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Ren · Feb 24, 2019 2:15 PM

There is something to be said about having no one know who you are on this game because I have been considering a move to Florida but I haven't really been able to talk about it much in real life except with my immediate family and a couple close friends that I don't work with. I've been really careful about talking about it because I don't want any of my friends from work (or anyone from work really) finding out about this until I have decided more firmly if this is something I am really going to do or not.

I live in the midwest where we have winter for....forever. I look out my window right now and all I see are frigid winds whipping the snow around, of which there is so much snow after having been hit by a couple snowstorms lately. I grew up in the midwest so you'd think I'd be used to it or accept it or whatever but, I don't. I really hate the snow and cold and hate going out in it, which sucks for me because I love being outside and hiking and all that. I had moved away and lived someplace with, in my opinion, much nicer weather and I loved it out there. We did get some snow in the winter but not a ton, not like where I am now. So I don't love where I live and that is not a secret to anyone, I've basically wanted to move since I came back. I ended up moving back due to the midwest (and family) for a variety of reasons of which I won't get into but I was never really excited about coming back to the weather.

So, I have a potential opportunity available to me that would allow me to move to Florida. I've never lived in Florida but I have visited before and have a few people that I know who live down there. I've never lived by the ocean or had to deal with hurricanes, and that does scare me a little bit. I don't have anything tieing me down where I currently live so nothing that would make picking up and moving across the country an impossible thing. That said I also don't have anyone that would be moving with me, I would be alone down there (save friends I would eventually...hopefully, make). I would be leaving behind all my family but, as I've said before, I've done this before and it is not a deal breaker for me. I do really like where I currently work but I'm not sure that having a good job is enough of a reason to stay somewhere that I, for a good chunk of the year, hate living in.

I just don't know if I should do this or not, I think the biggest thing holding me back is a fear of the unknown and being alone down there. Do I dive in and try to make this happen and see how it goes or do I play it safe and stay in a place because it's more comfortable? Thanks for letting me rant guys. <3

Ammit · Feb 24, 2019 2:34 PM

The worst that happens is you hate it. You already know you hate it here. Too often we let fear of maybe hold us back.

Decide if the opportunity is a REAL opportunity and if you can afford to take the chance if so I'd go for it. We left California to move to the midwest completely blind and it was the perfect choice for us.

Dinascar · Feb 24, 2019 3:04 PM

Don't burn any bridges where you are and always keep all options open but.. You need to go for it!
Sounds wonderful. As Ammit says don't let fear hold you back. :) Good luck if that's what you want to do!

HTRanch · Feb 24, 2019 7:07 PM

I also live in the northern Midwest at the moment, and I am also watching the wind blow 18" of snow straight off the ground :(( I have moved a ton and travelled even more and the northern Midwest is the one place I have not fallen in love with.

That being said, the inverse of that is that I have fallen in love with every other place that I have lived and/or travelled to. The friends will come. If this opportunity has potential, take it! It's like jumping from a dock into a cold lake. It's not the water you fear, but the change of going from dry to wet. Take the plunge!

Alohomora · Feb 24, 2019 9:01 PM

I have a wonderful high school friend who now lives in Florida. She just posted a picture of herself on the beach, loving life. People in our hometown are bundled up and shivering their tushies off.

As for me, I’m about to go outside to enjoy the sunshine with my dogs, then we’re (the humans) going for a ride with the convertible top down. When I come back in, I may need to turn on the AC. In FEBRUARY! This novelty still astounds me.

I came to central Texas (north TX still has chilly days) after discovering I literally cannot physically function in the midwest after October. My illnesses flare up so badly that I cannot walk without assistance. For me, moving south was a requirement to continue enjoying life. I didn’t know anybody here when I moved. I not only survived, but thrived. My health is still challenging some days, but in Missouri, it’s miserable.

Our friends and family in Missouri have been hit by storm after storm this winter. St. Louis’ current high is 42 F, and snow is in the forecast this week. My husband, caregiver, and myself all grew up in the midwest. We agree that snow is best when you only have to see it in pictures. I don’t think snow shovels and ground salt are even sold around here. Can you imagine?

From my friend, myself, and all my dogs: get some Bug Bands (those mosquitoes are no joke) and DO IT!

Seaswell22 · Feb 24, 2019 11:15 PM

I have lived in Florida, Texas, the east coast and the northern Midwest. For me... The twin cities have enough I choose to call them home. Just today I was marveling at how we handle winter here.

If you have an opportunity to try something that could be glorious. Don't burn your bridges, and run for it.

Amgr1992 · Feb 25, 2019 12:23 AM

I know a Ren that I went to school with in West Virginia! Anywho follow your heart. If you really dislike where you move and see if you like it :) my parents live in titusville and absolutely love it there. And when I've visited I've found i love it there as well!

Ren · Feb 25, 2019 11:56 PM

Thanks for all the words of advice everyone! Being born and raised in the midwest I've had my fill of the snow and cold, if I never, or rarely, had to see snow again, I'd be alright with that. Hahah. I won't be burning any bridges and, as I said, I really do love my job and where I work. I just have had enough of the snow and cold. :P So, I've decided to go forward with things and see what happens. Fingers crossed!

DragonRun · Feb 26, 2019 1:52 AM

Good luck!

