Why do you bring up "gay friendly"? It's not always easy to recognize a gay person and in most cases when people do, that they can't be really bothered by it, but the story is quite different for most crossdressers.Originally Posted by joan47
Why do you bring up "gay friendly"? It's not always easy to recognize a gay person and in most cases when people do, that they can't be really bothered by it, but the story is quite different for most crossdressers.
Last edited by ~Michelle~; 04-16-2010 at 10:11 PM. Reason: spelling
Hey, those are not cockroaches, they are called "Palmetto Bugs"...
I just sold my condo in Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago,,,er, ah, I mean I "gave it away" during the Unreal Estate nightmare. I lived in Lauderdale on/off since the 70's. Lots of changes. I would not live anywhere south of Boca Raton these days. Crime & hookers are ruining it. Key West is ok if you know a local to introduce you to the "group".
My sister just bought a place west of Flagler Beach and loves it. She retired and is now taking care of whales as a volunteer guide.
Tampa has it's good points. I still love Lauderdale because it is like "home". Lots of what you are looking for too. You can never collect enough shells, regardles of where you decide to go... always great "therapy".
Last edited by Nigella; 04-17-2010 at 09:49 AM. Reason: Multi posting is not permitted
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Florida, boom and bust, always has been and maybe always will be....
my home forever, sorry for the unreal estate, I had nothing to do with it...
you can find a lot of contrasts here....but if not for the water and beaches
(swfla) I would move to colorado...
I'll take hurricanes any day over the attitudes of Portlanders. Unless you are one of them and subscribe to all of their beliefs they will shun you.
Personally, I would never even deign to visit that area.
Florida is a terrific place to be, to visit or to live. Much more friendly and accepting than the Northwest.
And you can't buy Attitude Insurance either!
OK, to summarize....everybody thinks Florida is either really good or piss-poor! A lot of people would live there....a lot of people want nothing to do with The State! A lot of people think Florida is very TG Friendly....a lot of people think it's a bastion of Red Neck Bigots who would kill The Next TG person they see.
Boy, you got a real consensus didn't you?
As a person who DOES live here, let me throw one more opinion on The Fire. "It's no better or worse than a lot of other places!" We have our scenic areas, we have our cities, we have our areas of backwardness; just about like everywhere else!
You need to locate NEAR a bigger town, and then commute. You can enjoy the advantages of semi-rural living, with the added bonus of actually being able to contact people who are more liberal and tolerant of your lifestyle. You do that AROUND The Bigger Towns.
If you hate Ice and Snow, Gray Skies, and numbing cold, choose somewhere in Florida. If you hate temperatures in The 90's with about 95% humidity about 75% of The Time, live in Wisconsin; or just about any place but here!
If your retiring, you can make a steal on a house right now. If you want work, we're averaging about 14% unemployment everywhere in The State.
If you land somewhere near Tampa/St. Pete, your welcome to take an interview and get into Tri-Beta. There is a LOT to do around here for a Trans-Gurl.
Wherever you go, Good Luck!
Peace and Love, Joanie
Last edited by sterling12; 04-18-2010 at 12:54 AM.
Sanibel Island is a good place to visit, but I would not want to live there. In fact, I rarely go across the Sanibel Causeway since it cost $6.00 each trip. If you like the sand, the beach and fishing, it's a nice place to visit. But the expense is out of my league. It is a for the very wealthy. All the labor lives off the Island. It's what us locals call a tourist trap. Same can be said about the adjoining island, Captive Island. The only way to get there is by driving the full length of Sanibel and crossing a short bridge. But it is a short drive to either form Fort Myers/ Cape Coral area if you just got to go there.
Sterling, you hit the nail on the head! I agree totally with everything you said.
I've lived here since I was 12 years old. I am originally from Long Island, New York....21 miles from the big apple. Visiting that place as a boy made me to never want to live in a big city again. To me, Miami is a split level New York city! I hate that place. Way to crowded and if you don't speak spanish now, forget it. The saying goes, Will the last American leaving Miami, please turn out the lights."
I would not go back to New York for all the tea in China. The only time I moved was from Fort Myers to Tampa for about 4 years 1977 to 1981 and then back to Fort Myers. I liked the Tampa area even as big as it is. But on average, much colder then Fort Myers in the winter. I remember grey skys just like in the snow belt, but it never snowed. OK, a rare occurrence.
But if night life being transgendered was a big plus, or deciding factor for you, I'd pick either the greater Tampa Bay area, Fort Lauderdale are, or Orlando. Or at least the smaller close towns to any of them. I am not one to like big cities at all.
I'd move to just outside of Detroit Michigan in a heartbeat if I thought I could find work. But they are worse off then here in Florida. But my motives are different. My girlfriend lives there and had to take full guardianship of 3 little grand daughters. So until she can move back here, that's where I want to be.
