Which bodies of water would you rather live near?

[FryDog62]

We moved from Minnesota last year to a temporary residence down south and are contemplating a more permanent move later this year/next. Have narrowed down to these two general locations - which one would you prefer and why?

 

Option 1 - North/Central Florida within 2 hours of:

St. John's river

Harris Chain

Rodman

Santa Fe

Orange

100's of smaller lakes

 

Option 2 - Greenville, South Carolina within 2 hours of: 

Hartwell

Murray 

Russell

Clarks Hill 

Jocassee

Keowee

 

Both locations are near enough saltwater for the occasional trip I do of that... so that's not really a deciding factor for me.  I'm still a bass guy at heart👍

[Dwight Hottle]

Cost of living will probably be less in South Carolina but the fishing will better in north/central FL. Are you looking at the Villages? That's much different than living in the burbs elsewhere. 

[FryDog62]

7 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Cost of living will probably be less in South Carolina but the fishing will better in north/central FL. Are you looking at the Villages? That's much different than living in the burbs elsewhere. 

Not the Villages, but we are exploring possibilities near St. Augustine/Ormond Beach...  cost of living is said to be good there as well.  Do you live in the Villages? 

[Troy85]

Option 1.  Gets less cold in the winter and I hate the cold.  Also way more grassy lakes in Florida than in SC, I prefer grass lakes.

[FryDog62]

1 minute ago, Troy85 said:

Option 1.  Gets less cold in the winter and I hate the cold.  Also way more grassy lakes in Florida than in SC, I prefer grass lakes.

Totally agree on the cold... although more storms in Option 1.

[Team9nine]

Option 2

 

Been here just over half a year, but have several neighbors (more than a handful) that pulled the plug on FL and moved here. FL is too hot in the summer, and quickly becoming a financial disaster from what everyone is saying (ins premiums, if your company hasn’t already pulled out of the state or dropped you, HOA fees doubling, etc.), plus the never-ending threat from hurricanes. Nice mix of bass options (good LMB, SMB and spots) to target, plus trout in the upstate and N GA and saltwater 3-4 hrs away. Also a lot of smaller community reservoirs within an hour or so (about a dozen come to mind) that get overlooked.

[FryDog62]

17 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Option 2

 

Been here just over half a year, but have several neighbors (more than a handful) that pulled the plug on FL and moved here. FL is too hot in the summer, and quickly becoming a financial disaster from what everyone is saying (ins premiums, if your company hasn’t already pulled out of the state, HOA fees, etc.), plus the never-ending threat from hurricanes. Nice mix of bass options (good LMB, SMB and spots) to target, plus trout in the upstate and N GA and saltwater 3-4 hrs away. Also a lot of smaller community reservoirs within an hour or so (about a dozen come to mind) that get overlooked.

Very true, as we've visited Greenville SC/Hendersonville NC - And have found ALOT of Floridians have either moved there or go to the elevation during the summer to escape heat/storms. That's a factor as well as my daughter is moving to that area and I think soon to be engaged. 

 

If I move there, would be very interested in learning about those smaller reservoirs off the beaten path (I've seen Lake Lure, NC but not fished it). Don't know that I go back to a bass boat right away - and those waters sound good for a kayaker. 

 

What city do you live?

[Dwight Hottle]

12 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Not the Villages, but we are exploring possibilities near St. Augustine/Ormond Beach...  cost of living is said to be good there as well.  Do you live in the Villages? 

 No but I have a close friend that does. I"m in SE Florida, Juno Beach south of Jupiter & north of the Palm Beaches. 

[Team9nine]

7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Very true, as we've visited Greenville/Asheville - And have found ALOT of Floridians have either moved there or go to the elevation during the summer to escape heat/storms. That's a factor as well as my daughter is moving to that area and I think soon to be engaged. 

 

If I move there, would be very interested in learning about those smaller reservoirs off the beaten path. Don't know that I go back to a bass boat right away - and those waters sound good for a kayaker. 

 

What city do you live?

Greer - most of these smaller reservoirs are hp restricted and perfect for kayakers, plus several smaller waters that are kayak only access. Many even have kayak rentals at the parks, and/or specialized kayak launch ramps/docks.

[FryDog62]

9 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Greer - most of these smaller reservoirs are hp restricted and perfect for kayakers, plus several smaller waters that are kayak only access. Many even have kayak rentals at the parks, and/or specialized kayak launch ramps/docks.

