From Selling It ALL To Living The Florida Dream! 

Thinking about making the move to Tampa Bay? Reach out! We're here to help. Juan Alcala - Tampa Realtor 📲 Call/Text Direct at (813) 261-3540 📲 Email: info@trulivingroup.com 📅 calendly.com/juan-alcala/45 👨‍💻 Website: www.tbhomesearch.com/ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/juan.alcala.realtor/

The last thing is don't come running to Florida and vote for the same failed policy's you did in your native state. Thank you and God bless Amen and Amen 🙏🏼 🙌 ❤️

I feel like your words are coming right out of my head. My husband and I moved to the Tampa area in December of 2021 from central MA. We were born and raised in MA and took the plunge in our mid 40's to finally change our lifestyle. We were miserable from the weather and couldn't be happier now. We love the sunshine and are basically outside all day. I agree most people living in FL are from somewhere else. It's nice to know others are feeling the exact same way we do. Great video! ❤

Tampa is really expensive now traffic is bad home insurance is high in Tampa food cost is higher in Florida you have to shop at Walmart car insurance is high if you are not making at least 75 to 100 grand a year in Tampa it's going to be hard

Traffic in Tampa is ridiculous…lived in Westchase driving to downtown for work every day was a nightmare. We moved back to the Midwest because the insurance costs were ridiculous…car…homeowners and flood insurance was the reason we left.

Born and raised in southeast Michigan. Begging my husband to move down here. This video stole my heart. Well said ! Thank you for the honest and heartfelt information and opinions!!

Very informative! Thank you for sharing! It was always my dream to move to Florida. I put serious consideration into it , however chose not to after being an empty nester and starting over at my age where I know nobody even though I lived in my home for 21 years raising my daughter alone it was still the state I was born and raised in. It was just a new area I knew little about. I hear how expensive Florida is which is everywhere anymore. Add the coastal flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, bugs, alligators and brutal heat, not too mention overcrowded, for me staying in my state makes more sense. I live in a beautiful community where my grandmother lived most of her life and while I don’t have the beautiful Florida beaches, I do have a beautiful pool that I don’t have to maintain. I do pay a lot to live here, but I am the happiest I have been in a long time❤

Glad I randomly stumbled upon this video and watched it through. Currently residing in the Midwest and looking to relocate to somewhere with more pleasant weather. You hit the nail on the head describing the weather of this region.

Been in Tampa, Riverview area, for 25 years now. It went from small town and community oriented to an overcrowded mess. Traffic is horrible. Up there with Miami. They have been building apartments and homes every free square inch of land without widening roads. I love it here, it's home, but wow....

I agree about being 15 minutes from the beach if you move to Florida. That’s such a large reason why you move there.

Liked & subscribed today. Thanks for your candid take

Brand new subscriber here . Just discovered you yesterday. You guys are great !! I dream of livin on that Gulf Coast !! Cheers from Buffalo, NY !! Liz

Thank you for sharing your story. I really enjoyed it.

