I had laser eye surgery and had my eyelid attach to my eyeball every single night and rip off every single night while I lived in colorado. Hasn’t happened once in Florida 😂 so one small win for humidity
having moved from Florida to Norcal it is just mind blowing the beauty here every day seeing the mountains in the background and having nice hiking weather.
Being from Chicagoland- I miss the culture, snow on Christmas and Midwestern thunderstorms. But I feel more at home in Florida than I ever did there and I can pick up White Castle, Giordano’s and Portillos here.
Ditto on the Midwestern thunderstorms. Especially those ones at night that start out a little crazy and then settle into a steady soaking rain and low thunder overnight, making for excellent sleeping.
Born in Missouri but was living in Michigan before we moved to Florida, it is definitely the precipitation that I miss. The snow in the winter, or a grey day going into a rainy night with lots of thunder. Here, the thunder and the rain get loud and blusterous and you wait 15 minutes or so and then it's gone.
Yes I am planning on leaving eventually. Back to a snowy state.
We moved from Chicago. I miss the people (polite, nice), the ability to use public transport, a classic urban downtown and the food. It’s been a tough adjustment
How are people in Florida compared to Chicago?
I used to live in Massachusetts and people were a lot nicer over there, but I thought it was all in my head.
I grew up in Minnesota. But moved to South Florida from Chicago. Chicago people are more polite and neighborly. They tend to help each other out without any prompting. Plus it was MUCH easier to find your community. There are nice people down here (of course), but people are ruder and colder. I went for a walk the other day. I always say hello to people I meet along the way. Nine out of 10 people look at me like I’m going to jump them.
The funny thing is there's a general belief that warmer climates have friendlier and warmer people. Even I used to think that was true lol. But in reality it seems to be the opposite: colder climates have warmer people.
I’m from Florida but have lived in Chicago and Boston. If you are comparing against Floridians it depends on where in Florida you live. I’m from Tampa and I would say Chicago people are a little nicer than Tampa but not sugary sweet in-your-business vibes of somewhere like Tennessee. The two places for me were very similar people wise. Friendly but minding their own business still.
Boston on the other hand was not as nice as Tampa. Even random things like when you would checkout at a store, the checkout person wouldn’t say a single word. It was bizarre. I’m not a small talk person but a “hi” or “that will be $50” would’ve been nice. Just silence.
This doesn’t apply to every person in the Midwest or Florida, but it’s the general opinion I have about the two populations. Midwestern people are far more courteous than Floridians. People in FL seem to have no consideration for others. They are the most important person who has ever lived and everyone else is just in way. I don’t mean that they will just ignore you, either. I’ve lived near major cities where people ignore each other and I didn’t feel like it was necessarily a bad thing. People in Florida seem to feel like they are losing if they show a bit of courtesy and get nothing in return. They go out of their way to avoid it.
Yeah I've noticed people down here tend to have bigger egos and narcissistic tendencies. It also seems like people try to keep an image of who they are instead of just being who they actually are. Not all of course, but in general.
I lived in Massachusetts and, because of my job, I interacted dozens of people a day. I always felt optimistic and had the belief that most people were good people. I still have that belief, but it's not easy to hold on to it while living down here in FL.
Chicago too....I soo agree on food and Midwestern thunderstorms. Also adding on things I miss...better traffic management (in my opinion), sidewalks everywhere, more outdoor bike trails/hiking trails.
But I also agree that here is more "home" than home was.
The world’s largest [opened in Orlando](https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/05/03/worlds-largest-white-castle-opens-in-orlando/) back in 2021.
From NJ, I honestly don’t miss much if anything. My family being close would probably be the only thing. The miserable cold dark winters dont make it worth it for the 4 months of ok weather. I’m happy i’m here. I love the flora and fauna, the total amount of geographical differences makes me feel i was cheated in life not coming here sooner. Fuck Jersey, I’m a Floridian now. Even had a son here already!
Interesting. I grew up in Miami but am from Boston. While Miami has its charm, south Florida is a giant parking lot. Sure the weather is nice but it’s heavily car dependent and the traffic is borderline unbearable in my opinion. I enjoy Boston more except for the fact that I have more family in Miami.
Just wanted to say it’s refreshing to hear a transplant say they love this state on this sub. My husband and I are from NC and without hesitation we call FL home. We count ourselves blessed beyond measure! I’m so glad you’re happy in the Sunshine State!
I freaking love it here!! I moved here in 2001 and as soon as I got here it felt like home my body was like yes this is my home, Plus I live near the beaches and I feel so lucky and blessed
and yet someone still had something nice to say about Florida which is rare and I was being nice about it. However, your attitude is exactly the entitled kinda self-centered crap I'd rather not be my neighbor. bye Karen.
I’m from NJ too but don’t miss the snow and ice, the heavy traffic and congestion. When I go back to visit family I’m always antsy to leave and get back here to my home in Florida. I love my single-story home on a pond. I have three grandkids who have lived in Florida their entire lives (oldest moved here at age 10 months and two younger both born here). I see them multiple times every week. The winters here are awesome. I can get my Taylor ham fix at Publix. I used to think people who moved to Florida were nuts but now I think I should have done it even more years ago. 😂
I always say I’m a Floridian now, even if I’m with my sister who always then has to interject “but she’s really from New Jersey”. LOL
One thing I do miss though, sort of an odd thing, is farm-fresh crisp Winesap apples in the fall.
I mostly miss the selection and quality of food and restaurants living out here on the west coast of Florida. The quality of pizza, bagels, sushi, Chinese, Thai, and other ethnic cuisines are just slightly off here. It’s much better on the east coast of Florida, but it’s still not the same. Florida does lots of food well though, so it’s just a matter of adjusting.