Any girls in that area have a job for me?
Sarasota...i lived here for a very long time it was nice but i moved towards tallahassee a few years ago
You should try somewhere off the i-4 stretch between tampa and orlando and heres why:
your smack dab in the middle of FL and tampa has a great night life as well as orlando
affordable retierement communities in this area
alot of retirees to find and make new friends
In tampa you wont shock anyone no matter how your dressed, we have seen it all in Ybor City....
In orlando you wont shock anyone at all because they cater to the world with their themeparks and attractions, and most ppl who live in orlando area are employed by disney or other parks.
these employees are given strict training on cultural diversity and interacting with others socially different than you
Look for something off the I-4 stretch close to i-75
Hugs and kisses
-Donni-
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Thank you girls for all your replies about florida. I know it is hot there in the summer and yes less makeup is really more when done correctly. But hey let your hair grow longer and don't use a wig. Get your eyebrows waxed and we girls look much better.
I have heard about a place called the villages anyone ever hear about it??
Imagine I live near NYC and because of the prices here I am looking for a place to retire to that I can actually afford
Talk about out in the boonies. lol This is about 2 hours north of Orlando or Tampa. It is 4 hours north of Fort Myers/Sanibel If you like the more rural life, you might like it. But you will not find anything close if you want to socialize with others that are gender gifted.
Your winters will be cold and since it is in the more north central area of the state away from any ocean or gulf breezes to either cool you in the summer or warm you in the winter, it will be worse then any coastal area and especially worse then most area south of Sarasota or West Palm Beach on the other coast.
As for me, I will never want to live in a so called retirement village. I want kids and young people around me to help keep me young. I will never be caught dead riding a 3 wheeled bicycle or playing shuffleboard. So it would not be for me.
Yeah, "The Villages" are up near Ocala, and there are quite a few "retirement communities" located around that area. I have Relatives who live at one called "Top Of The World." Similar kind of deal.
IMHO,They have advantages and disadvantages. You are in a "protected/gated community." You have The Advantage of Golf Courses and Community Centers on site. You will meet a lot of people of similar age, and they will provide you with an "instant social life." The "Disses" are the fact that they are usually very conservative communities and not likely to be tolerant of The Transgendered, you get The "Old Fart" Mentality, and spend your time grousing about "Young people," and most of these places are out in "The Boonies." They will have shopping Centers nearby, you can eat everyday at a new fast food place or family restaurant, but you can become "cloistered" and it discourages venturing out to find new places with opportunities for self-development.
I'll make a suggestion. Come to Florida, rent a house or whatever, and then start "looking around." For most people, at least a year or two is needed to find out if This Place would suit you. Many people become homesick, miss their families and friends too much, and end up returning from whence they came. Use your rental home as a Base, and start exploring. You'll probably enjoy The Search, and probably, ultimately, make a wiser decision.
Just don't act in haste! Too many people come down here, get enthused, and plunk down money for an expensive house in a very big rush. In January, all The Light, The Warmth, and The Pretty Palm Trees put The Zap on your Head. It's "different" here....be aware of that!
Peace and Love, Joanie
Last edited by sterling12; 04-21-2010 at 12:35 PM.
I'm hoping there will be more comments posted about the Florida communities. The Canadian real estate agents with connections in Florida are pushing the Naples and Fort Myers areas as ideal for snowbirds. I was planning a house shopping trip in June,s o keep the info coming.... [please].
Canada is too cold for cross-dressing, by the time you bundle up enough to go outside you might as well be snowmobiling.......
I live in sw Florida (no it is not too hot all year round - just get on the water and you are very happy). I would suggest anywhere in the Sarasota area - Sarasota is god's country - beautiful, artsy, cosmopolitan and accepting. Keep in mind that Susan Stanton (formerly Steve Stanton) interviewed for the job of City Manager in Sarasota and made the final "cut". Afterward she was asked if the City discriminated against her because of her TG change and she said no - they could not have been nicer. So that's my suggestion.
P.S. would love to meet some other girls from sw florida...!
The Wise Ol' Momma Owl....Darla Jean
If you go to Naples, bring money. Lots of it. Lots of traffic. Parking meters anywhere near the ocean. People paying big bucks, to be seen eating arugala salads, quiche, and drinking wine along the sidewalk. I always take a big detour around Naples.
A friend of mine recently bought a place in the Villages. He tells me about all the activities, and how many pools they have, etc. Something going on day and night. But I'm not into all those organized activities. Boating, biking, camping, hiking are my interests. While I have been CDing all my life, I would never move somewhere for that reason.
The population of Wilton Manors, near Fort Lauderdale, is largely gay, cross dressers and transsexual. There is even a shopping center serving the gay, crossdresser and transexual population. I know they had, and may still have, a gay mayor.
Good luck
Gloria
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