Florida v South Carolina?

[F1aReD]

As a "palm lover" Florida would be heaven for me!! I've always loved Florida, been there a few times, etc. It was just a dream to move there, as I have children in this state, family, friends, etc. Until me and the W were talking the other day, somehow moving to another state came into our conversation

I couldn't believe her response: "Let's do it! Let's move! We'll reclaim our summer!" (Didn't do a thing this past summer, and now the fun stuff is closed)

So I decided to do some research and I'm mad to say the least! Aparently Florida is the 5th most dangerous state in the entire U.S. Orlando is the 3rd most dangerous city in the U.S.! There was even an article on pedophiles in the state, where the governor said that FLs children were in danger! There is an entire website devoted to this state urging people to NOT MOVE THERE. I didn't know Florida was this f**
http://moveanywherebutflorida.com/

I've done some research, and everybody says South Carolina is where you want to go. What do you guys think between the two states?

Andy

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Hi Andy,

I'm sure all of us on this board would like to live in warmer areas! There are some pros and cons between Florida and South Carolina. When you're looking at Florida, Orlando is probably not where you would want to be. Since it only really started growing in the 1950s, there is a lot of urban sprawl, and not much of a downtown core or historical area. As well, with Florida's loose gun laws, violence would probably be more common. However, there are some nicer (and sometimes more affordable) areas than Orlando. You should check out Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, etc. Just avoid "Lehigh Acres". Another thing you have to think about in Florida is flooding/sinkhole/hurricane insurance. In South Carolina it would be similar, but probably without the sinkholes. In SC, the main cities would be Charleston and Columbia. There would likely be quite a zone difference between the two, although you would likely be safer from hurricanes in Columbia!! You would probably be around a zone 8a in Columbia, but close to a zone 10a in Cape Coral!! Just something to think about

Cameron.

[canadianplant]

IF the realestate market is still downt here, you could get a decent house in a decent area cheap as borsh.... Id say florida.. Maybe in one of the keys?

It also depends on what else you like to grow. Apples, lots of berries and stuff wont make it down there. Certain lilies wont, where as in South CArolina you have a chance.

Does that matter when you can grow almost anything? I think not....

[F1aReD]

Cameron, Canadianplant (sorry I don't know your name) thanks for the info. I heard that flood/sinkhole/hurricane insurance has tripled! And also thats jobs down there are scarce, and don't pay well. A job in one of the states would be the first step, but so far there is nothing good, or they only pay $7 an hour for the same job I have now (I'm making over $15/hr right now). A move probably wouldnt happen anytime soon, but me and the W are going to take a trip in February to see what it's like in Florida.

Speaking of real estate, there is a MAJOR difference between Massachusetts and Florida: FL is WAY cheaper. Most of the houses in FL are new, built in 2000 or above, and most go for under $200,000. In Mass it's hard to find a (good) house for under $200,000, and most are built before the early 90s. Up here if the house is new or newer, it goes for atleast $250,000. Most of those houses in FL would EASILY be a half a million in Mass.

http://www.trulia.com/property/30591386 ... h-FL-32967

[F1aReD]

I know it's a "short sale" but that is still super cheap for all that house!

Andy

[TerdalFarm]

OK has had record cold this year: to -30 in February, and many days of +46 c to achieve the hotest month of any state, ever.
After February, W and I looked seriously at Texas. Then they beat us for the hotest summer of any state, ever. Now thinking Oregon.

[canadianplant]

Hell of a lot more rain in Oregon. At least the western part

[hardyjim]

I agree that you can probably get a cheap house there.

Those surveys are probably done by people that live
in Florida and don't want more people living there!

[lucky1]

Holy cow...that house would be $500,000 in Kelowna BC., maybe higher.

While I'd love to live where I could grow tropicals, we'd all be trying to push the envelope no matter where we lived.
Ever heard of the Hawaiian guy who was trying to grow a Colorado Blue Spruce?

Personally, I'd stay away from southern coastlines.
Between hurricanes and the GW threat of ocean levels rising ~16-23 feet (OMG!), I'll take a hill on a south slope in the interior any day.
But probably because that's all I know.

Look at how cold it got last winter Texas, OK all the way to FLA, and pictures of damaged palms with ice clinging to delicate fronds.
I could've cried seeing those pictures.
As Erik said, his winter lows in Bixby OK were colder than the South Pole (or maybe he meant Canada)

Jesse's right...a lot of rain in Western Oregon, but winters are mild.
And that's the big thing for palm growers...winter temps.
I still need at least 3 seasons...I simply could not imagine living in FLA or HI and mowing lawns 12 months of the year.

Besides if we moved to FLA, what would we dream about then?
(Don't answer that, you guys)

Barb

[tlcivi]

Florida housing is dirt cheap. Condos with ocean front views are under 100k.houses with pools are 100 to 150. I have been thinking about it. Carolina is too cold for me and a lot of palms.