Who Lives in Florida? Where? What’s to Like?

[mrhotdice]

Just wondering how many of the BBN live in the sunshine state. Been to a few places like Orlando for Disney, and Lake City for Bass Fishing but that was decades ago. Got an email from a guy wanting my daughter to attend a junior golf academy located in Green Cove Springs. It’s suppose to be someplace on the St. John’s River but on maps it appears to be West of Jacksonville. From years ago, Jacksonville was very dangerous and basically sucked but things change.

Suggestions?

 

[mashburned]

Try the shrimp if you go.

 

[Henogee1975]

Try the shrimp if you go.

And gator tail.

 

[funKYcat75]

It’s America’s elderly nutsack.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

 

[starchief]

One miserable dude who hates Florida.

 

[roguemocha]

Jacksonville is fine now but huge. The main goal of being in Florida is to stay out of the center of the state unless you’re going hunting, to Disney or to see UK play in Gainesville.

 

[krazykats]

I’d move to the St Augustine/Cresent Beach area yesterday if my wife would agree. We both love it there, and the kids do to.

Plenty of history there and Cresent Beach is distance enough to have nice quiet beach time as well as enjoy the inter coastal water.

It’s also around the middle of the state so just about anywhere else is only a few hours away at the most.

 

[Anon1640710541]

** crosses st augustine/crescent beach off the to do list **

 

[TriangleUKCat]

It’s also around the middle of the state so just about anywhere else is only a few hours away at the most.

No.

 

[numberonedad]

I live in the Southwest Florida area around Naples. Great place to live and I wouldn't move anywhere except maybe more south down toward Islamorada or Key Largo. It's nice to walk to your mailbox in February wearing flip flops

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Lived in Tampa. ********

 

[AustinTXCat]

Jacksonville is fine now but huge. The main goal of being in Florida is to stay out of the center of the state unless you’re going hunting, to Disney or to see UK play in Gainesville.

Suwanee River and the many crystal-clear, freshwater springs found around Florida also enable some awesome adventures.

Disadvantages: mosquitoes and brutal humidity experienced March through late-November in the central and southern portions of the Sunshine State. Occasional hurricanes are also a pain in the ***.

 

[JDHoss]

We're currently looking for a condo between Vero Beach and Stuart. Hope to find something in the next couple of months. We had a contract on a condo in Port St Lucie last month and got screwed out of it because the listing agent either lied or guessed at the pet restrictions and the HOA wouldn't accept our dog. We were out $165 for a home inspection, but at least now I know to demand to see the HOA rules in writing instead of taking someone's word for it. As for living in Florida, yeah, it gets hot in the summer, but that's why you have air conditioning and we're keeping the house here in East TN, at least for a couple or three years. October - May in Florida is fabulous weather. I love fishing, so there's plenty of that throughout the year. Did I mention that October - May is fabulous weather?

 

[John Henry]

I was born and raised and live in Florida. If you live North of Virginia PLEASE, PLEASE do not move down here. You will not like it. If you know anything about Florida you will know there is a Real Florida and there is the fake Disney World Florida. The coast south of Vero is really New York City. I lived in Vero as a child and it was heaven on earth. Disney World and resort beaches are what most Americans think when someone mentions Florida.

But there is another culture in Florida and it is the Deep South. A land of cattle ranches, agriculture, fishing and hunting. This is the area that is not friendly to Yankees and most northerners can not take the environment. Before the invention of AC they came down for the winter and flocked back home. Now they stay and seldom get out of their condos.

I would not live any where else on earth. I am 6th generation Cracker and if you are not a native Floridian you probably have no idea what that means. So raising citrus, running air boats through marshes, fishing and going gator hunting is the life very few know or appreciate. A cowboy hat, a pair of boots and and a full gun rack are more a part of Florida than South Beach. Thankfully few people know that.

 

[John Henry]

One miserable dude who hates Florida.

I sure wish there were more like him. If we could get rid of about 20 million of them. Oh but I dream

 

[starchief]

Lived in Palmetto until the humidity drove me out.

