Considering a Move to Florida...Where Should We Move?

[UCFKyle]

As someone who has lived in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale over the last 25 years, it gets hotter and hotter every summer. If you play between April 15th and October 15th, you have to play before 8AM or you will be miserable. I am really starting to miss the long cold winters and springs of the northeast. I would much rather play in 60 degree weather than the oppressive heat of Florida in the summer.

[MaxBuck]

No criticism intended, but reading this thread just reinforces my comfort in my own decision to retire to California rather than Florida. I'm happy for the people who enjoy Florida, but it's just not my thing.

[GolfNuts4]

Everyone is different, I love living in Florida, travel for business all over the country and no place I would rather live.

Funny how different people are as California would be the last place I would live.

[jecarnl]

So, someone tell me about the Jacksonville area. The wife and I might be moving to the area in the next 2 months. We were both born and raised over in the Pensacola area but know very little about Jacksonville.

 

Thanks

[dpb5031]

> @jecarnl said:

> So, someone tell me about the Jacksonville area. The wife and I might be moving to the area in the next 2 months. We were both born and raised over in the Pensacola area but know very little about Jacksonville.

>

> Thanks

 

I've spent some time up there but someone who actually lives there will be able to provide more info. The Jax Beach/ Ponte Vedra Beach area is lovely. Sawgrass CC is real nice. Winters get really cold compared to South FL as you deal with US mainland weather patterns, but coming from the Pensacola area you know that already. Good luck with your move.

[jecarnl]

We actually live in the Knoxville, TN area now, so Jacksonville winters will be welcomed change.

[MilkyButterCuts]

Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

[markheardjr]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

> Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

 

North Orlando / Winter Park? UCF Nightlife downtown, gastropub scene in Winter Park. Plenty of courses in/around Orlando.

[dpb5031]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

> Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

 

Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

[MilkyButterCuts]

> @markheardjr said:

> > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

>

> North Orlando / Winter Park? UCF Nightlife downtown, gastropub scene in Winter Park. Plenty of courses in/around Orlando.

 

> @dpb5031 said:

> > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

>

> Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

 

So you'd say look into WPB and Orlando?

Only been to Tampa, but loved it enough to consider a Florida move. Fleeing snow.

[MilkyButterCuts]

> @dpb5031 said:

> > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

>

> Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

 

Hell of a course, holy s***. Reasonable too.

[dpb5031]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > @dpb5031 said:

> > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> >

> > Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

>

> **** of a course, holy ****. Reasonable too.

 

Awesome greens there too. Lots going on in Palm beach Gardens and Jupiter. Generally not cheap, but you can find bargains on the outskirts. Overall great area for sure...

[third-times-a-charm]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > @markheardjr said:

> > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> >

> > North Orlando / Winter Park? UCF Nightlife downtown, gastropub scene in Winter Park. Plenty of courses in/around Orlando.

>

> > @dpb5031 said:

> > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> >

> > Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

>

> So you'd say look into WPB and Orlando?

> Only been to Tampa, but loved it enough to consider a Florida move. Fleeing snow.

 

My vote is for Orlando, but I'm biased. South Florida sucks.

[MilkyButterCuts]

> @third-times-a-charm said:

> > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > @markheardjr said:

> > > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> > >

> > > North Orlando / Winter Park? UCF Nightlife downtown, gastropub scene in Winter Park. Plenty of courses in/around Orlando.

> >

> > > @dpb5031 said:

> > > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> > >

> > > Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

> >

> > So you'd say look into WPB and Orlando?

> > Only been to Tampa, but loved it enough to consider a Florida move. Fleeing snow.

>

> My vote is for Orlando, but I'm biased. South Florida sucks.

 

Why do you say that? Such a condensed population?

[third-times-a-charm]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

 

> Why do you say that? Such a condensed population?

 

Thats the basic of it, but mostly....

 

Too many people

Barely any open space unless you go to the Everglades

Crime is terrible

Traffic is terrible at all times

Cost of living is high

The people are mostly terrible everywhere you go

Winter is even worse when the old folks from up north come and congest the place even further and make driving even worse

Real estate pricing is way over-inflated

TRAFFIC IS TERRIBLE...did I say that twice?

 

 

[dpb5031]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > @third-times-a-charm said:

> > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > @markheardjr said:

> > > > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> > > >

> > > > North Orlando / Winter Park? UCF Nightlife downtown, gastropub scene in Winter Park. Plenty of courses in/around Orlando.

