Quote:
Originally Posted by rustyp
A tough decision for most - after moving to Florida did it meet your expectations ?
PLEASE ONLY POSITIVE RESPONSES ALLOWED.
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It is more complicated than that. Florida is not one comprehensive thing...the Panhandle for example is as different from West Palm Beach or Jupiter as night is from day. Likewise the difference between Miami and The Villages. They could be in two different countries insofar as their differences go. I realize that can be said, to a degree anyway, for most states: when you're in Minnesota for example no matter which part you are in, you KNOW you are in Minnesota. Here, you can be in Havana in the morning and NYC in the afternoon. The only (relative) constant is the weather.
We had been to Florida quite often before our move here so the reality pretty much jived with our expectations, and in a nutshell we couldn't be happier. The Villages lifestyle is in my opinion ideal for people in our situation (no maintenance demands, lots of free time and the money to enjoy it) and there's just something about palm trees and blooming azalea plants that is conducive to a feeling of overall well-being. And those differences, in my opinion, are a tremendous positive as well. You don't have to drive far to experience the REAL Florida (at least what it was before all the geezers flooded in). We have some friends about 20 miles out of town in a VERY rural part of the state, and the laid-back lifestyle and friendly people is something to be valued when we experience it.
Of course there are negatives. For instance the medical care is overall not the best when compared to that which I believe many if not most of us enjoyed before moving here. But rather than fret about that I make it a point to live as healthy as I can, and in nearly two years now I haven't had so much as a sniffle.
Yeah. My expectations have been met. Exceeded, actually.