Why I Love Raising my Kids in Florida

I am a New England girl, living in a Florida world.  I love the Red Sox, the Patriots, my clam chowder, white, with oyster crackers and lobster from Maine.  I love to use the word “wicked” before adjectives to make sure I am properly expressing how I feel.  I will always call something you drink water out of a “bubbler” not a “water fountain” and drop the letter ‘r’ at the end of my words when I’ve had a few glasses of wine.  But…. I love raising my kids in Florida.  

I grew up in Rhode Island and I am still a Rhode Islander.  I miss the seasons changing, especially the fall leaves, I miss really good Dunkin Donuts on every corner and I miss the people most of all.  

My husband and I met in Miami while I was attending the University of Miami.  After graduating, I planned to stay in Florida but I was homesick and we moved back up North.  Fast forward seven years later…in order for my husband to move up in his career, we had to move.  I said the only place I’ll leave the Northeast for is Florida.  So when my oldest son was 14 months old, we moved back to Florida and decided on Wellington.

And… I love raising my kids in Florida.

Ok, so why does this transplant from the Northeast love Florida?  

The BEACH.  In Rhode Island,  I would dream of summer.  (I can hear Olaf singing now… ‘In summerrrrr!!!’)  The beach is my happy place.  I love that I can get in my car and not have to sit in bumper to bumper beach traffic.  I love that I don’t have to fight for parking and, at my favorite beach, Juno, it’s free!  I can sit on the beach and my kids can play in the warm water and build sand castles throughout the entire year.

Being Outside.   I don’t know how stay at home moms up north do it.  Before we moved back to Florida, (4 1/2 years ago) I worked full-time.  I longed for more time with my son. The opportunity to experience being a stay at home mom was what made moving so far away from my family worth it.  I love being outside and need to be outside by 9am or I go crazy!  I can’t imagine being stuck in the house with my kids during the winter months in the Northeast!  This leads into my next item.

Parks and Playgrounds.  The number of amazing parks and playgrounds in Florida are endless!  The playgrounds are maintained and kept clean!  I love that I can pack some sandwiches and go to one of the many playgrounds near my house in a matter of minutes. 

The Concerts and Other Family Friendly Events.  Sometimes there is almost too much to do.  There is always a free concert, a free movie, food trucks, festivals, etc!  I can go on and on but most of these family friendly events are free or extremely reasonable. 

Everyone comes to visit you.  If we had to move somewhere away from family, I am glad we were able to choose a place that people actually take vacations to!  I have to make sure people tell me far in advance if they want a place to stay because this hotel, aka our home, fills up fast!  I guess it’s the cheap rates. Also, people love to retire here.  And I have been lucky enough to have parents who have choosen to do this.

And last but not least… Disney.  Being less than 3 hours away from Mickey’s home is amazing.  Even if your not a huge Disney fan like me, its great because if people don’t come visit you, they do go visit Mickey and you can meet them there!  Also, Disney offers discounted rates for Florida residents.

 

So, do I miss Rhode Island?  Yes, so much.  But do I love raising my kids in Florida? Yes, so much.