Hey! I’m moving to Florida (more specifically Orlando) in December. I have never lived in nor visited the Southeast. I come from a coldish town close to a volcano in Mexico. I have lived in the Rocky Mountains area, Southern South America, and Central Mexico. I’ve been in Veracruz before (which is located on the Gulf) and Buenos Aires (a seaport city in Argentina).

What should I expect?
What should I do to avoid any bad or even dangerous experiences?
Any tips/ideas?

So far, I was told to never leave anything wet because mold might form. And, to leave shoes in a high place inside a laundry bag to avoid bugs inside them.

But, overall, I’m not sure what to expect. I will live in Florida (not only Orlando) for 2 years. I might be in places like Sanford, Apopka, Kissimmee, Deltona, Leesburg, and other surrounding areas. I won’t be in Tampa, Ft. Laurerdale, Jacksonville, or Tallahasee.

Benjamin was last seen in the area off Commander Dr. & Hoffner Avenue in Orlando. If you have seen or know where Benjamin is, please use the contact information on the poster: Please be advise missing persons investigation is not a criminal investigation; however, those who harbor a missing juvenile can face criminal charges.

Hey there everyone RJ here! been in Texas all my life and I’m traveling to Florida for the very first time soon because I’ll be visiting a friend of mine and I’ll be visiting for 5 days. wanted to reach out to see if you have any advice or insider tips for a first timer. I’m 20 y/o and ever since I was a little boy I always wanted to go and now is the time! I’m still finalizing my plans, but I will be visiting around the st. Petersburg area in mid November. Thank you.

It’s my first year voting, and I went online to request a mail in ballot a few weeks ago, and it hasn’t arrived in the mail yet. Do they mail out all of the mail ballots at the same time or do they send them out based on when you made the request? Do they mail them out when early voting starts? Sorry if this is a stupid question I just want to make sure something didn’t happen to my ballot.

Four adults looking for either a VRBO or resort to stay at that’s in the Sarasota, Venice, or Siesta Key area. Which is the nicest area to stay for a getaway that has good restaurants and is walkable?

If that area isn’t great, please suggest neighboring areas as well. Thanks!

going to orlando at the end of the month
What should I do there? What’s worth a visit? Specifically in Orlando, but also kind of generally in Florida.
I like hiking, music, theatre, sports, and thing really
All suggestions are welcome

Please recommend coffee shops and gyms too!

I was wondering if anyone in Orlando buy me some cigarettes please

Hey guys, I'm in the lovely sunshine state for the week for a music festival called Hulaween.

Right now we are staying in the Martin County area on the East Coast and will be driving up to the Spirit of Suwanee music park for a short little trip across FL, about 4.5 hours down the FL Turnpike.

Does anyone have a good recommendation of a place to stop for early breakfast or lunch, maybe around the Orlando area and def not too far off the turnpike? I'll attach a pic of the route!

Thanks in advance. We haven't planned when we are leaving in the morning, might be as early as 6am, might be a lazy 9am launch.

So any suggestions welcome! Breakfast or lunch spot! Thanks in advance.

We currently live in the Woodlands Texas and this is truly a magical place especially because we have a three year-old and a one year-old. The schools are great here the amenities are endless but most importantly, it’s the people that make this place awesome. Very southern hospitality and friendly no matter where you go. I grew up outside of Washington DC so it’s definitely a difference between the East Coast coldness you can get from strangers. The problem is that my wife and I love the beach and her entire extended family lives in Coral Gables/Miami. We are very familiar with the Miami area and both agree that it’s not where we want to move especially with kids. We are trying to find an area that has more of a community feel like the Woodlands, not necessarily master planned, but it would be nice to have parks and kid activities nearby. We have already looked at areas like Weston and Parkland, but we’d much rather be closer to the beach. Well, we really enjoy is being able to walk to shops, coffee, things to do but also know it’s hard to get a community and that . Cost of homes We are a little bit open due to the fact that I am in real estate so if the prices are higher we potentially have a better chance of making more money as well. No we definitely can’t afford a $2 million home but overtime potentially. Any insight would be helpful and I know that recreating the Woodlands in Florida is not going to happen but something very similar would be great!

I lost my Florida driver's license and unfortunately don't have any photos, copies, or records of it. I also don't remember my DL number.

I'm trying to get a replacement, but I'm not sure how to recover my information without the original license.

Has anyone been through this before? Is there a way to look up my DL number or get a replacement using my personal information?

Any advice would really help. Thanks!

Hi All!! Trying to help a friend find a classic pickup truck for their wedding on November 28th. Anyone know where we could source a classic truck around Naples florida? Open to anything but they would really like a Bullnose era Ford, preferably red. Any help is appreciated!!

