Ladyhawk

In celebrating my big 6-0, the hubby and I are thinking to move to Florida. Having just returned from 8 years overseas (5 years in Indonesia and 3 years in Thailand), we've never been to Florida and have no idea where to begin.

The two of us are a young 60 going on 39; we aren't ready to "retire," but we don't party all night either. The hubby's an artist and wants to paint and sell his art for the rest of his life. I've been hearing about the Miami art scene for decades (some say it's on par with New York and Chicago), but friends tell us that Miami is wrought with crime and not a wonderful place to live.

To those of you who are familiar with Florida, please help us out. I want to live near the water (the ocean or a lake would be find); the hubby needs art galleries, coffee shops and art classes, etc.. We live a fairly bohemian lifestyle, which includes beig moderately vegetarian, working out at a gym, traveling internationally and returning home to our pets. Where do you think we'd best fit in? Naples? Orlando? Sarasota? St. Petersberg?

Please let me hear your opinions. I appreciare it. Thanks.

mary1007

I just heard on the radio yesterday that Miami Dade County had the first month in many, many years of not one homicide reported to police.

AAFrequentFlyer

Why not do a little vacation/investigation trip?

Moving to a different city/state is a big decision, thus you should see some of the places first.

Why not fly into Tampa, rent a car, stay around the area for few days, check out places of interest, then drive to Sarasota (great art town), Naples (another great art town), across the state to Miami, then Orlando and finally either fly back home from there or drive to Tampa (only an hour drive), return the car, and fly home. Make a nice 2 week+ vacation out of it.

Moving permanently is a big decision. You should at least get an idea of what each town/city looks like, housing prices, art galleries, etc.

Personally I would recommend either Sarasota or Naples, but that doesn't mean that Miami or Orlando or Tampa area would not be to your liking.

Different strokes for different folks.....

NeoPatrick

I would agree that Naples and Sarasota are both VERY artist friendly -- probably more so than Miami for what you are describing.

I've never understood anyone moving to a state they've never been without checking it out fully first -- you are planning to do that, right?

Orlando_Vic

A "vacation/investigation trip" that AAFrequentFlyer recommends is a good idea. However, do it during the middle of the summer and during hurricane season. August would be a good time. I am not kidding! See Florida at its worst and you will love the rest of the time.

NeoPatrick

Orlando, I was going to say the same thing. Florida summers and humidity are not for everyone. But then I saw the OP lived in Indonesia for 5 years and Thailand for 3, so somehow it doesn't seem as big an issue as usual.
And some people actually prefer Florida in the summer without the crowds and traffic.

NewbE

I agree that you need a scouting trip--fun!--and I think flying into Tampa (very good airport) and then going west and down the coast from there would be a great plan. Tampa, the big city of the Tampa Bay area, St. Pete and the nearby beaches, Sarasota, Naples are all places you should check out. As a vegetarian, gym-going, travel-loving pet owner myself (!), I like Tampa a lot, but it's 30 minutes from the really great beaches (although it's on the Hillsborough Bay), and the arts scene, while happening, is still a work in progress.

It's so hard to say what you would like, though. Come see for yourself!

kelliebellie

A little Florida phenomenon from a Michigan perspective:

East coasters of the northern US, go to the east coast of Florida in the winter.

Midwesterners go to the west coast of Florida in the winter.

Don't know why, just is. Just another thing to toss in the mix if you prefer more of an east coast, or midwest feel.

I too was going to comment on trying Florida out in the summer, but also saw the Indonesia/Thailand thing. Probably a lot more AC in Florida.

Oh, and there is a nice art fair coming up in Naples after Christmas. Maybe you should incorporate some art fairs into your scouting trip. Talking to the artists about it would help tremendously I would think.

http://tinyurl.com/62btfk

NeoPatrick

kelliebellie, I've stopped saying that old truism about East Coasters to East Coast and mid-westerners to the Gulf Coast. It sure has jumped those boundaries in Naples over the past ten years or so. And I've been told that's even more true in Sarasota these days, but I don't know for sure.

