What's the appeal of Florida?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Between the governor, the sticky heat, and the volatile weather, what's the appeal? Enlighten me.

Within a 10 minute drive, we have beautiful beaches, great kayaking and fishing, hiking and mountain biking trails, and 25 public clay tennis courts.

We have a pool and glorious gardens in our backyard if I don’t feel like driving anywhere.

We spend huge amounts of time outside and in/on the water. Far more than when we lived in DC.

I can’t remember the last time I wore long pants or closed toe shoes.

The biggest problem: which Gulfside restaurant should we choose for fish tacos tomorrow night?

DeSantis can f*ck right off, but I enjoy this place.

I mean almost any coastal area has those same amenities, though only the wealthiest have clay tennis courts.

You can pretend you can swim year round, but from May-Oct, the heat, humidity is relentless and afternoon thunderstorms every day. The ocean in Miami is 100F! There is no outdoor relief.

There are really two Floridas — walkable to the beach and the scrub. Most of Florida is the scrub, but if you can isolate yourself from it and it’s residents, you can build a nice life. That means gated community (25 clay courts, that’s a giveaway), private school, probably having someone do your shopping and errands

PP here. Not a gated community. The tennis courts are public!

One kid in private, the other in a diverse public magnet.

July-August heat is unpleasant, but still play tennis and swim almost every night.

While I believe that one can make a good life anywhere, FL makes it easier than most places.

[Anonymous]

We thought we might, like lots of other folks, retire in Florida. We were thinking of the warm weather, the beautiful beaches, the general ease of living (good access to medical care, to shopping, etc).

So we started taking short trips there to places we thought we might like. Traveled separately to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Homosassa/Crystal River, St Augustine, Orlando. Then gave up. We hated every area; I will leave it at that.

So we will not be moving to Florida. Nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Between the governor, the sticky heat, and the volatile weather, what's the appeal? Enlighten me.

Within a 10 minute drive, we have beautiful beaches, great kayaking and fishing, hiking and mountain biking trails, and 25 public clay tennis courts.

We have a pool and glorious gardens in our backyard if I don’t feel like driving anywhere.

We spend huge amounts of time outside and in/on the water. Far more than when we lived in DC.

I can’t remember the last time I wore long pants or closed toe shoes.

The biggest problem: which Gulfside restaurant should we choose for fish tacos tomorrow night?

DeSantis can f*ck right off, but I enjoy this place.

I mean almost any coastal area has those same amenities, though only the wealthiest have clay tennis courts.

You can pretend you can swim year round, but from May-Oct, the heat, humidity is relentless and afternoon thunderstorms every day. The ocean in Miami is 100F! There is no outdoor relief.

There are really two Floridas — walkable to the beach and the scrub. Most of Florida is the scrub, but if you can isolate yourself from it and it’s residents, you can build a nice life. That means gated community (25 clay courts, that’s a giveaway), private school, probably having someone do your shopping and errands

PP here. Not a gated community. The tennis courts are public!

One kid in private, the other in a diverse public magnet.

July-August heat is unpleasant, but still play tennis and swim almost every night.

While I believe that one can make a good life anywhere, FL makes it easier than most places.

Public clay courts are far from the norm. Are you in Naples near Ashe? Clay courts are crazy expensive to maintain.

In general public facilities and services in Florida are terrible. That’s part why you are in private id you don’t make a magnet.

You just be part lizard to think July- August is only unpleasant heat. That just doesn’t make any sense — I grew up there and last months of school were torture.

The bugs, the snakes, the humidity, there’s a reason it was empty until AC was invented. Don’t fool people. With humidity it doesn’t really cool off at night, so your night tennis is still in the 80s with 90% humidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know what news channel you watch. Try actually going there and enlighten yourself.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Between the governor, the sticky heat, and the volatile weather, what's the appeal? Enlighten me.

Within a 10 minute drive, we have beautiful beaches, great kayaking and fishing, hiking and mountain biking trails, and 25 public clay tennis courts.

