will you stay in florida?

[Tallygrl]

I'm not moving (although I say this since I sit in one of the few places in florida that haven't been affected by the hurricanes the last two years) But my parents (in New Port Richey) are seriously considering moving to Arkansas. I thought they were joking at first -- but they've been scouting property...so we'll see...

[Wacahootaman]

I live in north Florida and hurricanes are rarely a problem here. Although the rip off hurricane riders that the insurance companys make you include in your home owners insurance do anger me.

I have lost power for three weeks to hurricanes in the last 40 years which is probably less than it happens up north to ice storms. Plus I dont have to drive in snow ever and can live way down a dirt road and not worry about snow removal.

There are parts of Florida I would not want to live in though but north central Florida is great!

[gtalum]

After 6 years here full-time, I wouldn't live anywhere else.

[Ivanhater]

i love florida, i would never leave!

[Texasblu]

No, but the decision was made long before the hurricanes. We're from northern Illinois and we just can't adjust to the heat and humidity. There's something about wearing shorts and sandals for Christmas that just isn't right. However, we'll be here at least another 2 years while our son does junior college. The hurricanes are just too stressfull. With Wilma it was more the aniticipation of it than the actual storm (at least for us).

[cinlfla]

I have lived here most of my life I went to school here when I was kid. My children were born here, there is noway I would ever leave my home Florida. I love it here

[CharleySurvivor]

I seriously thought about moving out West. I will never forget reading the message someone posted here not long ago about this question, his answer was:

...where else can one live and be able to pick up the newspaper early morning, bare feet wearing shorts in the middle of February.....

Upon reading that I said to myself, there is no way I'd be happy living in another state. I am moving well inland thus in 2 months, no more close to the coast living.

[DoctorHurricane2003]

I have already moved.

[MomH]

I'm heading to the mountains of North GA as soon as feasible. It is not the hurricanes but the heat. I can get warm when I'm out but I can't get cool. I also miss the seasons. Oranges hanging from an tree in the front yard is not my idea of Xmas decorations.

[orchid]

After four years in Fl we decided to move to GA. After seeing my 1 yr old with severe heat rash after a week with no power and a longer school year for my 12 year old, from Frances and Jeanne last year I told my husband no more. And I don't regret it at all, I still have family in FL so I can still visit.

[SkeetoBite]

Leave?!?! I just got here! We moved here just in time for Charley, Frances and Jeanne.

You mean this isn't normal?

Man, I love Florida. I could never leave. OMG, the weather, the sunsets, the beaches, critters, birds and the friendliest people I have met all across America (of course, no state income tax and the cap on corporate taxes too). No way, this is where it's at.

[cajungal]

I actually used to be jealous of all of you that get to live in Florida. It is still my very favorite place to be. I love the Destin area and was lucky to get to spend a week there in the summer. (we went only 2 weeks after Dennis) I know hurricanes are a big pain, but it is just the chance you take when you live in paradise. Louisiana took a beating here, too this season. Even though the Houma/Thibodaux area fared well this season. I don't have any plans of leaving my state. #1. I don't have the money to move right now. #2 all my friends and family (well most) are here in SE Louisiana and I would be homesick.

[Ivanhater]

I actually used to be jealous of all of you that get to live in Florida. It is still my very favorite place to be. I love the Destin area and was lucky to get to spend a week there in the summer. (we went only 2 weeks after Dennis) I know hurricanes are a big pain, but it is just the chance you take when you live in paradise. Louisiana took a beating here, too this season. Even though the Houma/Thibodaux area fared well this season. I don't have any plans of leaving my state. #1. I don't have the money to move right now. #2 all my friends and family (well most) are here in SE Louisiana and I would be homesick.

hey, you like to visit my area, and i like to visit yours, we should switch , nah i love living in florida

[Doc Seminole]

Born and raised here. Roots are too deep to be pulled up for no dang hurricans....... As George Bush Sr. might say, "Not gonna do it."

I have decided that upon the approach of a 4 or 5, I'd rent a U-Haul and get my stuff out a dodge though.

Give me another 1, 2, or 3 and I'll stay and join the ranks of those yelling at FEMA for not providing me with ice, water and food fast enough.

Doc Seminole

[gatorcane]

Unfortunately, Florida may be in for many more major hurricane hits over the next 20-30 years.

From the 1960s through 2003, not many major hurricanes impacted FL but in the 1930s and 1940s there was an average of one major hurricane hit a year.

My prediction is that as these hurricanes begin to start hitting FL readily, real estate will depreciate in value.

I'm seriously considering moving up north somewhere like North Carolina or something.

[jes]

I'm going to join in even though I'm not in Florida --- Mobile is close enough. I've thought and thought about that question --- should I move --- it's just so stressful living through the storms --- especially since I have to leave my part Bobcat at home. Then I decided ---- how can I leave all my friends that I've known for years. If the house is damaged insurance will pay to repair it. I don't live in an area that floods. I'll just buy a natural gas generator and have all the large trees around my house removed. I'm not leaving my home and the town that I love. I'll just prepare better. It's going to cost money to prepare better, but not as much as it would cost to move.

[Terrell]

Not even considering leaving.

[Ixolib]

I'm earnestly trying to figure out how to move INTO Florida, SWFL to be more specific. I've been all over the world, and still find Central and South Florida, and down to the Keys, to be the most beautiful places I've ever been. IMO, anybody who's a FL resident is very fortunate and very lucky - regardless of the occasional hurricane.

Anyone wanna trade houses? Mine in Biloxi for your's in Florida. A little water-damaged, but nothing that some Clorox and fresh sheetrock won't hide!!

Of course, what I have here valued just over 100K would probably cost me about three times that in FL, right??

[gtalum]

My prediction is that as these hurricanes begin to start hitting FL readily, real estate will depreciate in value.

I certainly hope so. I'd like to see real estate plummet so I can buy up a ton of property before the next boom.

[Taffy]

We have to go. I paid $2369. for home owners insurance on my 1985 wood frame home and that was through the state because I could afford the ONE and only private insurers $3000 + quote. I can't sell my house and buy another because I would have a MUCH bigger mortgage. We are priced out of here. It is sickening. Then you add in the Hurricane stress and NO THANK YOU. We are going to Georgia and that decision was made well before Wilma. We can no longer afford to live here. Once we sell, we can be COMPLETELY debt free and we can go to Georgia and buy a home twice what we have here on twice as much land for 1/2 what I will sell this one for. You can't get a 4 or 5 bedroom home on 1/2 or more acre of land with a finished basement on city utilities for $125,00 in Florida. You can't buy ANYTHING in my area for $125,000.

I have been here my whole life practically and all in the same town. It will be bittersweet to leave..but we are looking forward to a better life somewhere in North or Central west Georgia.