I visited Greer last Fall - liked it and my wife and I went to a festival in the park. Also drove by Lake Robinson but didn't fish it. A guy in a kayak at the ramp said he just caught a 6.5 LMB.  A friend has a place on Lake Bowen, and I believe that is also HP restricted.

[Team9nine]

4 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I visited Greer last Fall - liked it and my wife and I went to a festival in the park. Also drove by Lake Robinson but didn't fish it. A guy in a kayak at the ramp said he just caught a 6.5 LMB. 

Robinson lake record LMB is 13 lbs., 14 oz. It’s one of the larger community reservoirs at ~800 acres. Most are 300-450 acres and perfect size for kayaking.

[Swamp Girl]

There are hundreds of YouTube videos where realtors and others are warning that Florida will become increasingly problematic for homeowners and that South Carolina is the better play. 

[gim]

@FryDog62

 

Option 3

Move back to Minnesota, traitor.

 

[FryDog62]

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

@FryDog62

 

Option 3

Move back to Minnesota, traitor.

 

lol… probably South Dakota before I’d go back to my roots in Minny, but will forever miss the Rum River..!

[crypt]

1... but I'm biased..........I won't leave Florida.....

[Bankc]

South Carolina.  I like South Carolina.  It's got nice weather, nice people, nice cities and towns, nice parks and lakes, and is all around one of the nicer states to live in or visit.  

[Alex from GA]

Florida gets awfully hot in the summer and SC gets too cold for me in winter.  I'm in central FL now and it's been too hot to fish after about noon.  We're returning to N GA tomorrow for the summer, Lake Lanier and the GA rivers.

[FryDog62]

42 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

Florida gets awfully hot in the summer and SC gets too cold for me in winter.  I'm in central FL now and it's been too hot to fish after about noon.  We're returning to N GA tomorrow for the summer, Lake Lanier and the GA rivers.

Is there much temperature difference in the summers between N Georgia and Central Florida?

 

I get it though, we are in Naples - and it’s actually cooler here in the summer than it is much farther north in Orlando. 

[Alex from GA]

In the morning, when I fish during the summer, it's cooler than central FL plus the rivers are always pleasant.  When it gets too hot I can fall out of the kayak or go for a swim in the lake.

[king fisher]

I know the OP asked for advise on Florida and South Carolina, I hope no one cares if I throw out an off the wall suggestion.  Tapalpa Jalisco Mexico is a  Small town in the mountains south of Guadalajara.  Excellent weather every month of the year.  Average temperature in the summer is around 70 degrees F. and in the winter is closer to 60. There are big bass in the lake next to town, along with planted rainbow trout(one of the few places in the whole country with trout).  Numerous other lakes with giant bass are within a 2 hour drive.  Chapala an hour away, is the largest and most well known lake with excellent bass fishing, but there are other smaller less talked about lakes that due to selfish reasons I will not mention the names of.     

         Traditionally a vacation town for wealthy citizens of Guadalajara to escape the summer heat.  There is currently  a growing retirement community of US and Canadian citizens.  Guadalajara international airport is less than a two hour drive away, as well as stores like Cosco, and Walmart, that people from the US are accustomed too.

       Property while not cheap is far less expensive than Florida, and insurance on a house will cost  less for a whole year than you would pay for insurance in any State in the US for a month.  Quality inexpensive health care is available, and many health care facilities will accept US health care insurance policies.

      The town is also one of the most popular hang gliding and paragliding destinations in the world.  Every winter people from all over the world, come there to enjoy the perfect gliding conditions.  Tandom flights are available with highly qualified pilots for those bass anglers, or family members that want to have some added excitement.

      As far as crime related to drug cartels, unless as a person plans on buying, using, or selling drugs, they are as safe as anywhere in Florida or South Carolina.  Just like anywhere, if you go looking for trouble you can find it.

       Your US drivers license is accepted in all of Mexico for driving, and car insurance will cost around $200 to $400 a year depending on your policy.

       Many days you will be the only bass angler on a lake, more than 4 other boats would be considered crowded.  Jet skis and pleasure craft are popular on both Mexican coasts, but are rare on inland lakes.  

