Me, pleasant chit chat about a vacation and move to Florida.
Some peeps: Let me ruin Florida for you. Did you know it has allergies, flood zones, and crime statistics? We know you have never seen crime statistics before. Let me explain them to you.
First, thank you for all of your awesome suggestions and taking the time to let me know about all the cool places. We really appreciate it. We will now have to check out Virginia, because we’ve never been.
Second, having read several comments that have assumed that I was 14 and outright berated me for my lack of wisdom, I feel compelled to clear some things up.
I have moved 12 times since I was 16 years old. Seven of those while Gordon was in the military. Because I have moved so often, I have a decent workable knowledge of real estate and relocation in general.
Purchasing real estate requires specific knowledge. For example, if I am buying a property in Texas and it has its own well, my first question is going to be dug, bored, or drilled? Because if it’s anything but drilled, I am walking away. There are other relevant questions. How old is the well? Am I going to have to drill a new well in 10 years? When was the well water tested last? Is there a company that maintains the well? What’s the water quality and flow rate? If there is a well, there is a septic tank. Where is the septic tank? How far is the well from the house and the septic drain field? Is there a company that maintains the septic? For how many occupants has the septic been rated? What sort of septic is it? Will I have to replace the drain field and if so, is it going to contaminate my well water? I have never had a house with a well. I know all this, because I am a professional writer who is good at research and careful with her money. I worked very hard for it.
Gordon was born and grew up in Florida. When he arrives to Florida, within a week he can breathe clearly and stops itching. When we return to Texas, he has to take a Zyrtec every day or his skin feels like it’s on fire. 🙂
We are familiar with Cocoa Beach, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orlando, Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Seaside, and the Keys. And by familiar I mean visited during different times of year and have remained for a considerable amount of time, not just sat in a hotel. When I say I hate Orlando, it’s because we lived there for several weeks.
We know about hurricane shutters, impact proof windows, deed restrictions, flood insurance, and sink holes. Having moved 12 times, we know to check crime statistics, taxes, elevation, and proximity to nearest grocery store, gym, and hospital. We know about the Scientologists in Clearwater, carnival folks who once wintered in Gibsonton, and junkies at Cocoa beach. We know about Palmetto bugs. We lived in Savannah, GA for several years, where they thought they were our house pets.
We have seen a gator up close. We have seen it climb a chain link fence.
We have been to Texas coast. We know what it looks like. We smelled it. We saw Rockport before the hurricane and after. Our neighbor’s condo still hasn’t been repaired because the insurance companies are dragging their feet.
We have been to California. During his time in the Navy, Gordon was stationed in San Diego for 4 years.
We’ve lived in Portland, Oregon. We’ve seen the coast. We’ve driven to Astoria.
The reason why I hate gated communities is because before making it as a writer, I was a legal secretary who worked for an Atlanta law firm that dealt specifically in HOA disputes. I have seen an HOA level a $25 per day fine because there was a crack across one of the driveways leading to the house and the homeowner failed to repair it within their time period. You have no idea to what depths a retired lawyer with nothing to do will go when he thinks his neighbor’s Pomeranian is barking too much for the 15 minutes the poor dog is permitted outside.
I have to date bought and sold several properties, never at a loss, so when you are writing a comment, please address me as another able-minded adult. 🙂 Nobody likes being talked down to, and normally I have a longer fuse, but I am still pretty tired.
Here is a cute kitten for you.
Do not be mean to this kitten. I am warning you. 🙂 There are limits.
I got similar unsolicited advice when I told friends I plan to move to where my daughter and her family live, when I retire at the end of the year. It’s not as if I would make a major life decision without thinking it all through.
Good luck on finding a place that makes you happy!
I love Florida and am beside myself with excitement that you might be living in my state and that I might attend your book signings. If you choose to move elsewhere, please keep writing and I’ll keep reading. Either way, I hope you and Gordon find your happy.
Hey, wherever makes you happy. But, for me? Either Florida or Texas. Hubby and I just moved back home to FL in 2018. I’m an 7th or 8th generation native Floridian. No, I’m not rich, skinny, redneck, tanned or capable of wrestling alligators. We finally landed north of Gainesville. I had lived in TX for 3 years soon after high .I moved back when my dad’s health was failing fast. Anyway, we are about 25 minutes away from Gainesville and the insanity that can be the University of Florida. We’re about 90 minutes away from Jacksonville, a little further from St Pete, 2 hours from Naples, etc. You get my drift. You probably know you are never more than 90 miles away from a beach. We moved back home from 8 very long years in CT. I kept telling my husband we had to get home before I slipped on ice and broke my hip (in a side note: I’m currently recuperating from an accident that resulted in multiple spinal fractures and resulted in a hip replacement). My allergies were much worse in CT. Thank God for the blessing of Singulair. I can get to a Trader Joes, Aldi, etc fairly quickly. We have 1st class medical centers nearby (I can attest to that!). There are 3 acupuncture schools in G-ville, plus yoga, naturopathic treatments out the ying yang. But, I don’t have the property taxes of Alachua county! Land is still pretty affordable if you want to build to your specifications. The most important thing is that YOU feel at home wherever you land.