> > >

> > > > @dpb5031 said:

> > > > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> > > >

> > > > Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

> > >

> > > So you'd say look into WPB and Orlando?

> > > Only been to Tampa, but loved it enough to consider a Florida move. Fleeing snow.

> >

> > My vote is for Orlando, but I'm biased. South Florida sucks.

>

> Why do you say that? Such a condensed population?

 

We're all different. I'd never want to live in Orlando. Too much traffic, bunch of theme park and convention center tourists, very commercial, hotter in summer, colder in winter, far from the beach/ocean, etc. There are many places in Southeast FL I would not want to live, but plenty of great spots as well. I've spent significant time in many FL cities on both coasts over the past 30 years and in my view nothing compares to the North Palm Beach/PBG/Juno/Jupiter/Tequesta area, but it is expensive. Stuart and Vero Beach up the coast are nice too and definitely offer more bang for the buck. If you want South, Delray is a pretty cool spot, but much busier and congested than the others I mentioned...

[RichieHunt]

Traffic in Orlando isn't bad. I lived in Boca Raton for 6 months and the traffic was much worse there than in Orlando. It's basically the logistics. You have far more open roads in Orlando. In south Florida, you have the turnpike and I-95. Everything else is small residential roads. And I hate driving in Miami because there's always somebody who thinks they are in the Fast and the Furious and has to make a hairpin turn around my bumper.

 

But in Orlando, the main traffic congestion is by Lake Buena Vista and I-4 by the Amway Center during rush hour. I-Drive is a pain, but it's really nothing that bad compared to South Florida.

 

South Florida is a bit tough unless you make a lot of money because it's mostly private clubs if you want to play anywhere decent. It's also where the hurricanes are likely to hit.

 

I found most of the people there to be friendly though and there's a lot to do if you can avoid being stuck in traffic. I just think there's a lot to do in the Orlando area at a significantly discounted rate.

 

 

 

 

RH

[dpb5031]

In all fairness, I wouldn't live in Miami or Boca on a bet. Juno, Jupiter, PBG, are a completely different deal, though public access golf is limited. There are many great courses, but it's true most are private and expensive/exclusive. If you want laid-back, Stuart, Jensen Beach and Vero are even more low key, and considerably more affordable.

[NJGolfer21]

> @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > @third-times-a-charm said:

> > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > @markheardjr said:

> > > > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> > > >

> > > > North Orlando / Winter Park? UCF Nightlife downtown, gastropub scene in Winter Park. Plenty of courses in/around Orlando.

> > >

> > > > @dpb5031 said:

> > > > > @MilkyButterCuts said:

> > > > > Alright, here's a curve ball for you all. What would you recommend (aside from Miami) for a guy in his mid 20's looking for golf and nightlife. B)

> > > >

> > > > Tons of young good sticks at Bear Lakes in West Palm. 36 holes, and Koepka is a member. Lots of night life in either direction too

> > >

> > > So you'd say look into WPB and Orlando?

> > > Only been to Tampa, but loved it enough to consider a Florida move. Fleeing snow.

> >

> > My vote is for Orlando, but I'm biased. South Florida sucks.

>

> Why do you say that? Such a condensed population?

 

Lived in Palm Beach Gardens for 4 years in my early 20's, currently in Naples and have been for the past 5 years.

 

Jupiter all the way down to Fort Laurderdale would be a nice fit for East Coast options if partying/nightlife and golf are your thing. Tampa is the only place that compares on the West Coast.

 

I will second joining Bear Lakes if you choose East Coast (More specifically, WPB, PBG, Boynton, or Jupiter area). Two great golf courses, cash game every week, and every stud who is a stud up and coming plays out of there. Good friend of mine was one of them, and always had a blast when I got to play with the membership there. Be prepared, as most people in this area are transplants from NY/NJ/CT area. Comes with a different mentality.

 

IMO, I would't even consider Orlando. I-4 is the worst road in Florida, right up there with I-95. At least in South Florida, you have an off season where the traffic dies down for 6 months. Anyone I have ever known that wasn't born in Orlando, and moved to Orlando, is happy to not live there anymore. Lets not mention the nightmare of traveling in and out of MCO. PBI is the 3rd easiest airport I have ever flown out of, behind RSW and Quad Cities.

 

If you have any questions or want suggestions, shoot me a PM. I'm a former Golf Professional and a current Membership Director. Can point you in the right direction if need be.