 

[thabigbluenation]

Do they have Papa John's in the Florida?

 

[krazykats]

No.

What are you looking at? It’s about the same distance to AL border as it is Miami.

 

[krazykats]

** crosses st augustine/crescent beach off the to do list **

Your hate for me going to cost you the best part of FL? Thought you was smarter than that.

 

[Dore95]

I live in South Florida (Broward County). It is expensive, crowded, very northeastern and international. I imagine there are a lot of people here who would say those are bad things. But we love it. I think this is one of the most desirable places in the country to live. Great weather. Affluent. Look at how the population has exploded over the last couple of decades.

 

[numberonedad]

I was born and raised and live in Florida. If you live North of Virginia PLEASE, PLEASE do not move down here. You will not like it. If you know anything about Florida you will know there is a Real Florida and there is the fake Disney World Florida. The coast south of Vero is really New York City. I lived in Vero as a child and it was heaven on earth. Disney World and resort beaches are what most Americans think when someone mentions Florida.

But there is another culture in Florida and it is the Deep South. A land of cattle ranches, agriculture, fishing and hunting. This is the area that is not friendly to Yankees and most northerners can not take the environment. Before the invention of AC they came down for the winter and flocked back home. Now they stay and seldom get out of their condos.

I would not live any where else on earth. I am 6th generation Cracker and if you are not a native Floridian you probably have no idea what that means. So raising citrus, running air boats through marshes, fishing and going gator hunting is the life very few know or appreciate. A cowboy hat, a pair of boots and and a full gun rack are more a part of Florida than South Beach. Thankfully few people know that.

I hear you! Some 50 years ago we used to drive out to Captiva, there wasn't any condos, very few houses, if any. We would go out there in the evening, take a couple cases of beer with us, start a big bonfire on the beach and swim all night. No police, no traffic, just us. What a time to be alive

 

[numberonedad]

I live in South Florida (Broward County). It is expensive, crowded, very northeastern and international. I imagine there are a lot of people here who would say those are bad things. But we love it. I think this is one of the most desirable places in the country to live. Great weather. Affluent. Look at how the population has exploded over the last couple of decades.

I get over there pretty often. My best friend lives in Del Ray beach, which is a very nice place. We like Ft. Lauderdale and the area

 

[Monroe Claxton]

Spend a lot of time in Sunny Isles Beach. Every Russian mobster must own a unit or two in Trump International

 

[JDHoss]

I live in South Florida (Broward County). It is expensive, crowded, very northeastern and international. I imagine there are a lot of people here who would say those are bad things. But we love it. I think this is one of the most desirable places in the country to live. Great weather. Affluent. Look at how the population has exploded over the last couple of decades.

Really cool place to visit, but I can't imagine living/working there and having to navigate that traffic every day.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Please allow me, for one moment, to expand upon some of the most awesome scuba diving on planet Earth: the Florida Aquifer and resulting freshwater springs feeding from it. Gents, I've dived the Red Sea, Wales, Southwest England (Devon, Cornwall), Baltic, Spain, freshwater Germany and Norway back years ago.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, compares to the visibility found in Florida freshwater springs. It's truly breathtaking, and even deadly if you cave-dive down there. The Blue Hole (110 foot) and Crystal River are just a few of the totally awesome sights. Wreck dives out of West Palm Beach are great, too. Key Largo is easy diving, but lots of fun. I dived 4 bottles (tanks) down there in summer '83. Conch fritters are crazy good, especially deep-fried.

In many respects, FL aquatics is a whole nother world.

 

[John Henry]

Please allow me, for one moment, to expand upon some of the most awesome scuba diving on planet Earth: the Florida Aquifer and resulting freshwater springs feeding from it. Gents, I've dived the Red Sea, Wales, Southwest England (Devon, Cornwall), Baltic, Spain, freshwater Germany and Norway back years ago.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, compares to the visibility found in Florida freshwater springs. It's truly breathtaking, and even deadly if you cave-dive down there. The Blue Hole (110 foot) and Crystal River are just a few of the totally awesome sights. Wreck dives out of West Palm Beach are great, too. Key Largo is easy diving, but lots of fun. I dived 4 bottles (tanks) down there in summer '83. Conch fritters are crazy good, especially deep-fried.