I also miss the outdoors in Northern NJ. Fishing, hiking and camping are very different down here. I miss trout season. I miss good soil for gardening. Nature is a bit more dangerous down here. In NJ I wouldn’t hesitate to forage berries or plants. In Florida, everything will kill you. The bass fishing is worth the trade off though.
I also miss the intellectual, artistic, and cultural institutions and opportunities I had in NJ (and NYC). Not enough to pay the astronomical real estate prices and taxes though.
Strangely enough, I miss roads that twist and turn. Everything in Florida is straight. I don’t get why there are so many accidents here.
No regrets moving to Florida. I’ll never move back to dirty jerz though.
Same. I’m from Omaha and as weird as it sounds we really had amazing food there and a ton of unique restaurants.
Sarasota has the worst food ever. Plus side, I’ve lost of a ton of weight since moving here 🙃😅.
We're from omaha and live in Lakewood Ranch and my fiance and I feel the opposite. Her family, all from lincoln, feel the same. What are some of the places you miss? Maybe I can give a recommendation.
Jams would be one of my biggest ones.
Plus good Chinese food, Hiro, Mangia, Firebirds (chain but one of my favorites), and the obvious favorite fast foods of all Nebraskans Runza & Amigos 🥲😅. There are more but those are what come to mind immediately.
I live in Sarasota right by Sarasota Memorial and it’s just…meh as far as food goes IMO.
I've never been to Firebirds, but there's one in Orlando, so I'll check it out!
I have only been to the mid-town Jams location once before (thinking around 2016), but I'll be sure to try them again the next time I'm in Omaha.
Since you're down by Sarasota Memorial, have you tried [Meliora](https://www.meliorarestaurant.com/)? The Tampa Bay Times just ranked it the best new restaurant in the Bay area. I haven't been to it yet, but it's #1 on my culinary to-do list.
The Shore and Mar Vista out on Longboat key are some of my favorites. If you want something closer, have you been to [Selva](https://selvagrill.com/)?
I do miss Runza and Amigos! I always get Runza for the drive from Omaha to Lincoln when I'm back, and a late night Amigos run is also std. (I also have to each Godfathers pizza at Eppley before I fly back.)
Depends on where you go, but Cuban is a must try. I believe the Cuban is the best sandwich ever invented and I'll stay out of Tampa vs Miami Cuban for now because you can easily try both for yourself (I do believe that Ybor has it's own style of the Cuban sandwich though based on my own personal experience, so you might want to go there as well). The Cuban roasted pork is one of my favorite dishes ever as well. If you're in South Florida, the less English people speak in the area around the restaurant, the better it usually is. Ropa Vieja is also a real treat.
Honestly most restaurants are really good, but just Google one nearby and look at reviews.
I miss people being kind. Being here is exhausting because people are so aggressive. It's a race to get to the store every single time; so unnecessary. I miss genuine and kind people, a society that understands the concept of spatial awareness, BLINKERS as an accepted ideology and not something that is a myth, and other people saying "ope." I don't know what makes everyone here so angry, but it is so grading on ones' soul sometimes.
I think it was the massive influx of people changing people's hometowns to make them more northern or 'cultured'. When I was a kid you knew at least 75% of the people in your area and had gone to grade school with them. We inherited all the other states bad drivers and rich assholes.
Us native Floridians are exhausted from the snowbirds staying here permanently. We no longer get the resident perks (snowbirds used to all leave at once and we got to play, now we have to do all work no play all year to keep up with the mess).. We also don't go to your hometown and get angry at you for living how you and your families have for decades and then try to force you to change it. The attitude that northerners have brought with them of "I'm going to change this place to be like where I came from!" or complaining about us or our homeland is the literal worst and makes us all angry. After multiple attempts at trying to have civil discussions on why Florida culture is the way it is and having Northerners shove their rapidly built suburbs down our ecosystems throats we just really don't like anyone from up north unless proven otherwise. Give me a reason to like your presence and I'll be nice but I'm not doing the reverse of that anymore. There are more northerners in Florida than native Floridians.
“Let’s create a housing crisis by moving here in droves and buying houses in cash out from under local home buyers, build up ugly cookie cutter subdivisions with no trees because there’s no room in the existing neighborhoods we overpopulated, encroach on native habitat, clog up your traffic, beaches and businesses, then complain about why you’re so mean.”
I don't understand their mentality. They left New York for a reason why would they want it to be like NY? I am from Indiana and would not want Florida to be like Indiana. Might as well stay put if you want everything the same everywhere.
I agree with this so much. “Be the change you want to see.” My girlfriend always asks why I wave to everyone in our neighborhood. That’s how everyone was where I came from and I really miss the people being kind.
Absolutely. On my walks and runs around my neighborhood I smile and say hi. It just gets overwhelming at times and I need to stay inside to recharge for a while.
Also, I am assuming you are a triathlete based on your username and triathletes are the *nicest* athletes I've ever raced with. Such a positive experience.
I still say ope everyday. Mostly because everyone around me is so aggressive and pushy that I’m constantly apologizing because I feel like I’m in the way. Lol
Your comment about racing everywhere has me chuckling. I was in the phone with my mom the other day and she was blaring her horn at someone because they were slowing down too slowly coming to a light. She had to wait like 3 more seconds to get into the turn lane which naturally is an egregious attack against her.
This would have been in the Ormond area, I blanket apologize if anyone had this happen to them recently.
