can of worms
 

Hope this does not open a whole new can,but which really is the best.EAST---Or---WEST COAST--below the Lake Okeechobee Line.I hear so many different comments,price-lifestle-traffic-too many silver hairs-ethnic communities--crime--nightlife--the quiet life--boy am i confused,is this not all Florida where generally speaking the sun shines most days and there is usually those big blue clouds in the sky.As a cold northerner i think i could handle either, whats your thoughts?

In my opinion, Gulf side----by far! Live in the area, and wouldn't even consider any other part. FYI: seasonal residents leave around mid-May to June, in order to avoid summer heat, humidity, and hurricanes.

Remember to keep your Can of Worms because if you do move to the Florida , you can go Fishing.
Here in Northern Florida, East Coast, people are out on our bridge, fishing in the sunshine. They are having to share though, with the egrets that have wandered over to watch.

Thanks: Have to make it clear though that the "BELOW THE LAKE OKEECHOBEE LINE is important. Too cold in the north for my time period--Dec.--Jan--Feb..Great folks there though,but not much on parkas & sweaters--get lots of those at home.Regards

We were cold northerners last year :)
Good luck!

First of all, how old are you and what are you looking for, just a nice warm place to live? Where specifically do you live up north now? I find mid-westerners typically relocate to the Gulf Coast of FL and we always have referred to the E. Coast of FL as the "other" borough, as in New York. I love the beaches on the west coast, but there is a reason they call the other side the "gold coast" there is just more to do and it's a bit more "happening".

Casuald, we have white clouds in our sky down here. You're right. You are confused. Are you still looking to buy a trailer in a mobile home park? You could put that just about anywhere. You could even float it ON Lake Okeechobee.

I agree with inkspots observations. I lived on the West coast, but moved to the East coast. It is not a can of worms because each beautiful coast has their appeal,,,it all depends what you want! I wanted more shows and concerts and DH wanted more sports events... so we are here in FLL. We both wanted more diving too, It is a vanilla & chocolate thing, both good but differant!

Thanks T. GIRL, Can't help but noticing you are all over these boards. Assume you are an absolute expert on the state of Fl. Sorry that you are P.off but just looing for the best advise before retirement on a modest income. Appreciate your input regardless.LOL

casuald, where do you live?

SPELLING ERROR: Sorry i spelled"LOOKING" wrong in prior post T. GIRL will probably rap my knuckles. Oh well: Looks like the general opinion might be shifting to the East Coast where you can have a little more fun despite the traffic hardshipships?

Tandoori Girl happens to be very knowledgable about Florida and especially the part where she lives.
I don't think she is much of a knuckle rapper either :D

From the title I would have sworn this was a Portland thread:D

close :D

Scarlett, if we're wearing parkas here in Tampa, you must have your down jacket on way up there in Jax. A virtual tundra up there. Those people down in Miami and Naples are surely hanging out in their thongs :D

I haven't put on my coat because we can not go outside, it is too cold.
The plants are huddled by the door begging to come in, the birds are banging on the doors, it is awful.

Birds are dropping from the sky here, completely frozen. They are -- snowbirds!

They don't drop from the sky here but they do crash into cars.

Well, here in Naples this morning we wore sweat pants and sweatshirts for our morning beach walk, but by late morning it was warm enough to leave the top down when driving around. It got up to 69 here today, but is currently about 60. Cool for us. But many people think of Florida as one place -- there is a wide variance in temperatures here. Scarlett is right -- Jacksonville IS still the north, not part of "Florida" at all, as far as we true south Floridians think of it.

About that can of worms, casuald, you'll never find a definitive answer. For years the plea here on the West coast has been "Oh my god, don't let us become another Ft. Lauderdale or Miami" as if that was the worst thing that could happen to a place. Meanwhile we always smiled because we liked Ft. Lauderdale and Miami compared to our overly quiet and laid back towns of the west coast, and we loved to escape to over there for the weekends. Well, things have changed a lot, and while many complain here about the growth, I personally love our town of Naples a whole lot more now than I did 28 years ago when I moved here. And a lot of people from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami actually come HERE for the weekend now.

Thanks Patrick: I suppose i would totally agree with you. Unfortunately i dont think i can afford your area as much as i would like to. Have friends there and they say its teriffic. Was on the east coast in W.P.B. area and i have heard geat things about your area.Have heard that Sarasota and there abouts really is not that much for what you have to pay.Still looking. Thanks for your advice.Unfortunately Orlando and north still an iceburg,but i hear it warms up in June & July.Enjoy the beach and warm weather--just finished blowing snow and for an old guy thats not much fun. Envious