       Moving to Mexico sounds sounds crazy to most people, but more and more people from the US and Canada move to Mexican towns every year, and most of them don't even fish for bass, they just come for the weather, and a quite stress free lifestyle.  If they do fish, they travel to the ocean, and leave all those big bass for the dedicated bass anglers.

[casts_by_fly]

I’d be on the SC train also. Just prettier country for living purposes. Close to the mountains if you want.  

[TnRiver46]

On 5/10/2024 at 10:52 AM, Team9nine said:

Option 2

 

Been here just over half a year, but have several neighbors (more than a handful) that pulled the plug on FL and moved here. FL is too hot in the summer, and quickly becoming a financial disaster from what everyone is saying (ins premiums, if your company hasn’t already pulled out of the state or dropped you, HOA fees doubling, etc.), plus the never-ending threat from hurricanes. Nice mix of bass options (good LMB, SMB and spots) to target, plus trout in the upstate and N GA and saltwater 3-4 hrs away. Also a lot of smaller community reservoirs within an hour or so (about a dozen come to mind) that get overlooked.

Those people are known as halfbacks. They moved from the north to Florida, then moved halfway back 

On 5/12/2024 at 11:43 AM, king fisher said:

I know the OP asked for advise on Florida and South Carolina, I hope no one cares if I throw out an off the wall suggestion.  Tapalpa Jalisco Mexico is a  Small town in the mountains south of Guadalajara.  Excellent weather every month of the year.  Average temperature in the summer is around 70 degrees F. and in the winter is closer to 60. There are big bass in the lake next to town, along with planted rainbow trout(one of the few places in the whole country with trout).  Numerous other lakes with giant bass are within a 2 hour drive.  Chapala an hour away, is the largest and most well known lake with excellent bass fishing, but there are other smaller less talked about lakes that due to selfish reasons I will not mention the names of.     

         Traditionally a vacation town for wealthy citizens of Guadalajara to escape the summer heat.  There is currently  a growing retirement community of US and Canadian citizens.  Guadalajara international airport is less than a two hour drive away, as well as stores like Cosco, and Walmart, that people from the US are accustomed too.

       Property while not cheap is far less expensive than Florida, and insurance on a house will cost  less for a whole year than you would pay for insurance in any State in the US for a month.  Quality inexpensive health care is available, and many health care facilities will accept US health care insurance policies.

      The town is also one of the most popular hang gliding and paragliding destinations in the world.  Every winter people from all over the world, come there to enjoy the perfect gliding conditions.  Tandom flights are available with highly qualified pilots for those bass anglers, or family members that want to have some added excitement.

      As far as crime related to drug cartels, unless as a person plans on buying, using, or selling drugs, they are as safe as anywhere in Florida or South Carolina.  Just like anywhere, if you go looking for trouble you can find it.

       Your US drivers license is accepted in all of Mexico for driving, and car insurance will cost around $200 to $400 a year depending on your policy.

       Many days you will be the only bass angler on a lake, more than 4 other boats would be considered crowded.  Jet skis and pleasure craft are popular on both Mexican coasts, but are rare on inland lakes.  

       Moving to Mexico sounds sounds crazy to most people, but more and more people from the US and Canada move to Mexican towns every year, and most of them don't even fish for bass, they just come for the weather, and a quite stress free lifestyle.  If they do fish, they travel to the ocean, and leave all those big bass for the dedicated bass anglers.

Ironically that photo looks like East TN 

[king fisher]

15 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Those people are known as halfbacks. They moved from the north to Florida, then moved halfway back 

Ironically that photo looks like East TN 

It may look like East TN, but the bass in this lake crush spinnerbaits.

[FryDog62]

50 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Those people are known as halfbacks. They moved from the north to Florida, then moved halfway back

I was a short stop, so maybe that's why we're only here for awhile...

[Zcoker]

Florida all the way. If you are into fishing, there's no better place to be, the fishing capital of the world. Northern Florida is espeically nice, crisp, undeveloped with pristine forest lakes and plenty of nice open areas. The weather is about as prefect as it gets, still a hint of the seasons unlike down south here where a cool day is about all we get. St. Augustine/Ormond Beach nice areas, growing areas. Those beaches are pristine, not overly developed with plenty of leg room. St. Augustine a nice town to stroll a day away and then get in a little fishing seaside. I'd say getting in, getting established is a good first step because that's what it's all about down here in the Sunshine state.