Moving to Florida and Leaving Swellesbury Behind

Maybe it's Upper Montclair NJ, or a suburb of Chicago. In my case it's a town in New England, just outside of Boston. Moving is not an easy thing to do, and adjusting is a big part of the process too.

So now I find myself in the middle of Sarasota, Florida, pondering the real estate slump, a slump that happens periodically, history bears that out.

Could it be that Florida ran out of juice? Not the juice that you drink, the kind that motivates. Florida Real Estate needs a new reality campaign; there is no doubt about that according to current sales figures. Stable realistic mortgages, rates and prices, this will allow people to move away from what they know and love. Free to move on.

BUT, a word of caution make sure you know what and where you are going to, leaving behind, where you are in the buy / sell cycle, and why you are doing it.

For most people it's no more snow, no more traffic jams, the sun, the beach, the lifestyle; wow.

But starting over is just that, one leaves more than just some old furniture behind.

Are people from Maine or Chicago really cold? Not of the body, but of the heart.

Are folks from Jacksonville or Miami really friendlier? I choose not to be a judge; people are good that is my experience. At my age experience is a necessity, and apparently just as in my past it often comes from learning the hard way. I am spoiled, as in; if it does not work out, just find another way, make it happen, go to plan B. There is always a way, a place, and another opportunity to rebuild. Not exactly easy when you are tied to a Florida home in a poor market.

Sarasota, one must agree, is clean, new, spacious, and progressive.
But, give me a corner store where they know who you are.
Give me a unique place to eat any night of the week.
Give me seasons that offer climatic diversity.
Give me a measure of rich history and tradition.
I will greatly appreciate the reality of that solid brick building thank you.

Of most importance are people connections, along with places you know to go to, and five ways to get there. Man does indeed grow roots and for good reasons, roots of the heart, mind and spirit, the kind of roots that go way back into the subconscious and are marked by notches in the mind.

Consider the differences. One can really work up a sweat when shoveling snow, but one can also look forward to sweat for three seasons in sunny Florida, and then there is summer. Summer puts people inside more than any other weather I have ever known. The sun is not as friendly as one would like it to be.

Traffic; welcome to a new kind of traffic jam, one without options. When there is an accident or major construction, plan on considerable time out. There are no alternatives to your travel plans of the day. In some accident cases the given road is simply shut down.

The beach is great, no question, but lets face it the beach is not where most newcomers live, and so a pool is required, yes required along with a cage. The lifestyle is different no doubt.

Better lifestyle is possible if you bring it with you. This reminds me of an old saying; "don't expect to find love when you visit Hawaii, not unless you bring someone with you".

Moving to Florida? Bring your love, your friends, your active occupation, your dog, a comfortable air conditioned car, lots of patience, and have a few other options to. Now I have my dear wife, thank God. I also have new friends, for which I am grateful, the lifestyle; well I liked the one I left behind. The business left behind, well I miss that too.

What kind of grump am I? Not a unique one is what inquiries and simple research reveals. Ask the transplants who have been here for a couple of years, and more often than not, there is a considerable amount of discontent, along with a longing for what was left behind. It is harder for those who have had no major moving experiences in their history.

Change can be a good and positive thing, it's easier when advance research is kept in perspective, and perseverance is employed. Regardless, it is best to hang in there because the real estate slump offers no opportunity to reverse direction. That's the point where the tenacious habits of one's old self must kick in. Make the best of it, and wait for the next wave of folks ready to move into the unknown, by then I hope to be settled in!