First Year In Florida

I have been watching YouTube videos in attempt to understand why people move to Florida. I found a great video, the best so far, of a family chronicling their first year into a music video. 1Positivelyfit created a music video that shows many of the aspects of Florida that I imagine when thinking about moving to Florida.

I hope you enjoy it too:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mwf28xequFw

Is Florida The Best Place To Retire?

Bankrate has come out with their list of the Best States to Retire. Florida, with miles of beaches, golf courses, sunshine, and things to do - did not rank #1. It isn't even in the top ten! In fact, it ranked 28th.

New York, my home state, is the second worse state for retirement, right behind Arkansas.

The best states are Virginia, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and the number one: Wyoming. 

But why didn't Florida get the prized number one spot? Bankrate looked at three things: cost of living, healthcare, and taxes.

For cost of living it ranks 31. That means Florida's cost of living is more expensive than most states. To put it in perspective, Hawaii is the most expensive state, and New York is the third most expensive.

Florida is 35th for healthcare. One would think with all the elderly and all the hospitals, Florida would have done better, but no. If you want the best healthcare (and really cold winters), you will need to go to Minnesota. New York is mediocre at 26, and West Virginia is the worse.

One of the benefits of moving from New York to Florida is the lower taxes. It is no wonder because New York is the worse state in terms of taxes. One could go anywhere and it would be better than New York. Given that contrast, Florida's 22 ranks sounds very good. But not as good as the best state: Wyoming. 

Compared to New York? Florida is a paradise. Nearly everyone I talk to dreams of retiring and heading to Florida. Amazingly, that might not be the best decision. However, unless you want to live in a farm state, Florida is probably an OK choice.

Is moving to Florida a good idea?

I read many blog and vlogs and articles and a reoccurring theme from many readers is to ask: is moving to
Florida a good idea?

Asking that question is like asking "Will I like broccoli?" How is anyone supposed to know whether moving to Florida is a good idea for you? You are the only person who can answer that question.

The reasons for moving to Florida can be different for everyone. There are some common themes (I am sick of winter) but the specifics are all different. A major factor in the decision is attitude. A great attitude will overcome challenges (and there will be challenges) but a poor attitude will sink into despair. 

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, or, in this case, in Florida. But is it? There are going to be challenges where ever you live. Things you like. Things you don't like. Florida is not a utopia.

I heard from one guy in New York. He was ranting how he was sick of New York. Sick of all the stop signs and red lights and old people driving 15 miles an hour. The high crime of New York, and the poor schools. I heard that and thought: these are the issues Floridians usually complain about. Slow traffic and red lights? Take a trip down Rt 192 from Four Corners eastward past Kissimmee and then we can have a conversation about traffic!

The point is, is one place really all that better than another?

Maybe.

I can't answer that for you. No one can.

You should take a trip to Florida. Not a vacation. But a trip. Try living there for a few weeks. Grocery shop, go out to eat, drive around during rush hour. Find the things that bug you a little and understand that annoyance might grow and fester. Drive out to the beach where you'll pay an expressway toll every two miles - think that'll bug you after a while? 

Do that and then decide whether or not this is a good move for you.

Chinese Drywall

Buyer Be Ware!

When I first heard about this problem I thought it was a joke. But make no mistake, this is not a joke!

After 2001, and during the housing boom, cheap drywall was imported from China. The drywall emits sulfur under humid conditions. those sulfur emissions corrodes copper and makes people sick and is throughout Florida. Houses that have sit empty for a year without air conditioning to control the home humidity could be very bad. The corroding can turn the copper electrical wiring to dust, ruin plumbing, damage refrigerators and appliances, and break air conditioners. Remediation requires, basically, gutting the house to its studs and starting over.

There are regulations for remediating Chinese Drywall, but many contractors will do just the minimum and will not do a complete job - like not replacing the electrical wiring.

The only way to be sure is to have the home inspected for Chinese Drywall or Chinese drywall damage before buying the house.