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Moving To South West Florida, Marco Island / Naples Area

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riccnick

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That's it, I've had enough of New England. I'm moving my stuff and my business down to Naples / Marco Island at the end of March. Anyone else from the SWF area? I'm a Mobile Auto Detailer as well, I need to find a place to get going down there where I can set up a shop and get out of the mobile game and get into more high end stuff (i.e. pain correction and protection). Just looking to start a general discussion about the are and learn from others who either live / have lived in southern Florida, or those who have moved there from another place. No matter what, I'm looking forward to detailing, and riding the motorcycle all year round!
:cool:
 
No state income tax. Im not sure but better business income tax than new england as well. Thats to add to the icing of this great idea.

I lived in Boston area for a few years. I was miserable. Not a fan of any of that area.

I do some work in Florida a couple times a year. If I hit Naples during any of my future trips, you can detail my Ram. Just let us know where you set up shop!
 
Longhorn5G said:
No state income tax. Im not sure but better business income tax than new england as well. Thats to add to the icing of this great idea.

I lived in Boston area for a few years. I was miserable. Not a fan of any of that area.

I do some work in Florida a couple times a year. If I hit Naples during any of my future trips, you can detail my Ram. Just let us know where you set up shop!
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Nice! I'd def hook you up when I'm up and running! The only thing I'm worried about business wise is if I have to use a wastewater collection system while doing mobile work. Not required (or even a thought) around here, but down there I'm not sure. I know it gets pricey quickly when dealing with that kind of equipment.
 
riccnick said:
I'm hoping that helps with the demographic I'm marketing to, meaning, not broke 20 year olds with honda civics, lol. I am worried a bit for my personal / social life lol
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LOL... yeah, you'll find people with more 'disposable' income down that way.
Looks like your overall tax burden will drop by about 3.5%... but don't forget you may need hurricane insurance and depending on where you live and flood insurance as flooding from a hurricane is not covered by hurricane insurance.

People down here drive like morons and carry minimal (if any) insurance.
 
riccnick said:
Nice! I'd def hook you up when I'm up and running! The only thing I'm worried about business wise is if I have to use a wastewater collection system while doing mobile work. Not required (or even a thought) around here, but down there I'm not sure. I know it gets pricey quickly when dealing with that kind of equipment.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to any actual law, but I can say anytime I use a mobile detailer, it runs down the driveway into the storm sewer. I'd wager none exist. Florida is very business friendly.

I live near Bradenton/Sarasota on West coast, bit North of Naples. I moved to Florida for business reasons 20+ years ago. Best decision. Hot as hell in summer, but you learn to deal.
 
St. Petersburg here. Naples seems like a good area for what you're after. Lots of money there but some are half-year snowbirds. Also money in Miami.

If coming from a high tax area, you might be astonished at how much lower your overall tax bill will be. Like LH mentioned, no income tax is a huge benefit. Real estate taxes compare reasonably well with many parts of the country. No personal property tax. 6 to 7 % sales tax depending on locality. No auto inspections required; just a ~$50 annual mail-in registration with the option to only do it every 2 years. Driver's licenses valid for 10 years; nice!

Like Gondul mentioned, flood insurance can be a headache... but it doesn't need to be; buy a home in a NON-EVAC zone and no flood insurance required. If you don't need flood insurance, both home and auto rates also compare reasonably well with other parts of the country.
 
Electrical said:
St. Petersburg here. Naples seems like a good area for what you're after. Lots of money there but some are half-year snowbirds. Also money in Miami.

If coming from a high tax area, you might be astonished at how much lower your overall tax bill will be. Like LH mentioned, no income tax is a huge benefit. Real estate taxes compare reasonably well with many parts of the country. No personal property tax. 6 to 7 % sales tax depending on locality. No auto inspections required; just a ~$50 annual mail-in registration with the option to only do it every 2 years. Driver's licenses valid for 10 years; nice!

Like Gondul mentioned, flood insurance can be a headache... but it doesn't need to be; buy a home in a NON-EVAC zone and no flood insurance required. If you don't need flood insurance, both home and auto rates also compare reasonably well with other parts of the country.
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Ok, now i am moving too
 
Boozygoose said:
I can't speak to any actual law, but I can say anytime I use a mobile detailer, it runs down the driveway into the storm sewer. I'd wager none exist. Florida is very business friendly.

