12 Things We Knew But Didn't Fully Understand About Moving to Orlando

[@davis314family7]

Florida definitely positively effect my mood and thats why I need to be there full-time ❤😊

[@franb9400]

Looking to love from Wales, UK. Thanks for the really helpful and positive video 👍🏻

[@czei]

You did an amazing thing, both moving across the country and running a business. I wish you every success!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@CruisingWithChooChoo]

Great video! Thank you so much! I love your kitty. I used to have one who looked like her.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Thank you! 😊

[@genedoss664]

We've had the opposite experience with #3. In the 10+ years we've been here, we've had very few visits from old out of town friends and relatives. Usually, they're in full-bore vacation mode and, thanks to the way Disney practically requires pre-planning for every hour of a vacation, it's hard to even squeeze a lunch at a park with our old acquaintances.

[@ninaandnavasworld8873]

Loved this video, moving to Florida soon and so excited ❤

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

1. HOAs can be very hit or miss. The problem with a lot of them is that they start out with the best of intentions but then devolve into a power struggle and nit picking you to death. Thankfully, although I have occasionally had issues with mine, the benefits still outweigh the downsides - especially with the really nice amenities and relatively low fees. 2. The weather is amazing (to me) for about 2-4 months out of the year (cooler months) but get oppressively hot and muggy in the warmer months. Since I'm not really a morning person, this means I basically stay inside most of the year. Yes, in Orlando, hurricanes aren't a huge deal like they are on the coast. 3. Yeap. We've had no shortage of visitors when we moved here - especially since it is a popular vacation destination. 4. Florida is one of the least (6th) taxed burdened state when you factor in state income tax (or lack thereof), property tax (modest), and sales tax (modest). 5. Florida has different wildlife than other places - just be aware. I've seen folks either be too scared of them or not give them the proper respect/distance they need. Just be cautious in any open body of water, including natural springs - there might be a gator in there. We have cottonmouths here with all the water around - they are aggressive and very venomous. 6. Both property and auto insurance is significantly more expensive than other areas. My current home policy is $3200 and that was the least expensive I could find with the features I wanted - that is double my previous policy from 2 years ago. 7. Traffic is crazy - even oddball (rush-hour traffic in Kissimmee at 11pm). All the worst driving habits from around the country and world all combined in one area - fun times. 8. Toll roads - I believe that Florida has the most miles of toll roads than any other state. Considering what a parking lot i4 is, I gladly pay my dues. 9. Food can be amazing. Yes, we have every freaking chain and then some - but the theme parks actually have good food and we have some foodie-class dining here too. 10. I don't mind Florida politics. Like you said, most of the state is some shade of purple - especially in the suburbs. The more rural areas are going to be more conservative - but that's even true in California. As normal, urban cores are all pretty liberal. Basically, you can find any bubble you fit into down here. Honestly, my biggest gripe is the weather in the warmer months and that I have to fly to any other part of the country except other parts of Florida and perhaps parts of the Deep South - which is not cheap for a family. It costs me $20k every time I want to go skiing.

[@xo.Frenchie]

You guys are very informative. I looove it. Thank you!

[@kaitlynjoyce5849]

Just bought a house in Davenport and are excited to live in our favorite place!! Love hearing y'alls experience!!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Awesome, welcome to FL!

[@AdventuresbyD]

Great video for those us not in Florida yet. Some unique points about taxes, toll roads, and traffic.

[@dreamisawishurheartmakes]

So helpful!!!! Thank you for this.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

You are so welcome!

[@wiggydebates3944]

This series is invaluable. I feel like I will really understand the pros (and perhaps a few cons) if I get the chance to make the big move. Thank you so much for your channel.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching!

[@Dr4gonWarrior]

AWESOME INPUT THX! Especially about the social stuff i hadn't fully dawned on me till you said that

[@helenebassin8608]

Hi Dan and Leslie!! Thank you for another very informative take on your relocating to Central Florida!! We relocated from NJ to the Tampa Bay Area and we can duplicate all of your 12 points here as well!! So glad to see your wonderful channel growing!! Keep the videos coming!!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

So glad you’re loving it in TB. Thanks so much for the kind words!!

[@kellyv7728]

Love this video! When you said the sunshine I was yelling for my older son I replayed that part for him because we are in the middle of the doom and gloom of winter and in this house seasonal disorder is in full swing! Wow that alone makes me want to move 💚

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

LOVE the sunshine. It’s arguably the best part

[@duckburgduckworth512]

I’m on I4 everyday & I’ve never seen such creative drivers.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

😂😂😂😂 I can only imagine

[@406disneyfan2]

I’ve been following your journey because we are making the big move this year. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! 😊

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

You’re very welcome. Good luck on your move!!

[@colleencasady3701]

This ia a fantastic list. Coincidentally, if I compiled a list of a dozen things I didn't know before moving from CT-->HouTX, it would be eerily similar - minus the cost of Disney of course. That and the traffic. When we drive in Florida, we are so much more at ease compared to the insanity of Houston driving, but we also have highways with 26 lanes! We've now been in Houston for six years. living here in the summer, with the constant threat of hurricanes, is like being stalked by a directionally challenged turtle, but we rarely even pay attention any longer until they are close to the coast, as more often than not, they change direction at the last minute. Great video as usual!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Thank you!