I just returned from Palm Beach. I currently live in a climate very similar to where u came from. Upstate NY Catskills area. Very similar. If u watch the Buffalo Football games then u just saw the fans digging out from feet of snow to sit in the sun zero temps to watch them play. I absolutely HATE it. I brought my kids and met up w family. My 12 year old had the same epiphany I had years ago. She said why don't we live here, it's beautiful, it's heaven, I hate it where we live, can we please move. I have been feeling the exact same way for years! But my husband has ties to his kids in this state. He is older than me w kids much younger than mine. I raised my kids alone, as a single Mom. He is a Stepdad,but doesn't play Dad to my kids. My kids don't have a Dad. It's all me and my family. I FINALLY got into a good place financially (outside of my Husband). I have expressed this desire to him, but he understandably says he can't leave his kids even though he doesn't see them that much. But this trip was it for us. My daughter and I were in literal tears leaving, taking off, landing. We hate it here. I have some family who live there, but they are not super close. But I've decided, I'm going to do it. I'm dead serious. My husband chose not to come with us and I realized if I never went home again I would be ok. I would just be happy and so would my kids. My son is off to college and my daughter is begging us to go. I hate it here. I have friends, but my best friend died of heart failure 2 months ago w us by his side. My Grandma who I grew up down the road from died 2 weeks ago, my other grandfather is suffering from dementia and has now stopped eating, he is dying. My husband and I don't have a lot going for us. It's miserable. I hate it everyday. I'm stuck in this grey freezing Hell for 6 months a year. In the summer I make my garden into a haven, dreading every minute until the weather comes and steals all life around me again for months. I suffer from seasonal depression. It's unbelievably expensive to live here. I'm finishing my degree I started and will be done this year. I'm just done. I'm done. That's the only place I've wanted to live since I was 12 and I used to go visit my Grandparents winter condo. Please God. I can't do this anymore. When I was away from my Husband... I realized I was fine, I was actually happy. Truly happy, and Florida makes me filled with joy. I don't want to wait. Life doesn't wait, it's over before we know it. Truly. I'm going to do it. Unfortunately it will mean the end of this marriage, and that wasn't my intent. But he tells me we don't fit well and he doesn't like me anyway, so wth. I need to go. Other than friends and my Dad, there is nothing left. But there,it feels like the world is beautiful again. I need to go. I have to. I'm giving myself 1 year. I appreciate your video

I spent 20 years in Florida ( native New Yorker). I lived in Orlando when I first came to the state but like you guys I wanted to be by the beach and found myself in St Pete. I lived between Pinellas and Pasco County. I do remember living in a subdivision with a baby gator (about 5 feet long) that lived in the pond across the road. The bugs I encountered and the amount of humidity is crazy. What brought me to your comment section though is what you mentioned: most people are not from Florida. Between the snowbirds and transplants it’s hard to find someone that’s native to the state.

great video. i love the chemistry that you both have. I subscribe to your channel just because of the sincerity you both carry.

You just want to live where you want to stay and struggle. Good or Bad is personal preference. Just enjoy where you live.

My family and I are working on moving to south west Florida by June. We are moving from NYC it’s just terrible here. New York is not what it use to be. We want to make a drastic change 😊thanks for this video.

Hi. Love this video. I'm currently living in Chicago. Been here 27 years and I can't do another winter here. I suffer from seasonal depression due to not being so cold here. I cry when I made the decision to leave Chicago for Florida. Chicago has been so good to me and my family. My 5 children were born in Chicago. We are not living san active lifestyle and I loveeeeeee Florida and I'm obsessed with the beaches.

I moved to South Florida in 2008 from Michigan and it's not nearly as nice and affordable as it used to be. I bought my house in North Palm Beach in 2011 for $205K, same house now goes for 650K. Not sustainable. Between skyrocketing cost of housing and insurance, it is no longer viable to live here as a homeowner so I'm moving back to Michigan and buying a beautiful old large French Colonial home at a fraction of the price as Florida. I can always come back and stay in Florida for 1-2 months in the winter Jan-Feb as i work remote. Until the hordes of masses leave and prices go back down,. I wont be back living here. Adios Florida!

Love your personality and sharing your faith. God bless you for that. We’re considering a move to Florida from Oregon after my brother passes away from cancer. We want to be in a warm climate finally. Hawaii is our first choice, but cost is more than I think God would have us be faithful stewards of our money. We’re looking for new or newer construction one level home that we can spend the rest of our lives in. A fenced backyard for our dogs. And some good beaches nearby at a cost no higher than $350,000. We’re sure praying on it. Nice video. Thanks for making it. God bless you.

one of the best videos ive seen thanks sharing.

Thanks for giving real dollar amounts for expenses and being so honest. Looking to retire in 5yrs and move to the Tampa area from NY. Hope by then FL has the home insurance crisis under control. Great video.

