I had to chuckle a bit, Marilyn. Surrounded by water is not for everyone.
I've lived on this tiny island for 28 years. I can't drive anywhere else, gave up cultural events, have only the same small collection of stores, restaurants and grocery stores to work with. We don't own a boat, don't surf, don't get in the ocean much. I'm thankful for the internet so I can get stuff when I want it. No air conditioning in our house because we don't need it but it opens us up to all kinds of mold, mildew, humidity-caused stuff.
There are zillions of sharks (they live in the ocean, after all smileys/smile.gif, hurricanes, tsunamis, frequent torrential downpours, bugs and creatures galore that go bump in the night, feral pigs, feral goats, wild chickens, all of it. I can't leave butter out on the counter or it melts in a puddle. Anything crisp turns soggy in minutes when opened. One of my biggest gripes is that the glue on envelope flaps sticks to everything so old-fashioned sending bills out with checks becomes truly rritating.
Lots of people I know and knew over the years can't and couldn't do it. Couldn't live in this climate, in this tiny place. It is not at all rare to have someone move here and then they find they hate it.
I adjusted to all the wild and crazy stuff because I love the climate and the temperature. I love the incredible songbirds, the flora and the fauna, the gorgeous green mountains with waterfalls everywhere. I love the people. Even though we are bombarded with over a million tourists a year, I love it all. Crazy I know but I do. And I know it is not for everyone! I hope you can make peace with Florida, Marilyn. If not, you can move again, right?