 

 

[SCalGolfer]

> @MaxBuck said:

> No criticism intended, but reading this thread just reinforces my comfort in my own decision to retire to California rather than Florida. I'm happy for the people who enjoy Florida, but it's just not my thing.

 

California has lower humidity, more sunshine, better weather and more varied topography - mountains, deserts, beaches, etc. That being said the politicians totally screwed up this state. It's by far the best state so long as taxes and politics are not considered. I'll just leave it at that not to go too deep into it. FL is fine.

[dpb5031]

> @SCalGolfer said:

> > @MaxBuck said:

> > No criticism intended, but reading this thread just reinforces my comfort in my own decision to retire to California rather than Florida. I'm happy for the people who enjoy Florida, but it's just not my thing.

>

> California has lower humidity, more sunshine, better weather and more varied topography - mountains, deserts, beaches, etc. That being said the politicians totally screwed up this state. It's by far the best state so long as taxes and politics are not considered. I'll just leave it at that not to go too deep into it. FL is fine.

 

When you move to FL from a high tax state like CA or NJ it's like getting a raise just for moving...lol!

[SCalGolfer]

> @dpb5031 said:

> > @SCalGolfer said:

> > > @MaxBuck said:

> > > No criticism intended, but reading this thread just reinforces my comfort in my own decision to retire to California rather than Florida. I'm happy for the people who enjoy Florida, but it's just not my thing.

> >

> > California has lower humidity, more sunshine, better weather and more varied topography - mountains, deserts, beaches, etc. That being said the politicians totally screwed up this state. It's by far the best state so long as taxes and politics are not considered. I'll just leave it at that not to go too deep into it. FL is fine.

>

> When you move to FL from a high tax state like CA or NJ it's like getting a raise just for moving...lol!

 

Absolutely, especially if you can keep your same income. Just have to keep the NYers from doing to FL what they did to CA.

[platgof]

It will be 99* in Maryland Friday. So much for that anymore. A couple of things to mention about Florida, insurance costs are high and traffic is h.....! I honestly could not do the traffic in Florida. I am from Florida and the traffic will keep it that way. I was raised in Sarasota and it is beautiful. Lido Key is awesome.

[Bama_Rich]

Bradenton is a great community with affordable enough housing (think Overland Park, Lee’s Summit). It’s 45 minutes from downtown Tampa and 30 min from St Pete.

 

For whatever reason, we don’t get the amount of storms they get in St Pete and Tampa. Golf is a plenty and they are building more courses now.

 

If you get to looking and have more questions, let me know!

[J13]

For me I would move to the Naples area. My brother lives there and it's great. Tons of golf and the city has a fair bit of diversity as it's sort of a melting pot of people from various countries that visit or have a home their. Plus the sunsets are great.

[Hybrid]

> @J13 said:

> For me I would move to the Naples area. My brother lives there and it's great. Tons of golf and the city has a fair bit of diversity as it's sort of a melting pot of people from various countries that visit or have a home their. Plus the sunsets are great.

 

Great area. Btw, I just finished building 2 interior braces for my garage door to help prevent the garage door from blowing in. My neighbor had a great idea. Attach the braces to the garage door w’ double 36” heavy-duty cable ties. Helps prevent garage door blow-out. My generator has been recently serviced, runs fine and have plenty of fuel, too. Just in time for hurricane season. Be prepared if moving here.

[tanker44]

Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra

[fsutanker]

I live in St Johns County just south of Jacksonville (a suburb). I have a 9 year old and 12 year old. They are able to ride their bikes to a great school.

I work from home as well and can be on the first tee of 3 golf courses in less than 15 minutes. That allows me to play twice a week after work during the summer. Then play more courses on the weekend by expanding my travel area by 20 minutes with tremendous golf in an hour radius north or south on I 95. Some good local deals are always available.

From a family standpoint, there are probably too many sports leagues for the kids. Always something going on. The neighborhoods are very family oriented and typically pretty fun as all your neighbors will have a couple kids too.

Activities: beach, football games downtown, 2 hours to Orlando, The Players.

[bhj83]

Thanks for the great input, everyone. We actually decided to stay put in Kansas but I did get to move to a very nice semi private golf community about 10 mins west of my old house. Finally have a golf cart in my garage and just got done hitting range balls on my lunch break.

 

I hope this thread will help others who are considering moving to FL. We may do it eventually but it won't be for a while now.

[monkeyboy]

Recommendation = move anywhere BUT Florida.