“high school”
Everything you commented on can apply somewhere in Australia – except alligator – read crocodile. Have you thought of trialling Oz? There may be even more experiences for you.
Yes, I agree and the crocs are really only in the top parts of the country (very small percentage of the map) leaving the rest croc free. No guns to speak of. There is also the wonderful bonus of me not having to fly 20 hours to a book signing. Definitely move to Australia …however where ever you settle, best of luck with the search.
The east coast of Florida is much less humid, look a little further north at Stuart/Jensen Beach. Less crowded so more peaceful.
You are an adult, as is Gordon. If you thought I was talking down, sorry. I am a much older adult and thought you were looking for sympathy, suggestions and reviews of where we (the BDH) live to see if you thought it worth while to look there. I have lived in Chicago, Dallas, Pompano Beach FL, Georgia, Alabama, Northern California and now Oregon. My sinuses haven’t been right since I was 13 and moved from Southern Illinois to Chicago. I am 70 now and still take sinus pills every day. Your search for a home is not one I ever plan to do again. They will have to carry me out of here, I am not moving again. But I do enjoy your notes and look forward to learning where you settle next. Good luck and steady on your course.
+1000
(Not just because my wife is a cute army brat that both sympathizes with all the above and runs a small yarn store in northern Virginia that gives military and first responders a discount .)
(RedFoxYarns.com )
That wasn’t the right comment!
Oh well, silly smartphone interface
How do you edit your comments
I’ve lived in Utah, Texas, Arizona, and California. Looking can be fun, but find just what you want, where you want it, can be hard. Loved living in all four places. When my husband and I retire we are leaving California. It will be 5-10 years from now but I am already looking. I wish you both good luck in your search.
I am SO stayin’ OUT of the whole “OMG! Where should they move?” thing. Y’all done dug that hole. ..dig your own way out (hint: dot at one wall, and stomp on what you dig. No guarantees, but it might help).
To Ilona: Thank you for the kitten, I’ve been needing a kitty fix. My baby died 2 years ago. You take care of you, and move where you gotta….and may I just say, I am not surprised that a Floridian is allergic to Texas….I’m FROM Texas, and I’m pretty sure I’m allergic.
Good for you!
I had, and have, nod advice – instead I was following because as much as I love Northern NY – mountains! Water! Highways close to the rural farming community my little village is in! I am getting tired of shoveling the miles of sidewalk that my corner house has. And that my utility bill has ‘delivery’ charges that are at least 1 1/2 times the amount of I use , for both the gas and electric.
I actually wanted to follow your search, and your filtering of communities.
So Thank you for sharing.
Cute kitten I now know who to hit up when I move for advice. Have you ever visited NYC Gordon and you are one of my fa authors and I would love to see you in person
NYC was a blog topic with LOTS of wonderful info when House Andrews went to NYC to do author stuff a couple of years ago. I wanted to bookmark.the blog there was so much good info.
Wow !! I’m 43 and I have moved only 3 times in my whole life !! And I’m counting the time when I was 4 years old !!! And each time within a radius of 3 miles !!!
Well, I ‘m questionning my life right now…..
Love the thought that you might move to Florida…and perhaps I will get to meet you in person someday. My husband also moved to Florida as a child, by order of his doctor. Seems to work for him, hope it is good for Gordon as well.
We have a home on the beautiful Withlacoochee River and love the myriad of springs and manatees in our area. Believe there is something in Florida for most anyone.
Hope you are getting some rest after all of your deadlines!!
Fabulous kitten!!
Levy, Marion, Citrus, Sumter or Hernando?
I too live near the With-a-cookie River. (Shout out to Piers Anthony’s Xanth series! The only author I have ever read from Citrus County.)
We really do live in a beautiful area full of lots of outdoor activities.
Every place has pros and cons. Florida is undoubtedly beautiful. It has some great wildlife. It also gets Hurricanes. I guess its what we have learned to consider an acceptable level of risk. We normalize things like this. Its not just Florida. Tornado Alley gets hit every year.
