My take on FL, having lived all around the state over 14 years...
...there are definitely a lot of things I liked, and quite a few I didn't. In that time I lived in Pensacola, Milton, Jacksonville, Key West, Jacksonville Beach, (MD & CA), then Miami before returning to VA.
I learned you need the darkest tint possible in your car because you can't leave the windows cracked open. I also started using a windshield shade in Florida. They get thunderstorms every afternoon, so if the sunroof or windows are cracked, you'll return to a very wet interior. Tinting and a window shade will reduce the interior temperature 10-15 degrees over a car without it.
With that in mind, the most tolerable temperatures are probably in the panhandle.
Every part of Florida is different. The panhandle is "lower Alabama," Jacksonville is "lower GA," Miami is the gateway to Europe and Latin America, and Key West marches to it's own tune. (I've heard that Key West has gotten far more "touristy" over the last 20 years...)
The worst traffic and the absolutely worst drivers in the state are in south Florida. There just isn't any comparison. I rate Miami as having the worst drivers in the nation.
The best food is in Miami, and once again there isn't any comparison. If you love fresh seafood, then Key West is your place.
The best diving is in the Keys. There just isn't any comparison to anywhere else in the state...heck, anywhere on the east coast. If you hate wearing a wetsuit, then no comparison on either coast. Did I mention the Pacific is freaking cold!!!!!
The best beach sand is in the panhandle. It's white, and squeaks when you run on it. Awesome!
Orlando is "tourist central." If you want "theme parks," there's no better place in the country to find absolutely every type of park, and they are all within a short drive.
Enjoy!
Thread Replies (57)
here's what I learned from a week in Florida
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 07:04 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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06/09/22 07:04 AM ET
I've only been to Florida a few times. But I genuinely have no idea how
-- Tafkam Hokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 03:14 PM ET
Tafkam Hokie
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06/09/22 03:14 PM ET
Orlando has gotten a lot busier in the last 10 years
-- OrlandoHokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:22 AM ET
OrlandoHokie
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06/09/22 11:22 AM ET
Glad it works for you - I couldn't do it
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:59 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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06/09/22 11:59 AM ET
Here's what I dont get...
-- 4thosehokies
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:12 AM ET
4thosehokies
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06/09/22 09:12 AM ET
And a large % of those transplants are from places like NY, CA, and MA
-- HokieNoVA
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:44 AM ET
HokieNoVA
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06/09/22 09:44 AM ET
east coast is NYers, Gulf coast is midwest transplants**
-- MrBayAreaHokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:55 AM ET
MrBayAreaHokie
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06/09/22 09:55 AM ET
I would submit that it is quicker to stand once the seatbelt sign goes off
-- No Clue
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:10 AM ET
No Clue
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06/09/22 09:10 AM ET
My take on FL, having lived all around the state over 14 years...
◄
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:54 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/09/22 08:54 AM ET
Still living down here - going on my 6th year....
-- Hokie 4 MG
Jun 09, 2022 at 04:28 PM ET
Hokie 4 MG
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06/09/22 04:28 PM ET
lived there 12 years myself - agree on all points**
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:45 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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06/09/22 10:45 AM ET
Here's seven things I've learned spending some of the recent winters
-- Vippie1
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:52 AM ET
Vippie1
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06/09/22 08:52 AM ET
I never shopped at Publix when I lived there (too $$$) except
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:43 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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06/09/22 10:43 AM ET
Good list; especially regarding grouper
-- No Clue
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:11 AM ET
No Clue
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06/09/22 09:11 AM ET
I’m one of those people that stands in the aisle as soon as the plane
-- RoswellGAHokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:43 AM ET
RoswellGAHokie
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06/09/22 08:43 AM ET
I typically don't unless I have a really tight connection...
-- vthokieq
Jun 09, 2022 at 01:37 PM ET
vthokieq
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06/09/22 01:37 PM ET
Yup, me too. I fully realize I'm not getting off the plane any sooner
-- Tafkam Hokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:31 AM ET
Tafkam Hokie
•
06/09/22 11:31 AM ET
Europeans are usually very orderly, but something about them on a plane...
-- KeoweeHokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:56 AM ET
KeoweeHokie
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06/09/22 09:56 AM ET
I always figured people that did that were waiting for the people in front
-- HokieNoVA
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:55 AM ET
HokieNoVA
•
06/09/22 09:55 AM ET
yes but your 04, 06 and 10 are paid off!!!**
-- VT Pez4Life
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:41 AM ET
VT Pez4Life
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06/09/22 08:41 AM ET
truth - it was nice to play in but no way I'd spend the $ to actually buy 1**
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:38 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
•
06/09/22 10:38 AM ET
My favorite sandwich**
-- AirborneHokie96
Jun 09, 2022 at 03:48 PM ET
AirborneHokie96
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06/09/22 03:48 PM ET
Yep, but a Muffuletta is better. JMHO**
-- DonHo-kieHi
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:39 AM ET
DonHo-kieHi
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06/09/22 09:39 AM ET
Love them both, but I agree!**
-- fsghokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET
fsghokie
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06/09/22 11:00 AM ET
Oh, those are good, had one in Slidell, LA and the waitress just laughed..
