Rain storms last a maximum of 2 hours, but it does rain every day at 3pm in the summer.

Giving the Manatees fresh water from my back yard!!!
Waterfront Property - Big Equity
Grilling out All Winter Long!!!!
Sitting on my Dock looking at the water in shorts in December!!!
More Clothes instead of Coats in my Closet!!!
Watching the Space Shuttle take off from my back yard!!

1. growing veggies, herbs & flowers and being able to leave my cacti outside all year and watch it all grow.
2. being barefoot most of the time.
3. my pets being able to relax on the screened in porch and enjoy the fresh air.
4. listening to the windchimes in the warm summer breeze.
5. arts community. There is much more in FL that I thought. Mant artists live here and there are always art shows, theater, etc.
6. Being North enough to have a fire in the fireplace last night, have a magnolia tree in the yard and wear a sweater, but South enough to then wear shorts and windows have the windows open tomorrow.
7. Paying $300+ annually (you must pay the amount tax of your vehicle, based on current value)for my car tag in another state, and paying $40 here annually.
8. Being around so many small businesses, restaurants, and neighborhoods again.
9. beach, boats, cruise ports, and fishing less than one hour away.
10. eating fresh seafood several times a week at reasonable prices, sometimes cathching our own.
I hope you are able to make your own list soon after arrival and come to enjoy many things here !! Welcome !

Oooh, this thread makes me want to pack up my bags and head to Naples! Mom, if you're reading this, get the guest room ready!

I forgot wildlife ! I am always on the look out for birds on the lake across the street, falcons, ducks, etc. plus all the lizards that keep my cats busy, the spiders that make the most beautiful elaborate webs in the trees out back, the manatees that swim up to you while fishing, and the different fish and creatures you see in the water.

dln, don't pack yet. If it makes you feel any better, we've had two of the ugliest days ever in Naples. Right now it is still pouring rain, the wind is blowing, it is really bleak and nasty. Although the temp is still mid sixties, and we know it isn't going to turn to sleet or snow, so I guess it's all relative.

OK, add these to the list: No Sleet, No Snow, No Slush, No Ice.

If Florida isn't warm enough for you, dln, then you can just head farther south! It's in the eighties today; sunny with a nice trade wind. My visiting mom is currently tanning on my patio amidst all the Chritmas lights. :)

Oooooh, you guys certainly know how to rub it in, don't you? Indianapolis today offers overcast, wooly gray skies, a dusting of snow, and cold air to freeze your tootsies! With rain and ice on the way.

Scarlett, you're heading to heaven on earth in comparison!!!

My former manager moved from San Francisco to Florida. THANK YOU FLORIDIANS for keeping him there!!!!
:P

Good weather
Fresh seafood
Low taxes/cost of living
Nice people/beautiful people in Miami
Watching the FL Gators slaughter the TN Vols in the Swamp (well, usually)
Bahia Honda Key

Anyone ever go to Isla Morada in the Bay of Florida? just saw a little article in a magazine that showed a hotel, 16 rooms, pool on the beach, lovely. I think I will like Florida just fine.

No summer clothes vs. winter clothes. You can wear most of your clothes year round.

Do you mean Islamorada in the Keys? Beautiful place. Another good reason to move to Florida, the Florida Keys!

Yes, :) the hotel is called Casa Morada and looks just beautiful!
(sorry about your receiving the fruitcake, gotravel)

Scarlett, in your various posts regarding moving to Florida, I have yet to see a location. Where, may I ask, are you moving to?

:) Patrick, I am moving to Jacksonville. 20 minutes from the ocean. In a neighborhood with big old trees dripping with Spanish moss, and tall tall pine trees.
And the St Johns River nearby with plenty of parks for the Pup to run and meet all his new friends.

My Yankee decided that he has had enough of the work he does, the weather and not spending enough time having fun with me! So who am I to argue with that?
He has business ideas for Florida, but for now, we will relax and get Southern:)

Scarlett my apologies if this is too personal but what made you decide on JAX? As I said before I'm currently debating this move myself and am having a hard time between JAX area or Tampa. Thanks!

Scarlett I just love Ponte Vedra and the Jacksonville area! Jacksonville is so pretty lit up at night!

You simply must get off I-95 on your way down and stop in Charleston. Take Highway 17 from Charleston to Beaufort to pick up I-95.

The drive through the ACE Basin on Highway 17 is beautiful beyond words. It is around an hour and a half ride through marsh, swamp, and wetlands. It is an eco system like no other. Sunset is the most beautiful time to drive.

#6: The flapping of the large mosquito wings moves around the complexion preserving humidity? /:)

Kal :))

We decided on Jax because we are really not old enough to enjoy some Florida communities, the average age is in the 30's.
It is as close to being a real city as Florida gets, sooo many people from the NE are moving down for jobs, there is a diversity that we would appreciate..there are Greek, Asian, Middle Eastern communities (restaurants:) and museums and theater and a concert venue and opera...
Also, the business my Yankee is in, will allow him to work in Jax if he cares to and he can also work in SC where the movies are often filmed on locations.
And best of all, the standard of living is nice and the cost of living is low.
BUT, we have not been there that often so we are learning as we go.
Stay tuned :)

As one who was born and raised in Florida and now lives out west, the things I miss most are:
-South Florida "winters"
-Sunsets over the ocean
-Water skiing in December
-Fried catfish and boiled peanuts in the Panhandle
-Cuban sandwiches
-Palm trees down south and moss-covered oaks up north
-FSU vs. UF vs. UM rivalries

And a few things I don't miss:
crime, heat, humidity, mosquitos and the Florida Highway Patrol!