Posts
130
Joined
6/23/2018
Location
Miami, FL
US
Long story short, I've had it MN winters. I despise cold weather which seems to be about 7+ mo. out of the year where for someone like me who doesn't ride snowmobiles, snowboard/ski, or ice fish you're basically indoors the majority of the year. FL's been on my radar for years and after working about 6 years on my internet marketing business it's finally time to make the move.
Looking to move down to FL before winter arrives in Nov/Dec 2020. Will head down during the summer to check out a few areas and homes.
I'd like to be further south as it leads to a warmer winter. I'm in my upper 20s so being somewhat close to a bigger city that has stuff going on would be ideal. Miami/Ft Lauderdale has a ton to offer for things to do, however there are no motocross tracks within 100+ miles. So that leaves the Tampa, Jax or Orlando areas since the majority of the tracks are within a decent distance. Seems like Naples, Ft Myers, etc. residents are mostly 55+, so those are out!
The other question I have is for you guys that have larger RVs/Toy Haulers, where do you park them? I'm going to be buying a 5th wheel toy hauler that'll be between 40'-45' in length depending on the model.
Seems like a ton of HOAs down there and I'm sure parking a big camper will not be allowed. 1 option would be to find a place in the boondocks, but I still prefer to be around civilization and within an hour+/- of a beach.
Any good recommendations for 24 hour storage facilities that have space for a rig that size and electric? Or higher end neighborhoods that have some space and are lax on parking RVs at your house?
P.S. I'm sure there will be a comment about the heat & humidity, I love it. Fwiw, every time I've raced here in MN on a 90+ degree day w/ 70+ degree dew point, I feel great. Body temp runs slightly cooler than the 98.6 so maybe that could be a factor.
Looking to move down to FL before winter arrives in Nov/Dec 2020. Will head down during the summer to check out a few areas and homes.
I'd like to be further south as it leads to a warmer winter. I'm in my upper 20s so being somewhat close to a bigger city that has stuff going on would be ideal. Miami/Ft Lauderdale has a ton to offer for things to do, however there are no motocross tracks within 100+ miles. So that leaves the Tampa, Jax or Orlando areas since the majority of the tracks are within a decent distance. Seems like Naples, Ft Myers, etc. residents are mostly 55+, so those are out!
The other question I have is for you guys that have larger RVs/Toy Haulers, where do you park them? I'm going to be buying a 5th wheel toy hauler that'll be between 40'-45' in length depending on the model.
Seems like a ton of HOAs down there and I'm sure parking a big camper will not be allowed. 1 option would be to find a place in the boondocks, but I still prefer to be around civilization and within an hour+/- of a beach.
Any good recommendations for 24 hour storage facilities that have space for a rig that size and electric? Or higher end neighborhoods that have some space and are lax on parking RVs at your house?
P.S. I'm sure there will be a comment about the heat & humidity, I love it. Fwiw, every time I've raced here in MN on a 90+ degree day w/ 70+ degree dew point, I feel great. Body temp runs slightly cooler than the 98.6 so maybe that could be a factor.
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I've spent too many shit winter's here in WI
3 mos of good weather isn't good enough
Planning to GTFO this year
I've been hitting Florida 3 times a year going different places Everytime
I'm personally leaning towards Tampa
GF wants Fort Myers or The Keys
Keys is a No Go ( Zero Moto there)
Fort Myers doesn't look promising, unless I'm missing something ?
If finding riding areas is too big of a pain in the ass
I'll suffer here in Shitsville WI
Hopefully more Flo riders chime in on this thread
Had not thought of that. Would be so much easier than flying down, renting a car, staying in a hotel or air bnb, and hustling through as many properties as I can see in a week.
Seriously considering this. Would make the moving process much easier and I'd be able to take my time in finding a place that I like.
And I could see a bit more of the country on the drive down and stop along the way to check out the scenery through TN, GA or AL, etc depending on the route. Thanks for the idea.
