thinking of moving to Florida. Some input/advise would be appreciated.. [Archive]

shoc13

03-11-2010, 04:34 AM

Hey guys,

I've been thinking of moving from California to Florida for the following reasons (plz provide any input):

Positives
1) Thinking of buying property outright for $250,000, so I will free up current monthly home principal paymt (saving approx $15,000 per yr)

2) From what I read, property tax is free for Quads (saving another $4-5,000 per yr)

3) Used to be a cop out here in Ca and alot of my friends will be retiring in 5-10 yrs, so really no reason to stay here (considering the financial mess the state will be in for the foreseeable future)

4) Property prices are depressed right now, which makes it an ideal time for a cash buyer

NEGATIVES:
1) No family / friends out in Florida (thinking of buying the property as a vacation home at first to allow me to transition)

2) Not sure where to buy. Was thinking of Cape Coral just because property prices are amazing

3) Hurricanes, etc - obviously I will get complete insurance coverage for the house to protect my investment (does anyone know what the avg cost would be?)

4) The humidity during the summer.

SOME QUESTIONS for those living in Florida:
1) In CA, we get discounts on our gas/electric bills to help offset the additional expenses we incur. Does FL offer the same or any additional benefits?

2)Any opinion on Cape Coral? Any other place I should be looking at?

3) I currently have Kaiser Insur in CA and prob need to change (need to look into). Is there Kaiser Perm down there (I know Im asking a lot lol)

My plan is to buy a place sometime this year. Any input/advise/opinions/questions would be appreciated. Obviously there are many things to consider from financial/physical/medical/social/etc. I'm looking for input to help me with things I might not have thought about. I'm also looking for contacts out in FL to pick their brains regarding their knowledge of the area, etc

Thxs ,

Shawn

shoc13

03-11-2010, 05:24 AM

Bump .

TAM63

03-11-2010, 06:07 AM

My best friend lives in Cape Coral - she seems to like it. She's not disabled though, so I don't know about a lot of that stuff. I'll ask her about hurricane insurance. I know she's needed a few new roofs over the past years.

When there is a hurricane, they do leave their home, and go inland.

shoc13

03-11-2010, 06:11 AM

Tam63,

Thxs a lot

swh2007

03-11-2010, 07:22 AM

I live in that area and sent you a PM. There are a lot of new commercial developments and I think it's probably OK from a HC standpoint.

Foolish Old

03-11-2010, 07:42 AM

Shawn - I live in the Florida Keys, which is quite a bit different than the mainland. I have been up and down both the east and west coasts of Florida, and liked much of what I saw along the water. Inland is a mystery to me - but there's a bunch of it. I strongly suggest that you spend time in any area that you like before making a purchase.

I don't know much about Cape Coral - but I was generally impressed with SW Florida. I'm just too much of a country boy to live in some of those developed areas.

I'm a para who doesn't meet income guide lines for tax relief. I'm pretty sure Quads pay no property tax. You can get a lot of information from http://www.myflorida.com/ - it's the portal for everything Florida.

Hurricanes are a consideration, but if you educate yourself on the reality you can assess the risk. It's pretty manageable, and the Florida system of emergency management is stellar.

I think I pay about four thousand annually for all property insurance, including wind - which is a separate policy. I don't insure anything but the structure (no contents) and my house is around the median appraisal for homes in my area.

I like heat and humidity - but summers on my island aren't any worse than what I experienced up North.

Florida doesn't offer the geographic diversity of California, but it still has great regional differeces in weather and culture. Spend some thime here and you'll soon get a feel for where you want to live.

If you want to check out the Keys, http://www.fla-keys.com/ is a good starting point.

swh2007

03-11-2010, 11:34 AM

I love the Keys and would live there if I could. If you want the sort of the same lifestyle for around $250K, check out St. James City near Cape Coral.

The search and housing cost all depends on whether you want to live on the water and, if so, what you want to do on the water. You can buy a lot of off water house, or fresh water house, for $250K these days in Cape Coral.