-- `lag
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:57 AM ET
`lag
•
06/09/22 10:57 AM ET
Yup. Car safety features now are pretty amazing.**
-- Stork
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:11 AM ET
Stork
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06/09/22 08:11 AM ET
USB C and CarPlay are a must for me 👍🏻**
-- B777Fr8Dog
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:28 AM ET
B777Fr8Dog
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06/09/22 08:28 AM ET
CarPlay is mandatory for any new car now.
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:55 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/09/22 08:55 AM ET
My '03 Tacoma has CarPlay, my '92 Land Cruiser gets it later this summer 😉**
-- B777Fr8Dog
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:59 AM ET
B777Fr8Dog
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06/09/22 08:59 AM ET
I still have the factory head unit in my 2008 Tacoma
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:12 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/09/22 09:12 AM ET
mine is sitting on my workbench in the garage**
-- B777Fr8Dog
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:33 AM ET
B777Fr8Dog
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06/09/22 09:33 AM ET
I'll get mine from Crutchfield
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:28 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/09/22 10:28 AM ET
Loooong time friend of mine works for Crutchfield.
-- Will Stewart
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:01 AM ET
Will Stewart
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06/09/22 11:01 AM ET
A long time ago, Crutchfield wasn't very different from Circuit City
-- Tafkam Hokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 03:05 PM ET
Tafkam Hokie
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06/09/22 03:05 PM ET
We used to get a Crutchfield tractor trailer, or two, to the FedEx ramp at
-- B777Fr8Dog
Jun 09, 2022 at 12:55 PM ET
B777Fr8Dog
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06/09/22 12:55 PM ET
I bought so many in-dash units one year that they gave me a magazine...
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 09, 2022 at 01:10 PM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/09/22 01:10 PM ET
They are just an amazing company
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:06 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/09/22 11:06 AM ET
Where mine came from - got the backup camera option for the future **
-- B777Fr8Dog
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:50 AM ET
B777Fr8Dog
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06/09/22 10:50 AM ET
I just got back from FL Tuesday, I can add some to your list.
-- Alan11
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:09 AM ET
Alan11
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06/09/22 08:09 AM ET
Everyone has an ideal vacation. I like to see new things, learn about a
-- UTPr0sim
Jun 09, 2022 at 07:58 AM ET
UTPr0sim
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06/09/22 07:58 AM ET
Heck, my ideal vacation can vary throughout the year
-- Tafkam Hokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 11:35 AM ET
Tafkam Hokie
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06/09/22 11:35 AM ET
same - nobody else was up before 10 so I got some good exploring in**
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:40 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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06/09/22 10:40 AM ET
Was it DIL trade in week in Florida?**
-- UTPr0sim
Jun 09, 2022 at 07:56 AM ET
UTPr0sim
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06/09/22 07:56 AM ET
I do not get why people spend money to travel and then lie around and read
-- Hurley09
Jun 09, 2022 at 07:54 AM ET
Hurley09
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06/09/22 07:54 AM ET
I'll be reading here while on vacation starting Monday...
-- B777Fr8Dog
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:57 AM ET
B777Fr8Dog
•
06/09/22 08:57 AM ET
apparently I don't have your
-- statmanfromHCyrs
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:11 AM ET
statmanfromHCyrs
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06/09/22 09:11 AM ET
I hate vacations with an itinerary for every hour
-- pburg_hokie
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:48 AM ET
pburg_hokie
•
06/09/22 08:48 AM ET
ugh - can't stand the idea of doing nothing
-- HokieMacDaddy
Jun 09, 2022 at 10:36 AM ET
HokieMacDaddy
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06/09/22 10:36 AM ET
Oh I agree with that too. Perhaps I'm just reflecting on my last few trips
-- Hurley09
Jun 09, 2022 at 09:53 AM ET
Hurley09
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06/09/22 09:53 AM ET
The books in Florida don't use
-- MEHOKIE
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:36 AM ET
MEHOKIE
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06/09/22 08:36 AM ET
It's the mood / change of scenery.
-- hokiehunter07
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:26 AM ET
hokiehunter07
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06/09/22 08:26 AM ET
No kidding...I hate when people don't like and do the same things as me.
-- vthokieq
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:15 AM ET
vthokieq
•
06/09/22 08:15 AM ET
Amen, brother. Those people are freaks. **
-- Hurley09
Jun 09, 2022 at 08:17 AM ET
Hurley09
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06/09/22 08:17 AM ET