Meanwhile, Ladyhawk, here's a link to the Von Liebig Art Center in Naples. This fabulous facility is now 10 years old -- built totally debt free with contributions. It is a gallery, classrooms, library, etc. all for and about LOCAL artists. It's a very impressive building as is the organization -- Naples Art Association. You wouldn't believe the number of artists living in Naples and the support they receive. Art shows in the Park (where the von Liebig is) and along the main street of Fifth Avenue are a very frequent event.

http://www.explorenaples.com/brochur...?memberno=1220

kelliebellie

Patrick - you need to hit the mall in Boca for post Christmas sales. New York accents everywhere!

It seems like Sarasota and Naples are the "new" (in the last ten years) hot spots for people to move. Maybe they are becoming more of a melting pot.

Hey, completely off topic, but I was going to ask you, in case we don't get into the club for New Year's Eve (we are on the waiting list), where would be a nice place near Vanderbilt and 41 to celebrate the new year?

milemarker0

Re: The East Coast vs West Coast

Originally I think it was the 75 vs 95 route that determined where you set up shop...75 coming down through the Midwest and 95 familiar to the folks on the East Coast.

I agree with Patrick that now Southwest Florida is becoming more mixed.

Ladyhawk

Clap! Clap! Cheer! Bravo! Whistle! You guys are the best. I suspected that the Fodorites would be able to "tell me like it is," and you definitely came through. Well done! Great feedback. I appreciate it.

AAFrequentFlyer's Tampa - Sarasota -Naples - Miami - Orlando itinerary was just what I needed. All the additional comments about Sarasota and Naples as artist friendly were also spot on.

As for Sarasota's recent popularity, it may have something to do with MONEY MAGAZINE (April 2007) citing Sarasota as one of the "Best Places to Retire Young."

Thanks again for your feedback and support. I'll think of you all as the hubby and I are touching down in the Tampa airport for our 2 week+ survey of the state. Cheers!

NeoPatrick

milemarker, I'd have to disagree that the "original" reason for the midwest to Gulf coast and New England to Atlantic Coast was I-75/I-95. Those routes may have encouraged growth from the two population segments in the late 60s and beyond, but not originally. The east coast/west coast division was already well established.

Naples was mainly first settled in the early 1900s, and grew in the 20s and really grew in the 50s. Nearly all settlers and early residents came from the Midwest, but there was no I-75. In fact there was no road at all to Naples until the very late 1920s. Still it seemed that it was the laid back lifestyle that attracted midwesterners, particularly those from St.Louis and Louisville, Ky who were early prominent settlers.

When our family started going to Florida for vacation from Ohio in the 50s, our first trip was to the East Coast. We crossed over to the Gulf Coast and never went back to the East Coast again -- even though it was just as easy to get to in those days. I guess as midwesterners we just preferred the more laid back and less "flashy" style of the Gulf Coast.

milemarker0

True, probably bad choice of word as "original" when I really was referring to the modern population boom....interesting info about West Coast early years and no road to Naples until the late 1920s.

thorspecken

We moved from New York City to Orlando for my husband to take a job with Disney. We have made a good life for ourselves but frankly if you have lived overseas (as I have) and love art you'll probably find FL a little backward and be in serious need of intellectual stimulation. Read Richard Florida's "Rise of the Creative Class" and maybe look for an area of the country that is more arty and less conservative. To all you Floridians, don't be mad at me. Like I said, we settled here and made a good life for ourselves but I wouldn't suggest Ladyhawk move here.

kelliebellie

Actually that was my first thought when Ladyhawk said they were moving to Florida. I was wondering if maybe New Orleans, San Diego, or somewhere in Arizona would be better. I honestly don't know.

Ladyhawk

Hahahaha. You guys are great. So much discussion. I love it. Thanks.

My working motto is: "Put your body in a place where your body is happy and let everything else unfold from there." In a word, my body loves the TROPICS. Before Southeast Asia, I lived in Hawai'i for 13 years, and life was as good as it gets in the Aloha State. But expensive? Oo-la-la!

SEA was great weatherwise, but there are so few human services there. Excellent medical care in Bangkok, that's true. But other than that, nada, zero, zippo, zilch. Thus, we figured we'd give Florida a shot.

At the moment, we're holed up in Las Vegas (of all places), and one thing I can tell you for certain: "Sin City" is a cultural wasteland. (((Duh?)))