Staying in Florida or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have been in Florida for 15 years now. I like many things about life down here, but I also worry about hurricanes a lot when hurricane season comes, and have never felt like it is home because part of me feels my house will get destroyed, I cannot get attached. There are a few things I'd like to redo in the house but I also feel like "why bother? It's so temporary" Does anyone else feel this way? I would like to move somewhere with fewer disasters and less global warming to worry about, but my kids will likely want to stay in Florida. It's weighing on me as the college years approach.

Have lived in FL for 10 years.

Is your house at risk from storm surge or flooding?

If so, then yeah, be concerned and maybe consider moving.

If not, then hurricanes are unlikely to cause serious damage (assuming that your roof is up to current code).

+1 agree - and I've lived in FL for 9 years

Buy a sturdy place out of a flood zone or evacuation zone. There's no place without risks - tornadoes, fires, storms, blizzards. Pick your poison.

But maybe you're just sick of Florida - there's plenty to be sick of! - and are ready for a change, and this is where you are focusing your feelings: on your hurricane risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have been in Florida for 15 years now. I like many things about life down here, but I also worry about hurricanes a lot when hurricane season comes, and have never felt like it is home because part of me feels my house will get destroyed, I cannot get attached. There are a few things I'd like to redo in the house but I also feel like "why bother? It's so temporary" Does anyone else feel this way? I would like to move somewhere with fewer disasters and less global warming to worry about, but my kids will likely want to stay in Florida. It's weighing on me as the college years approach.

Absolutely no way I'd be leaving close to college when Bright futures is an option. Wait it out a bit, see where your kids end up.

I am not leaving now to be clear. My kids likely won't qualify for Bright Futures but the lesser scholarships are still an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have been in Florida for 15 years now. I like many things about life down here, but I also worry about hurricanes a lot when hurricane season comes, and have never felt like it is home because part of me feels my house will get destroyed, I cannot get attached. There are a few things I'd like to redo in the house but I also feel like "why bother? It's so temporary" Does anyone else feel this way? I would like to move somewhere with fewer disasters and less global warming to worry about, but my kids will likely want to stay in Florida. It's weighing on me as the college years approach.

I live in FL too OP...the chance of a hurricane destroying my house are slim to none. I'm a bit inland and not in a flood zone, by choice. This little concrete block house with an up-to-current code roof has never even shook or creaked in any storm. Contrast that with my former house in CT, which took thousands of $ of roof damage in Hurricane Irene-and we lived inland!

I don't think it's wrong to want to move eventually-I may not even retire here. But it's not going to be because of worry about this house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would rather live in the center of hell than live anywhere in Florida. In fact, I think they’re the same place.

Ok, you insanely dramatic drama queen!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have been in Florida for 15 years now. I like many things about life down here, but I also worry about hurricanes a lot when hurricane season comes, and have never felt like it is home because part of me feels my house will get destroyed, I cannot get attached. There are a few things I'd like to redo in the house but I also feel like "why bother? It's so temporary" Does anyone else feel this way? I would like to move somewhere with fewer disasters and less global warming to worry about, but my kids will likely want to stay in Florida. It's weighing on me as the college years approach.

Have lived in FL for 10 years.

Is your house at risk from storm surge or flooding?

If so, then yeah, be concerned and maybe consider moving.

If not, then hurricanes are unlikely to cause serious damage (assuming that your roof is up to current code).
^ Mostly this. I am a climate scientist and also know a fair amount about structural engineering. Storm surge is the most destructive part of the hurricane. So if you are even just a bit inland and your house isn't super old (built after 1994) then you should have decent or very good (if newer) wind resistant construction. Of course inland flooding due to the extreme rainfall in hurricanes is a concern, even inland. We know that the amount of water falling in extreme storms like hurricanes has increased markedly so I suggest flood insurance no matter where you live, if it is within your budget.

[Anonymous]

Your kids especially, have a life there. Stay.

Btw, some of this sounds like not feeling rooted. Like you might have the same feeling anywhere. Many adults feel that way, like it's temporary, that they'd prefer somewhere else. Even when they don't know where. Even when they don't have your climate/weather concerns.