RoseFlute · Feb 26, 2019 2:25 AM

Personally, as a cautious person, and someone who has no interest in Florida's swamps, humidity, or year-round heat, but also someone who has never moved house except to dorms which doesn't quite count...I'd make sure I didn't spend all my resources on something unknown like that. That said, it might be perfect for you! I hope it's a good fit. :D

WhiteMountain · Feb 26, 2019 10:39 AM

Good luck! I must say, my biggest regrets have always been things I didnt do, not mistakes I made. Go for it! You may love it. If not, the Midwest will still be there!

MamaMiaStables · Feb 26, 2019 12:26 PM

I was born and raised in the Midwest as well. Northwest Iowa gets very cold, southeast Iowa cold and icy, Missouri I wasn't a fan of. I've also lived in Texas (which the weather was actually pretty nice), and California (San Francisco- hello perfect weather!). I now live in Florida. I really like it here. Will I stay here forever? No. But it works perfectly for what we need now.

The area I'm in now rarely gets hit by a hurricane, is gorgeous weather from around mid October to June, and then it gets a wee bit muggy. But nearly everyone has a pool or is only 20-30 minutes from the nearest beach, if not on a beach.

The cost of living is high compared to the Midwest, but you get to be outside year round too. There's so much to do. So many animal sanctuaries to visit, conservation areas, state parks, the springs are amazing, and there is something to see with-in driving distance anywhere you are. (Weekend road trips for staycation? Yup.)

Do we get nasty storms? Yes. But honestly? I was more scared of the ones in the Midwest. And you have time and lots of warning to evacuate before a hurricane. You don't get that for a tornado.

Like others said, don't burn bridges where you are, but if your heart says go...go for it.

duelinghawks · Feb 26, 2019 2:55 PM

I live just north of Naples on the west coast of FL. I lived in VA for four years so understand what real seasons are like. Missing winter is only a nostalgic thing (mostly at Christmas time...I have been here 20 years and it's still weird decorating for Christmas when it's sunny and 80...it never FEELS like Christmas so it's hard to get into the "season" anymore). BUT the trade off is worth it.
Not going to lie...FL is HOT AND HUMID...those who can afford it leave from May to October...however the rest of the year is GLORIOUS! True about storms...at least we have plenty of warning when one is coming...NOT like a tornado or any other natural disaster. Lots of horses here (I once heard FL has more horses than any other state...even TX)! If you have the option...better to live in the northern part of the state because it stays slightly more temperate. If you can be relatively near the water that's also a HUGE bonus!

Dinascar · Feb 26, 2019 10:30 PM

As someone who lives in the UK (in Derbyshire, around the middle), I think I'm quite lucky - never too cold or too hot. This year we saw about 6 days where I had to scrape ice off the car and only about an inch of snow at most and then in summer we get maybe a couple of days at 28C (82F) and that's about as hot as it gets! We get rain but only usually enough to get muddy and the wind rarely does anymore than blow crisp packets into the path of my spooky horse so yeah I sometimes forget how lucky we are. I think if I had to cope with your winters, I'd want to move too.

HTRanch · Feb 27, 2019 1:57 AM

@ChevalStables if you don't mind me asking, where did you live in northwest Iowa? I'm going to college in Sioux County right now! I love the farmland and honestly I even love the smell of manure on the fields when it is warm. But today it was a high of 2F. Which is 30 degrees higher than it was three weeks ago. Florida sounds so nice right now!

MamaMiaStables · Mar 1, 2019 3:03 AM

@HTRanch I grew up in Spencer, but have family all over Iowa. I have quite a bit of family in your area. :) If they're Dutch, good chance we are somehow related or we know their family. Lol

Bourbon · Mar 4, 2019 2:12 PM

I've just recently moved Countries and I'm not going to lie, it was and still is terrifying. I'm trying to find my feet, work, learn a new language and I'm apartment hunting. However, if you don't give it ago, you'll never know if it's the right choice for you. At least if there's nothing tying you down you can always go back, not every decision in life is concrete, and a move like this isn't concrete.

With how complicated life gets, that is a blessing.

I say, go for it! You're only going to think about the missed opportunity if you don't take it, and if you don't like the opportunity then you have a crazy story of how you upheaval and went to Florida ;)

WhiteMountain · Mar 5, 2019 11:26 AM

Thanks everyone... I have enjoyed reading about your residences and choices!

DixieDarlinStables · Mar 8, 2019 4:56 AM

I was born and raised in Florida, most of my family lives there still. I got the opportunity to move to Oklahoma, when i was 19. While i have fond memories of growing up there. I am now 40 & I love it here and will live here for the rest of my life. I do miss my family but i take trips as much as i can to visit, & we all keep in touch via FB. I miss some things about Florida, like the beaches and the fresh clear water springs, the roadside vendors with fresh fruit and veggies, oh and definitely miss Uncle Reds Cajun boiled peanuts! Now there are things i dont miss about Florida, too. i dont miss the over grown population or the sweltering humidity, or the hordes of ravenous mosquitoes, or the fear of swimming in any freshwater lakes/rivers because of fear of Alligators! Which i still have even living here for the last 30 years. LOL But i say, dont let the chance pass you by. Everyone has to find their own way and place in this crazy world we live in.

Ren · Mar 8, 2019 11:21 PM

For those who are curious I have decided to go for it and, so far, things are looking good. A little bit of a cryptic message I know but I'll let you all know once I have some more information to share. ;) I'm stressing out a bit about some aspects of this so keep me in your thoughts if you would be so kind.

I also really want to say thanks to everyone who shared their insight and advice on this post. Like anywhere there are good and bad things about living in a place but I really think that I'll have more pros than cons in Florida.

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