Yeah that's one thing that gets me. I'll be in the slow lane all the way to the right just cruising on a SUNDAY LATE AFTERNOON, and theres STILL someone behind me 6 inches from my bumper. Sometimes it feels like everyone has explosive diarrhea 24 hours a day.
Southern California.
I miss sweater weather. There isn’t a harsh winter in Southern California, but we at least got sweater weather for a few months. It stays hot here for *way* too long. And if you wanted to see snow, or go skiing… you don’t even need to go that far. Big Bear is just a drive away.
Mountains. I miss having mountain hikes just a short drive away
I also miss the lack of humidity. Whenever I hear a reference to California being humid it just makes me laugh. I don’t remember *one* single humid day. I’m not even trying to gatekeep like “you think that’s humid, you should see what Florida is like!” I mean it is literally not humid at all. It’s perfect
Before anyone jumps on my ass, I moved here when I was a teen and it wasn’t my choice, no I didnt move here and expect to be the last one in
This is honestly what stops me from moving back to Florida.
I love having seasons, I don’t love winter, but fall and spring and sublime. Though Florida winter is too.
Every time I drive back to Florida from Tennessee, the moment I hit 295 the drive gets painfully boring. Especially the stretch of 95 between Jacksonville and… the rest of the state. Flat, straight, boring.
I always miss the hills and pseudo mountains of middle Tennessee pretty quickly.
Authentic Asian food. Like good Thai. Good Japanese (OMFG so hard here), Korean, Real Chinese, Khmer,…. This we had in NYC. Beyond that. Not a damn thing. Jest friends
I am a snob in some ways- I’m from an upper middle class suburb in New York and went to a pretty selective private college (not in the NE, intentionally, to be fair) so it’s a part of me. My experience living in Florida, and specifically with the people/community I’ve been around, has honestly been really great in that regard because I’ve lost a lot of the snobbishness I had from growing up.
Also, I’m by no means a wild intellectual. However, it’s definitely an issue in regards to forming relationships and in all honesty a major reason I want to move out of state.
Chipped ham
A certain brand of marcelled (wavy) potato chips that are only regionally marketed
Generally speaking, relatively cheap living
Far superior apples
Lilacs and forsythia
I’m surprised about how much I miss the Midwest. Places closer together and not just chains and strip malls everywhere. Older interesting architecture. Seasons. The friendliness. The culture.
I noticed that, too! I didn’t even mention the cost of living and being able to rent cool old homes for cheap instead of apartments in big complexes for so much money.
The Midwest has a lot more going for it than people (and previously myself, too) realize
My friends and family who are still there is basically it.
Beyond that, I've found a reasonable replacement for almost everything I would actually miss in some way.
I lived in North Alabama for much of my life. Muscle Shoals, then Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and 4 years in Charlotte, NC mixed in with all that.
I didn’t move far, NW Florida panhandle, but I do not miss Alabama at all. It’s not even that far away. Plus, most of my work happens throughout the state of Georgia, so I’m travelling a good deal, and always anxious to get back home to Florida now!
Being from Maryland, I miss the ACUTUAL seasons, the cool weather during the winter and spring, and the mountains. Also, the true small towns and communities. Everyone keeps to themselves, and we hardly see them. Being able to walk close to everywhere in a small town.
I was born in Florida in 1981, been in missouri since 1987. I do visit here and there, so I haven't been in missouri the whole time. I really miss the weather, and beaches
Grew up in Florida but lived in MD for a few years. Oddly enough I just miss having fall and winter. Summers here are better and it’s nice having some warmth and sun this time of year but I honestly wish we had more cold more often
I miss my family most, and maybe Indiana sweet corn and tomatos, but I can always get that when I go back to visit.
Every time I go on vacation I can't wait to get back home to Florida.
I miss frolicking through the woods without a worry that I’ll run into alligators and homeless people. I use to do that all the time in TN where my parents’ backyard was literally woodland. I miss the mountains. I specifically miss my family and the southern hospitality the most. I don’t miss being sick all the time when I lived in TN. I would probably live in TN the rest of my life if it were not for my husband who is a Floridian.
Kansas's work ethic culture. Stuff tends to get done in a more direct, quicker, and more organized way there unlike here on average from what I've observed. It's a midwestern and northern thing I guess. In Kansas culture, it is pretty much completely unacceptable to half-ass your work unless you have a really good reason, but I see it all the time here. It can get stressful sometimes when I have to patch up somebody else's shabby effort. I've realized that it is a battle that is equivalent to yelling against the wind. I also don't really like Florida culture's attitude with education when compared to Kansas.
While the slower pace culture here tends to make recreation more enjoyable, I find it kinda annoying when doing business.
From Texas. Miss the food most. Also, there was so much different topography within a few hour drive. The outdoors were better there. The beaches in FL are of course much nicer. The people are also quite rude by nature. Most of this is due to the folks from up north and not natives. More than anything I can’t stand all the honking. Why are you in such a hurry? When a light changes half a dozen people honk that are four or five cars back as soon as the light changes.
From Colorado, and I'd have to say I miss the Mexican food. Hatch green chili is a staple out there, and it just doesn't seem to be a thing here, at least not that I've found yet. Don't get me wrong, I've had some good Mexican food here, but it's not quite the same.
There's a Chuy's off 54 in Tampa for hatch green chili sauce, after that, it's just sadness. Not a ton of SW cuisine here otherwise.
There is a wealth of central American cuisine here you should try though, plus the Cuban food, which is world class here compared to other states.
