[Porsche-O-Phile]

Lived there for several years back in the 1990s. Like everywhere else it has good aspects and bad ones. Good are that it's pretty casual, money goes far, weather is good year-round, no snow, etc. Housing is (or was, probably is again in most areas) inexpensive. Lots of touristy things, but those can be fun to do. Also lots of hidden secrets off the beaten path if you look. Gun laws are fairly relaxed as is the state's general attitude towards governance.

On the flipside it is flat, boring (terrain-wise) and hot. Summers are nasty, disgusting due to the humidity. You'll never quite get used to it. There were days I literally had to take 3-4 showers. The afternoon thunderstorms (every day at 3:00, you could set your watch by 'em) helped for 20 minutes, then it'd get gross again. A/C is a must in the summer months and you can't wear decent dress clothes (including "business casual) and walk outside more than about 5 minutes without becoming a sweaty, rumpled mess. But usually you can work around it.

There are a LOT of scheisters and sleazeballs down there - the place is a magnet for them. Always be on your guard for petty thieves and similar wastes of skin. Maybe it's better now but when I lived there home invasions and carjackings were a daily event.

Lotta' bible-thumpers and jus general weirdos too, bit honestly they kinda just add to the flavor of the place and make it kind of interesting. The stereotypes you hear about retirees are all true - at least they were in the coastal areas. In Orlando and surrounding burbs, not so much. Every single retired obnoxious New Yorkers eventually ends up there. Makes for interesting encounters.

I can think of worse places to be and could go on and on but suffice to say it's a different world - certainly a chance from run-of-the-mill American generica. It does (or did) have a lit of southern simplicity and practicality which was nice (of course this gives rise to a lot of redneckery too). It's an interesting place.

If you have a good job and can make decent money you can live pretty well there but those are tough to find in good times. Now? I'd be wary for sure and VERY sure about future employment before headin down there. It's not a place you'd want to end up with no income...