Do you know of any higher end neighborhoods in SW FL w/ out HOAs?
Looks like the nearest track to Miami/FLL is Mesa MX near Vero Beach. Over 2 hrs away. With all other tracks well over 3 hours, combined with the traffic, I'll keep that area as a destination to go and party, and live day-to-day where things are quieter.
I can handle a few cooler days below 70. It's the single digit high temps for weeks on end that are miserable.
I've done my research on the snakes & spiders. Will definitely invest in a bug spraying plan for the exterior of the house I move in to. I keep minimal very clutter so that should cut down on spiders wanting to move in. Gators don't bother me since you can see them. From what I've read snakes aren't as big as a problem as they're made out to be?
Where else have you been besides Tampa?
I've visited Boca Raton/FLL/Miami several times (been since 2010 that I've been there though) as I have an aunt that lives in that area. Naples once. Went to Disney 21 years ago and then again in 08 for a day during Christmas before heading south to FLL for the rest of the week. Didn't see much besides the resort in Orlando.
Not sure what your age is but it seems SW FL is mostly older folks but a lot of midwesterners are on the gulf coast. There are a few tracks not too far from Ft Myers, but most seem to be just north of Tampa, around Orlando, Jax, and probably a bunch near Tallahassee (not looked into that area as it gets a lot colder in the winter than I'd like, as does Jax)
I really like FLL & that area but moto is a high priority for me so it'll be a place to visit instead of live. Looks like I'll be on heading to the Tampa area!
I am envious.
It's been a long road. The worst was when I lived in Fargo, ND a few years back for about 2.5 years and worked as a foreman for a lawn/snow company for about half of that time. NEVER AGAIN! -10 + 30 MPH winds in the winter while plowing snow & shoveling sidewalks = hell.
Most areas you just park in your yard. Most of FL is really just the bottom part of Georgia.
I've traveled the entire US, by car, lots of back roads. Most rebel flags I've ever seen were in northern Florida.
But the land is cheap and the weather is nice, and southern food is awesome. plus, southern rock is awesome.
You are leaving a beautiful place, but I get it.
good luck
MN is great, I have family & friends here and in eastern ND. But for me there is nothing to do when it's cold and the state is covered in snow.
The tracks in MN are all awesome as is the sanctioning district, but I'm not a fan of 40 degree high temps in Oct or snow falling during an early April race. I still plan to come back up during May through late Sept/early Oct (as soon as temps start to drop) then head south to enjoy the summers. Millville Pro National week is an event I don't ever want to miss.
Pit Row
I'm a St Pete native and left 27 years ago. Moved to north Florida to have a little elbow room and fresh air. Take your time and look around, you'll be happy you did!
That all said, if I have to park my camper at a storage facility while renting a house for 6 mo. (until I find one in an area that I'd want to buy) it's not the end of the world, would just require good planning on my end for race weekends.
I'd prefer to not be too far from the Tampa area but don't want to live in the downtown area. I'll check out the towns you mentioned.
I've been looking on Zillow for houses to rent within the Land O Lakes, Lutz (specifically Cheval East/West), New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Odessa (lots of open space in that town), Wesley Chapel and found several places that fit my needs. We will see when I get down there. Still 6+ months from now.
The nice thing about the central east coast area, is the cost of living is not much different than it is I the Midwest. We actually joke all the time, and tell people how much it sucks, and they should probably move to the west coast to keep people from moving to the area. But in all reality, I love it and would be no where else.
Plenty of tracks within 2 hours also.
I have been looking a lot at Odessa, lots to choose from and in my price range for renting, just have to find the right place. So many homes are in gated communities. Is that usually a dead giveaway that there's a gestapo like HOA?
Will save a Zillow search for that area as well. It's a little further north than I'd like but I'll have to see what's around in terms of day to day needs - Whole Foods style grocery stores, gyms, etc.
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