Posted on May 28, 2018
What info do you have about Ft Lauderdale, FL?
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No idea where to properly post this missive.
After conversations with my wife's doctors, our life mentors and between ourselves we have come to the decision it is time to move to a more benign (barometrically) environment for Kittery's health. Looking at the top 3 in the US it came down to Hawaii, South coast California and South East Florida. Because of cost of living being what it is in the first 2 choices we are opting for Florida, and are starting a search of the Ft Lauderdale to Cape Canaveral area of SE Florida.
What I would like is any tips, tricks, thoughts from those that live in this area, or have lived in this area within the last decade or so. We are not so concerned with hurricane alley as I grew up in the Pacific equivalent with Typhoons every year. What we are more interested in are the areas to gravitate towards and the areas to stay away from. We have been living pretty rural the last 12 years and looking at maps it looks to be mostly dense urban and suburban living along the entire coastal area.
What things do we need to think about in a transition from Colorado to Florida?
* Health Insurance worries? We carry our own via a Cigna plan currently.
* Car insurance worries? Currently with USAA.
* Other concerns?
* Should we look for a rental company to manage our house here in Colorado even though it will be our son taking over living/paying here?
* Other areas we should look at?
We've moved a lot in our lives. We already have moving of personal property pretty much locked in. This won't be the first time we've moved somewhere where we don't know what to expect. Just yet another adventure for us. We are planning to rent for 2-3 years until we find the exact right area for us to "settle down" longer term.
Thanks for your time and input!
COL Mikel J. Burroughs - please pass the word and let me know if I posted this correctly. :)
After conversations with my wife's doctors, our life mentors and between ourselves we have come to the decision it is time to move to a more benign (barometrically) environment for Kittery's health. Looking at the top 3 in the US it came down to Hawaii, South coast California and South East Florida. Because of cost of living being what it is in the first 2 choices we are opting for Florida, and are starting a search of the Ft Lauderdale to Cape Canaveral area of SE Florida.
What I would like is any tips, tricks, thoughts from those that live in this area, or have lived in this area within the last decade or so. We are not so concerned with hurricane alley as I grew up in the Pacific equivalent with Typhoons every year. What we are more interested in are the areas to gravitate towards and the areas to stay away from. We have been living pretty rural the last 12 years and looking at maps it looks to be mostly dense urban and suburban living along the entire coastal area.
What things do we need to think about in a transition from Colorado to Florida?
* Health Insurance worries? We carry our own via a Cigna plan currently.
* Car insurance worries? Currently with USAA.
* Other concerns?
* Should we look for a rental company to manage our house here in Colorado even though it will be our son taking over living/paying here?
* Other areas we should look at?
We've moved a lot in our lives. We already have moving of personal property pretty much locked in. This won't be the first time we've moved somewhere where we don't know what to expect. Just yet another adventure for us. We are planning to rent for 2-3 years until we find the exact right area for us to "settle down" longer term.
Thanks for your time and input!
COL Mikel J. Burroughs - please pass the word and let me know if I posted this correctly. :)
Posted in these groups: 
Fort Lauderdale
Moving
Fort Lauderdale Moving
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Look for places on the west side of the county in Weston, Penbroke Pines, or Coral Springs. Stay away from the East unless you are going to be right near the beach. It’s crowded, allot of transplants from the NE so expect the attitude to go with that. Tráfico can be a mess if you have to commute. Weston would be my top choice of places to live down there. The city lies just west of Ft. Lauderdale but it’s amazing. The food is great, you are a short drive from the keys, and great entertainment for people of all ages.
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I live in Fort Lauderdale.... it’s expensive and with quite a few rude folks. The healthcare is pretty good as far as the VA and clinic in Broward.
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The first question is why the east coast of Florida and not the Gulf Coast from say Naples up to Tampa? Tampa has MacDill AFB which is the home of centcom and has nice facilities. Also, James A Haley Veterans hospital is here in Tampa if you use the VA at all. It is one of the best VA Hospitals in the system.
I've lived in Florida most of my adult life, even born in Key West. The east coast of Florida, especially further south can be pretty expensive unless you go further inland. I would recommend staying away from the coast for a home. You mentioned living in the Pacific and being used to typhoons but you will grow weary of boarding up and/or evacuating if you are close to flood zones and live in evacuation areas. Check flood zone and evacuation zone maps before moving into an area.
I don't think you insurance questions will be a concern. You rates may be different here in Florida but you can call and get rated for insurance in the area you want to live prior to moving.
If you trust your son to live there, stay there and take care of the place I wouldn't hire a management company. If he us not really able to take care of a home, routine maintenance and the like then you might hire one.
I've lived in Florida most of my adult life, even born in Key West. The east coast of Florida, especially further south can be pretty expensive unless you go further inland. I would recommend staying away from the coast for a home. You mentioned living in the Pacific and being used to typhoons but you will grow weary of boarding up and/or evacuating if you are close to flood zones and live in evacuation areas. Check flood zone and evacuation zone maps before moving into an area.
I don't think you insurance questions will be a concern. You rates may be different here in Florida but you can call and get rated for insurance in the area you want to live prior to moving.
If you trust your son to live there, stay there and take care of the place I wouldn't hire a management company. If he us not really able to take care of a home, routine maintenance and the like then you might hire one.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I guess part of the answer is I do not have VA benefits nor do I have anyway to access any base. Also, most of the jobs I do seem to hit in the Cape to Miami zone. And maybe it is partly the romantics in us. :)
Good thought on flood/evac zones. That just went onto our list of things to check. Thanks!
Good thought on flood/evac zones. That just went onto our list of things to check. Thanks!
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