[floridamama]

We bought 30 acres in a small town in Georgia a few months ago with the plan of moving out of Florida, finally! It is getting really, really overcrowded here. Not to mention, the cost of living is getting extreme here, and they keep raising our home owners insurance constantly due to the "predicition" of up-coming summer hurricanes! The roads here are getting so clogged, it takes me forever to get anywhere anymore! And, I don't know about where you live, but runnig red lights is common practice here now! I cannot even tell you how many close calls I've had driving, and each time, I had the right of way! It's crazy!
Anywho...here's the dilema. We now own this pretty piece of land, and it would be a great thing for the kids. Lots of room to run, and I'd feel safe about it. Unlike here. All we have to do is sell our home, and go. But, we just bought this house a year ago, and we've invested a LOT of time and a LOT of money into updating it to exactly what we wanted! It's a great little house with a nice pool, and only 5 miles from the beach. Which we love. Big beach people!
I was soooo ready to move to GA and now all of a sudden, I'm not sure I can do it! I'd leave behind the only area I've ever known! I was born in Sarasota. My friends, my family...they are all here. Even though I'm not real close with my family...that's a whole other issue! I'm still not sure I can do it now. My poor dh is upset with me for this revelation. He said he understands and we'll discuss it more tonight. Am I just getting cold feet? I don't know what to do.
We own this new land outright. Maybe we could use it as a vacation spot? Hhhhmmmm.
Anyone else understand this?

[MJ7]

Well, if you are living in a booming area, it might be worth holding on to your FL home for awhile. Are you in a position to build on your GA land and stay in your FL home? If I were you, I would stay until I was ready to leave. However, what is in your best interest economically? How is the market in GA? Will it be worth staying in FL to gain more equity in your home or build on your new land? Do you have prepayment penalties with your current loan if yous sell? You do have a bit of a dilema, but if you're not in a hurry to move, I wouldn't. Your house plans might change in another year for building a new home--who knows.

Best to you,
MJ

[floridamama]

Well, when we bought this house here in FL, we bought it from family with a gift of equity! That was so generous of them! And honestly, we are not in any rush. The more I think about it, the more I think we should give it a year. The market here right now, even though it's booming...the housing market is on a slow decline ever since the holidays. Who knows what it'll be like again in another year?! Maybe we should really consider just renting it out instead of selling it. We could pull a home equity line of credit on it and begin construction on our home in GA. I am just thinking out loud right now.
Thanks for your input, MJ7! I appreciate it! I'll be chatting with dh tonight and will post tomorrow what we decide.
Shannon

[seeemilywrite]

I would keep the house. Sure there are some issues with your area, but there are issues in every area I assure you. You dont want to move and then find out that the same problems exist in your new home as well. Stick it out, if you see issues with red ligths etc, talk to your local government. maybe they would like to cash in on a red light camera in your area

[mcmama]

I think as an investment, it is worthwhile to hang on to your Florida house. Property in proximity to the beach is still prized, and the boom there is not being shut down by the hurricanes. I hear you about the property insurance, but when you compare the total of that and your taxes to what many people in other states pay in taxes alone, you are ahead.

I also hear you about the congestion and loving the small town life in Georgia - sometimes I feel that if you could just move most of Georgia closer to a beach you would have paradise! A much more breathable pace, and some beautiful country too, and people are not as crazy there as they are in the more crowded areas of Florida. The real estate market in much of Georgia is not appreciating as well as Florida, and what you do with the property there should suit your family's needs and enjoyment - don't expect it to pay you back like the Florida property might.

[LadyElizabeth]

This can be a normal rection to leaving a life you have always had. It is a huge change for you.

But it seems very logical for you to make this move. You seem to have thought it out very well and have planned a great new location and life for you.

A suggestion:
Don't suddenly cut off your old life and begin the new one overnight. Take some time to ease into it.
Familiarize yourself with the new place. Visit it often, before the move, and plan the decor, and picture yourself living there. Go into town and become aquainted with the shops and people, make some new friends, visit the local church.

Slowly find yourself living more inGa, than Fl. Replace the old life with the new. Keep plenty of pics and mementos of Fl to hold onto. Remind yourself that if this doesn't work out, you can go back to Fl. You have the power to change your life.You can still keep in touch with all your friends and loved ones in Fl. as you build new friendships in Ga.
You may just find you have traded a difficult location for a great new one!
Good luck!
Let us know how it goes for you!

[floridamama]

Yes, we are really leaning towards keeping this house & just renting it out. Due to insurance, our mortgage payment is pretty high, I don't think we'll even get that in rent...but even if it's a little short, we could pay the difference, I guess. That way we'd keep the house.
I just don't want to let it go just in case...
Shannon

[floridamama]

Thank you, Lady Elizabeth! What wonderful advice! I will take it!

[heidihartman]

I can relate to your dilema, although I don't have "perfect" advice. We are in the midst of buying a house in SC and move from IA next month. It scares the bejeebers out of me !We moved all the time, at least once every yr or so due to work but now want to do something "different" and settle a bit, thus the house! Your fears are perfectly normal. You probably run through the what ifs every time you think of moving. If you feel this was a well thought out plan and what you guys really want to do then it will be FINE. You WILL survive . As far as what to do with the house in FL...that depends. If you have the ability to maintain two places then maybe consider leasing it for a yr and see where the market is. If you know you can sell it now for a hefty price then go ahead and sell.
Thinking out loud sometimes is a great way to figure out what you really want!
Heidi

[KW29]

Hi, I was in the same situation a year ago. I too moved from Florida (central Florida also) to Northern Georgia. While excited, I was very apprehensive because, like you, my family and friends are all in Florida. It's very natural to feel the way that you feel. One year later, Georgia is wonderful! The seasons are terrific and people are very friendly. The great thing about just living in the next state is that it is not too far to visit often! You'll find that you get a lot of company from Florida and you really enjoy the visits because they are not rushed and it is real visit as oppose to an occasional dropping in. I hope this helps!