In many respects, FL aquatics is a whole nother world.

Have you dived Weeki Wachee in Hernando County? It is worth the trip

 

[AustinTXCat]

Have you dived Weeki Wachee in Hernando County? It is worth the trip

No, unfortunately. Bucket list item. Heard about it. Have a FL relative who auditioned for a spot as a mermaid there back in the 60s. Would very much like to hit all those hot spots.

Couple Tarzan movies were filmed in FL (Wakulla Springs and Silver Springs) due to unbelievable water clarity.

<- - - - Second retirement coming May, 2021. I'm gonna experience it all down there before EOL.

 

[Kybluedude]

Have a friend moving to Anna Marie Island. Don’t know the first thing about it but they are excited

 

[Free_Salato_Blue]

Have a friend moving to Anna Marie Island. Don’t know the first thing about it but they are excited

Anna Marie is $$$$$ for a bungalow. It's a pretty quite place, craft stores, and other tourist stuff and you can ride a trolley all the way down the barrier island.
I actually met several people from Kentucky there.
The Anna Marie Pier, you can catch a fish and they will cook it up.

 

[vhcat70]

I live in the Southwest Florida area around Naples. Great place to live and I wouldn't move anywhere except maybe more south down toward Islamorada or Key Largo. It's nice to walk to your mailbox in February wearing flip flops

What about in July & August? Assume you need a shower by the time get back inside. Nothing wrong with flops at 40 degrees.

 

[Marine_In_VA]

Went to high school in Green Cove Springs back in the 80's. Was a nice quiet town right on the St. John's River and a decently short drive to St. Augustine and its beaches. Not far from Jacksonville either. Orange Park is the city/town between Jville and GCS. Loads of fishing opportunities in the St Johns and associated canals and , like I mentioned not far from St Augustine and surf fishing or fishing in the inter coastal waterway. Haven't been back for years, but I believe it's around a 2 hour drive down to Orlando.......

BTW, for current FL residents, do they still allow you to drive on some of the beaches? I remember being able to drive all over St Augustine beach and Flagler Beach as well.

 

[dgtatu01]

We are considering a move to the Panhandle. I have an opportunity to take a job with my employer in Pensacola. Our family likes to boat and golf, seems like a no brainer location to me, especially given I don’t mind heat. It would be tough to leave family and friends, but Pensacola is an easy drive from KY and there are lots of cheap flights to that region.

 

[shutzhund]

I live in South Florida (Broward County). It is expensive, crowded, very northeastern and international. I imagine there are a lot of people here who would say those are bad things. But we love it. I think this is one of the most desirable places in the country to live. Great weather. Affluent. Look at how the population has exploded over the last couple of decades.

It's the language barrier. Don't speak Yankee.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

We are considering a move to the Panhandle. I have an opportunity to take a job with my employer in Pensacola. Our family likes to boat and golf, seems like a no brainer location to me, especially given I don’t mind heat. It would be tough to leave family and friends, but Pensacola is an easy drive from KY and there are lots of cheap flights to that region.

That’s not Florida

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Florida is where scumbags, perverts and homeless go to “start over”. The problem is—they think a change of venue will solve their problems. Then they find new ones. The state is overrun with riffraff

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Florida is where scumbags, perverts and homeless go to “start over”. The problem is—they think a change of venue will solve their problems. Then they find new ones. The state is overrun with riffraff

I thought that's what California was for.

 

[jameslee32]

Not for people that can't handle the summer heat, diversity, sandspurs and giant flying insects.

 

[starchief]

Any old people live in FL?

I remember hurricane insurance costing a fortune. Regular homeowners insurance didn't cover hurricane damage.

 

[Chuckinden]

I have a place on a golf course in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Love it down there in winter months, I don't go down much in the summer because it is hot and humid.

I love that area. Very clean, well taken care of, and lot's of great places to eat on and off the water. I don't think I could ever live full time down there.