With another cold winter coming upon us we are considering the move away from this frozen tundra. We are intending to fulltime in the Barth, with our expected departure being sometime next fall.

Florida seems like it would be a nice warm place to be right now.

I know we have quite a few Florida residents here. Any suggestions on places to consider and areas to stay away from?

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Any suggestions on places to consider and areas to stay away from

It all depends on what floats your boat. It also depends on how much money you are willing or able to spend. Personally I would avoid Jacksonville, Orlando and Southeast Florida. The rural counties are more restful and somewhat more economical. Nature Coast is good.
OK! now lets hear from the high pockets (rollers).

I'm with Dick, Nature Coast (above Tampa), specifically Hudson, up to Inverness. I also think Naples, Ft Meyers are nice. I'd stay away from Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, but might consider Lake Okeechobee.

Gainsville to Ocala are pretty cool areas too, but when in Florida why not be on a coast?

Thanks for the tips. Actually, the area above Tampa is where I have started looking, didn't know it was called Nature Coast.
After spending most of my adult life working and living in some of the larger California metro areas rural is better. In fact we'll be giving up 40 acres of nice rural land here to do this.

We live in Spring Hill, the southern tier of the Nature Coast. Look at Homossasa and Crystal River areas where you can buy acreage inexpensively. My only caution is the closer you get to the water, the higher the price. But, inland you will get rained on a lot more and it's much hotter in the summer months.

We lived in the Northeast for all our lives. Every day this time of year, no matter the weather, I thank myself for moving down here!!! You can work on your car every day and wash it every two months

I figured the coastal areas would be more costly. I do miss those beautiful sunsets over the water!

The precipitation wont bother me to much as long as it isn't the frozen kind! We had our first snow here before i got her put away for the season!

If you're considering buying FL property, avoid the east coast entirely. If the west coast, only east of US 19 is insurable. The SW of FL also suffers high insurance rates.

Actually, all of FL has absurdly high rates, due to former insurance commissioners having arranged for interior areas to subsidize coastal areas (where the voters are).

Our solution to the insurance equation was to buy just East of 19 on a lake. We have access to the Gulf O' Mayheeco and don't pay the high insurance costs.

Although insurance is high to Floridians, it is about the same as we paid in NH. We opt out of the Sinkhole rider which saves a boatload.

NH insurance = approx. $1200/yr (big/older house)
Fl insurance = $648 (newer/smaller/no sinkhole)

But...........then let's talk taxes. Houses valued within $50K of each other.

NH taxes = $7000
Fl taxes = $600 (homestead exemption only)

Not only are the taxes incredibly low, with homesteading the houses value is capped and can only go up 3%/year max for ever.

I hear car insurance is higher here, but I'm still registered in NH for the moment.

I think cost of living is all relative. Those from the north or far west will find it very inexpensive, those from the southeastern states may find it about equal. I like that I can put 1200 gallons of diesel in my Wanderlodge per year instead of my heating fuel tank in NH

IMHO it is the best time in history to buy here on the mid-west Florida coast. The overbuilding of developments and the speculation with banks just handing buckets of money out have led to a historic low in housing values compared to replacement cost. I just put an offer in on a house across the street from me 1800 sq/ft, needs cosmetics and landscaping only, 3/4 acre, on the lake $42K. Asking is $52K. I couldn't buy a 40 foot piece of swampland in NH for that!!!

Not sure if we will be buying right away. But if something good comes along who knows.

The insurance issue is one of our biggest concerns. I have read that it is next to impossible to get homestead insurance. Neither of us are at medicare age so we will need something until we are.

Along with the weather, taxes are the next reason we are ready to change. WI is one of the highest taxed states, right up there with NH. Property taxes here are at 1.67% and the state wants another 6.6% on income. The savings we will have in property taxes alone will pay for our "camping" fees. That should give us some time to look around and find what we like.

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The insurance issue is one of our biggest concerns. I have read that it is next to impossible to get homestead insurance. Neither of us are at medicare age so we will need something until we are.

Not true! If you're talking homeowner's insurance at least.

Citizens Insurance is the state run program of default. I have insurance through them on my house, my rental house, may parent's house, my daughter's house and my son's house. No issues.

If you're one of those people that want coverage on everything up to burnt out light bulbs, you might take issue. For basic catastrophic, they're very competitive.

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Not true! If you're talking homeowner's insurance at least.

Perfect example of why not to believe everything one reads and why I ask the questions.

I'm not one to look for covering every nut and bolt or light bulb. Considering I designed and built this place, I really should be able to fix most anything that breaks. And I own a 23 year old Barth, I expect to have things go wrong

I will look into Citizens. Thanks!

Depending on your interests you could look at Southern Georgia, St. Simons Island, Tybee, shellman Bluff etc. Also very nice up north from Augusta, nice lake. I would test camp everywhere.

We are looking forward to checking out a lot of different places. Starting in Florida seemed the warmest for this time of year. I haven't been to any of the southern states so it will be quite an adventure for us.

The secret is to find the spots that are warm in the winter, but not too warm in the summer. The Gulf is a great moderator, but as Rusty stated, stay just east of Rt19.

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I would test camp everywhere.

Excellent advise.