South florida

Hi  I’ve been living in South Florida since age 5 and grew up in Miami Beach.

I’m not far from you, a bit farther south about 9 miles south of Ft. Lauderdale.  

Yes the drivers are not the best, rude and extremely impatient.  The good news it clears out after Easter when the snowbirds leave.  East coast South Florida is very expensive.  Like others have said here it might be better to try the west coast meaning Sarasota- Tampa area.  Personally, I love, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach but it is very expensive.  I don’t work so am not affected by traffic as everything is close in my city.

You know where it is very friendly?  The Villages area.  My mom lives up there and people are as nice as can be.  Traffic in the winter too but in general very laid back and you will get lots of hello’s!!

Best to take a road trip and check out the west coast and Villages area.  It is 1 hour 20 minutes drive north of Orlando Airport.  Many retirees there as well in Sarasota, Tampa area.  Naples is beautiful but very congested now too and expensive like Miami.

Good luck:womanvery-happy:

…I was born and lived in Florida all my life, West Coast, am in late 70’s, and I must say, some of your complaints are same as mine.   Only trouble is, I’ve learned that most everyone in Florida, especially where tourists gather, everyone being from somewhere different with their own ways of communicating, may not be too friendly.  And drivers, don’t get me started, lol, again they drive differently where they are from, so why should they be any different here.

True Floridians (and there aren’t many of us around) are friendly, and courteous drivers. Of course, not all people from other states are bad drivers, or unfriendly.

So many times when talking to someone they say ” you’re the 1st true Floridan I have ever met “.

Yes, for some reason there aren’t many of us around.  I also smile at, and say hello, to people in passing.

Move here and enjoy our year round, mostly good, weather.   As someone else said, the West Coast of Florida still has a lot of activity but a little more laid back.

A trip from one coast to the oher is really not that far, and  if you want different activities just take a day trip.

  Sounds like most states, and forums for that matter.   I doubt it is the locale that is causing this,  Think you have just run into a bunch (like head of lettuce LOL) of people that are busy busy, rush rush, and bad drivers.  

  Give it time and I’m sure you will run into the nice people.

Hello Smartbiddy!:womanlol:  I have lived on the west coast of Florida now for over 12 years and have lots of friends that I visit on the east coast.  I prefer the west coast as the people are friendly and low key.  Our traffic doubles when the snowbirds are down and the stores and the restaurants are more crowded.  I find the pace on the east coast as frenetic as it was in New York (where I retired from).  There is more to do on the east coast (so I am told) but there is lots to do here to.  Besides, I like the Tampa airport way more than the one in Orlando or West Palm Beach.  Come over to the west coast for a visit and see what you think!:womanhappy:

 Just wanted to say hello to you, I’ve read your question, sorry I can’t help you as I live up north. I was hoping by now some of our southern readers could help you with your questions. I must say though in every state I find there are people that aren’t friendly. Sometimes I think it is with todays’ world being in a rush rush I am hooked to my cell phone. You can’t even go to a restaurant or the grocery store without hearing people talking on their cell phone.

I would say to you, keep smiling, be yourself and don’t change just because others are unfriendly. I admire you, you are very lucky to be living there and with so much to do. I would just entertain myself with activities and then maybe in time you will meet the right people and develop some wonderful relationships. It is great that you are in high alert when you drive because most people aren’t these days. They are glued to their cell phones even though it is illegal in most states & for some reason they forget that the cars were manufactured with turn signals for a reason so please continue  for your safety to be alert for other drivers.

We have some wonderful ladies that are on the forum that live in Florida, perhaps they haven’t been on to see your question yet as they are just beautiful and very kind and helpful & I know they would give you a big smile. Keep hanging on and be yourself and keep smiling. May God bless you and have a beautiful warm sunshiny day in gorgeous Florida 🙂

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