Left Southeast Michigan 14 years ago for Florida. Loved it, next week we are going back to Michigan. Had enough of hurricanes, traffic,HOA fees and insurance. Most of all lost a lot of great neighbors (deaths).

As for the Heat, I feel the same in metro Dallas. It’s really just 3 months. After that weather is great! People hear about an occasional ice storm here. Those are not yearly and even when we do have them, most of the winter is still pretty mild.

your video really hit home with me. We lived in Treasure Island for 11 years- made the tragic decision to move back to Grosse Pointe Farms to raise a family. Ugh. Michigan really is a ghetto. I’m happy you escaped. When we get the kids out of high school definitely moving back and looking at Seminole.

Im from Michigan as well near Kalamazoo area. I have lived in Florida 6 times. Love it there, i know what it takes to make it in Florida. Moving to Clermont area hopefully next year

As a FloGrown native you dress for rain and enjoy the rain, same as one would the sun. P.S.A. Not in a Thunderstorm. 275 & I-4 is called "Malfunction junction".

Well done, you are both accurate and honest, genuine. I moved 2yrs ago from metro Atl, tired of the big city grind, do love Georgia tho. Here in Fla its always sunny, and we have bugs, but your gonna have to drag me away from this, I live on a canal in a fishing village, its 40min to Walmart. Life is about choices and this is mine, be well all.

Great video guys. My wife, daughter and I moved to Sebastian from New England a year ago and aren't looking back. Can you talk more about why you chose the west side of the state over the east side and what some of the differences of living in each are?

Moved to the Tampa area from upstate NY IN 2017, so much has changed. Started out renting a 3 bedroom 2 bath, 2 car garage home with a screened (lanai) pool for $1,250. Now 600 sq foot apartments starting at $1,600. Car insurance high premium! And we won’t get into the home owners insurance premiums. Traffic has more than doubled. I personally love where I live (minutes from the gulf) close to Clearwater beach, Dunedin and palm harbor! We are full though, so sorry 😂 I hear Lakeland is nice.

lol! I’m definitely using the “vitamin sea” quote while I try and convince my wife why we need the beach life! Love it!! 😎🤙🏻

Moving from Wichita Kansas to Tampa next month. I'll deal with the cost, traffic, and heat in Tampa over 5-6 months of winter, ice storms, freezing drizzle with a mix of sleet, then finally warming up in May all to get weekly or daily tornado warnings and hail storms plus 35-45mph wind every single day blowing you sideways down the road. It's basically year around bad weather in KS. I was lucky to find a decent fixer upper pool home in Tampa and closing May 31st!

Please flex, be proud of your achievements. Proud of you both!

Grew up in the snow...moved to New mexico for college...then to Arizona ..then moved to florida as I got older...50s ...in pandhandle..emerald coast...i like tampa...but cooler weather here

Welcome to Florida! Fantastic looking and sounding video filled with valuable information and practical advice! The presentation is top-notch, and your authenticity shines through. As a native Floridian and having lived in various cities like Jacksonville, Orlando, Winter Park, and currently in Lighthouse Point, I must say your overview resonates perfectly with my experiences. Great job! Having also lived in Charlotte and Las Vegas along the way, both fine cities, I'm genuinely grateful to be back home. Families like yours contribute significantly to the enhancement of our communities and state. For those contemplating a move to Florida and hoping to build connections, I'd offer a piece of advice: avoid saying things like "back in NY, NJ, CA, or wherever, we did it this way." It's a surefire way to distance yourself from the locals. Another suggestion would be to embrace less horn honking and more turn signaling! I also couldn't help but appreciate the nice Fender guitars and amp in the background. Make sure your wife reads the state guidelines requiring you to buy at least one new or used guitar every three months! ~Robert

Thanks Juan & Kate. Quite informative, I really enjoyed it. However, I’d like to focus on cons by asking 2 questions: what about the risks of hurricanes in the state of Florida and especially Tampa bay area? Equally important: I did a quick research and it seems that radiation level is quite high (because of presence of Space center as well as atomic waste) in Florida. Do you have any insights on these 2 fundamental topics? Many thanks!