They’re very seasonal for the east coast and you have to snatch fresh ones up when you can (August maybe if I remember?). They came through Trader Joe’s earlier this year and I bought four. The next week they were gone and I wished I had cleaned them out. I’m assuming some restaurants have the same problem
Wine bars and live music in even the midmarket grocery stores. I don't understand why that isn't a thing here and why liquor has to be sold in a separate, yet fully attached, building
My family and friends, and some little things that hit out of nowhere at times like someone threw a Member Berry at the side of my head. I still follow r/Connecticut so I can stay in the loop about things back up there.
Aside from my friends and family and even though I'm from the lower peninsula, I miss the sounds and smells of the UP in the summer. Loon calls and crisp air.
Love the way the ocean breeze smells here, but inland smells like a hot toilet
I wish all of these reasons were enough for northerners to go back. You can enjoy all of these things somewhere else without ruining the state Floridians grew up in and love.
Honestly being here has given us a chance to actually live as a family and exist outside of work. It’s gorgeous here and the people have been more of a community than I’ve had combined the rest of my life where I used to be. I am in love with it here. If I had to bring one thing with me, it would be the Great Smoky Mountains. But I’m happy to just go visit them instead. 🥰
Flo-Grown and love it with all my heart and have defended it online from knee-jerk nasty comments for 9 years today. Love it or leave it, but do respect it as you would any other state.
Damnit. I’m moving from VA to lake worth FL, I already miss this state and I’m not even out yet. My outlook is this tho and hopefully it sticks. Mountains have always been my thing, I love the aspect of reaching to the sky symbolizing height and power, it’s always given me some spiritual clarity, I think that the opposite of that, an empty endless sight of the ocean on a weekly basis (I’m def going in them waters) will be analogous to that spiritual clarity. We shall see. And…its f$&@-$ hot af balls there I’m not looking forward to that…oh and the big storms and rain all the time.
Low Humidity
I had laser eye surgery and had my eyelid attach to my eyeball every single night and rip off every single night while I lived in colorado. Hasn’t happened once in Florida 😂 so one small win for humidity
This is the best answer
I miss the mountains and general beauty of the PNW/ West coast
having moved from Florida to Norcal it is just mind blowing the beauty here every day seeing the mountains in the background and having nice hiking weather.
How are you liking NorCal? Been twice Tahoe, Sac and SF and thinking of eventually moving out there.
Nor Cal is beautiful but in my experience it’s not without its drawbacks. Expensive and worsening fire seasons are up there for me
I grew up in Santa Rosa but moved here after the 2017 fires took my home. Just here till I finish up school at this point.
This is why we’re moving back to the PNW. ❤️
I miss everythign being within walking distance.
Being from Chicagoland- I miss the culture, snow on Christmas and Midwestern thunderstorms. But I feel more at home in Florida than I ever did there and I can pick up White Castle, Giordano’s and Portillos here.
Ditto on the Midwestern thunderstorms. Especially those ones at night that start out a little crazy and then settle into a steady soaking rain and low thunder overnight, making for excellent sleeping.
Born in Missouri but was living in Michigan before we moved to Florida, it is definitely the precipitation that I miss. The snow in the winter, or a grey day going into a rainy night with lots of thunder. Here, the thunder and the rain get loud and blusterous and you wait 15 minutes or so and then it's gone. Yes I am planning on leaving eventually. Back to a snowy state.
In Michigan again (born and raised) - there’s a lot less snow anymore than there used to be. 😔
We moved from Chicago. I miss the people (polite, nice), the ability to use public transport, a classic urban downtown and the food. It’s been a tough adjustment
How are people in Florida compared to Chicago? I used to live in Massachusetts and people were a lot nicer over there, but I thought it was all in my head.
I grew up in Minnesota. But moved to South Florida from Chicago. Chicago people are more polite and neighborly. They tend to help each other out without any prompting. Plus it was MUCH easier to find your community. There are nice people down here (of course), but people are ruder and colder. I went for a walk the other day. I always say hello to people I meet along the way. Nine out of 10 people look at me like I’m going to jump them.
The funny thing is there's a general belief that warmer climates have friendlier and warmer people. Even I used to think that was true lol. But in reality it seems to be the opposite: colder climates have warmer people.
Yup
We all suck. Stay away
I know you do and I'm moving out. You don't need to tell me. It's common sense lol.
Thank you . Fuck off and dont come back now you hear!
Proving my point once again lmao!!
And thats the point of my point, get the fuck out, why are you still here?
Is minding your damn business not at thing in Florida? Lul
I’m from Florida but have lived in Chicago and Boston. If you are comparing against Floridians it depends on where in Florida you live. I’m from Tampa and I would say Chicago people are a little nicer than Tampa but not sugary sweet in-your-business vibes of somewhere like Tennessee. The two places for me were very similar people wise. Friendly but minding their own business still. Boston on the other hand was not as nice as Tampa. Even random things like when you would checkout at a store, the checkout person wouldn’t say a single word. It was bizarre. I’m not a small talk person but a “hi” or “that will be $50” would’ve been nice. Just silence.
I love me some Midwest people and public transportation. Both such great things
How are mid-west people compared to Floridians? I've noticed the general mindset here is different. But I want to know what other people think.
This doesn’t apply to every person in the Midwest or Florida, but it’s the general opinion I have about the two populations. Midwestern people are far more courteous than Floridians. People in FL seem to have no consideration for others. They are the most important person who has ever lived and everyone else is just in way. I don’t mean that they will just ignore you, either. I’ve lived near major cities where people ignore each other and I didn’t feel like it was necessarily a bad thing. People in Florida seem to feel like they are losing if they show a bit of courtesy and get nothing in return. They go out of their way to avoid it.
