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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 22, 2023 12:45:53 GMT -5
Retirement is still a few years away but I am once again considering relocating out of California when that happens. Living close to WDW and no income taxes is a bit alluring. I could sell my California home and buy a home at WDW and a summer home on Cape Cod and still have funds leftover.
In my head I'm thinking I would go to the parks often, if only to walk around Epcot. I would want to live within 15 mins away.
For those that made the move, how often do you actually go to WDW as a local?
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Post by brp on Oct 22, 2023 16:02:26 GMT -5
IIRC, you live in San Francisco. We are in the South Bay. I can't imagine wanting to love in Florida weather after living in the Bay Area, even with the added bonus of selling a Bay Area home.
Cheers.
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 22, 2023 16:22:20 GMT -5
It is not a direct comparison, because the closest we came to living in FL was spending some extended time there during shut downs. However, when we had the vacation place there, we visited the parks maybe an average of 3 days per week we visited, usually either for a couple hours at rope drop or few a few hours in the evenings. I think we only did full days when friends came to visit. I suspect if we ever decide to get another place in FL one far away future day in retirement, I'd settle in a routine that included a day or two per week visiting the parks for a few hours. Even during our vacation visits, there was plenty to do at our place, which meant we spent fewer overall days at the parks. There were many days when the 20-30 minute drive to the parks simply did not compete with getting a project done, chilling or spending time at the community pool.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 22, 2023 18:05:17 GMT -5
IIRC, you live in San Francisco. We are in the South Bay. I can't imagine wanting to love in Florida weather after living in the Bay Area, even with the added bonus of selling a Bay Area home. Cheers. Close, I'm on the Peninsula. Yes, the weather is pretty much ideal here. Not sure if it will ever happen but its fun to think about. It would be a tough sell for my wife. I could only do it if I spent summers elsewhere. Just got to spend my 183 days in Florida for the taxes. |
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Post by Brian5581 on Oct 22, 2023 19:23:47 GMT -5
I’m of course still working but I hit the parks most weekends. Except for pretty much May through October when it’s only if I have specific plans because I don’t do outside when it’s 90+.
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Post by captjacksfamily on Oct 23, 2023 3:47:15 GMT -5
We relocated from SoCal to the mouse house (about 5 min from MK) just about 5 years ago. Certainly Covid and all the changes to how the park operates have slow our average use of the parks some but we still go quite often, especially when the weather is good. We like to go to Epcot and walk through the park to the studios and either walk back or take the Skylinner back depending on what we feel like. We use to stop at the Rose and Crown and share a fish and chips for lunch but they screwed that one up. We will also at times park at TTC walk to and through MK take a ride on the train and then head back. We will also head over to EPCOT and watch a concert if we like the band that is playing that night. We aren't into rollercoasters anymore so we seldom wait in line for rides but we tend to qualify for several preview opportunities for new rides so we tend to try them then and are more or less a one and done.
Our non-park use is also fairly high. We love to go down to DS and catch a late lunch on the boat house dock and walk around a bit. We more or less consider Disney our backyard and my wife enjoys phoo-phoo drinks from Starbucks, so well hit the local drive through and then do a "Disney Cruise" where we drive in the backside of the property cruise past the GF down to the turn around to head back towards MK drive past the Contemporary and back home. We play a stupid game of I spy counting how many monorails, mini vans, trains and Tron cars going by under the canopy. There are instant wins for spotting a the Bus with the Figment wrap (Wife is a huge Figment fan), alligator in any of the ponds on property or getting stop at the train crossing while the train heads into the park.
If you want any info or opinons about living here from an ex Californian or about any of the areas around the park feel free to DM me any questions. If you are ever down here and want to meet up that would also work.
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Post by alwaysdreamingdisney on Oct 23, 2023 10:10:42 GMT -5
We moved from NJ to FL in 2019. We loved being just minutes from the parks and being able to go on a whim. After Covid shutdown and the current reservation system going on a whim is more difficult when it’s a busy time of year. Due to this we’ve downgraded our AP to Pixie Passes which only let us into Disney parks Monday through Friday and there are a fair amount of blockout dates during Christmas time, spring break and ANY day that the Orange County schools are closed.
