OP, unless politics affect where you choose to live now I wouldn’t let that impact your decision. I think people outside the state have a very different view than those in the state. I don’t always agree with my state/local government but that’s true of everywhere I’ve lived. I’ve never chosen where to live based on the politicians. As for the regular folk, I’ve come across all kinds and like everywhere tend to gravitate towards those who share common values. Most of the “Floriduh” stuff is magnified in the media. It’s obviously happening somewhere but I’ve never seen any “Florida man” type behavior in person.
As a native Floridian with 45+ years here, just reading some of the other posters' comments, I'd agree w/above. What most of these folks who don't live here see or read is not always reflective of what life is really like for the majority of Floridians. And I suspect the same is true for other U.S. regions often in headlines.
All the warnings to stay away forever due to current covid issues don't make sense to me. This is a fluid, constantly changing crisis - people were talking about bailing out of NY/NJ in droves over this back in March. If Fauci is correct, there could be a safe, effective vaccine within a year from now or sooner, which could shift the calculus yet again. I wouldn't choose where I'm moving based upon current covid rates - but that's just me.
Same with political leadership....I remember when liberal democrats were the controlling party before it shifted to conservative republican. There's a lot of anger and voter unrest due to Covid, BLM and other current events that may create some change - it only takes 1-2 elections to completely shift course once again. However, right now, the leadership DOES affect things like unemployment, medicaid and other survival benefits for those out of work or lower income.
Florida isn't as consumer-friendly as majority of states. Not just in terms of very stingy benefits/support systems...gullible people are eaten alive down here. You need a little healthy skepticism. We get more than our fair share of financial, home repair, and other scammers and I'm constantly amazed at how little state/local agencies do or care, compared to the way I've personally seen other state agencies advocate on behalf of people in california or the northeast. It's definitely buyer beware here - I feel like we're on our own.
Weather-wise, dec thru april/may usually feels wonderful, other than an occasional warm front. It's brutally hot late May through mid Oct, aside from the occasional "cool" front (and "cool" means down to the '80s and lower humidity vs typical mid 90s with "feels like" 100+ temps). Personally, the worst months I dread every year are Aug-early Oct - that's when humidity/heat feels the worst to me - and it's when the hurricanes hit. (I'm actually considering moving out of Fl for that reason - just too many years of heat and hurricanes. Never lived anywhere with seasons (even mild ones) and I feel a little sad about that.)
There are so many magical things to do and explore here indoors and out, if/when a covid vaccine brings us closer to normal - I will miss that if I do leave. If you're bored here, you're just not trying! lol
Good luck and if you decide to move here....
