Has anyone moved from Florida to the New England area and been happy? I have read a lot of posts about being happy to not have to shovel snow, deal with ice, etc. but curious if other people have made the transition north happily?

I may be making that move (specifically to VT). I think people may grumble at the thought of going north around here (West Central FL) but I am looking forward to it. Anyone have suggestions or a story of a happy transition north?

Thanks in advance.

Well I moved from Florida to Maryland in 2000, right after college. After 22 yrs in Florida, I was ready to go! 8-) I quickly noticed that its not just the weather that is different. Its everything!! The people, the roads, OMG the hills, road signs, they have subways up north! But as far as the weather, winter can be kinda cold and rough but its very worthwhile in spring & fall. Its great to have the 4 seasons vs summer and summer w/ brown pine needles everywhere. I quickly learned how to drive and deal with snow, ice....If you have a chance to move to VT, Id definitely go for it! And I know how your friends feel about going up north, my friends and family still shake their heads to this day yet none of them have yet to get any where north of GA!

Thanks for some words of encouragement. After evacuating for Charley last night, I am even MORE ready to move. Ok I know weather can be problematic everywhere but it sure added another "plus" to the VT column.

Hello there. My parents retired from D.C. to Vermont and they loved it. They are nuts. 11 months of winter and one month of bad weather. Nothing but snow, snow - it snowed last April when I took my mother back. My dad died in January and couldn't be buried until May - the ground was frozen. No work for anyone, manana is the attitude, high taxes, no municipal trash pick up. It seems romantic but it is really not exactly in the 21 century. In most of Vermont, you can't get here from there. Do you want to spend your life pumping water out of your basement or clearing snow off your roof? Then repairing both? Even if you are rich, you can't get anyone to do anything for you - repairs, yard work, snow blowing. Oh - wait - you wanted a happy transition story. My sister moved to VT with my parents. She hated it. Moved to New Hampshire (Live Free and Die) She loves it. She really likes the manly men with few teeth and even less education. Visit. Do not move.

Shanna... you made me laugh out loud!

I can certainly understand why people would get tired of Florida's Summer 95% of the year. I've lived here all my 49 years in the Ft. Lauderdale area and I never could get used to the heat (except when I was young and lived in our pool most of the year.) I've thought of moving, but NOT to Vermont, Maine, etc. I'd rather be in North Carolina where the summers are cool and the winters are mild.

Oh, and having to run from a hurricane is a piece of cake compared to trying to find your car under a mountain of snow most of the year. I don't run from hurricanes, even though I live on a lake. I just give them lots of respect! And I lived through Andrew, even though it didn't hit me directly (but we lost our nice sailboat in that hurricane.)

Soooo, you wanted a happy transition story, huh? Sorry, but I can't give you one.

Thanks for the replies. I will take any that I can get. I knew full well I would get mostly posts that would discourage this type of move but I thought I would give it a shot.

I moved from Miami to Maine 22 years ago. I really enjoyed the seasons & the outdoor life but now the winters seem to be longer. In a few years we are probably heading to So. Carolina.
Give it a try you can always mave if you don't care for it.
I also agree with the other poster I prefer NH over Vermont.

Think long and hard about the kind of winters you'll be living with. You're describing going from one extreme climate to another. How about something a bit more moderate?

I moved to NYC from California. I was fine and could not wait to see snow.
Now many years later, snow and overly long dreary winters is why we moved recently TO Florida.
But after yesterdays hurricane, we are once again, considering moving.
Winter and that much snow require plenty of adjustment..if you can get out of the area once in a while in the winter, you will be fine.
Just be sure you hire someone to come in the night or early morning to shovel and plow your driveway- it makes life much easier..lol, I can advise you well on how to spend your money and save your energy

You may want to consider how long the winters are ... that's what really makes a difference. I don't mind the snow, but what is really starting to get to me is cold, dreary weather starting in October and continuing until the middle of May. Then when it finally warms up the end of May into June, and only stays nice until September, you find yourself trying to squeeze all your summer activities into 3 short months.

It really depends on your temperament and, to a lesser extent, your age and health. We're the type of people who simply wilt in the heat, mentally and physically. We find cold weather, especially snow, invigorating. (I felt far happier walking through Vienna in the snow and sleet than I did going through the south of France in the heat.) BUT--if I were near retirement age, I could see how yet another year of shoveling snow etc., could be wearing. My parents love the four seasons life, but moved to Florida when they noticed, as my mother said, that all of their friends had moved south or died.
As others have noted, the job market is tight in Vermont. If you already have a job offer or can do your work from anywhere, why not go? The worst that can happen is that you won't like it. It's not as if there won't be any homes left in Florida if you decide to move back.
If it were me, though, I'd forget the Northeast and move to the coastal or I-5 corridor Northwest. A lot cooler than Florida in the summer and a lot milder than Vermont in the winter.

Thanks for more replies.

I didn't want to qualify my potential move before but I suppose I should. If I move there it is because my significant other would become my DH who lives in VT. It is not totally out of the question that he would move here but I want to explore the possibility of moving there. For right now, the choices are FL or VT.

I am in the education business. I have been looking for jobs there and there are lots of possibilities for my area. I think I'm relatively young (32) but that's in the eye of the beholder. I have lived in CT and MN as a young child so I have had that experience but not the day in and day out of winter for several years.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Is your other half looking into perhaps moving to FL as you are VT? You could both perhaps meet halfway. I do understand the reasons for going to VT, believe me. Where ever you end up whether its in VT or FL, at least one of you can help the other adapt to their new enviroment. And at least you'll have each other....soo just decide. Snowed in, cuddled up by a fire OR hurricane charley, sweating and smelly at a evacuation shelter? oh btw, you werent affected by charley were you?

*laugh* bluestructure

Thanks for your suggestions/advice.

I was very lucky here in Tampa to not be affected by the hurricane. I feel just terrible for the people to the south and east of us.

They are encouraging us here to donate our supplies to the people in the affected areas which is great and of course everyone can donate cash as well via Red Cross.

The comments about health and cuddling up by a fire triggered the memory about my brother's former girlfriend. She was Florida native and thought it would be romantic to move with him from Miami to Boston while he attended law school.

She became very ill and exhausted during that first (and only) winter. At first they thought it was mono, but she was eventually diagnosed with SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. She had to go for that therapy where she sits under a sun lamp. She never really got better until she moved back to Florida.

An extreme case, I know, and I don't mean to be negative -- just wanted to make you aware.

Good luck whatever you decide!