Your lucky you both on same page, my husband can’t tolerate heat but I’m hating the 6 months of gray cold days

Fellow homeschool mom here! We are considering transplanting from TN. We have family scattered throughout Florida and are really looking at the Gulf Coast area. One of my biggest concerns is finding a new church, family, sports involvement for our daughter, and then homeschool groups so I’m really grateful to stumble upon your video! 😊

Very helpful. Thank you

Love how he says our children and she says my kids. Pay attention fella, this guy is awesome 👍. Cant be too nice with women nowadays even if its in your heart.

Plant trees please! Florida native here. I think new out of state movers don't realize how vital they are to the temperature, wildlife, and water supply!!! Those big oaks have been through many hurricanes and aren't coming down (unless diseased, of course). You can go outside in the summer without them.

On our way to Bradenton in April sold our house in NY in one day woohoo ,can’t wait , a shout out to Marcia she was great in helping us achieve our dream ,and also to you too Juan for taking time to meet up with us ! Great video your wife is adorable God Bless ❤

Native Floridian. Sw Florida. Currently inland. Miss the beach. I need to make a change. Too much traffic to drive there now.

Hello. I’m a new Subscriber. So glad I found your channel! I have a question about Red Tide. What time of the year does it normally arrive and leave and how do you deal with it? Very good and informative video. Thanks so much 😊

I’m from AZ. Now living in MI and I really miss the sunshine and warmth

Nice video. I used to know a Tony Alcala in sw Detroit. He passed away about 20 years ago

Between Michigan and Florida with the high insurance in fl and no income tax and high property tax in mi does it balance the budget or is one still cheaper than the other.

single, young professional looking at Tampa, currently in NYC, no connections to get me a career transfer down there. I have faith that the opportunity will come my way.

So agree with you about Tampa! We lived there for over 30 years. Unfortunately, made a bad decision and moved back to Massachusetts…been here for 3 years…now in a few months, we are moving back to be in the same neighborhood! I can’t wait! I miss Tampa so much!

It is financially risky to buy in FL right now. Its inevitable that values will depreciate in 2024 and the risk of being underwater in months is real. Buyers should rent and wait for the pricing correction.

Yeah single with kids here, enjoy your life. Mine is harder but is still good

You made a good point about leaving your church family. I find the religion preferences in Florida interesting. Very high percentage of agnostics. How has that been for you and for raising your kids in that culture?

We are moving to Florida. We got lucky to get a place we got, monthly rent is way lower, so it makes up for the more expensive things like food. health care is supposed to be much better there, is my understanding. Driving slow works for me lol i would like to get in contact with you guys to get educated. I am not looking to buy, it's cheaper to rent in my case. But to get educated on fiance living in northern Florida would cool

Thanks for a wonderful video ! Appreciate the honesty !

Would love to move to Florida, originally from MI (north of Grand Rapids) & currently living in IN. Concerns I have on issues brought up on other FL you tube channels - high home prices; being dropped by homeowners insurance company or having double or triple price increases; and property taxes increasing greatly. When considering condos - told by another realtor to avoid anything above 3 stories as they will more than likely be in for increased special assessments or increase in HOA fees after collapse of one unit on east coast. Anyways, not trying to be a Debbie downer but these concerns have made me want to look at other alternatives even though I would prefer Florida living. Just don’t want the rising costs as we are close to retiring. Thank you for any thoughts and advice. God bless.