With the money we saved on the full Disney AP we were able to purchase APs at both Universal & SeaWorld! And both of these locations do not require a reservation. Plus SeaWorld has the perk of being able to bring guests in every quarter so we can share that experience with guests! We tend to go to all locations about 1 or twice a month mostly because I need a scooter to get around which definitely changes the enjoyment of the parks. My concentration is on NOT hitting the idiots who look right at you and either climb right in front of you or stop dead!
We have grown accustomed to visiting a lot of the nature areas throughout Florida most of the year.
I’d suggest that you rent in an area before buying. The traffic here can be pretty bad and drivers are crazy! We are currently moving from Winter Garden (not the downtown area) to Windermere. From both homes we’re able to see and here the MK fireworks every night.
In general the summer months most locals don’t go to the parks as they’re too crowded but very enjoyable when the weather changes and it’s cooler (70 to 90 degrees) out.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 23, 2023 11:26:00 GMT -5
I’m of course still working but I hit the parks most weekends. Except for pretty much May through October when it’s only if I have specific plans because I don’t do outside when it’s 90+. I also don't do 90+ degrees. If we do it, I think we would only stay in Florida Oct-May. Part of me is thinking this would be a way to extend my career. With the kids getting older I'm growing increasingly bored and I want to travel, but the job makes it difficult to take significant time off. One thought is reducing to part time and working remotely from Florida freeing up my evenings for frequent park trips. I could probably work a few more years until they finally shove me out the door. |
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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 23, 2023 11:28:19 GMT -5
We relocated from SoCal to the mouse house (about 5 min from MK) just about 5 years ago. Certainly Covid and all the changes to how the park operates have slow our average use of the parks some but we still go quite often, especially when the weather is good. We like to go to Epcot and walk through the park to the studios and either walk back or take the Skylinner back depending on what we feel like. We use to stop at the Rose and Crown and share a fish and chips for lunch but they screwed that one up. We will also at times park at TTC walk to and through MK take a ride on the train and then head back. We will also head over to EPCOT and watch a concert if we like the band that is playing that night. We aren't into rollercoasters anymore so we seldom wait in line for rides but we tend to qualify for several preview opportunities for new rides so we tend to try them then and are more or less a one and done. Our non-park use is also fairly high. We love to go down to DS and catch a late lunch on the boat house dock and walk around a bit. We more or less consider Disney our backyard and my wife enjoys phoo-phoo drinks from Starbucks, so well hit the local drive through and then do a "Disney Cruise" where we drive in the backside of the property cruise past the GF down to the turn around to head back towards MK drive past the Contemporary and back home. We play a stupid game of I spy counting how many monorails, mini vans, trains and Tron cars going by under the canopy. There are instant wins for spotting a the Bus with the Figment wrap (Wife is a huge Figment fan), alligator in any of the ponds on property or getting stop at the train crossing while the train heads into the park. If you want any info or opinons about living here from an ex Californian or about any of the areas around the park feel free to DM me any questions. If you are ever down here and want to meet up that would also work. That sounds pretty good. As I recall you daughter lives there as well which makes the move make even more sense for you. I have no idea where the kids will end up but have my doubts they will be able to afford to stay in California. I do need to stay several more years to get my money's worth from the UC system but after that it may be time to leave. |
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Post by thecrusher on Oct 23, 2023 12:58:42 GMT -5
We left Long Island for St Augustine 2 years ago. We wanted Florida, but we wanted to live on the coast for a number of reasons. Yes it’s hot in the summer, but the constant breeze from the ocean makes it tolerable-usually a 10 degree difference. Humidity wasn’t foreign to us. Summers on the Island get plenty of it. Our kids are spread around the country -Lexington Kentucky, Las Vegas, Chicago and Long Island. So a second vacation home wouldn’t get much use due to the fact that when we travel, it will be to the area where they live. And we weren’t about to follow our kids around the country. We both worked for the same type of employer- 32 years for me and the Mrs was in for 21 years. Most kids today do not stay with an employer for that long a time-who knows where their careers will take them.
