Williams Family: A Year and a Half Into Our Florida Life

 

Exactly 18 months ago, we landed in our Central Florida home to begin our new life as retired Floridians.  This transition was years in the making--dreaming, planning, deciding, doing!  After a year and a half, how is it going?

We are extremely pleased with our home's location.  We've noted over the last few months that the physical structure of our building is a bit elevated, and we are positioned at the North side of the building which means plenty of light, but no direct sun exposure.  We also enjoy the view from our lanai. We are minutes from Walt Disney World, less than an hour round-trip to Orlando International Airport. Universal and SeaWorld parks are nearby. Our condo community is fiscally sound (important to note given legislative changes in Florida).  We have been granted "Homestead" exemption on our property taxes.  We are also near family, John and Diane, Todd's brother and his wife, live in Lakeland, Florida, about 40 miles away.

Speaking of our condo community, we have made friends and established relationships. Weekly dominoes brings a group together.  I no longer feel like the "new" person and have been able to connect other residents to each other with similar interests or needs.  Yesterday, I met Dona from Myrtle Beach while in the pool but I had already met her via phone when her realtor was showing her the property along with her daughter.  Dona said, "You're that Jody" and went on to tell me that I had made an impression when speaking about the community during that impromptu meeting during the tour.  Also, I am joining the HOA Board.

Sadie, our dog, thankfully is not impacted by fireworks.  She enjoys walks, especially on the paved path around Center Lake, a block from our building. Her favorite pastime is to watch the lizards on the lanai screen--a never ending nature show. It does take her a while to warm up to other people, but she happily visits John and Diane, and their cat, George.

We have established ourselves at local banks, physician offices, pharmacy, dentist, and nail salon.  Our car is registered in Florida along with our Driver's licenses and voter registration. 

Are there any cons? Sure.  Our son is far away, driving can be interesting, and tropical storms are not a favorite, but there are cons anywhere someone lives. 

Our adventure is just getting started!

Williams Family: We Aren't The Only Williamses Moving To Florida--Some Are Already There!

 

Our timeline to be Floridians is 10 more months or so.  But the husband's brother and his wife, have beat us to Florida!

In April, we got the call.  Their plan was to drive to Lakeland, Florida, the beginning of May and find a place to live.  Winter Garden maybe.

On May 2nd, their townhome in Iowa was under contract for sale and on May 3rd, the drive south began.

A few days later they were back in Iowa, property in Lakeland, Florida, under contract for their purchase.

By Memorial Day, May 30, their two cars were packed, and they began the trek south the next day.

Since then, they closed on their house in Iowa, closed on their property in Lakeland, and are undergoing refurbishments--flooring, countertop, bathrooms getting a redo, new roof, and more!  New bed, appliances, and furniture are being delivered and soon, they will inhabit their new Florida home! Did I mention that there is a "Florida room?"

In the meantime, they took a drive and ended up in Windermere, specifically, by our condo, and took pictures of course. 

The pictures came via text and made me chuckle.  They made it to Florida and our condo before us!  I guess that is what big, I mean older, brothers are for.

When we were Disney dreamin' it never occurred to us that family would be near and now, that dream has come true, too.  

The report was that the drive from Lakeland to Windermere wasn't too bad, smooth actually, other than (insert colorful language) drivers in I-4.  Also heard about driving "right through the Magic Kingdom" to get there! 

What is taking us nearly two years took them less than two months!  I can't wait to be living in Central Florida near them!