What's it like livng in Florida?

Question

I am considering moving to Florida. I am retired early and have a lot of flexibility on where I would want to live. I am considering Gainesville. Could I hear some pluses and minuses for some people with some first hand knowledge of living there?

Answer 1

Gainesville is my favorite city in the state of Florida. I've lived in Florida for over 30 years. You probably know this but Gainesville is a college town. It is home of the University of Florida. It also has one of the best hospitals in the country, Shands Hospital. Because it is a college town, you will find a wonderful diversity of people. All ages, sizes, nationalities, and interests will be represented. About 5 years ago Gainesville was named the number one city in America by Money magazine. The biggest advantages that I recall from that article that Gainesville possessed was a low cost of living, low taxes, low violent crime rate, and a lot of cultural activities. I admit that I am a bit biased about Gainesville because I graduated from the University of Florida but the only reason I don't live there now is because my job took me away from there. Good luck to you. I hope this was helpful.

Answer 2

If you like living in a college town, then Gainesville is the place for you. I lived in Gainesville for 4 years when I went to school there, and it is very crazy when school is in session. The roads, stores and everything else is crowded. In the summer it is nice cause everyone leaves town. It's also 2 hours from everything... Orlando, Daytona, Jacksonville (maybe an hour and a half), Tampa. That is a nice feature.

Another positive for Gainesville is the hurricanes are not bad! I lived there through the 2003 to 2004 hurricane season and the most we say was a great deal of wind, rain, and flooding. There were also some trees down, but it was like being in a really bad thunderstorm, that's it. I felt much safer in Gainesville than I would have if i were in Tampa, or anywhere else.

I did like living there, but like I said it is a college town. I don't really hear of too many people wanting to move to Gainesville to retire.

A couple of places that are really nice are Clermont, Ocala, Apopka, New Port Richey, Sun City areas. You could also try the mecca for retirees... THe Villages! Actually, it is a really cool area with shopping and a great town center! Lots of retired people there.

I traveled over 60,000 miles in Florida, so I have seen a lot of these Places.

Gainesville is home of the FLORIDA GATORS, the University of Florida! Anyone that confused lesser schools with UF doesn't know what they're talking about. (There is a major rivalry between UF and that other school, so be prepared for that!)

Answer 3

Just like any other state there are things you wont like but all in all Florida is a great state to retire. Most people are here for that reason. The beaches are beautiful with clean waters. sunshine state. It rains often and does get very humid The winters are mild .The trees and flowers you have never seen before. There is always places to go at any time. The wildlife parks are wonderful.you will be amazed at all the interesting things you can see and do here. You will never be bored .you should spend a week end and see for your self . test it out. Try it you will like it.it doesn't matter where you decide to live in Florida you will always have things to do and see.

Answer 4

Consider The Villages near Ocala, FL. This city caters to retired people and offers activities day and night. My mom just purchased a 2b/2b home there for 312,000-that's on the low side for the area. Bush visited there last election.

There is also a retirement city near Tampa, FL called Top of the World. Older and less expensive because they mostly have condos and not as many planned activities. Last I heard they were building more homes and trying to upgrade.

In general the state is very Republican and developers have a lot of control and influence in state and local governments.

Answer 5

I'm retired, too, but I wouldn't live in Florida to save my soul. Imagine an almost totally flat land mass (highest point is 81 feet, I believe) that is just at the most a foot above the current ocean level. Frequent storms and hurricanes. Sand everywhere. Hot and humid inland, where it's not worth living anyway; hot and humid with a bit of a breeze by the sea, which is only a foot or a few inches above the water. Storm surges wipe out everything within sight. Florida is great for a visit, but if you want ocean plus a bit of elevation (like a mountain or two), go elsewhere.

Answer 6

Well anything North of Florida is advised, especially for people who are planning to retire there. Florida in general is a great place to live, work, and retire.

Gainesville, is somewhat like Jacksonville, it is very quiet, laid back, and inexpensive to live. Spacious homes and land, quiet residence, but, Gainesville has one of the largest Universities in Florida, FSU, lots of students reside there, so you might want to choose an area away from the noise and parties..but, it is not bad at all. Great for fishing and camping, it has more of a country senery oppose to other parts of Florida.

Saint Augustine is also a very well to do quiet, and historical place to reside and explore. Very beautiful, and so relaxing, the place is breathe taking, and the retirees vary in ages from 35 to 75 years of age. The historical setting of St. Augustine brings it's culture to life! The little town shops, and food shops, are great!

Tallahassee is very nice as well, great living experience there! and Panama Beach, very traditional, quiet, nice communities, adult entertainment on a PG level, great places to visit and shop and plenty of parks for pic nics and nice quiet boat rides, sailing, fishing, movies, theater..

Central Florida: Seminole County, Orange County, Osceola County, Polk County, are becoming highly populated if not already. It is a much faster pace than Gainesville, mostly Spanish speaking people, and Europeans moving in these area's and are growing very quickly. It is so diverse now, and very busy! Traffic is horriffic during the rush hours and weekends. because of the increase in populations from up north, the west coast, europe, and the caribbean..

South Florida is extremely expensive, but, there are many, great places to visit and enjoy, such as Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale by the Beach, Jupiter, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, all down the coast lines are beautiful blue beaches and humid weather. It rains sparingly, but get's hot afterwards. There are also town festivals, carnivals, free jazz, folk, country, and other community concerts. Walks on the board walk, ice cream parlors, benches along the beach walks, parks, lakes, libraries, everything!

In the evening, the temperature tends to slighty decrease by 8 or 9pm. It may cool off to about 80 or 75 degrees. But, at least it is not hot, and sticky. All Floridians keep their AC units on at all times!

Florida can be for anyone or any age. You just have to select an enviornment that caters to what you may like or may not like. Gainesville cools off during the winters because it is North of Florida and South of Georgia.

Try going on some Florida Forums to get an idea of what others say about Gainesville. I moved to Florida from New York City, and I love it here in Palm Springs.

It is always nice and beautiful outside, pleasant people, nice, quiet community, and the ocean is only 1/2 hour up the coastline from me. I wouldn't trade this peace of mind for anything in the world!!

I hope this bit of advice has convinced you to relocate to beautiful Florida..I wish you a safe and happy trip down here.

Answer 7

Mrs Gungnir hails not far from Gainesville, I like it up there, away from the tourists with especially in the smaller places a relaxed atmosphere.

Answer 8

Humid . Have you ever been on a cruise to the Caribbean..Hot ,muggy, wet, Large palmetto bugs running around.......think about it .....

Answer 9

it is great good weather all year round
plenty to do generally nice people

Answer 10

well its georgous. but very humid.