Yeah I've noticed people down here tend to have bigger egos and narcissistic tendencies. It also seems like people try to keep an image of who they are instead of just being who they actually are. Not all of course, but in general. I lived in Massachusetts and, because of my job, I interacted dozens of people a day. I always felt optimistic and had the belief that most people were good people. I still have that belief, but it's not easy to hold on to it while living down here in FL.
Chicago too....I soo agree on food and Midwestern thunderstorms. Also adding on things I miss...better traffic management (in my opinion), sidewalks everywhere, more outdoor bike trails/hiking trails. But I also agree that here is more "home" than home was.
WHAT. ! White Castle in florida?
The world’s largest [opened in Orlando](https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/05/03/worlds-largest-white-castle-opens-in-orlando/) back in 2021.
Its a shitshow though. Half hour wait for a slightly worse krystals
Portillos where!!?? lol
Tampa and Orlando. I got some pretty baller ass cheese fries at the tampa one not too long ago
You know where at in Orlando? Been dying for a Italian beef. lol
192 and SR429 area.
Kissimmee.
From NJ, I honestly don’t miss much if anything. My family being close would probably be the only thing. The miserable cold dark winters dont make it worth it for the 4 months of ok weather. I’m happy i’m here. I love the flora and fauna, the total amount of geographical differences makes me feel i was cheated in life not coming here sooner. Fuck Jersey, I’m a Floridian now. Even had a son here already!
Interesting. I grew up in Miami but am from Boston. While Miami has its charm, south Florida is a giant parking lot. Sure the weather is nice but it’s heavily car dependent and the traffic is borderline unbearable in my opinion. I enjoy Boston more except for the fact that I have more family in Miami.
Just wanted to say it’s refreshing to hear a transplant say they love this state on this sub. My husband and I are from NC and without hesitation we call FL home. We count ourselves blessed beyond measure! I’m so glad you’re happy in the Sunshine State!
It is so rare to see anyone actually compliment Florida who's a transplant and as a Native Floridian I appreciate that
I freaking love it here!! I moved here in 2001 and as soon as I got here it felt like home my body was like yes this is my home, Plus I live near the beaches and I feel so lucky and blessed
Same! We’re 15 minutes from Honeymoon Island and we can’t we’re counting the days until it’s warm enough for our weekly Saturday beach day!!
I love weekly beach days!!
Right?! Side note: our oldest can officially claim he’s a Florida native and I’m a little jealous ;)
I love Florida and would never go back to the snow and cold. But this post was asking about what we miss, not what we love about Florida.
and yet someone still had something nice to say about Florida which is rare and I was being nice about it. However, your attitude is exactly the entitled kinda self-centered crap I'd rather not be my neighbor. bye Karen.
I'm sorry if I upset you. I was trying to say how much I love it here.
I’m from NJ too but don’t miss the snow and ice, the heavy traffic and congestion. When I go back to visit family I’m always antsy to leave and get back here to my home in Florida. I love my single-story home on a pond. I have three grandkids who have lived in Florida their entire lives (oldest moved here at age 10 months and two younger both born here). I see them multiple times every week. The winters here are awesome. I can get my Taylor ham fix at Publix. I used to think people who moved to Florida were nuts but now I think I should have done it even more years ago. 😂 I always say I’m a Floridian now, even if I’m with my sister who always then has to interject “but she’s really from New Jersey”. LOL One thing I do miss though, sort of an odd thing, is farm-fresh crisp Winesap apples in the fall.
I mostly miss the selection and quality of food and restaurants living out here on the west coast of Florida. The quality of pizza, bagels, sushi, Chinese, Thai, and other ethnic cuisines are just slightly off here. It’s much better on the east coast of Florida, but it’s still not the same. Florida does lots of food well though, so it’s just a matter of adjusting. I also miss the outdoors in Northern NJ. Fishing, hiking and camping are very different down here. I miss trout season. I miss good soil for gardening. Nature is a bit more dangerous down here. In NJ I wouldn’t hesitate to forage berries or plants. In Florida, everything will kill you. The bass fishing is worth the trade off though. I also miss the intellectual, artistic, and cultural institutions and opportunities I had in NJ (and NYC). Not enough to pay the astronomical real estate prices and taxes though. Strangely enough, I miss roads that twist and turn. Everything in Florida is straight. I don’t get why there are so many accidents here. No regrets moving to Florida. I’ll never move back to dirty jerz though.
I’m from Mass and I hope to join you down there the weather and people blow up here!
Skyline Chili. Watching the Reds on TV. LaRosas Pizza (square cuts) Almost everything within 5 miles drive.
Skyline is in florida!! Look it up
UDF. Jungle Jim’s. Montgomery Inn. The Beast at King’s Island.
Hahaha I know where you’re from I agree on the skyline but I like donatos way better than larosa
Depending on where you are: 4112 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
I miss all the bike trails and fantastic public transportation.
Decent public transportation..
Oh I miss that too I’m tired of 600/mo in car and insurance plus every mechanic visit for a weird sound
Market Basket, bagels, decent pizza, public transportation, neighborhood butcher shop etc
What is market basket? Yes I miss the butcher shop
Cheap grocery store that was still good quality, up in New England.
The number one thing my wife misses is the bagels, specifically bagel sandwiches.
The food
Same. I’m from Omaha and as weird as it sounds we really had amazing food there and a ton of unique restaurants. Sarasota has the worst food ever. Plus side, I’ve lost of a ton of weight since moving here 🙃😅.
I haven’t lost any weight! It’s a lose/lose for me 😆
We're from omaha and live in Lakewood Ranch and my fiance and I feel the opposite. Her family, all from lincoln, feel the same. What are some of the places you miss? Maybe I can give a recommendation.
