What is your name and where did you move from?

Ana, Ellicott City, MD

Why did you want to move to Florida?

Being closer to family (most of them in Tampa), being close to Disney, cheaper, better housing.

When did you start planning?

1971.   I’ve always wanted to live near Disney World.

How did you decide on where to move to?

We wanted to be on the West side to be closer to Tampa (We used to live in Oviedo at one time, and the trip to my mom’s was too long).  We wanted a fairly new house with a bedroom and bathroom (at least one) on the bottom floor so my mom would not have to use stairs if she came to visit.  We looked at tons of houses before we found one we liked.

What resources did you use to help your move?

Friends in the area, internet.

When and where did you move to in FL?

July 2011, Winter Garden

How do you feel about your neighborhood and city?

Love it!

Can you tell us the pros and cons of YOUR personal relocation?

DH lost his job the day after we moved (he was a telecommuter and had gotten an OK to move from his boss, just to get an e-mail cancelling his contract while we were waiting for our furniture to arrive.)  I was a SAHM, and had to find a job, but was only able to get a part-time job with no benefits.  I’m taking the Teacher certification test (I’m a Librarian) to see if I can get a job in a school.

  What would you do differently, now living here and knowing what you know?

I would have gotten a house with space for a playroom downstairs.  On weekends, I like to sleep late and the kid’s playroom is right next to us.

Give us one tip that you learned that you want to share to help future Relocators

Not so much for here, but when we moved to Oviedo we really did not know the area and did not realize how far away from everything we were.  Make sure to look at maps and find out where you are.