PMR DOC

03-11-2010, 04:10 PM

Foolish Old

03-11-2010, 04:27 PM

I lived many years in florida and know the whole state very well. Currently, I live in San Diego. No offense to people in florida, but I would never move back. I know of a fantastic PMR doctor in miami who specializes in SCI. His name is Dr. Ron Tochin.
Best of luck,
Brad Marcus
www.MRKLab.com (http://www.MRKLab.com) Could you be talking about Dr. Ronald B. Tolchin, DO? If so, this is the second time he's been recommended by a CC member. Small World Dept. - I looked up his number yesterday and started to dial to make an appointment with him, and then hung up and put it off (as usual... I save docs for when I'm 3/4 dead). If this is your guy - I'm going to make the appointment.

shoc13

03-12-2010, 10:18 AM

Thxs guys for all the help. I appreciate all the input here & via pm. I'll definitely be following up w the offers of info & will keep u guys updated as the process goes along.

I'm currently looking @ 3-12 mth process.

Again, it is much appreciated that u took the time to help out :)

Shawn

Crashbang

03-12-2010, 10:34 AM

hi shawn-
here is the link to the faast florida spinal cord injury resource center:
http://www.flspinalcord.us/
you'll find some good information there.
best wishes on planning your move.

Sue Pendleton

04-07-2010, 07:59 PM

Might talk to a tax advisor too. Florida has no income tax but does tax intangibles over a certain amount. You could probably counter any tax there by buying various Florida state tax free bonds.

Norm

04-12-2010, 01:36 PM

I just got out of Florida 3 years ago. After three Hurricane hits in two years & I lost half of my Roof on the last hit. I was done. No electricity for a month each time because all the electric lines are above ground & the poles were broken in half. I couldn't take the sound of wind for months. I was shell shocked. I use a power chair & hospt bed. The generator I bought ruined the bed motors because the current cycle wasn't powerful enough. Lost use of my bed for weeks. Neighborhood looked like a bomb went off everything destroyed. All Nursing service is halted during a hurricane, which is nuts. In some cases you are forced to evacuate to a shelter & sleep on a cot. Insurance dropped us. It cost me $6000 a year for insurance the final year I was there & they dropped us as well. I didn't pay property taxes for 15 years but it wasn't worth it. If I were walking I could deal with it better, but not in this chair. People are out of work for weeks sometimes. Price gougers etc. Long lines to get food & water. Tap Water is not drinkable. It like the fall of civilization. Go to Arizona its safer there! Sorry for the grim picture but that’s what I went through.

roller

11-29-2010, 08:55 PM

Hey there, I have to agree with PMR DOC.

I was born and raised in Ireland and moved to U.S. early nineties and picked Florida as it was warm, flat, cheap and accessible! Perfect! But I have to say, if I ever had to live in the south ever again it would only be in the lower Florida Keys. The main problem is the 8 months the year when the humidity just sucks the life out of you and you can become a prisoner to your home and the A/C. I live in San Diego county for past 3.5 years and only wish I'd moved here right off the bat! If you do go, keep it very coastal.

Cheers, Roller:beer2:

Patton57

11-29-2010, 09:10 PM

I wouldn't underestimate the over-bearing humidity in Florida, especially as a quad.

I can handle hours of exposure in California's 100 degree heat versus only 30-60 minutes in the 85-90 degree heat and 100% humidity on the East Coast.

WC_Sage

12-04-2010, 03:28 PM

shoc13

Did you move?

Tim C.

12-20-2010, 05:58 PM

For all the reasons an Fla. move is sure inviting to our busted up bodies, I'm afraid it might not turn out to be the best for our families, ie; those needing to work.
Is this the case for any CC members??

corruptmonk

03-22-2011, 07:22 PM

Wheel Travel

03-22-2011, 10:59 PM

roc21

03-23-2011, 10:54 AM

if you're thinking still of relocating to Florida, it is a good idea to look down south. If you're afraid of the hurricane months then you might go inland away from the coasts. Condos are most likely immune to the weather due to reinforcement but single-family homes are most likely affected when you're out in breakwater.

you DON'T/CAN'T avoid hurricanes in south florida by going "inland" as u say....there really is no inland...10-15 miles in from ocean u hit everglades ...the hurricanes go right across the state...they dont just affect the coasts...