weather conditions or an injury or maybe too much confidence (if there is such a thing). Philosophy is one way to try to comprehend the inexplicable things and events we all encounter at some point in our lives. I've mentioned before that it's important for us to remain intact, otherwise we become a target. Asmall leak can sink a ship, or a huge wave can destroy it equally well, as the yachtsmen from the Volvo race can attest to. Either way, imbalance can create situations that can keep our equilibrium reeling and out of control. Our country has been a superpower for a short amount of time, if you look at the history of the world. The biggest risk we have now is not being prepared for the future. As we have seen, there are no guarantees, but being ready sure beats being taken by surprise. During WWI, the battle of Gallipoli, no one expected a quarter of a million soldiers to be killed or for the combined British, Australian, New Zealand and French operations to be defeated and repelled by the Turks. It came as a big surprise to them - because they didn't know what they were getting into. China Today Globalization is a fact of life in today's environment. As Robert described China and India as growing economies we must watch, I simply smiled - as once again we have been thinking alike. Many people think it will take years for China and/or India to approach America's position as the largest economic power. But this may be yet another example of groupthink in process. Both Robert and I have seen their global impact already. Recently, I was talking to a friend who lives in Europe, and he mentioned the huge amount of coverage China gets over there, compared with what we have about it in the United States. It's a very big topic there. There are two facts alone about China that will indicate how that country is doing and where that country is going:

Tampa was THE place 100 years ago simply because it was warm, but not too warm. Really south Florida only boomed because people needed more space. Tampa is a good compromise. Good for you guys.

I been wearing shorts and t shirts for almost 9 years now when I moved here to Florida!! I’m actually on the Atlantic side near Cocoa Beach and live across the street from the beach off of A1A and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else

Take a chance!😮

My husband and I would love to move to St. Pete area. Like you I don’t want to be any further than 15 minutes from the beach. Is the housing market and cost of living terrible in St. Pete area?

yield lanes are like 5 feet long on Selmon Expwy lol

VERY accurate & well done! From what my wife and I are told, I’m the “Richest” person in Tampa (Not Bragging). Everyday we wonder how average income people with a family are making it. Sad that the financial struggle is increasing. I hope that there is some relief for people soon!

I'm from Florida and I've always said I'd much rather be hot then cold. It takes 2 seconds to cool off. Compared to 5 mins to warm up.. I've always found it great to say to northern folks to be careful our winters are rough. I could go on and on about the benefits of living in Florida. But in the end just know the wildlife will eat you, so please don't move here unless you're conservative. We are a crime free no bullsh+t state.

Not sure why your car insurance is so high. My wife and I both lease cars which requires the highest coverage. Previously we were in Miami and moved to Central Florida about 2 years ago directly between Tampa and Orlando off of the I4 and we have always been under $2500/year with major companies like Progressive, Geico and State Farm. Are you getting different quotes when it's time to renew? Also, we save even more with the ability to prepay the policy.

Tampa Bay Native here (Real Estate Broker).. I went to Hillsdale College… winters were MISERABLE

We bought in Clearwater. Trying to make the full time commitment to leave SE Michigan. Love my home here, hate the weather. Your videos are inspiring. 🌴

The segment about Michigan weather is so true, sometimes you have to wait til after Memorial Day before summer type weather might start. On my way down soon. Juan thank you for all your great videos.

Florida is the new California

• India invented the number system. Albert Einstein said: "We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made." • Algebra, trigonometry and calculus originated in India. • The value of "pi" was first calculated by the mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the PythagoreanTheorem. He discovered it in the 6th century, which was long before European mathematicians. • India is the largest English-speaking nation in the world. My point is that India is definitely worth looking into and knowing something about. Plus, 38 percent of doctors in the United States are of Indian descent, and 12 percent of scientists are aswell. They represent the wealthiest of all ethnic groups in the United States as well as globally. Education is stressed and many Indians run large U.S. and global corporations. India itself has become a major economic force on its own once again and deserves our attention, not just as a destination point or a piece of history. India is important to our future, and as globally aware citizens, we need to spend some time learning about this fascinating and dynamic country. It definitely means the world has some very viable competition, specifically in China and India! Which is good - I've always believed that competition can get rid of complacency, and fast. Mark Twain said: "Don't go around sayingthe world owesyou a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first." That can apply to a lot of things. Let's give that some thought. How can you use this information to your advantage? The rich will spot the opportunities, while the poor will hide their heads and pretend it isn't happening. Can you spot opportunities that may arise from these economic changes?