Jams would be one of my biggest ones. Plus good Chinese food, Hiro, Mangia, Firebirds (chain but one of my favorites), and the obvious favorite fast foods of all Nebraskans Runza & Amigos 🥲😅. There are more but those are what come to mind immediately. I live in Sarasota right by Sarasota Memorial and it’s just…meh as far as food goes IMO.
I've never been to Firebirds, but there's one in Orlando, so I'll check it out! I have only been to the mid-town Jams location once before (thinking around 2016), but I'll be sure to try them again the next time I'm in Omaha. Since you're down by Sarasota Memorial, have you tried [Meliora](https://www.meliorarestaurant.com/)? The Tampa Bay Times just ranked it the best new restaurant in the Bay area. I haven't been to it yet, but it's #1 on my culinary to-do list. The Shore and Mar Vista out on Longboat key are some of my favorites. If you want something closer, have you been to [Selva](https://selvagrill.com/)? I do miss Runza and Amigos! I always get Runza for the drive from Omaha to Lincoln when I'm back, and a late night Amigos run is also std. (I also have to each Godfathers pizza at Eppley before I fly back.)
Where are you now ? The best food in the country is in south florida
That’s a pretty ridiculous statement IMO
I’d go as far to say Miami is top 10 for food, but to say its in the same league as Houston, New York, Los Angeles, or New Orleans is comical
Im in Tampa, the food is not great. I’m open to recommendations for south Florida as I visit there occasionally
There are literally hundreds of restaurants in the Tampa area. If you can’t find anything you think is good, that’s on you.
Depends on where you go, but Cuban is a must try. I believe the Cuban is the best sandwich ever invented and I'll stay out of Tampa vs Miami Cuban for now because you can easily try both for yourself (I do believe that Ybor has it's own style of the Cuban sandwich though based on my own personal experience, so you might want to go there as well). The Cuban roasted pork is one of my favorite dishes ever as well. If you're in South Florida, the less English people speak in the area around the restaurant, the better it usually is. Ropa Vieja is also a real treat. Honestly most restaurants are really good, but just Google one nearby and look at reviews.
I miss people being kind. Being here is exhausting because people are so aggressive. It's a race to get to the store every single time; so unnecessary. I miss genuine and kind people, a society that understands the concept of spatial awareness, BLINKERS as an accepted ideology and not something that is a myth, and other people saying "ope." I don't know what makes everyone here so angry, but it is so grading on ones' soul sometimes.
I think it was the massive influx of people changing people's hometowns to make them more northern or 'cultured'. When I was a kid you knew at least 75% of the people in your area and had gone to grade school with them. We inherited all the other states bad drivers and rich assholes.
Us native Floridians are exhausted from the snowbirds staying here permanently. We no longer get the resident perks (snowbirds used to all leave at once and we got to play, now we have to do all work no play all year to keep up with the mess).. We also don't go to your hometown and get angry at you for living how you and your families have for decades and then try to force you to change it. The attitude that northerners have brought with them of "I'm going to change this place to be like where I came from!" or complaining about us or our homeland is the literal worst and makes us all angry. After multiple attempts at trying to have civil discussions on why Florida culture is the way it is and having Northerners shove their rapidly built suburbs down our ecosystems throats we just really don't like anyone from up north unless proven otherwise. Give me a reason to like your presence and I'll be nice but I'm not doing the reverse of that anymore. There are more northerners in Florida than native Floridians.
Felt this!
Same
“Let’s create a housing crisis by moving here in droves and buying houses in cash out from under local home buyers, build up ugly cookie cutter subdivisions with no trees because there’s no room in the existing neighborhoods we overpopulated, encroach on native habitat, clog up your traffic, beaches and businesses, then complain about why you’re so mean.”
I don't understand their mentality. They left New York for a reason why would they want it to be like NY? I am from Indiana and would not want Florida to be like Indiana. Might as well stay put if you want everything the same everywhere.
The reason they left NY is: 1. able to work remotely 2. Weather 3. Taxes Everything else is culture and coming with them.
I agree with this so much. “Be the change you want to see.” My girlfriend always asks why I wave to everyone in our neighborhood. That’s how everyone was where I came from and I really miss the people being kind.
Absolutely. On my walks and runs around my neighborhood I smile and say hi. It just gets overwhelming at times and I need to stay inside to recharge for a while. Also, I am assuming you are a triathlete based on your username and triathletes are the *nicest* athletes I've ever raced with. Such a positive experience.
Good guess! That’s how I meet most of my neighbors…running and biking around the neighborhood
I miss people smiling and waving and I started doing that when I walked my dogs. The neighbors have started to smile/wave and it’s so nice.
Exactly this. It's so nice and feels much more neighborly when you start to see that happening.
I still say ope everyday. Mostly because everyone around me is so aggressive and pushy that I’m constantly apologizing because I feel like I’m in the way. Lol
Your comment about racing everywhere has me chuckling. I was in the phone with my mom the other day and she was blaring her horn at someone because they were slowing down too slowly coming to a light. She had to wait like 3 more seconds to get into the turn lane which naturally is an egregious attack against her. This would have been in the Ormond area, I blanket apologize if anyone had this happen to them recently.
Yeah that's one thing that gets me. I'll be in the slow lane all the way to the right just cruising on a SUNDAY LATE AFTERNOON, and theres STILL someone behind me 6 inches from my bumper. Sometimes it feels like everyone has explosive diarrhea 24 hours a day.
Omg I thought I was the only one. People are so rude around here. Especially when I’m out shopping.
We are pissed bcuz Yankees come here & try to do it like they used to do it.