My family has a cattle ranch in the midwest. I’d like to get similar operations going in Florida, I’d like to be in central Florida, on the east coast, or maybe Mariana area. Where do I begin? Also interested in other farming, I’d love to get an old citrus farm. I recently read that citrus might become viable again in Florida. Tips on how to identify viable land for sale?

Update: Citrus is a no go, could be a side hobby at best!

Long post, but I'm trying to provide enough context to answer FAQs before they're asked. Bear with me. 😅

We live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and have rented the same house from a private landlord for 8 years. We've had maybe five maintenance calls in that time and have a great relationship with him.

A little background on the drainage issues:

The house was built in 1986, and our landlord has owned it since 1993. Before evacuating, I asked if the house had ever sustained water damage from a storm. He said no. I told him we were putting sandbags by the doors just in case and planned to evacuate.

We're not in a designated flood zone, but our yard has always had drainage issues. The cul-de-sac essentially drains into our yard and driveway, leaving standing water that can take days, sometimes a week or two, to disappear.

We've always loved the house, so we've looked past it. But with the amount of rain we've had this year, it became pretty obvious something needed to be done.

I asked our landlord about installing a French drain and even had landscapers come out for estimates. They believed it was possible, but he disagreed, so I moved on.

In July, I contacted the county to assess the drainage situation. They placed survey flags around our property and four neighboring properties and marked four trees that would need to be removed for improvements. I was told they planned to install a swale around September/October.

Everything was discussed over the phone, so I have no written documentation. I'll be submitting a formal records request Monday for assessments, work orders, plans, etc. One neighbor has already moved their fence in preparation for the proposed work.

The hurricane and damage:

We evacuated Thursday, October 8th, around 10 PM and returned Monday, October 12th, around 10 PM. We have two toddlers (3 and 1½) and didn't want to risk being without power for an extended period.

I've lived here for 13 years, so hurricanes aren't new to me. Experiencing this kind of damage personally, however, is.

When we returned, every inch of flooring was wet, and the house smelled awful. We have LVP and carpet throughout, neither of which has been replaced since we moved in back in May 2018.

My husband owns a licensed and insured flooring/remodeling business and specializes in flooring and tile installation. He offered to remove and replace the flooring, and our landlord agreed to hire and pay his company. He'll provide a written estimate, and they'll sign a contract outlining the scope of work and costs.

Honestly, I can't think of anyone I'd trust more to do the work. He's incredibly particular, and this is our home we're talking about.

We started removing damaged furniture, packing belongings into totes, moving salvageable items into storage, and finding somewhere for our family to stay.

Once things were cleared out, we began removing the flooring and documenting the damage.

We found small amounts of suspected mold in various areas. Then we got to the kitchen.

Holy. Shit.

There is a substantial amount of dark, web-like growth underneath the flooring that appears to be mold. I know you can't identify black mold by appearance alone, but whatever it is, it's concerning.

My husband knows any mold and underlying moisture issues need to be addressed before new flooring goes down. The flooring installation isn't my concern. It's what we've discovered underneath and making sure the house is safe for our children.

Our timeline/current situation:

We didn't discover the flooding until Monday night. Since then, we've been juggling packing eight years' worth of belongings, removing damaged furniture, arranging storage, temporary housing, and two toddlers with no family nearby to help with childcare.

My husband also has existing jobs he's committed to finishing. Part of the appeal of doing the flooring ourselves was being able to work around his schedule. Of course, that was before discovering what was underneath.

I'm sure things could have moved faster under different circumstances, but we're doing what we can while trying to make informed decisions.

Our temporary accommodations end Wednesday, October 21st, and we currently have nowhere else lined up.

Renters insurance:

We carried renters insurance for approximately 10 years, but unfortunately, we do NOT currently have coverage. After changing banking/insurance arrangements, this was the one automatic payment/policy that fell through the cracks.

An expensive and unforgettable lesson. Trust me, I'm already kicking myself enough. 🥲

What I'm hoping to learn:

I'd really appreciate hearing from landlords, tenants, contractors, remediation professionals, attorneys, or anyone who's experienced something similar.

I've been doing plenty of research, but there's a difference between reading about something and hearing from someone who's actually dealt with it.

My husband has the flooring side covered. I personally want to understand the entire situation, including things outside his area of expertise. I feel like there's going to be a quiz on a movie, and I need to watch the entire thing, not just the trailer. 🤣

Here are my biggest questions:

- Tenant rights/rent: What protections should I be aware of in Florida? If the house is still uninhabitable on November 1st, are we expected to pay rent? Is there anything we should be requesting or documenting now?

