Deliveries, Shopping & In trouble with the HOA already!

[@liberty_room7417]

Love your vlogs you are living my dream ❤

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thank you :-) I know I’m very lucky ❤️

[@NeilSheldon13]

Another great vlog showing insight into life in all of ours "Happy Place". Delighted to see you have now passed 2k subs (and happy to say I was here at No. 52! Can't wait to see further growth over time!

[@Katiesfloridalife]

You’re an OG subscriber 👏🏼👏🏼 and I’m grateful of that!! Thanks for watching again. Xx

[@lynshaw8691]

Nice to see you've met the Lodge Guys, hope you enjoyed your breakfast. Love the Denby stuff my favourites. 😊

[@Katiesfloridalife]

It was lovely to meet them :-) we love Denby too, used their stuff for years. Thanks for watching xx

[@YogawithmeNZ]

Welcome to Orlando, I'm an Orlando girl too!

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Ah thank you 😊 loving living there up to now!! Thanks for watching xx

[@etcsadventures]

Welcome to Orlando and we've been enjoying your vlogs! My wife and I have the Peloton Tread, Row, and Bike. You all will love the Tread, but having my weight lifting equipment in the garage, a great tip is to be sure to have plenty of fans to help cool you all down with the heat here.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Yes we plan on getting a big wall fan up and maybe extra if we add to the equipment, roll on the winter!! Thank you for watching xx

[@tinabenham8304]

Hi Katie , well just have to say really enjoyed this blog so brill to see places not been to it was so pretty - plus the Sams Club shop to love it , thank you for sharing it with us . Looking forward to the next one x

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thank you for watching. xx

[@ellielouise11]

Loving your videos!! Can’t wait for the next 🥰 xx

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thank you ❤️

[@lynnhague655]

Another great blog Katie. It’s the highlight of our weekend now, checking in how you are getting on, I put it on the tv and David and I watch it together, it’s really interesting. You had me all emotional when you spoke of missing your friends in Qatar, I know of 3 young ladies in particular who miss you very much ❤ xx

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Aw I miss them so much too!!! Thanks for watching every week I really appreciate it xx

[@lynnhague655]

❤

[@Tammy_meka]

Another great Vlog Katie ……CONGRATULATIONS 🥳🥳🥳 on over 2K Subcribers ….. your channel is growing so quickly 🎉 🎉🎉🎉

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thank you!!! I know I can't believe it, so many lovely people joining me on this journey!. Thanks for watching again xx

[@tonyyero7231]

Hi Katie, most HOA's are a nightmare, not all... some more than others. You should have been given the HOA BY LAWS at your Closing or the HOA website with their "Rules" if you follow those then you should stay off their radar and not get any Violations. If your HOA "allows" you may be able to get a small area away from street view and get it fenced around the bins, so you can keep the garbage outside of the garage. Btw, before they begin construction next door on that vacant lot I saw on the vlog..cover your new lanai patio set as it will get full of dust. It happened to me back in 2004 when I had new build next door. Let me know if you guys need any info. on anything regarding Florida living or living in the States. Lots of little things that are good to know with HOA's, healthcare, insurance, etc. I love sharing information with new folks in the area. I see you met Theme Park Bazza and Max, wonderful couple. Deliveries are left outside and it depends on the driver if they ring the bell. Only two Gideon's locations..East End Market in Orlando near Winter Park or Disney Springs, none in Winter Garden. The Orlando metro area has way too many towns with "Winter" in it so it is very confusing. I live in Winter Springs..you see, lol. Great vlog 👍Excited to see your UK ones!

[@Katiesfloridalife]

We have thought about getting the side fenced for the bin yes, maybe share it with the neighbor as she said the same thing, we did have a walk around to see if anyone else had done something similar but couldn't see anything. I remember reading the HOA rules before closing but I must of missed the bin part. That's a great tip about the lanai as the concrete guys already got splatters on t, they did clean it but don't want to get any worse. Thanks so much for all the info and watching, ill be sure to msg you if ive got any questions xx

[@donnadeamer217]

Hi Katie loving your vlogs keep up the good work ❤

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thanks for watching xx

[@paulaburns5270]

Loving the vlogs ❤

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thanks so much for watching xx

[@THErealBRITSofFlorida]

