Oh yeah - that's a bad scene. Those arms are going to be a big problem in 3 to 5; I'm glad we got a fixed rate. That could blow the bubble because of all the foreclosures and such.

Where exactly in Orlando is this job?

Orlando is huge and encompasses many small cities. If you like rolling hills and winding roads look to Lak County for a home the Eustis / Tavaris area is nice and you could easily get a 5 acre lot with a nice size house on it. Plus the Martin Sports car Club has Autocrosses in Tavares.

I personally would aviod Orlando proper, traffic is insane especially when you throw in tourists with now clue where they are going and seem to have left their driving skill at home.

Disney is EVIL we all hate the mouse. It is the EVIL empire. (I have season passes so we can take the kids though and I hate the place) Disney draws a LOT of people to the Orlando area and makes its economy. Disney is a necessary evil. :(

Tracks to race on?

Daytona (think Rolex 24), Sebring, Homestead/Miami, Moroso, Roebling Road (Savannah Georgia not far away at all)

We race all year round, but then again, you do too.

Downfalls? Its freaking hot Late may through Sept.-Oct. / Lately, Hurricanes pounding the crap out of us. (Something that has not happened in over 50 years) Mosquitos and other critters, Palmetto Bugs (a polit way of saying Roaches) are quite common we live in their habitat. Bible thumpers everywhere. While not considered the Bible Belt its close. There are irritating Blue Laws that I wish would be abolished. (No Alcohol sales in the City of Orlando on Sunday) No alcohol sales statewide before 1PM Sunday. Real PITA when trying to get ready for an F-1 party.

Pluses? Late Oct. through early May while the rest of the country is freezing to death we are loving life.

The cost of living is very low here and house values are simply amazing.

Having never even been to Cali (I will be there in 4 weeks though) I cannot compare the 2 places. I can only ascertain an impression from what I readon Forums and in the news.

I used to live in Altomonte Springs its a pretty afluent area now. It was up and coming when I was there.

As far as the stay the stay at home mom thing. This is a irritation for me and I will try not to piss anyone off. The school sytems in general are declining. A suggestion to you and your wife. Stay at home and raise your kid. When your kid heads off to kindergarten volenteer at the school. They need all the help they can get. If your doing well financially offer to sponsor a class. In my sons school it costs $250 per class and its money well spent.

I am personally volanteering next year as my son starts Middle School. My wife cannot due to us having a 2 year old at home. These next 3 years are the most important in his development and I want to be sure having him in a public school is not a mistake. If I see the school is not up to par I am pulling him and enrolling him in a private school.

My wife quit her job to raise our children and she has never looked back. She has the best job in the world she gets to be with people she loves all day long. I get to miss all the monumental things. First steps etc...

Dont both of you miss your childs beginning years. You will regret it.

The job is in maitland. I likely would avoid orlando proper; we live in a small community here in LA. It's like may berry in the middle of LA county. We can walk to the beach, walk to the grocery store, walk to the gym...well - we don't have to drive to get anywhere in our neighborhood.

It's pretty cool really and ideal if we could afford it on one income. Is there anything like that in Orlando?

Oh - I hate roaches. I had a huge roach problem when I lived there myself.

Mikester - wow, tough call. It really is a crap shoot. If you get into the right neighborhood and establish friendships with good folk then it is a no brainer. The problem is, you can't plan on that. A few visits will not give you the a glimpse of what it would be like to live there.

Stay in Cal and barely ekk by, she continues to work and lil johnny gets raised by mommasita. Move to FLA, mommy stays home maybe gets a little bored but lil johnny gets to have mommy. At some point, the little rascle has to come first.

So - the question is, can you stay in Cal and give the little guy the family time (and material stuff to spoil him good)? In 5 years, she can go back to work. The little guy can't get those 5 years back. Just a thought.

All good points and appreciated - I'm reading them too her too - no sugar coating about it.

We had one of her best friends over tonight for dinner and she totally thought it was something we should at least look into for Jacob's sake - especially since we want to get him a little sister someday. We both want two but I'm reluctant in CA because of money. She thinks my earning potential is higher than I see jobs out there for - I'm a Network and Systems Security professional. To make the kind of money we would need I feel I would have to work harder than I want to and might be home less in the effort which doesn't work out for what we want...

Blah blah blah blah blah.

KEep em coming!

Going through that same thing now - Lisa wanted to stay home and be with Max then Emmy - they are fantastic and are doing great due to her. The thing is, that could only occur becuase of what I do and what I make. But my job requires about 50% travel and that is not sitting well with me. I have to think about alterntives in my company or I will have to look for something else so I can be home more. That is the makings of a thread...

http://www.relocate-america.com/townvote.htm

my town is rated #2

huh! I must have missed something growing up here.