Sue Pendleton

07-09-2011, 04:05 PM

I lived in Tampa for a number of years and liked it. My urologist was in Miami, Dr. Angelou Gousse. I don't think you are eligible for the exempt property tax. I can recommend a neurologist if needed. I lived in the South all of my life so the humidity was not an issue. There are some great home values right now.

Are there income caps for quads buying homes in Florida when it comes to the property tax break? Is Tampa that humid in the winter months? I can deal with heat but have serious issues with high humidity.

Wheel Travel

07-09-2011, 05:03 PM

Are there income caps for quads buying homes in Florida when it comes to the property tax break? Is Tampa that humid in the winter months? I can deal with heat but have serious issues with high humidity.
http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/taxpayers/exemptions.html

You get a tax exemption of $500....I think if your income falls below a certain level, you may be totally exempt.

Yes, it is humid 24/7, but I was use to it. Matter of fact, I believe I will be returning in December.

Foolish Old

07-09-2011, 06:18 PM

http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/taxpayers/exemptions.html

You get a tax exemption of $500....I think if your income falls below a certain level, you may be totally exempt.

Yes, it is humid 24/7, but I was use to it. Matter of fact, I believe I will be returning in December.
Quads

Real estate used and owned as a homestead by a quadriplegic, less any portion used for commercial purposes, is exempt from all ad valorem taxation.

Paras

Real estate used and owned as a homestead by a paraplegic, hemiplegic, or other totally and permanently disabled person, who must use a wheelchair for mobility or who is legally blind, is exempt from taxation if the gross household income is below the current gross income limit (http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/taxpayers/pdf/inclimits.pdf). Gross income is the income, including veterans' and social security benefits, of all persons residing in the homestead.

Sue Pendleton

07-10-2011, 09:23 PM

Quads
Paras

Thanks FO. I saw that too at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/taxpayers/pdf/hxexemptions.pdf and wondered if someone forgot to add the limited income for quads or if the total exemption I had heard about was the truth.

Humidity even in mid-winter? Ugh, even on the water? We liked the area, it's close to a VA SCI unit hospital and seems to escape the worst of hurricanes.

Lorrie

07-11-2011, 12:55 PM

I live here in Weston, Fl. It's between Ft. L and Naples, an hour north of downtown Miami. We are a newer city nestled against the everglades along Alligator Alley, completely accessible, underground wiring. We lost power during a bad hurricane for only 15 min. I love it here, it's beautiful. In FL if you are a quad or blind, you are exempt no matter what your income is. If you are a para it is based on income. You do however have to pay non advalorem taxes which is basically city taxes for municipalities...it's minimal compared to normal property taxes.

With Paradise also comes drawbacks. Growing up in the NE I can compare. The weather here is beautiful except June-Sept. More so here, you find shady characters, a lesser work ethic, less benefits ... but still, I love it here and accept the flaws of Floriduh :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weston,_Florida

http://www.seminoletax.org/tax/advalorem.shtml

Sue Pendleton

07-11-2011, 01:52 PM

Norm

07-12-2011, 01:08 PM

Lorrie

07-21-2011, 07:29 PM

I have promised my dog she would never have to worry about alligators munching on her. Alligator Alley? Don't think so. Although I had been to FLL and Pompano years back and they were fairly nice then but that was like 1980.

Awwww, well, I think your poor pup will be better served if you abide by the more civilized leash law we have here :) She'd be more at risk getting injured by a car...the alligators are more threatened by humans and keep to themselves (mostly) :). The rednecks do get a sickening thrill hunting them down when they get too big or take a nibble of stupid humans ;)

Lorrie

07-21-2011, 07:36 PM

I'm so glad I don't live in FL anymore. I just know FL is going to get whacked again by Hurricanes. Plus I felt like an 80 year old retiree doing the same things over & over again. The only two things I liked were the tax breaks & the weather. When I move again it will be to hot AZ.

