! We are in our mid 30's for the record.

When you move there, don't bring Cailf with you and wreck Florida.