I live in earthquake country, The Pacific Northwest. Quakes only happen every so many years. I cant imagine one being enjoyable. They are infrequent, and I do a lot of disaster prep. We are due for a big one. ( 9 or 10) I have stored water for a month , dehydrated food for a month and a half that is OK for 20 years. I am working on a good First Aid kit and updating my First Aid knowledge. Our bridges are all structurally deficient. I plan on there being a prolonged period before we get help if we have a big one. I have hand crank power for cell phones and keep several high capacity power banks charged up. I have a HAM radio and have to find a local class that will get me licensed. Solar rechargeable batteries are a goal. I have high capacity water filtration gear and water purification tablets if there is a longer term need.
Quakes are infrequent. I cover my likely weak points. and never forget that Man proposes, God disposes. I suspect it’s no coincidence that Tornado alley and the Bible Belt intersect. “There are no atheists in Foxholes.” All we can do is prepare. I keep my meds and copies of important documents by the door in case I have to bolt. I eventually want to have go bags with two sets of clothes, documents,meds, high calorie snacks and water. I have renters insurance. Good protective shoes are by my bed along with a couple pairs of stout work gloves. Broken glass is a common hazard and work gloves can really help if someone is stuck under rubble. Its not if, but when we get a quake. Every several hundred years we get a big one. We are overdue. We have volcanoes, again infrequent.
Being raided by Mother Nature several times a year with hurricanes, tornadoes & flooding sounds as though it would get old fast. That’s a lot of clean up. I avoid flood plains. Limestone sets one up for sinkholes. Hurricanes happen several times a year. Wildfires stand my hair on end. No one can avoid everything. I suppose its all what we are used to living with.
Don‘t let the „bugs“ get you! ????????????
Love the kitten!
Love your books! Wherever you are!
Greets from Switzerland…
Inga
Ooh seriously Virginia? Fun place lots of history. So many different cultures and climates. Maybe it’ll be the right fit for you. Or Florida. As a fellow allergy sufferer I totally empathize on the importance of climate. If I never experience the allergy explosion of my head in the northern Virginia area I will be ok. I love my allergies in the pnw! I admire gordon’s perseverance in living in a place that makes his allergies flare! Go house andrews
I love Virginia. Beautiful places with lots of history, Kayaking on the Potomac and James River. Shenandoah caverns. DC is a foodie’s dream. Wineries and microbreweries every where. But I’ve come to believe it’s also the pollin capital of the world. We get more pollin than snow fall (only slightly exaggerated).
Good luck with the move- its daunting having so much choice in 1 country! I woudn’t fancy gators, heavy winters, hurricanes or the US health service having been spoilt in the UK, though we do have floods, Brexit and Boris though, so not all perfect.
I’ve moved in the UK and Ireland 12 times in the last 20 years, with degrees, jobs, husband etc and it doesn’t get easier, you just learn more questions to ask! I’ve now learned to let the movers just pack rather than hovering and trying to help. Working for a museum means precision packing which is good for Granny’s china but not really useful with pots and pans!
Happy searching and hope you get chance to relax and catch up with yourselves soon
I have no opinion on where you should move, although I’d love to move to St Augustine. We have family there and in Jacksonville, and I’d really like to live somewhere that I can actually grow the orchids that I love. If you moved to Virginia, you’d be closer to me in Pennsylvania and maybe I’d have the opportunity to buy you a hot(or cold) beverage in a nice public place and tell you how much I love the world you’ve created. Or I can tell you all about how yesterday I ended up with dog number 5.
OES! Gorgeous!
Aw, so cute !! Is he a Bobtail ?
I’m going to blow past ALLLL the other stuff and just say that on FB earlier this week, someone was trying to remember a book series where the trolls got drunk on caffeine and (insert other plot points here). Of course my brain went …where do I know drunk on caffeine aliens?!?! I could not think of it. I went through my Goodreads (even having JUST READ Sweep With Me…nope didn’t trigger it). Someone on the thread had mercy on me and said, “I bet you’re thinking of Innkeeper/Ilona Andrews/Vampires. Arland drunk and streaking through the Orchard will never not be funny.” Sometimes, the Internet is a blessing. (Nobody knew of drunk trolls, FYI)
I want a snippet! Y’all be nice. This is like when I was in high school and I didn’t understand why my mom wouldn’t let me borrow the car. Maybe if I hadn’t skipped school on Monday I could have had the car Saturday. My mom never came out and told me this, she just let me figure it out on my own.
House Andrews is under no obligation to give us snippets. They loving gift is with them to help us get through the wait till the next release. But I guaran-damn-tee you we won’t get any if House Andrews isn’t happy with us. Talking down is not making them happy. Y’all cut it out. August is a long way away
+1
That’s right!! Got nothin’ nice to say, shut it! As my step-mama taught me, words never said don’t need an apology.