We wanted to be in a spot that would be enjoyable as year round residents. Close to a good airport (JAX), culture and entertainment (the First Coast has much to offer), and close to DVC properties. Vero is a 3 hour ride. HHI is about the same. WDW is a little less than 2 hours. We usually make 4 week long WDW trips each year with a few 2 nighters thrown in when we can snipe a good reservation. Everyone has different reasons when looking to relocate. The right answer is the one that works best for you. We’re very happy with our decision. The Annual Pixie Pass works for us best. We’re blocked out on weekends and holidays. No problem there!
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Oct 23, 2023 14:12:57 GMT -5
We are “distant locals” since we are 1 hour 19 minutes coming in by Coronado Springs and avoiding I-4. We live in Ocala and DH works from home and probably will for several more years with the plan to go part time. His greatest fear is he will be bored and I think he is probably right. Lifting is his hobby and one can only exercise so much when the 60s hit. He also really likes his job and if he likes it and we are already in FL, why give up the cash? We moved here completely in early Feb 2021 after purchasing our house in late Dec 2020. I was back in Iowa in May of this year and I really don’t know how we lived there for 35 years. It was depressing. There is nothing to do and the weather is horrible. So, for us, it was a huge win and we have reached 100% of my retirement goals. DH says 98% of his. I really should ask him was the other 2% are because I never ask when he says that.
The weather is amazing and yes, it’s ridiculously hot in the summer, but I adjusted and would get up at 4ish and get my morning walk in at first sunlight, still warm, but not blazing hot like it was in the afternoons. That’s late May-Aug/Sept ish timeframe. Right now the weather is just about perfect.
We try to do something each weekend and typically that involves going to Disney, but there are a lot of activities and places to explore in Florida. My parents and I went to a huge garage sale at the World Equestrian Center which is in Ocala over the weekend. There are many events there. We have done a few horse activities here since my step dad loves horses and we have really enjoyed them. We don’t live too far from where they dropped off the bear from Magic Kingdom.
DH would like to do a tour on ATVs through the Ocala National Forest. We’d like the hit Kennedy Space Center sometime. Zip lining in Ocala is on the list. There is a dolphin tour we’d like to go on too. Someday I’d like to do the bioluminescence in Florida, but DH probably won’t ever do that because he’s not a big fan of being on the water especially at night.
One of the main reasons we didn’t end up closer to Disney was the traffic. We were looking in late November 2020 too before he was given the all clear to actually move which was somewhat of a shock and a very fast process once it started. DH would never survive in Orlando traffic. I’m not sure I would either honestly. This morning I was down in the Clermont area heading to Winter Garden/Windermere and I was going 6 miles still on my gps and it was going to take me nearly 30 minutes which is rather long! I also know that Disney is my true love and he really enjoys our time there, but going all the time after work I don’t think he would enjoy, but he does like the weekends. We just really wander and visit Disney Springs and often make plans with “That Guy from Sanford”. I’m glad he puts up with us!!!
Also, going on cruises is very easy since we live in Florida. DH has 5 weeks of vacation and gets the time at the end of December off too. So, it works! When we go to Disney we works remote on arrival day since I always feel like it’s a waste with getting to the room etc and then if it’s a couple days we are there, he may work another day remotely from there, meet me for lunch and then the last day he’ll use a vacation day. It is probably the best combo that we have developed on our 3rd year down here. Lots of our friends/co-workers vacation here so we go to the parks to see them too which is fun. My really good friend retires in December and she and her husband are renting a place for 8 weeks from mid Jan-mid March this year so that will be fun for me during the week. My parents also live here so that adds more to our lives as well. We are closer to our kids too which is also a huge win.
