[HJM284]

We are from Penna and will be attempting to sell out house soon to move there. I have never moved before and as excited as I am to move there I have some questions. If anyone has moved from the North to Florida could you tell me how you adjusted, besides being happy there is no more snow! Also I know there is wildlife there we do not have here and I wondered if adjusting to that was a problem. We have been there a few times and we love it! In spite of that I know there is good and bad in everything and if anyone has any advice I would live to hear it. Thanks for sharing and we hope to see you all soon.

[quirky3]

Welcome to you! I grew up in western NY and then lived in CT. Moved to FL 10 years ago. Love it! You do need to be aware of the different wildlife. It gets just as hot in the north during the summer, but only at the "heat of the day", not all day long into the evening as it is here. And it is more humid here, but great for your skin!

When it rains, it doesn't rain all day. But it rains really hard, then it's over! It's lovely to have flowers all year long, and fruit trees. Pest control and A/C are more important here, and the grass is very different.

My family from up north (including PA) loves to come visit me. Sounds like you are ready for a change!

p.s. keep reading TOTV for more pointers and experiences!

[Happy Villager 1]

Originally Posted by HJM284

We are from Penna and will be attempting to sell out house soon to move there. I have never moved before and as excited as I am to move there I have some questions. If anyone has moved from the North to Florida could you tell me how you adjusted, besides being happy there is no more snow! Also I know there is wildlife there we do not have here and I wondered if adjusting to that was a problem. We have been there a few times and we love it! In spite of that I know there is good and bad in everything and if anyone has any advice I would live to hear it. Thanks for sharing and we hope to see you all soon.

Hi HJM284, it sounds like you already have a clear idea of the changes in
store for your pending move and I hope your house sells quickly so you can
come on down! My husband and I had never even contemplated moving
away from Saratoga Springs, NY until only about one year before we were
to retire. To be honest the politics had us looking for someplace else after
retirement. We do miss the four seasons, the area and most of all being
so far from our grandchildren. As far as adjusting to Florida.....what's not
to like! Ok, I guess the biggest dislike would be having to have pest control
services and also the humidity. The wildlife I've seen is beautiful down here!

[villagetinker]

HJM284, HI! We hail from Spring City and Allentown, PA., and have been here for just over 6 months, and love it. This will be our first summer, so July and August might be interesting, but we have great neighbors and have found lots of activities, and I don't golf........ I agree with comments above, and will add these.
We brought way TOO MUCH stuff south. My suggestion, leave, sell, or give away as much stuff as you can. you up north furniture may not work well down here.
Plan on spending more then expected for the first few months, there will be unexpected expenses. Car impact fees, insurance, lots of little things.
Live in your house for a while before you start landscaping, and IGNORE the water filter people, until you figure out what you want.
Just my thoughts.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

HJM284, HI! We hail from Spring City and Allentown, PA., and have been here for just over 6 months, and love it. This will be our first summer, so July and August might be interesting, but we have great neighbors and have found lots of activities, and I don't golf........ I agree with comments above, and will add these.
We brought way TOO MUCH stuff south. My suggestion, leave, sell, or give away as much stuff as you can. you up north furniture may not work well down here.
Plan on spending more then expected for the first few months, there will be unexpected expenses. Car impact fees, insurance, lots of little things.
Live in your house for a while before you start landscaping, and IGNORE the water filter people, until you figure out what you want.
Just my thoughts.

All GREAT advice.

[OBXNana]

We live in Central PA and won't be able to officially move for 16 months. Long before we heard of The Villages, we traveled to FL for their wonderful State Parks. Beaches too, but that we don't have in PA. If you like nature you can find it in FL and just a car drive away for a wonderful walk in nature.

How exciting for you to be leaving the snow. It's a great adventure and we look forward to joining you in 16 months.

[beachx4me]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

HJM284, HI! We hail from Spring City and Allentown, PA., and have been here for just over 6 months, and love it. This will be our first summer, so July and August might be interesting, but we have great neighbors and have found lots of activities, and I don't golf........ I agree with comments above, and will add these.
We brought way TOO MUCH stuff south. My suggestion, leave, sell, or give away as much stuff as you can. you up north furniture may not work well down here.
Plan on spending more then expected for the first few months, there will be unexpected expenses. Car impact fees, insurance, lots of little things.
Live in your house for a while before you start landscaping, and IGNORE the water filter people, until you figure out what you want.
Just my thoughts.

Lots of good advice, bring what means the most to you and give/sell/donate what you can. Storage is at a premium in these houses. Plus ditto on the water treatment people. They will worry you to death if you have any contact with them.

[VT2TV]

I moved here after living in the same town for most of my life-except for the first 5 years. It was kinds scary moving to a new place, but exciting also!!! Packing----decide what you need to bring, and then cut that by at least half, if not 3/4. If you truly enjoy cooking, bring some cooking items. Mostly what I have found I needed are basically dishes you might need for a cocktail party. I would use these mostly to fix snacks and munchies for guests when we are playing Bunco, cards, etc. When we "cook", and I do mean WHEN, we mostly use the grill or microwave. We eat out A LOT.
Except when we have a "bad" winter-don't laugh---you will be surprised how quickly the bad winters up north fade away, and you will be complaining about winter temps of 40's or so----we basically wear the same things for 3 seasons. So, pack light!!!!!!!!!! It would be ideal if you had someone in your area you could leave stuff with until you could see if you needed everything you feel like you have to bring, Do NOT bring lots of furniture, you will possibly just wind up getting rid of it down here.
These are just my thoughts. You will find people who agree with me and some who don't agree. But some things you just have to play it "by ear"