We have a pool and glorious gardens in our backyard if I don’t feel like driving anywhere.

We spend huge amounts of time outside and in/on the water. Far more than when we lived in DC.

I can’t remember the last time I wore long pants or closed toe shoes.

The biggest problem: which Gulfside restaurant should we choose for fish tacos tomorrow night?

DeSantis can f*ck right off, but I enjoy this place.

I mean almost any coastal area has those same amenities, though only the wealthiest have clay tennis courts.

You can pretend you can swim year round, but from May-Oct, the heat, humidity is relentless and afternoon thunderstorms every day. The ocean in Miami is 100F! There is no outdoor relief.

There are really two Floridas — walkable to the beach and the scrub. Most of Florida is the scrub, but if you can isolate yourself from it and it’s residents, you can build a nice life. That means gated community (25 clay courts, that’s a giveaway), private school, probably having someone do your shopping and errands

PP here. Not a gated community. The tennis courts are public!

One kid in private, the other in a diverse public magnet.

July-August heat is unpleasant, but still play tennis and swim almost every night.

While I believe that one can make a good life anywhere, FL makes it easier than most places.

Public clay courts are far from the norm. Are you in Naples near Ashe? Clay courts are crazy expensive to maintain.

In general public facilities and services in Florida are terrible. That’s part why you are in private id you don’t make a magnet.

You just be part lizard to think July- August is only unpleasant heat. That just doesn’t make any sense — I grew up there and last months of school were torture.

The bugs, the snakes, the humidity, there’s a reason it was empty until AC was invented. Don’t fool people. With humidity it doesn’t really cool off at night, so your night tennis is still in the 80s with 90% humidity.

I live in St Pete and it really does cool off at night. Our public parks and facilities are wonderful here, too. The politics of the state is infuriating - our local politics much less so.

Summers are rough. Hurricanes are rough. Nov-May are wonderful. Basically we trade terrible winters for terrible (long) summers - but you guys get awful summers in DC, too. It's part of why I decided I could live with summer in Florida - it's honestly not much worse than what we lived through in DC, and it generally does cool off more here at night, at least where we live.

I'd never try to convince someone to give Florida a shot if they don't want to. Plenty of reason not to come here, that's for sure. But we've found a place where we really feel at home, have lots to do, great access to a lot of natural beauty, the whole thing. It's gotten very expensive since we moved here - secret's out, I guess - but when we got here, housing was very affordable, still, and so we were able to buy a house in a neighborhood we love, for a very manageable amount of money. Like I said, it's gotten a lot more expensive since, so I suppose that reason for coming here is off the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Between the governor, the sticky heat, and the volatile weather, what's the appeal? Enlighten me.

Within a 10 minute drive, we have beautiful beaches, great kayaking and fishing, hiking and mountain biking trails, and 25 public clay tennis courts.

We have a pool and glorious gardens in our backyard if I don’t feel like driving anywhere.

We spend huge amounts of time outside and in/on the water. Far more than when we lived in DC.

I can’t remember the last time I wore long pants or closed toe shoes.

The biggest problem: which Gulfside restaurant should we choose for fish tacos tomorrow night?

DeSantis can f*ck right off, but I enjoy this place.

I mean almost any coastal area has those same amenities, though only the wealthiest have clay tennis courts.

You can pretend you can swim year round, but from May-Oct, the heat, humidity is relentless and afternoon thunderstorms every day. The ocean in Miami is 100F! There is no outdoor relief.

There are really two Floridas — walkable to the beach and the scrub. Most of Florida is the scrub, but if you can isolate yourself from it and it’s residents, you can build a nice life. That means gated community (25 clay courts, that’s a giveaway), private school, probably having someone do your shopping and errands

PP here. Not a gated community. The tennis courts are public!

One kid in private, the other in a diverse public magnet.

July-August heat is unpleasant, but still play tennis and swim almost every night.

While I believe that one can make a good life anywhere, FL makes it easier than most places.