Katie we got done by the HOA for the exact same thing, twice haha I had the bins at the side of the house as Ash was crafting in the garage and I got a letter but it was sent to the tenant before me so I didn't open, and then I got an email from the renting company with the letter attached...pointed out that I don't open other peoples mail and been here 6 months so why wasn't that updated LOL I was basically ignored and told to rectify the situation or get fined. Great vlog. Glad you met up with the Lodge Guys they are amazing. The school situation is so stressful. Have a great week xo

[@Katiesfloridalife]

It’s just so stupid isn’t it, I read the HOA policy before we signed but I can’t remember reading about the bins. Now I’ve got to spend the summer working out how to keep it from smelling 🤷🏼‍♀️ So lovely to meet them, hope you had a lovely day with them too. I’ve got a couple of your vlogs to catch up with so I’ll do that today :-) xx

[@gilscot100]

That is such a relief that you got your daughter into a school. I saw the bins inside Bazza’s garage on one of his vlog and wondered about that 🤢. I noticed a comment and your reply about garbage disposal use. Run cold water (never hot as it may cause the unit to overheat and auto shut off) then turn on the disposal and gradually feed the food items in. You will hear the change in sound as it pulverizes it then once it is clear…keep the water running. Hard to say how much to put down as it depends on the horse power of the unit. Some things, like raw broccoli thick stems will take longer than say cooked broccoli florets. I don’t put down raw meat products. Raw chicken is the worse for stinking out bins in the heat. Macy’s carry Denby (great sales at Macys, more so if you get a Macy’s card). If you need single pieces there is a company called Replacements. Based in North Carolina they have a great website. I got pieces for my Wedgewood dinner service. Have a wonderful trip back to the UK.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thanks for the info about the waste disposal, ive never had one before so haven't put much down it really as not sure what it was capable of. I will give it a try this week and see if the bin isn't as smelly. Thanks for watching xx

[@PlanYourTruth]

Hey there. I’m so excited to move down later this year, but definitely nervous about meeting new friends etc. Excited to vlog my journey and incorporate that into my content, so I have been loving this series. Thanks 💜

[@Katiesfloridalife]

How exciting your moving down here too, I will sub your channel and follow your journey. Thanks for watching xx

[@readingforfun7957]

Hello!!!! I love watching your vlogs. Even though I have lived in Florida for 11 years, I feel I am discovering new places through you. I looked forward to your vlogs in the UK. Have you ever looked into an outdoor shade for your lanai? They provide privacy and can help keep the sun out on hot summer days. Many people here in Florida have screen doors around their garage door opening to allow airflow without bugs. It might be worth looking into an indoor air curtain wall fan from a Home Depot or Lowe’s. BJ’s is another store like Sam’s and Costco here in FL. They have signup deals as well. They do a lot of coupon deals and can sometimes be cheaper on some things.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

I’ve seen those screen doors for the garage but the HOA doesn’t allow them, I remember reading that 🤦🏼‍♀️ Yeh I’ve looked at the shades for the lanai and they’re a great idea, think we might do that when I come back from the UK as it is still sunny on there even though it’s not south facing. Thanks so much for watching xx

[@aliciaw8851]

Gideon’s other location is downtown in the East End Market on Corinne Dr. Try Salty Donut also a few doors down from the market.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Ive found that out since.... also heard about this salty donut, need to give this a try. Thanks for watching xx

[@Wajjkla]

Gideon’s is at east end market Orlando

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Found that out not long after, will have to have a trip up. Thanks for watching xx

[@kakarikiyazoo]

In the U.S. we have Federal holidays and other holidays that may or may not be observed by local governments. So you need to check with your local community to see which holidays effect trash pickup. My local waste management sends out a printed calendar every year to show which holidays delay pickup, and also marked for which alternating week recycling is picked up. Where I live ours is only affected by big holidays that just about everyone has off (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, New Year's Day, Fourth of July). Sounds like whoever handles your trash pickup doesn't alter for Memorial Day, so you need to find out what dates do. We don't refer to holidays as bank holidays here because banks don't necessarily close for every holiday. They used to follow every observed Federal holiday, but not required to. They can be open and do transactions, but since the Federal Reserve Bank follows Federal holidays, some things aren't processed until after the holiday. Electronic processing makes it so much faster now that you barely notice any delay for holidays.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Yes I shouldn't have listened to the advise about the bin and actually looked it up myself, like you say a print out of what schedule they follow. I know I need to not call it a bank holiday, its a UK thing isn't it, will take me a while to get used to the American holidays, im sure when Zara starts school it will click. Thanks for watching xx