I live near Bradenton/Sarasota on West coast, bit North of Naples. I moved to Florida for business reasons 20+ years ago. Best decision. Hot as hell in summer, but you learn to deal.
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Sooooo, what do you do for business??
 
Electrical said:
St. Petersburg here. Naples seems like a good area for what you're after. Lots of money there but some are half-year snowbirds. Also money in Miami.

If coming from a high tax area, you might be astonished at how much lower your overall tax bill will be. Like LH mentioned, no income tax is a huge benefit. Real estate taxes compare reasonably well with many parts of the country. No personal property tax. 6 to 7 % sales tax depending on locality. No auto inspections required; just a ~$50 annual mail-in registration with the option to only do it every 2 years. Driver's licenses valid for 10 years; nice!

Like Gondul mentioned, flood insurance can be a headache... but it doesn't need to be; buy a home in a NON-EVAC zone and no flood insurance required. If you don't need flood insurance, both home and auto rates also compare reasonably well with other parts of the country.
Click to expand...

I'm fortunate enough to get a head start when I'm down there and stay with family at first, so I wont have to deal with insurance in the beginning until I get a shop off the ground. Which is great.
 
I used to live in Bradenton, which is nothing like Naples. I don't miss the flood of snowbirds and the forever waits at restaurants and traffic jams that have nothing to do with rush hour. I do miss the cooler summer weather I had in Bradenton compared to interior Florida area I now live. Sanford /Lake Mary area. We don't get the crazy influx of snowbirds. We aren't in a flood zone but always carry flood insurance. Oh yeah, I also don't miss the "no see-ums" in Manatee County. Not sure if they're in the Naples area.

Look into boat detailing and RV detailing, as well. There are plenty of them down there.
 
You mentioned motorcycling... yup, year round activity! A few weeks of the year are too "chilly" for me, but being from New England you might be out there in short sleeves :geek:

Definitely fewer hills but plenty of twisties if you go looking for them. The riding scenery may be less, but Florida has its' own kind of beauty.
 
Naples here, moved from Boston area 7 years ago. cost comparison auto ins. less, real estate tax much less I pay 2300.00 per year a comparable property where I lived would have a tax bill of 7-9000.00. Home owners insurance including flood insurance is a bit more but not outrageous. Housing prices around Naples are climbing but compared to where I lived they are still reasonable. A self employed person can do well in the service area which is always in demand.The general cost of living is about the same, food gas etc. In the winter months here you tend to stay home other than going to and from work due to the Snowbird population which is terrible. The traffic sucks. But it is a double edged sword , these same people bring money!
 
syddog 2000 said:
Naples here, moved from Boston area 7 years ago. cost comparison auto ins. less, real estate tax much less I pay 2300.00 per year a comparable property where I lived would have a tax bill of 7-9000.00. Home owners insurance including flood insurance is a bit more but not outrageous. Housing prices around Naples are climbing but compared to where I lived they are still reasonable. A self employed person can do well in the service area which is always in demand.The general cost of living is about the same, food gas etc. In the winter months here you tend to stay home other than going to and from work due to the Snowbird population which is terrible. The traffic sucks. But it is a double edged sword , these same people bring money!
Click to expand...
I'd rather be in a southern climate like Florida while being swarmed with yankees, than being in a northern climate like Boston while being swarmed with yankees.
 
riccnick said:
Sooooo, what do you do for business??
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Had a commercial construction company. Specifically did commercial drywall, metal framing, insulation and stucco. Was on East Coast based in Ft Lauderdale. Wife and I sold company and moved to West Coast.

Still hella traffic sometimes, lots of snowbirds but nothing like the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Beach corridor.

As mentioned above, the idea that there is no state tax but everything else is so much more expensive is a misconception.
 
Jordan2929 said:
Reading these comments is hard.... I'm in the one business where it has to be cold and snowy, we're a snowplow distributer and manufacturer. If you ever find a need for them in florida my bags are packed!!!
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Ha ha, just ditch that snow plow business and head down and sell sunglasses and Hawaiian Tropic on the beach.
 
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