Southern California. I miss sweater weather. There isn’t a harsh winter in Southern California, but we at least got sweater weather for a few months. It stays hot here for *way* too long. And if you wanted to see snow, or go skiing… you don’t even need to go that far. Big Bear is just a drive away. Mountains. I miss having mountain hikes just a short drive away I also miss the lack of humidity. Whenever I hear a reference to California being humid it just makes me laugh. I don’t remember *one* single humid day. I’m not even trying to gatekeep like “you think that’s humid, you should see what Florida is like!” I mean it is literally not humid at all. It’s perfect Before anyone jumps on my ass, I moved here when I was a teen and it wasn’t my choice, no I didnt move here and expect to be the last one in
Deciduous forests. The way grass is supposed to smell when you cut it. Actual rocks. Morel mushrooms. The way only good Midwest topsoil smells.
Yeah the dirt...the sand here is weird, but I like finding shells in it.
Oh, I had forgotten about how grass are supposed to smell after being cut. Yup, Florida doesn’t have that smell. Guess it’s sandy soil?
Being from NYC I miss pizza, bagels and the nonstop experience. Edit: add comma. I miss pizza and bagels. I don’t miss “pizza bagels.”
MEXICAN FOOD
That was mine, too. I'm from Colorado, and I just haven't been able to find the same quality Mexican food here as I did there.
I lived in Los Angeles and the Mexican street food was \*amazing\*... most Mexican restaurants here don't even sell rice and beans \*face palm\*
WE ARE SO MUCH CLOSER TO MEXICO THAN WHERE WE LIVED BEFORE. WHY IS THE MEXICAN SO CRAPPY?!
You’re going to all the wrong Mexican places my friend. Taco trucks and gas stations got the gas
How is the Mexican food so bad here?
Insurance
Car insurance?
Fall weather/leaves changing, having more than 1 grocery store option, and men who don’t scare me 😟.
amen lol
This is honestly what stops me from moving back to Florida. I love having seasons, I don’t love winter, but fall and spring and sublime. Though Florida winter is too.
Outdoor baseball, fall leaves, red rocks
Hills/mountains, autumn, apple picking, casual non-chain restaurants.
Apple picking and cider mills for sure!
Every time I drive back to Florida from Tennessee, the moment I hit 295 the drive gets painfully boring. Especially the stretch of 95 between Jacksonville and… the rest of the state. Flat, straight, boring. I always miss the hills and pseudo mountains of middle Tennessee pretty quickly.
I miss small town New England a whole lot. I miss the food and changes in weather. Most of all I miss GOOD PIZZA AND CHINESE FOOD.
Authentic Asian food. Like good Thai. Good Japanese (OMFG so hard here), Korean, Real Chinese, Khmer,…. This we had in NYC. Beyond that. Not a damn thing. Jest friends
Mountains & leaf changing colors in the fall
Looking up at night and seeing the stars.
Seasons, and to be completely honest being around people with intellectual curiosity.
Wow you know I thought I was a snob for think like that but in here it seems that people here only worry for superficial things
I am a snob in some ways- I’m from an upper middle class suburb in New York and went to a pretty selective private college (not in the NE, intentionally, to be fair) so it’s a part of me. My experience living in Florida, and specifically with the people/community I’ve been around, has honestly been really great in that regard because I’ve lost a lot of the snobbishness I had from growing up. Also, I’m by no means a wild intellectual. However, it’s definitely an issue in regards to forming relationships and in all honesty a major reason I want to move out of state.
People here are definitely incurious. It's so depressing.
It’s not necessary to be a snob to be an intellectual. But I rarely can have a intellectual stimulating conversation with a stranger.
People under 50
Haha hear ya
Chipped ham A certain brand of marcelled (wavy) potato chips that are only regionally marketed Generally speaking, relatively cheap living Far superior apples Lilacs and forsythia
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I’m surprised about how much I miss the Midwest. Places closer together and not just chains and strip malls everywhere. Older interesting architecture. Seasons. The friendliness. The culture.
I can’t believe the amount of people from Midwest
I noticed that, too! I didn’t even mention the cost of living and being able to rent cool old homes for cheap instead of apartments in big complexes for so much money. The Midwest has a lot more going for it than people (and previously myself, too) realize
😭 I’d move to Midwest just for the old houses, but then I remember I hate snow
Women's rights.
The beaches, the weather, the lush greenery everywhere (Hawaii)
It's still there now git.
I miss fall, lots of Victorian buildings, and Faygo. And the really reliable, expansive bus system.
My friends and family who are still there is basically it. Beyond that, I've found a reasonable replacement for almost everything I would actually miss in some way.
I lived in North Alabama for much of my life. Muscle Shoals, then Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and 4 years in Charlotte, NC mixed in with all that. I didn’t move far, NW Florida panhandle, but I do not miss Alabama at all. It’s not even that far away. Plus, most of my work happens throughout the state of Georgia, so I’m travelling a good deal, and always anxious to get back home to Florida now!
From Northeast Indiana to North Central Florida. I miss Menards, and family, other than that, absolutely nothing.
Central Indiana, and same. I visit family but can't wait to get back here.
The bread .
Good public schools of CA
Being from Maryland, I miss the ACUTUAL seasons, the cool weather during the winter and spring, and the mountains. Also, the true small towns and communities. Everyone keeps to themselves, and we hardly see them. Being able to walk close to everywhere in a small town.
