Florida or PA

Hi All,

I recently have gotten the chance to move to FL. I have an apartment right across the street from Universal in Orlando. I'm set to move in on Sept 6th. However, I've been second guessing it and thinking about all the great parks up here. So if you had the choice what would you do? I currently live right out side philadelphia. So it means I have access to Dorney,Hershey,SFA,SFGADV,Coney Island,and Wild Wood, and Knoebles.

Sun,Palm trees and coaster year round?

Snow,More parks,Coaster 1/2 the year?

Thanks,

Dough

Choosing your home based on nearby parks?

Or are you into the amusement industry for a career?

Seriously. There are more important things like jobs and loved ones....

Yeah my job allows me to work from home and I always wanted to live in FL. My girlfriend is from Bucks county and would move down in Dec. But thats about it. But one of the reason I wanted to move to FL was year around coastering.

No reason you couldn't commute back north for a few days of coasting in the summer. If you prefer warmer weather, go for FL.

Florida all the way man!!!! ;)

You know your an Emgee when............
;)

Okay, you asked... Here is another (thankfully rare) installment of Dexter's True Story Time.

All my life I wanted to work at a park, but all kinds of things (enjoyable things, mind you) were pinning me down in Central PA. I broke up with my significant other, quit the " indie rock band", stopped doing the seasonal Haunted House thing, and found that I was free follow my next dream.

After ride opping at Cedar Point for 2 seasons, I asked the same question as you; Florida or PA. My delimma was that I wanted to try and make a career out of the amusement park industry, and driving back and forth every six months from Ohio to PA and looking for another job in from late Fall to early Spring was becoming tedious. So I moved to FL.

It was a lot of fun; I visited a park every week or so. I had a buddy who worked at Disney, so he got me into the Disney parks free. Working at Universal got me into Sea World and BGT free. Ohh yea and Universal Studios and IOA were free of course.

But I found myself broke; not because of all of the free parks I was going to, but because of the crappy pay from IOA. My weekly grocery budget was $15-$20. I really started to get homesick. I missed my family.

9/11 hit just about the same time that my Mom called with bad news-Dad was REAL sick and may not live another year. The day after Halloween Horror Nights was over, I was on the train home. My time in Orlando was exactally 2 days shy from being one year.

I stayed with my Parents for one year. I worked part time at one of my old retail jobs and helped with takeing care of Mom and Dad. I did the little things like go to the grocery store and mow the grass.

Almost Miraculously Dad slowly got better until he was not sick at all. The day after the good news from the doctor, we had a HUGE celibration with around 50 of our closest friends.

Than the delimma came back once again. I wanted to move out of the house and be on my own again, but this event in our family's lives weighed heavy on my mind. I could go right back to Orlando and pick up where I had left off, which after breaking it all down, was really only $6.25 per hour at a job I loved.

My decision was to stay close to home. I moved only an hour away. I don't work at a park now, even though I believe that is where I belong. My plans are to move to Orlando when I retire in 35 years and work part time at the job I loved, IOA.

I know your delima isn't like mine in all respects. You said that you work from home. Why not just move down there for an indefinate amount of time and when and if PA calls you back, go back. That's what I did, even if it was for only one year.

Like me, you have probably had the joy of visiting and really getting to know all of our areas parks. Even though things were not so great for me in Orlando, I don't regret in any way getting to know all of FL's parks the same way. That is what made it all worthwhile for me.

Sorry for the long story. I like to tell stories. Thanks for reading.

I have a great job so money wouldn't be an issue. But this would be my first time moving from home. I've always loved Orlando and i figure what the hell, I'll give it a shot. Maybe I'm just being a wussy!

Phoenix is in Pennsylvania, Knoebel's is in Pennsylvania. 'Nuff said.

HULK is in Orlando. IOA is in Orlando. 'Nuff said, but I'll say more...

IOA's Spiderman, and all of the other rides. Kraken and JTA. Gwazi, And the others at BGT. RRC and ToT.

If you desire to intimatly know FL's amusement parks, and if moving down there is the only way to do so, then just do, especially since money is not am issue.

Oh yea, and there are no Steak and Shake's in PA.

(I never really got this whole "Phoenix is the best wooden coaster ever" thing.)

Ahhh forget all that and move to Ohio ;)

dexter, I see you live in State College. Not trying to threadjack, but have you heard of Mifflinburg/Lewisburg? They're about 40-50 miles (I think) east of ya. ;)

You need to think of more than just warm winters and all year coastering. Others have mentioned family, you also have to look at the cost of living in that area compared to were you are now. Taxes, rent/house payment, everything you need to live. Factor in trips home to see family and friends. There is a lot YOU have to consider and we can't make that decision for you. Good luck with whatever you decide. *** Edited 8/4/2004 12:55:03 AM UTC by CP ismyhome***

The point is, you need to live in FL *and* PA, not FL *or* PA....;)

Other acceptable warm-weather answers include Cali or TX, and other cold-climate answers include OH or IN...

And that doesn't even include Europe or Japan as possibilities....:)

All judges' decision are final and irrevocable...;)

Being the 14 year old who can't keep his mouth shut, I say you should most definitely move to Florida. Especially if your single! Bikinis, babes, and possibly the 6 best theme parks you will ever find. Disney's and Universal's I mean.

If you move to florida, you can probably get a good deal on an electric wheelchair. People there die all the time. . .

I like Gator's response; PA *and* FL. I also think CP ismyhome has the best advice here so far.

MarimbaGuy87, Yes I have. I work at Target and a lot of people from your area come to my store everyday. Mifflinburg/Lewisburg is kinda' like the "Country", right? ;) You can pm me if you want to talk further, or aolim me.

Hi everyone. I've made my decision and I will be moving to PA. I canceled my apartment in Orlando and will be moving to Warrington, Bucks County PA. Thanks to everyone for all there input!