I'm so very sorry to hear that.

Going old is so hard.
We decided that we will do whatever it takes to enjoy these so called Golden Years.

We made so many friends in Florida over the years that are sadly gone now.
Could of..Should of...Would of...is no longer in my vocabulary.

I wish you and your wife much comfort and pleasant memories only 😊

I'm so very sorry to hear about your wife.

We decided to do whatever we can to enjoy these so-called "Golden Years" from here on out.
Should of...Could of...Would of ...is no longer a part of my vocabulary.

We lost so many wonderful friends from Florida over the years that it changes your perspective on living and what is most important to you each and every day.

I hope for great comfort and fond memories only for you and
your wife.😊

Half Backers
 

I know you ask about moving back north, however, prior to retiring I was in mortgage banking in Alabama. We had a lot of folks move to the NE Alabama and NW Geordia Mountains from Florida. They left Florida but did not want to go all the way back north so they moved half the way back. They are Half Backers.

"I need to ask:
If given another chance, would you move out of Florida maybe back up north?"

Nope. Negatory. NWIH, Uh-uh. Ain't gonna happen.

First (and probably foremost) I don't believe most of the negatives. Crime? Where I come from folks walk into big box stores, help themselves and walk out with impunity. Here? Just read a story about some guy who got jailed for shoplifting a battery charger, and electrical cord and a couple of buckets. Back where I come from this isn't even a "crime" any more. Here, it is a headline.

Insurance? I pay less for my home insurance here than back in Minnesota--on a property here worth about 1.5 times as much. Car insurance about the same. Non-issue.

Crowded? Back where I was raised, "next-door neighbor" means two miles down the road. Maybe desirable to some. Me? Nope. Not at this age.

Too hot? Well, it is 5:00 PM now and I just returned from playing 18 holes of golf--walking, not riding in a cart--at about 3:45. Maybe it is "too hot" for folks who let media control their lives. That ain't me. Plenty of water and taking my time--I could play all day. Maybe tomorrow I will.

We're in our third year of residency and TV has either met or exceeded our expectations in every respect. No place is perfect but Florida in general, and TV in particular, surely does beat living in the fourth-highest taxed state in the nation, six months of snow up to my armpits, and feeling the need to carry a pistol every time I left the house.

Ain't goin' back.

Thank You for your kind words.
Let past memories never end.

Nope - Love it here - yeah, it’s pretty hot right now, but I’m surviving it fine.

I wouldn't have moved to Florida in the first place. I only came because I knew I'd miss my husband if I didn't.

NO!

Live in Florida entire life and ideally would have 2nd home up north as I watch thermometer hover near 100 degrees, high humidity and 0 breeze.

Orlando did have 3 record heat in last 7 days. Temperatures are facts

We're from the Upper Midwest as well. There are some elements I miss but not enough to move back. Change has happened up there too. Heat, rain-storms---the one yesterday produced large hail. On their social media---people complain the same as here. Towns growing, folks don't drive the round-abouts correctly. People speed through town and neighborhood streets. The list goes on. When we moved here 14 yrs ago we both said, "we're not moving back!!!" Winter got tiresome---oh, winter is another thing....it's lasting longer and longer, it seems. I know folks who have moved back to where they're "from" and say---"everything changed! Friends moved on and it's hard to re-establish with them. Cost of living was higher too---taxes, groceries etc. Remember, I said we were from the Upper Midwest---not the East or West Coasts!! Our memories always paint a picture that's not factual.

:1rotfl::1rotfl:

You mean it’s hot in Florida in July and August, is that new?

Since 07 this is our first summer here….and the last. Will be heading north next May and return in September. Miss a lake that doesn’t have things that want to eat you

You might want to reconsider - you'll be leaving during lovebug season, and returning during lovebug season. Maybe wait til LATE May and return the last week in August, or stay for the fall foliage and come back in October instead.

I can't even stand driving to my parents' house 4 hours away during May or September. Those bugs ate the hood of my car when I was driving down here to move. I got hit in the Carolinas, and stayed overnight in a hotel there. By the time I got here to our new home, the acid from those bugs had already eaten through the first layer of the hood.