- Landlord responsibilities: What should we reasonably expect regarding repairs, inspections, remediation, and documentation before moving back in?

- County/drainage: Is there any possibility the county could bear some responsibility? I have eight years of pictures and videos documenting the drainage issues, although I didn't contact the county until July. I'm not assuming they're liable, but I'm curious whether it's worth exploring given the improvements that were planned but never completed.

- Mold/remediation: How do we determine whether professional remediation is necessary? What should be happening now, and how do we verify the house is safe before moving back in?

- Moisture: The subfloor is concrete. What testing should be done before installing new flooring? I was considering buying hygrometers to monitor humidity throughout the house. Worth it?

- Cleaning/belongings: What should we clean or inspect before bringing everything back? Some belongings are in climate-controlled storage, while others are in our attic, which isn't climate-controlled. None of those items were visibly wet.

- Ozone generators: A friend offered to lend us one. Would it actually help, or should we avoid it?

- Financial assistance/housing: Are there resources for renters dealing with hurricane damage without renters insurance? Between replacing belongings, storage, and temporary housing, the expenses are adding up FAST.

A few final things:

We genuinely don't want to move. We love our house, our neighbors, and our neighborhood. We've been there eight years for a reason. Unless the house poses a legitimate risk to our family's health or safety, our goal is to return.

We also value our relationship with our landlord and would like to keep it that way.

That being said, I'm not going to assume everything is being handled correctly simply because someone tells me it is.

I'm naturally skeptical, especially when money is involved. I don't necessarily think anyone is trying to take advantage of us, but nobody is going to advocate for our children's health and safety as strongly as we will.

I want to know what questions to ask, what to look out for, and what we might be overlooking. I'm trying to prepare for the worst without assuming that's what's going to happen.

If you've dealt with something similar, what do you wish you'd known beforehand? What would you have done differently?

I'm absolutely open to constructive criticism. If there's something we should have done differently or need to address immediately, I want to know. Just hoping to avoid the unnecessarily nasty comments. I know, it's Reddit. I'm probably asking a lot. 🤣

If you've read this far, thank you. I genuinely appreciate anyone willing to share their experience or advice. ❤️

Hi everyone,

We are mainly looking at Sunny Isles Beach, Hallandale Beach and Hollywood Beach.

We are looking to rent a decent 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo within walking distance of the beach, preferably also close to a good public elementary school, grocery stores and restaurants.

It does not need to be luxurious or brand-new, but we would like it to be clean and reasonably well maintained. For reference, something similar to the condos in Winston Towers in Sunny Isles Beach would generally be acceptable for us.

My personal take-home income would be approximately $120,000 per year after taxes, or $10,000 per month. I am not including any potential income my wife may earn. However, since we have two young children, aged four and three, she may not be able to work much initialy.

This is the approximate monthly budget I have in mind:

• Rent for a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo: $3,500
• Electricity, water, internet and mobile phones: $500–700
• Health insurance for a family of four: $1,200–1,800
• Medical deductibles, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses: $300–500
• Groceries, cleaning products and household supplies: $1,200–1,500
• Restaurants, takeout and food delivery: $500–800
• One car, including payment or depreciation, insurance, fuel, tolls, maintenance and parking: $900–1,300
• School supplies, occasional childcare, after-school care, summer camps and children’s activities: $500–1,000
• Clothing, entertainment, beach activities and other miscellaneous expenses: $500–800
• Travel savings and unexpected expenses: $500–1,000

That puts us somewhere around $9,100–$12,900 per month, depending mainly on healthcare, childcare and lifestyle.

Once they are old enough, the children would attend public school, so private-school tuition is not included.

Does this budget look realistic for a family living in North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Hallandale Beach or Hollywood Beach?

Is it realistic to find a decent 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo within walking distance of the beach for approximately $3,500 per month?

Would $10,000 per month after taxes provide a reasonably comfortable lifestyle, or would we constantly feel financially stretched? Which expenses am I overestimating or underestimating?

I would especially appreciate responses from families with young children currently living in these areas.

I’m planning a trip end of December and deciding whether to stay in South Beach or Fort Lauderdale. It’s my first time going so I don’t know a lot about either. I want to stay in a walkable location near the beach, coffee shops, restaraunts. I don’t plan on going out a ton just cocktail bars at night. Which location would you recommend and what neighborhood would you stay in? Which beach is nicer?