[@JayOgle]

Welcome to living here in the U.S. Regarding the HOA's, they can be a God send or a pain in the ass, depends on where you want to navigate. I hated HOA's at first and have had 25 years of letters and violations with them really never doing much with the fine threats. I moved into a very nice neighborhood here in Houston where the amenities were great such as the pool, club house, landscaping, ponds and we even had a gym. My next door neighbor was an absolute slob and would never cut his grass, left truck tires on the side of the house, parked trailers for weeks on end and even caught this guy on my security camera walking over to my trash can and throwing his shit in my bin, needless to say the HOA kicked his butt out of the subdivision and I now have absolutely wonderful neighbors. HOA's are the proverbial mothers that spank your ass for being lazy. I'm soon moving to the Kenai of Alaska where we have none of this lower 48 nonsense lol. Love your videos.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Haha that story did make me laugh 😂😂 that’s the good part about the HOA as I would be mad if a slob like that lived next door to me!!! But Alaska 😳😳 now that is another ball game altogether and sounds like hard work to me living somewhere like that. But good luck with the move. Thanks for watching x

[@Clairearm]

HOA are a nightmare - during time I had my house at Southern Dunes had a number of ‘Violations’ only to prove they got various ones wrong, from being different house, to them not advising about correct postbox, to stains on driveway 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ Am sure they have nothing else to do with their lives !

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Oh im sure this won't be my first, and like you say im sure they're not perfect and make mistakes!!! Thanks for watching xx

[@pamelapowell8445]

Hoa’s are a pain BUT it goes keep the resort looking good do not all bad.

[@elaineroom6358]

Hi Katie, enjoyed the vlog again. Your HOA is ridiculous, we found with ours that they are a blessing and a 🤬. Bug wise, the red fire ants were the biggest nuisance and really give a nasty bite.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

It's stupid isn't it, having to keep the bin inside in this heat is just silly!!! We've seen some of those ants but not inside thankfully. Thanks for watching xx

[@megsonmainstreet9225]

You’ll find that Gideon’s in Winter Park- close but not Winter Garden. ❤

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Knew it was winter something!!! thanks for watching xx

[@bentley1530]

I live up in PA and I have never heard of public school district that could refused to accept a resident because the school was full, that seems so crazy .

[@matthewstern6398]

Because of the growth in Central Florida the last few years the schools can’t keep up. New schools are being built to accommodate because there are so many communities being built.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

I suppose I’m part of the problem that’s causing this though, just too many people moving to the area and they can’t cope!!! Thanks for watching x

[@Csalas101]

In Texas, they don’t turn children away at any school. I’ve never heard of that, and I used to be a public school teacher here.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Crazy isn't it, think it's the same in the UK too!!! Thanks for watching xx

[@julesvlogs2222]

Hi fellow Orlando Brit!!!! I live close ish to Polk county (I’m in lake county) if you ever need any advice about schools etc I can help. There are ways to get in easier. Apply for school choice if you can now. I’ve not seen gideons in winter garden but if you are out that way again try 4 rivers BBQ !! The weekend farmers market is huge and has a lot of fresh veggies. HOA is a nuisance. Ours luckily aren’t bad but when we first moved into one I had the same violation with trash cans. I live next door to our HOA board president. lol.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Oh hi!!!! We should meet up for a coffee so I can pick your brains about how it all works. The BBQ sounds good, we love anything food haha. Maybe I need to find out where our HOA president lives and bribe him/her with chocolate lol. Thanks for watching xx

[@missbritterz3675]

I too live in a HOA neighborhood and we got a violation for leaving supposedly “ our trash cans out all day “ because we were at work all day. Come to find out, they weren’t our trash cans, it was the neighbors. The trash guys must of sat it near our driveway since they are kinda close to one another. We’ve gotten violations for knock down palm trees etc, landscaping because people complained that the leafs were sticking out in the side walk while walking and not having fresh enough mulch. Ridiculous. Can’t wait to move to the country non-HOA soon.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

really!!! yep I think we are going to find the HOA annoying but we were naive with this being our first home here, ah well too late now. Thanks for watching xx

