The property tax rate is higher here than California but not the amount you pay in taxes, houses are much more expensive in California. A $300,000 dollar home here is about a $1,000,000 home in California. Once a house is sold in California it takes on the new selling price for its tax base. There's really not that many people who have lived in the same house for 43 years in California.

You also have no state income tax in Florida and in California it is 11%.

We moved here from southern CA 11 years ago. It was an adjustment for me....years and years with low dew points, humidity levels and then, dew points extremely high. Grew up in New England with humid summers with no air conditioning and actually lived in CA for many years without it. Now that I'm older, I have the air-conditioner repair company on speed-dial....just in case....;)

You adjust, in one way or another. Last summer was the worst experienced here. Will this summer be as hot? Don't know, but it's not forever. My husband still plays golf, he'd play golf in the desert in the summer in CA....my friends and I forgo our golf group and do things indoors....movies, lunch, games.

Find that the cost of living here is about the same as in CA....some things cost less, some more....it's sort of a wash for us. Gasoline is so much cheaper...lol. We owned our house in San Marcos for almost 32 years and made a tidy profit, however, not sure I would be willing to spend a small fortune for another house there.

Use the summer, if you're here to take up a new hobby....there are ceramics classes, painting classes, in rec centers. Take classes at the Enrichment Center...go to the movies, there are three wonderful theaters here, attend shows at The SHaron, The Savannah Center. The entertainment is wonderful. SOme take walks early in the morning....actually it's too humid for me but many do. I do miss that almost perfect weather, but we were more inland and the temps could get quite hot. Still remember the day it was 112 in San Marcos, that was brutal.
As Ted Leitner used to say, "It's a dry heat, but so is the heat from an oven and I'm not going to stick my head in it."

Welcome home!

(snipped)
I am totally stealing this.:1rotfl:

LOL loved Ted. Was a sports newscaster on a San Diego tv station when we lived in that area. Not sure if he's still there or not. I use that saying ALL THE TIME.....:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

This chart represents "felt air temperature" given the temperature and humidity. It well reflects my experiences. Google Image Result for http://images.usatoday.com/weather/photos/humid.gif

I have to agree that it is the humidity that will get you, and it will also tax your air conditioning system because it has to work so hard to make your home comfortable. The electric bill will go up maybe double in the hot wether. Everything is a give and take. This is a test for me, if I cannot handle it, I may just rent a home up north for the summer. I've been okay with the 90-95 lately, but it hasn't been all on humid yet.

You really never know which way this weather will hit you until you go thru it yourself. My wife struggled a little last summer, we landed here June 12th. I didn't struggle at all because I learned to manage my day and drink an enormous amount of water. If you're going to use the pool get some sunblock that you're comfortable with and use it properly. The sun here will rip the hide off you and the reflection off the water makes it even rougher and the burn happens quickly. The electric bill is hardly a concern, I believe you will be pleased at your summer bills. The kind people of The Villages were apologizing for the severity of the heat last summer, how nice was that. I see your post's and I think you will make it here thru the entire summer unscathed. I'm betting on The Dude. Peace Out! :1rotfl:

Thank-you for the suggestions! I like that quote and I'll remind myself of that when I'm dying from the humidity.

Pechanga is now considered one of the best casinos in S. Cal. You should be proud that you were a part of turning it from a hut into what it has become. I'm not a gambler, but the entertainment is awesome. You don't have to go to Las Vegas to enjoy entertainment with Pechanga.

I stand corrected