Public clay courts are far from the norm. Are you in Naples near Ashe? Clay courts are crazy expensive to maintain.

In general public facilities and services in Florida are terrible. That’s part why you are in private id you don’t make a magnet.

You just be part lizard to think July- August is only unpleasant heat. That just doesn’t make any sense — I grew up there and last months of school were torture.

The bugs, the snakes, the humidity, there’s a reason it was empty until AC was invented. Don’t fool people. With humidity it doesn’t really cool off at night, so your night tennis is still in the 80s with 90% humidity.

PP here.

Bugs, snakes, and humidity? All true, I guess (though I haven't seen a poisonous snake in 5+ years).

But I'm an outdoors person. I camp and hike. Sometimes there will be bugs. Sometimes the weather won't be great. But I generally don't let that stop me from doing something fun. And Florida offers an amazing array of fun stuff.

I feel sorry for people who are so urban-fragile that they can't handle a bit of discomfort from time to time.

As for public facilities, you're partially right. K-12 schools are a problem, though the college scholarship program (100% free ride for high-achieving students) is amazing.

Public recreational facilities, on the other hand, are often top notch. Great parks, public beaches, tennis, etc., etc.

It's not for everyone, but there's certainly plenty to like. Anyone who can't see that has another agenda.

[Anonymous]

It’s paradise for people with certain outdoor hobbies. World class boating and fishing year round. Tennis and golf nearly everywhere. Winter is amazing. It’s still cheaper than DC in many parts, and people tend to be much nicer (not in South Florida though). There’s a laid back mentality in most parts of the state and people prioritize having fun.

Private school is heavily subsidized by vouchers now. And there is a super generous state college scholarship program.

[Anonymous]

The unique subtropical wildlife, including populations of American flamingos, roseate spoonbills, and Florida scrub-jays! ... Right?

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why people that would “never move to FL” and “never send their kids to FL schools” continue commenting on these FL posts.

As for us, after almost 2 decades in DC we could not be happier with our decision to move here. We live in a blue city, love our historic bungalow and porch, ride our bikes with our toddler every day, drive 20 min to the beach every weekend, and so far only regretted not doing it earlier. Logistics are so easy here. Green and public spaces are top notch.

The public school is about the same as DC so far, but everyone from the administration to the teachers are really nice and welcoming. Diversity/student demo is the same as DC. Everyone is relaxed, and not type-A/competitive (especially other parents). We’re 55 feet above sea level, in a non-evacuation zone. Completely understand why people keep moving here and why it’s gotten a lot more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s a fun place to visit but couldn’t imagine living there. I like four seasons.

Yep!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Between the governor, the sticky heat, and the volatile weather, what's the appeal? Enlighten me.

Where are you from that you think is so much better OP? I am liberal and I love parts of Florida because of the wonderful beaches and warm weather much of the year. Different strokes for different folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I could never live in Florida.

I visited there a few years back & it was only in March yet you could cut the humidity in the air w/a knife!

I visited Disneyworld + a week after I left, it was in the news that a little boy had been killed by an alligator 🐊 at the same hotel resort I had visited.
So now I am deathly afraid of alligators and would never ever approach any body of water there.

Plus the political climate in that state is so far removed from my own state (CA.)
I could never exist in a state run by someone so stupid whose thinking is so far backward.

Well guess what, Peaches? There are more people running for their lives from your state, and moving to Florida!

But we get it. You’re right and everyone else is wrong. PLEASE stay in California.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Between the governor, the sticky heat, and the volatile weather, what's the appeal? Enlighten me.

Obviously, Florida isn’t for you. It’s ok.

[Anonymous]

I can't live in the south because of flying cockroaches outside in summer nights. It was terrifying.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't support this state in any way due to it's politics. I would need help trying to enjoy the alligators, bugs, sweltering heat, endless strip malls, Disney ( but yay that they stood up to the Gov!), the horrendous schools, dwindling medical services due to the older population, Florida man, hurricanes, tropical storms, algae blooms. Good grief, it's a never thing.