[@pamelapowell8445]

Hi Katie , have you got a waste disposal ? We put all food that will rot down there to avoid smells.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Yes we do but knew to this as we don’t have them in the UK, how much can I actually put down it? I’ve only ever put scraps down it really, small crumbs off plates. Thanks for watching x

[@susanharding1367]

Hi Katie was a great vlog you will soon get used to all the rules and coming from Qatar you must be used to sticking to them even if we don't like them. You are doing a great job vlogging so interesting, maybe a few ups and downs with the move but your a good strong girl you will get there 😊

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Ah thank you that's kind. Yes we are used to lots of rules coming from Qatar and im all for sticking to them for sure but I had no idea about the bins haha. Maybe I'll take a little read over the rules again. Thanks for watching xx

[@AnnaMarino_disneyandmusicals]

Will you be getting a pool added ? Loving the vlogs by the way .

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Thank you for watching. No pool at the min, it’s just too expensive and we have a lovely one on the complex :-)

[@Miss.Adventures]

I just heard on the news that FLs HOAs are changing! They will no longer be able to fine you for leaving your trash cans out! A few other rules are changing too. Something to look into!

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Oh really, that would be amazing, I'll keep a look out for changes. Thanks for watching xx

[@SamanthaSmith-tv1jl]

Hi Katie would you do a cost of living for us as moving to Orlando in October and it would be super helpful x

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Yes I will include that in this weeks vlog, we have only just got the final monthly bills in this week so have been working out what it’s going to cost us per month to live here. P.s it’s more than we thought 🤦🏼‍♀️ thanks for watching xx

[@jamesstanley9082]

Finding these vlogs really interesting, how did they know about your bins , did someone dob you in or are there people going around the estate looking for things that aren't allowed?

[@Katiesfloridalife]

I have no idea, could be either really and if someone is robbing people in then that's really sad!!! Thank you for watching xx

[@samanthahyde491]

Hi Katie, if you don't mind me asking, how much was the Denby set? I'm just interested in comparing prices. Thanks x

[@Katiesfloridalife]

We got it in the sale plus an extra 20% off for Memorial Day so we paid $248 for everything I showed in the video. We have used their stuff for years and it's very good. Thanks for watching xx

[@samanthahyde491]

Fab, thanks, weighing whether it's cheaper to buy here first and send over with everything else, lol x

[@Sarahsparkles83]

Loving the vlogs 😊 did u not want to homeschool your daughter?

[@Katiesfloridalife]

No it's not for us, after covid homeschooling that was enough to put us off haha. Thanks for watching xx

[@debbiem73]

Does your area have charter schools? They are free, at least in Arizona they are, to my knowledge. I thought the HOA violation was going to be the string lights you put up; my HOA doesn’t allow them

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Yes the one closer to me is a charter but also full 🤦🏼‍♀️ Oh really 😳😳 that will be this weeks violation then as I haven’t asked them 😂 you can tell I’m new to this HOA thing as that didn’t even cross my mind! Thanks for watching x

[@sanasa434]

You could offer me a free house in an HOA neighborhood and I wouldn't take it. There's no one that can tell me how to upkeep my house that I purchased.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Crazy isn’t it!!! Too late for us now 😂 thanks for watching x

[@Chrissyhappy]

Glad you got to meet the lodge guys.😊. Hope you get to catch up with Viki and Emma too. They’re very sweet. They were meeting up with Leigh and Nick in Orlando.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

It was lovely to meet them, bumped into them again last night but Viki and Emma weren't with them, would love to meet them too. Thanks for watching xx

[@rachaelanderson7949]

You are a breath of fresh air - different world

[@rachaelanderson7949]

Try disco Liz instead

[@Csalas101]

I will never live in an HOA community! I can’t imagine having my garbage cans in the garage. It was 117 here a couple of days ago in South Texas, there’s no way you can keep them in the garage! 🤢

[@Katiesfloridalife]

Its been so hot here too the last few days, honesty im dreading the smell when I have to leave them for 3 weeks to go to the UK. Thanks for watching xx

[@caroleflynn761]

Katie I don’t think you will have any regrets about sending your daughter to the private school.

[@Katiesfloridalife]

I hope not... Just want it to be xmas time and know she's all settled. Thanks for watching xx