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: When Will We Be Floridians?

 When will we be Floridians?

It has been our dream to live in the middle of the magic, near the "house of mouse."  With each passing day, we get closer to the dream! 

Distance from our condo to The Magic Kingdom

In August, 2021, we closed on a 3 bedroom/2 bath ground floor condo in Windermere, Florida. We had spent May and June searching for a property with the help of Paul Donovan, our realtor in Orlando.  Many hours were spent watching videos, searching for listings, and touring properties with Paul, each on our phones.  When we purchased the condo, it had a tenant.  The HOA for the complex allows for 12 month leases and we renewed the lease in March 2022 for another year. 

Our ground floor condo in Windermere

Then, there were work considerations. In October 2021, our local school board approved an early retirement package for employees that met the requirements of age and years of service.  Voila!  Once the paperwork was sent to the husband and I, we were the first ones to submit our intention to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  

Being a public school employee retiring in Iowa, allows for payments from the pension program.  Both the husband and I qualify to receive those payments.  Once payments are received, there are time limits for returning to any type of employment and the payments are determined by pay scales, etc.  The husband is deferring payments from the pension program, so he can be a substitute employee without having to wait for the "bona fide retirement" window. 

My last day with students May 2022

What will I do?  That's the beauty.  I don't know.  Nor do I have to know.  

Then, there's the boy.  He may decide to move with us to work and go to school.  In the meantime, he has another year of community college.

The boy is in college now

When will be Floridians?  Sometime after March 2023.  

Each day, our dream gets a little closer!