So it has been exactly 1 year since we moved to Florida! When I think about it now, it seems so small, after all we’ve been through. We literally sold EVERYTHING! We only kept what we could fit in our 2 vehicles for the long 1,500 mile trip from Minnesota to our new home in Florida.
In my vehicle I had me, Gavin and Jack (our big fat cat). I have never travelled with a cat before, let’s just say this was quite the experience. About 10 minutes into the trip, there was a code brown (x2), ugh!
I was also carrying any possessions I could fit in my vehicle, and so was Cary in his car. Does this sound insane? YES. It was. And I would do it all over again in a heart beat. 🙂
We had so many nay sayers telling us it was a bad idea, etc…
Our super close friends and family that ‘Knew Us’ wished us luck and Meant It. 🙂
I can’t tell you how many times I heard, ‘Oh Florida’s HOT’ – Yes it is (in the summer) and I LOVE it!!! I actually had to get rid of my Minnesota summer clothes when I got here because they did not keep me cool enough. I quickly realized the importance of a good breathable bra. 😛
I found out Florida’s weather is temperamental. Northern FL is cold in the winter! As in, holy crap why did I burn all of my Minnesota winter clothes when I moved here! Because, yes, I still need them at times.
Before you call me a wuss, I ask that you put yourself in my shoes first. Get rid of all your winter clothes, then move to FL and get used to the summer heat where it’s like 100 degrees everyday. Then spend a few months in the winter when it’s 40 degrees with only flip flops, shorts, and t-shirts. 😛 With that being said the cold spell only lasted a short while. And yes there were still plenty of 70-80 degree days the rest of the winter.
I also heard a lot of people say ‘Gee, there’s Alligators there’…Ummm yeah, I saw one the other day crossing the road coming home. Note to self, don’t enter marshy wetland areas on foot. 😛
Another thing people would say to me is ‘there’s sharks in the ocean there, that doesn’t sound safe’. Well yes there are sharks, and yes they could attack. However your chance is about 1 in 30 million of getting bit by a shark. You actually have a greater chance of being hit by lightning, or winning the lottery.
I heard ‘Wow it must rain a lot there’. Ummm well in the summer we get an afternoon storm around 3pm that lasts for like 20 minutes and then it’s sunny again!
I also heard, ‘Oh boy, the Mosquitos are so big they must carry you away!’…. I have yet to see a Mosquito on the NE Coast of FL… Just Sayin!
And then there’s the bugs, yes they are big and some could carry you away – JK! I admit I was a little nervous about the bugs before I moved here. After being here a year, yes I have seen a few big bugs, spiders, and snakes. But not nearly as much as people made me think it would be like. I don’t know why people always try to put a fear in you when you want to try something new.
Honestly, I love this state! In the summer it’s nice and warm, you can swim in the pool at 9am if you choose. Or head on down to the beach, where the water feels like warm salty bath water.
You can be eating breakfast sea side at one of the many cafes and see dolphins swimming at leisure…not too shabby. 🙂
You can be walking to the beach and suddenly stop to see a Sea Turtle trying to make its way across the dune to its nest. So cool.
You can visit the many Springs here and watch the Manatee swim during the winter.
You can see surfers, young and old, all within the same mind frame…and guess what, none of them are worried about shark bites. They are all carefree, kindred spirits.
Someday it is my goal to be just like them. Floridian.
Enjoyed your article. I’m thinking about moving to Florida myself, later this year. I am receiving negative comments from people, similar to what you mentioned in this article. There are many other benefits to living in Florida that are city-specific, such as Miami’s cultural and art scene vibe. My sister has been in central eastern Florida for 8 years, and absolutely loves it.
Hey G, Moving to Florida was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! I have since relocated to Sarasota, and I absolutely love it here! I prefer the west coast vs the east coast. I recommend you explore the whole state as much as you can before moving, it just depends on what kind of vibe you like, it’s so different in every part of the state.
Ok I think we have the same friends! After putting up with the brutal winters up here in Minnesota I’ve been trying to talk my husband into moving down to either the panhandle or anything north of Naples. We have a eight-year-old that he doesn’t want to pull out of school. But I’ve heard the same things that you mentioned. The heat the humidity the bugs and the alligators. Bring them on! I’ve seen mosquitoes as big as turkeys up in Minnesota, the -25 is brutal and spring is nothing but dirt and mud. We tried embracing the outdoors this year but just pretty much gave up after the temperatures didn’t reach above zero for three weeks. Thank you for reinforcing my desire to move down south!
Good luck with your move Wendy! I recommend visiting a few different areas before deciding where to move. Every city and part of Florida is so different from each other. I found that out after moving here. After living on the north east coast of Florida for 3 years I knew I didn’t like it and needed to find my people. I did several road trips from the panhandle to Key West. I ended up finding my home in Sarasota. Made one last move across the state and never looked back. Sarasota is my home, I’ve found my tribe, and absolutely love it here! Have been in Sarasota for almost 2 years now, this is the best move I’ve ever made:)