Really?? I loooove it here! Always so much to do! Sports, concerts, restaurants, beaches, boating, shopping, Miami!, Hollywood! Ft. Lauderdale! Naples! Keys! all so close by! Boca does seem a bit more fuddy duddy but then again, if your not happy where you are? Perhaps it's happiness from within you need to focus on and not your destination in life? :/

Norm

07-21-2011, 07:56 PM

Really?? I loooove it here! Always so much to do! Sports, concerts, restaurants, beaches, boating, shopping, Miami!, Hollywood! Ft. Lauderdale! Naples! Keys! all so close by! Boca does seem a bit more fuddy duddy but then again, if your not happy where you are? Perhaps it's happiness from within you need to focus on and not your destination in life? :/ Well Delray Beach, next to Boca was hopping. But just wasn't into it anymore. I'm having a much better time back in my home town. I spent 15 years in Boca & Miami. I could have just stayed there because of the weather, but three hurricane hits in a row & a lost roof no power for over a month plus $6000.00 a year home owners insurance were enough for me:zombie:. I will grant you happiness begins with myself. I knew that moving back here. Atleast I'm happier here.:D

Lorrie

07-22-2011, 01:21 PM

Well Delray Beach, next to Boca was hopping. But just wasn't into it anymore. I'm having a much better time back in my home town. I spent 15 years in Boca & Miami. I could have just stayed there because of the weather, but three hurricane hits in a row & a lost roof no power for over a month plus $6000.00 a year home owners insurance were enough for me:zombie:. I will grant you happiness begins with myself. I knew that moving back here. Atleast I'm happier here.:D

Delray is beautiful, I've been there only a few times to visit a friend. I was raised in NJ, then moved to FL in 87-90 *pre Andrew* (Plantation), then to PA, then NJ again,,,couldn't wait for the opportunity to get back to FL! I've faced many small hurricanes but only 1 biggie, "Wilma". I lost some roof tiles and a few trees but thankfully our city has the underground wiring, only 15 min w/o power. All the other towns came to ours for food, gas....
When I lived alone in NJ, I dealt with so many blizzards, roads closing, no help able to get to me,,,was terrible. For me, Florida is an oasis :)

Sue Pendleton

07-23-2011, 01:11 AM

Awwww, well, I think your poor pup will be better served if you abide by the more civilized leash law we have here :) She'd be more at risk getting injured by a car...the alligators are more threatened by humans and keep to themselves (mostly) :). The rednecks do get a sickening thrill hunting them down when they get too big or take a nibble of stupid humans ;)

Well, we're working on making our master bath totally accessible here in Wisconsin for the warmer months. Madison has ferocious leash laws but they have a great dog park less than a mile away. It's huge and has a fairly well moved path for humans and plenty of prarie for the dogs to run in. It comes with poop bags, garbage cans, a few picnic tables under some shade trees and a dog pier with 2 walk ramps back up from swimming for them from the slow river thar flows into the lake we're on. Best $27 a year going! Jay takes her twice a day and he, yes, he tries to walk the outer lap twice for his exercise. Everywhere else is rather dog friendly but leashes are the law. We don't worry anout gators but she did get the runs for a day from drinking too much of the river water. Geese, catfish, the rare farm animal (dairy farms do have to have plans to deal with manure and letting it run into the marsh and river are not part of the plans.) type stuff gets in there. This area has gone so liberal that they decided on not even bringing up the shooting of 35 nesting pairs of geese that were written into the reprairie plan. We could use a few rednecks.

We're still looking at the Tampa area for 6 months and a day a year to forego taxes and skip the worst of the cold. But overall, we are loving it!

Sue Pendleton

07-23-2011, 01:19 AM

We will spend winters in Maryland for another year, probably 2. We really like Columbia. Everything is underground there too. And our neighborhood went to FIOS first. Lots os stuff to do in a short ditance and tons of government jobs especially over at NSA on FT Meade. We've had ice storms that took out cities near by but having utilities underground is truly a life safer...and great paratransit.