[@ginaholshue8601]

You guys are living my dream!!! I hope some day I can achieve what you are doing. I always look for your next video. So glad you guys are honest about everything . I think it would be cool if you did some videos of the surrounding area around Disney . I would like to see some neighborhoods , etc

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Thank you! We definitely plan too 🤗

[@danieljustdaniel9550]

We got the only annual pass for Disney that was offer to the new residence of Florida and so far, just the parking is paying for that. We got just one Universal annual pass since they offer a great military ticket. My pass covers the parking and the dinning discounts that are better than Disney. We have found that going to the parks midday and staying til around 7 or 8 the I-4 traffic ride home is easier. For taxes when i have to start taking from my traditional 401 want have to pay taxes like we would have up north. We still do stay vacations at the resorts both Disney and US especially around the holidays.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

That sounds amazing. Glad you’re enjoying it so much!!

[@jedi.master.j]

Disney loves to milk us. Smh. How much was ur new resident season pass for disney and universal? I'm also former military so I hope it's a decent discount

[@danieljustdaniel9550]

@@jedi.master.j Our Disney passes was $1490 each for universal i got the preferred pass and the wife and son got the passes from Shades of green, That way we will get parking and discounts. Universal give better discounts at food places than disney. My universal pass was $640 plus taxes.

[@kararaehsler3581]

Thank you both for this! Wonderful content!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

🙏🙏

[@Onniesprairiegarden]

So awesome. We are in Kansas and I keep trying to talk my husband in to living in Florida! We have a couple things that are stopping us.i hope one day! Speaking of food- I've heard there's not a good Chinese restaurant in Orlando. Lol

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

We actually found one we like!! Took a little while but we got it

[@JohnnyDelaney-mc5ve]

Great video ! We currently live in East TN and my wife is from Apopka. She was agreeing with everything you said ...... lol

[@jrbruce7750]

Moving to Apopka in a few months. What to expect?? Via Minnesota

[@JakeRichardsong]

Thanks for the details. Some YT videos don't provide this level.

[@JohannaLMarks]

Such a sweet cat!! 😊

[@JenThePirate]

I love your Boston shirt! How did that come about?

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Thanks! Got it at Fenway last summer when we went to Boston for a family trip

[@JenThePirate]

@@AddictedtotheMouse hope you loved it here!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

@@JenThePirate we LOVE Boston! Wish we could go more often

[@packyourpixiedust]

The wildlife is the absolute best!!! So great!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Yes!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@sejoueralberts5361]

I love your cat😊 makes me smile.

[@opchick0597]

May I make a suggestion with the clear coat? When dealing with an HOA it is better to ask for forgiveness than it is permission. But ONLY for something that will not change the look of your home.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Thanks. I think I will in the future for sure

[@Floyd_Steel]

Traffic is terrible all over Florida, they have the worst drivers in the country

[@RodPriester]

So Epass instead of SunPass? Which works best?

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

They are pretty interchangeable and both work here in central Florida

[@PalmTree26]

As someone who lives in South Florida and have both. SunPass is more useful here because of airport parking and other benefits. Epass basically anywhere else in FL.

[@matthewrozumialski8196]

Wisconsin couple here, obsessed with Disney and want to move there. So scared though. Also terrified of snakes lol

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Lol, been here over a year and saw way more snakes in OK

[@Truesoda]

Husband looks like Stephen Wonderboy Thompson from UFC

[@annlavine3576]

cute cat

[@moodypet8837]

Im pro HOA

[@jedi.master.j]

Some drivers do suck at driving in florida making stupid moves but if ur vigilant u can dodge em like u would in mario kart. 😂 its definitely not for the timid drivers. Just pretend its mario kart. Have some bananas and mushrooms ready 😂

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

😂😂

[@Imzadi]

I loved living in Nevada during the election. I felt like my vote really mattered 😊

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Moving to Florida has become a bad word! Taboo subject lol. Screw HOA. Should be illegal!!!!!

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

🤔🤔🤔

[@erick-gmz]

@@AddictedtotheMouse It shouldn’t be illegal because I stand with Floridas more pro liberty culture. However, something has to change in Orlando. The freedom to do what you want on your property is gone. People want to build and the market also needs ADUs and flexible mixed use buildings.

[@stevewalther2293]

People move to Florida mainly to please their wives....

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

Disagree

[@mzpbnj8812]

Good information. But I'd have to disagree with the comment on wildlife. I doubt the parents who lost their son to an alligator while vacationing at the Grand Floridian would disagree with your comments on the gators. And I remember when I lived in Florida (Merritt Island) and a gator ate my neighbor's dog.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

You’re obviously welcome to disagree with as many comments as you would like. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@rb5078]

HOAs are a scam and an absolute dealbreaker for me.

[@AddictedtotheMouse]

I get that they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but how do you figure they are a scam?

[@erick-gmz]

@@AddictedtotheMouse Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to find a property that isn’t tied to a HOA in Orlando. Orlando has become a composition of closed communities reducing urban connectivity and making traffic so much worse.