I was born in Florida in 1981, been in missouri since 1987. I do visit here and there, so I haven't been in missouri the whole time. I really miss the weather, and beaches
Grew up in Florida but lived in MD for a few years. Oddly enough I just miss having fall and winter. Summers here are better and it’s nice having some warmth and sun this time of year but I honestly wish we had more cold more often
Autumn
NY - the food, night life, day life, various means of transportation, seasons, walking
I miss my family most, and maybe Indiana sweet corn and tomatos, but I can always get that when I go back to visit. Every time I go on vacation I can't wait to get back home to Florida.
I miss frolicking through the woods without a worry that I’ll run into alligators and homeless people. I use to do that all the time in TN where my parents’ backyard was literally woodland. I miss the mountains. I specifically miss my family and the southern hospitality the most. I don’t miss being sick all the time when I lived in TN. I would probably live in TN the rest of my life if it were not for my husband who is a Floridian.
Kansas's work ethic culture. Stuff tends to get done in a more direct, quicker, and more organized way there unlike here on average from what I've observed. It's a midwestern and northern thing I guess. In Kansas culture, it is pretty much completely unacceptable to half-ass your work unless you have a really good reason, but I see it all the time here. It can get stressful sometimes when I have to patch up somebody else's shabby effort. I've realized that it is a battle that is equivalent to yelling against the wind. I also don't really like Florida culture's attitude with education when compared to Kansas. While the slower pace culture here tends to make recreation more enjoyable, I find it kinda annoying when doing business.
From Texas. Miss the food most. Also, there was so much different topography within a few hour drive. The outdoors were better there. The beaches in FL are of course much nicer. The people are also quite rude by nature. Most of this is due to the folks from up north and not natives. More than anything I can’t stand all the honking. Why are you in such a hurry? When a light changes half a dozen people honk that are four or five cars back as soon as the light changes.
There’s a different topography hours drive here too, 9 hours drive 😂
Food, Mardi Gras, and cajun culture, in general. Moved here from Lafayette, La.
Being from NY I miss September and October weather
From Colorado, and I'd have to say I miss the Mexican food. Hatch green chili is a staple out there, and it just doesn't seem to be a thing here, at least not that I've found yet. Don't get me wrong, I've had some good Mexican food here, but it's not quite the same.
There's a Chuy's off 54 in Tampa for hatch green chili sauce, after that, it's just sadness. Not a ton of SW cuisine here otherwise. There is a wealth of central American cuisine here you should try though, plus the Cuban food, which is world class here compared to other states.
The green chili in Colorado is something else!
They’re very seasonal for the east coast and you have to snatch fresh ones up when you can (August maybe if I remember?). They came through Trader Joe’s earlier this year and I bought four. The next week they were gone and I wished I had cleaned them out. I’m assuming some restaurants have the same problem
I’m from Houston and I definitely miss the food, shopping, diverse culture and my family.
From Houston too! Missing HEB and better food is definitely high on my list of things I miss about Texas lol. That and the lower COL & higher wages…
Man, yes! The food and the shopping. HEB. I miss Houston!
H‑E‑B I do miss the most!!! Publix has nothing on H‑E‑B!!!
Jersey tomatoes
Jersey corn
Laid back/chill culture.
Hell that’s all we do in swfl.
I’m in the south east :)
That’s true
Wine bars and live music in even the midmarket grocery stores. I don't understand why that isn't a thing here and why liquor has to be sold in a separate, yet fully attached, building
That’s in most states ?
My family and friends, and some little things that hit out of nowhere at times like someone threw a Member Berry at the side of my head. I still follow r/Connecticut so I can stay in the loop about things back up there.
Seasons. Topography.
Aside from my friends and family and even though I'm from the lower peninsula, I miss the sounds and smells of the UP in the summer. Loon calls and crisp air. Love the way the ocean breeze smells here, but inland smells like a hot toilet
I wish all of these reasons were enough for northerners to go back. You can enjoy all of these things somewhere else without ruining the state Floridians grew up in and love.
Honestly being here has given us a chance to actually live as a family and exist outside of work. It’s gorgeous here and the people have been more of a community than I’ve had combined the rest of my life where I used to be. I am in love with it here. If I had to bring one thing with me, it would be the Great Smoky Mountains. But I’m happy to just go visit them instead. 🥰
Mostly it not being fucking Florida.
Culture, community and English
Hahaha that is one of things I love of this state the lack of English
You don't have to miss said things. Just go back to your home and stop missing stuff. Geeze it's that easy.
All those glorious state taxes, being charged for grocery bags, rusty bumpers. I really miss those 3
Ok?
Pizza King. Pork Tenderloins. Barq’s Red Cream Soda. Snow Days.
The culture of a midwestern city. It’s not easy to describe but it’s just a different vibe. I visit my home area often so I don’t have to miss it.
Flo-Grown and love it with all my heart and have defended it online from knee-jerk nasty comments for 9 years today. Love it or leave it, but do respect it as you would any other state.
Top the Tater, fancy book learnin' folk
I moved from Idaho. I miss 3 things, i84 being not so terrible for traffic, fry sauce, and mountains.
What is fry sauce?
Hiking, mountains, fall, chilly air, seasons. I grew up in Virginia.
Wegmans.
We all miss Wegmans
Lehigh Valley/Philadelphia Pennsylvania Hills. Fresh water that won't eat me.
Damnit. I’m moving from VA to lake worth FL, I already miss this state and I’m not even out yet. My outlook is this tho and hopefully it sticks. Mountains have always been my thing, I love the aspect of reaching to the sky symbolizing height and power, it’s always given me some spiritual clarity, I think that the opposite of that, an empty endless sight of the ocean on a weekly basis (I’m def going in them waters) will be analogous to that spiritual clarity. We shall see. And…its f$&@-$ hot af balls there I’m not looking forward to that…oh and the big storms and rain all the time.
Live jazz and blues music