Now, as to allergies when leaving your ‘home’ state/area. Moved from Ft. Lauderdale/Pompano Beach, FL in ’95/96 , ended in Columbia, SC–20 years of sinus running like Niagara Falls. And I don’t have the ‘nature/outdoors/pets’ allergies-I got tested. “You have no allergies Madam” is the verdict. I paid almost zip for that expensive testing because it was a sick year. Lived in FL 28 yrs, and no allergy symptoms. Go figure.
Advising about local conditions wherever you are-I miss the concrete block construction of S Fla. I love the cheerful attitude of strangers when I need to ask for directions/finding stuff –99% helpful here. Just don’t block the back roads when flagging down an oncoming vehicle ( and yes, I have watched this-2 cars, drivers chatting in the road, no traffic blocked). I don’t like following behind farm tractors. And I can talk to strangers in stores w/o them wondering if its some kind of con. I laugh when people here are complaining about the humidity. I don’t love the state income tax, public school rankings, and a few other things-mostly to do local government offices.
I couldn’t stop laughing at the Scientologist in Clearwater comment
I love this blog it brings a smile to my face every time I read it.
“We have seen a gator up close. We have seen it climb a chain link fence.”
OMG, how tall was that fence?
Good for you! I’ve never left a comment but I think you are great writers, I love your books, and you deserve to be treated with respect. As all humans do. Nothing in your writing (books and blog) has ever made me doubt your capabilities. You are much more polite than I would be. Good luck with the move!
My kitten is cuter.
(I R Adult but it is Friday and I R letting my inner kid out)
Come to Arizona! Life in the Phoenix Valley is great, especially in the East Valley. Property rates are reasonable in Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert. Surprisingly there is much more water around than you would think and even tho the summers are hot, an hour’s drive north puts you in the high mountains and it is BEAUTIFUL, as well as cool.
Plus the people are mainly nice to each other and friendly too. 🙂
South Carolina checking in here – those Palmetto Bugs never get less gross. You just get less surprised to see them. In all of this lovely country, the place I’d love to move to most if given the choice is Brevard, NC. A small college town in the middle of the Pisgah National Forest, it has the mild weather of the South with the beauty of mountain living.
Enjoy wherever you decide to live.
Thank you for the kitten. It was cute.
I live in Hampton Virginia. We’ve been in the Hampton Roads ara since 2002. We like it very much but realize its not for everyone. Like any other large metropolitan area, it has good and bad statistics. I woulld be happy to answer any questions you and Gordan might have about the area as I am sure any other of your fans would as well.
The best part for me is it is a two and half day drive to my family. They have only visited once since my family moved here.
Good luck with the relocation search.
What an adorable kitten! And a great photo!
If I ever consider moving to another state, may I ask you for advice?
I love when Ilona channels her in her Nevada. Sorry you had to get mad to do it, though. Please enjoy wherever you decide to move to.
Oooo As a library manager we just hated booking meeting rooms for HOA meetings. The booking process was painful and difficult, the rebooking process was painful and difficult, and the actual meetings were painful and difficult (they fought and NEVER left on time or put their chairs away). Sorry – bad memories.
I have weird requirements when looking for a new home. There can be no leakage from the roof or into the basement. I need lots of natural light and enough room and a climate conducive to gardening. I also need there to not be a propensity for natural disasters. Is that asking too much?
Thank you for the adorable kitten. 🙂
*enthusiastic cheers and loud whoop whoop*
You tell ’em!
I lived in Buckhead and Little Five Points. Twenty-one years total. Loved Atlanta and was thrilled to leave. You should really try a visit to Bentonville, Arkansas. Look us up on the web and read about us. We’re pretty hot now. The hubby will take you for a ride on the lake and you can buy tea from the cute little tea shop on the square.
That comment about the retired lawyers & the Pom somehow gives me an insight into how and why Warren’s neighbour met his end ???????????? (I know he wasn’t a retired lawyer but it resonated with the same energy!) I love irritated Ilona, she resonates with my fuse length ????
Good for you! Every place has its pleasures but it’s always good to go home. Blessings on your new abode!
I live in London, so cannot offer any advice, even if I were tempted to, which I’m not. I was an RAF brat and went to 10 schools, and moved about 19 times between the ages of 0 and 35. I am allergic to moving. When I moved to my teeny tiny flat I put down roots, I reckon they might carry me out feet first. But looking at houses on line…oh yes. Property porn rules. Have fun with it. Find your dream house and enjoy it. Post the odd link to temptation so we can enjoy too. In the meantime rest and recover. I am so looking forward to Emerald…happy anticipation here.