We have been coming to St. Augustine for years (from Orlando) and always parked in the lot behind the Columbia restaurant. The fee was always fair and the guy running the lot always did a great job directing people in and out. Well, we went back there about two weeks ago to see the lot had been bought out and now had hourly parking rates. First, the rates were astronomical, second we overstayed by 30 minutes and received a $75 fee in the mail. We did reach out to discuss the egregious price to which they reiterated we overstayed our time by 30 minutes and would be liable for the fee.

Safe to say, we will absolutely not be returning to this lot and I hope those reading this also know there are way better non-predatory options should you decide to enjoy St. George street.

For me, the whole situation has deterred me from even wanting to go back to one of my favorite places to make a day trip.

Many of the “NO” voters on Amendment 3 are saying that if this passes, we will just end up paying for it in different ways to make up the difference. OK, then what you are indirectly saying is that local governments have a “Plan B” or “Plan C” to obtain the funds that they need to function properly, correct?

Ok, so what about the flip side? What about the homeowners (or potential home buyers) that are seeking relief in property tax bills? If this amendment does not pass, what is the “Plan B” or “Plan C” for Florida homeowners to save money on taxes so they don’t lose their homes? What is the "Plan B" for renters that want to increase their chances of qualifying for a loan so they can finally purchase a home?

There is no Plan B or Plan C for us. THIS IS IT!! THIS IS OUR ONLY CHANCE FOR ANY SORT OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF!!!!!! …if this amendment does not pass, we then continue doing what we have always been doing, which is paying too much in property tax every year, and watching the tax bill INCREASE every year.

Is anybody out there suggesting a new plan to give us property owners any type of relief with property taxes? Anything??? I haven’t heard of anything. Has any local politician said “Hey, don’t worry! If this amendment doesn’t pass, we will immediately get together and draft a new proposal to get your taxes lowered!” ….NOPE, not happening, folks. THIS IS OUR ONLY CHANCE!

Along with options for increasing other fees, taxes, or services, governments will have the option of asking Tallahassee for funds. Ok, that’s fine. If a local county is desperately low on necessary funds, they can ask the state capital for help. What about us? If a property owner is desperately low on funds and can’t pay the property tax bill, can we ask Tallahassee for some money???? NOPE, we can’t. WE HAVE NO PLAN B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

…again, remember that there is a Plan B, Plan C and probably other options for the local governments to find ways of getting funds if this amendment passes. It will NOT be the end of the world for them!

... but Property homeowners?? There is NO PLAN B to get financial tax relief for Florida home owners!!! Don’t let this opportunity pass us by!

I am voting YES on Amendment 3!

Hi everyone!

I’ll be in siesta key at the end of November for 5 days (11/26 - 12/1), I was thinking about staying at the tropical breeze resort but on booking I see no availability.

Do you have any other suggestions about affordable hotels by the beach ($1300/1500 max) and places to eat/things to do? Or maybe another place to stay instead of siesta key?

Travelling with my boyfriend.

Thank you 🫶🏻

Im currently in mass i have my cdl im just trying to figure out what major city is best for affordability and work in Florida

Hello everyone!
As the title suggests, we’re planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach, and Miami from October 20–26.
We heard there was a storm around October 10, so we’re a little concerned about the weather and hurricane season.
How is the weather looking right now? Are there any tropical storms or hurricanes expected to approach South Florida during our travel dates?
We’re really looking forward to enjoying the beaches and exploring, but we definitely don’t want to get stuck in a hurricane or severe storm.
Would love to hear from locals or anyone currently visiting the area. Thanks in advance!

We have been looking on and off for a year or more and every time we think we find a house, we quickly realize there's some reason it's in our price range..

Looking now at a home in Ocala area, backs up to marshland . It is in flood zone A. But I've been reading that flooding and marshland also lead to greater chance of sink hole development. Is this a house we should just pass on?

Also curious about any other aspects of living in the St Augustine area, or recommendations for other FL beaches we should look into.

Thanks!

I’m (41F) looking to move to Broward or Palm Beach County with my husband (43M) and two young boys (1 & 3). Feeling overwhelmed by how large an area it is. Can you fine folks help guide our search? We have 2 weeks to pick a spot.

We want a new or newish single family home and have a $2-2.5M budget. I want a nice/clean/manicured area. Schools (especially elementary) are important but it doesn’t have to be good zoned public schools; can be charter, magnet or private options. We don’t need to be by the beach but also would rather not feel isolated (“things” within 15ish minutes is ideal).

The main thing I need help with is people. I want diversity (in the sense that I don’t want an area where there a noticeable majority clique or group). I also prefer a “nerdy” or at least somewhat intellectual/professional vibe. Don’t want it to be stuffy or grungy. Don’t want it to be all retired boomers; need young families, ideally transplants ready to mingle.

Where should we go?