AP: We have the Sorcerer pass since DH is working. We won’t go during the black out days…too busy & the traffic is too bad. The other two passes won’t work for us while DH is still working full time.
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Oct 23, 2023 14:16:49 GMT -5
Southern Clermont seems to be a pretty hot area and I have found two recent routes to Disney from there…one today due to a crash on the Turnpike. They are building a lot of houses in that area and it is not far from Winter Garden which takes you the back way on Disney property coming in behind The Grand. I could never live in Clermont/Minneola because the Donut King is there and their apple fritters are amazing and I would eat far too many of them! They are getting a Costco too. It’s a nice area. Strange, but it’s very hilly in there. I’m always fascinated by that when I drive in that area. Depending on where you live, it’s 20ish minutes. Minneola where Donut King is would probably be 30 minutes. It’s a nice drive. You could avoid tolls too if you really wanted to. On the map, it’s in the highway 27 area.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Oct 23, 2023 14:44:03 GMT -5
Southern Clermont seems to be a pretty hot area and I have found two recent routes to Disney from there…one today due to a crash on the Turnpike. They are building a lot of houses in that area and it is not far from Winter Garden which takes you the back way on Disney property coming in behind The Grand. I could never live in Clermont/Minneola because the Donut King is there and their apple fritters are amazing and I would eat far too many of them! They are getting a Costco too. It’s a nice area. Strange, but it’s very hilly in there. I’m always fascinated by that when I drive in that area. Depending on where you live, it’s 20ish minutes. Minneola where Donut King is would probably be 30 minutes. It’s a nice drive. You could avoid tolls too if you really wanted to. On the map, it’s in the highway 27 area. A Costco!?? I'm sold! I actually did a search of the area and was disappointed there was not one nearby. This definitely goes in the plus column. |
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Oct 23, 2023 15:30:05 GMT -5
Southern Clermont seems to be a pretty hot area and I have found two recent routes to Disney from there…one today due to a crash on the Turnpike. They are building a lot of houses in that area and it is not far from Winter Garden which takes you the back way on Disney property coming in behind The Grand. I could never live in Clermont/Minneola because the Donut King is there and their apple fritters are amazing and I would eat far too many of them! They are getting a Costco too. It’s a nice area. Strange, but it’s very hilly in there. I’m always fascinated by that when I drive in that area. Depending on where you live, it’s 20ish minutes. Minneola where Donut King is would probably be 30 minutes. It’s a nice drive. You could avoid tolls too if you really wanted to. On the map, it’s in the highway 27 area. A Costco!?? I'm sold! I actually did a search of the area and was disappointed there was not one nearby. This definitely goes in the plus column. I saw a post today on Instagram that it has an opening date of November 14, 2023. We don't have a close Costco. I'm hoping for Gainesville, but I'm not sure. The one in Clermont will be the same distance as the one I go to north of Tampa which is 1.5 hours. I don't think Ocala will get one, but who knows. Ocala is growing as well. We are getting a Bucee's though and I guess this will improve I-75 from the Turnpike to that exit by adding an additional lane so that will be nice. |
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Post by Brian5581 on Oct 23, 2023 15:52:04 GMT -5
One of the main reasons we didn’t end up closer to Disney was the traffic. We were looking in late November 2020 too before he was given the all clear to actually move which was somewhat of a shock and a very fast process once it started. DH would never survive in Orlando traffic. I’m not sure I would either honestly. This morning I was down in the Clermont area heading to Winter Garden/Windermere and I was going 6 miles still on my gps and it was going to take me nearly 30 minutes which is rather long! I also know that Disney is my true love and he really enjoys our time there, but going all the time after work I don’t think he would enjoy, but he does like the weekends. We just really wander and visit Disney Springs and often make plans with “That Guy from Sanford”. I’m glad he puts up with us!!! Always appreciate your company, of course! Didn't know Costco was coming in by Clermont. I'll have to pay a visit, perhaps a good way to break up the return trip a bit (though not really I suppose). Fortunately I do have two Costcos within a half hour of me, though (Altamonte and Winter Park). |
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