Ok..i live in FL and hate the heat and humidity because it is pretty mu h 11 months a year like this. I want to move to TN or NC. I live cold weather and seasons, But...I wouldn't want snow and frigid temps for 6 or 7 months either.

Is it worth moving to Florida? Compared to the Pacific Northwest. I don't mind the heat or animals. But is it ACTUALLY cheaper to live there?

It really is high everywhere so if you going to pay high, be in a place you you love...

Great video yall! What homeschool program do you guys use? Gonna start this year with our daughter! Thanks

Appreciate your honesty . It was a great video to help in considering a move to this area and would reach out to your real-estate business at that time.

Crowded, bad drivers, crime, unbelievable insurance cost, bugs, snakes, gators, hurricanes and now gangs. It's a lot worse than it was in 89 when I first moved to Orlando.

What's the name of the beach at 7:18 - with the long bridge entrance? Looks beautiful and I would like to add to my visit list. Thank you for this video and your candid thoughts on moving to FL.

cool

This was awesome, do more videos with your wife, you guys have slightly different perspectives, makes it awesome

I’m thinking on moving to Florida but I have to sell my house first.

If 5k insurance for a year then be apply be your own insurance to cover your own car.

Your story is similar to mine. I was born in CA myself and only lived there as an infant, then Midwest in Illinois and Wisconsin and now moving to FLorida. I get it about the cold and snow and lack of sunshine!

I like the snow it's peaceful and full of oxygen unlike the over crowded super hot Florida

Well if I lived in Michigan I would definitely be moving somewhere else.

The weather in NWI has been incredibly comfortable the last few years. Havnt shoveled the last 2 winters. 50s and 60s in December, January was cold and bitter, but February has been beautiful. 65 tomorrow 70 on Tuesday . With a few bad days in between. Definitely not the winters i had growing up..

Housing is way to expensive in Tampa. We're doing the same San diego to Ocala or citrus springs.

Florida has no gray area, no middle ground. You love it or hate it.

Loved this chit chat. Hi Kate! ❤

The loud parties from short term rentals in Florida are the biggest problem. I've probably called the Police about 50 times the past few years.

I don't have any problem with people hunting for snow I'm sorry hunting for places without snow but I have to wonder why the weather and sunny all the time is a thing that becomes such an incessant driver for moving I get it. I moved from Pittsburgh to Laguna Beach Southern California stay there for 13 years and quite frankly I started to yearn Seasons again so I'm trying to understand

I lived in the Jensen Beach area for 5 years. My body mind and soul thrived in Florida. Now I am back to Ohio and it is everything you say about Michigan.

My plan is to move there in a couple years after I get my bachelors degree here in Canada. The weather and the cost of living are really enticing for me

Sounds like Queensland light. Except 2.5x bigger than Texas with a quarter of the population of Florida.

Actually im in Ohio and our food has jumped up 20% or so since Covid also, so its not just Tampa.

I’m so glad I have utterly no desire to move to Florida. I was born and raised in New Jersey, and I’m surrounded by 4 State Forest , and miles of white sand beaches. We have thousands of acres of pine forests, with hiking and camping everywhere. Halloween is chilly and crisp with pumpkins everywhere , the 4 th of July is hot and humid, and Christmas is cold, as it all should be. When I kayak or swim in one of our hundreds of miles of rivers I don’t have to be decapitated by a huge reptile. Now, with the assured collapse of the economy, I’m convinced Florida will suffer a hell of a lot more than New Jersey. Mostly I love where I was born and raised, and I’m proud of it.

Best is watching a Gulf Coat sunset when smoking a J, absolutely unreal

Move from los angeles to Tampa

No Thxz I’ll stay in beautiful,,,four season New York

Any recommendations on an area with with schools, we have a 6 year old son.

Anyone who moves to any coastal town in Florida, do not be surprise of the high cost. Could be a mistake to move on a fix income to a coastal town.