[tallrick]

I need help deciding. Currently live in Key Largo, Florida. Used to be happy, but have been suffering with taxes that went up 10 times in 7 years, a business that is getting harder to run due to out of control rent, insurance, and employees ready to leave due to high housing costs. Traffic is out of control, and development ate up all open space. This area has turned into a third world country. My parents who live in Miami suffer with crime, and out=of-control code enforcement. Florida talks about property tax reform but I am thinking that nothing will be done. By next year I may be out of here.

What's a good place in Alabama with lots of open space, no code enforcement hassles, low taxes, low business expenses and decent transportation? Don't want to leave Florida, but this place is so bad that only a major hurricane can clean it out.

[Keeper]

I think the first question is what are you looking for in an area? Do you want to be near the gulf or the mountains? What kind of decent transportation? City buses, close to an airport or Interstate hwy?
Answer these questions and then we can give you our HO

[harry chickpea]

"What's a good place in Alabama with lots of open space, no code enforcement hassles, low taxes, low business expenses and decent transportation? Don't want to leave Florida, but this place is so bad that only a major hurricane can clean it out."

Hi tallrick, decided to explore some options, huh? Decent transportation may be the hardest thing for you to find. Other than that, any place in inland AL will be a step in the direction you want. Look seriously at the Huntsville/Athens/Decatur triangle. The area is growing and likely to continue to do so.

Oh yeah, if Andrew didn't "clear out" problems in the Homestead area, you shouldn't expect anything good out of another one. Good luck on your search.

[Southlander]

Also, what kind of business do you have? Is there a demand for it in Alabama? Remember, we have MUCH less population than Florida. No use moving your business if it's going to fail for lack of customers.
If you have a business that requires goods transportation, Alabama might be a great area. I-65, I-20 and I-59 intersect in Birmingham, giving you excellent east-west/north-south transport via truck. In the Decatur area, you have I-65, rail and barge transportation. Good luck to you.

[tallrick]

Right now I am in the business of importing and reselling cctv and security dvr products, on the internet and through out store. Approximately 70% is internet based. Not limited to this though, just exploring options out of Florida, which has been completely devastated by speculation and regulation. We have difficulty sometimes recieving our merchandise, and are operating out of a space 50% too small.

As for nightlife that's irrelavant, I never foung Miami nightlife to be any good, and the only thing I like to do is go atv riding, boating or bowling. Even if I have to take my lanes with me and install them at home. Also would like a little winter and love that cool nightime Tenessee valley weather. Would also like to have the business within short distance of my home.

[Southlander]

Well, sounds like North Alabama would please you on most counts - atv riding, internet sales, transportation. But your retail business might suffer. But it might not...I don't really know the market for your goods, just that the population is not as high around here. You might want to check out daily life, too. It's going to be a lot different from Key Largo. Now I am willing to check out the differences...if I only had a couple of months' free time!

[tallrick]

And I can start a different business, the main thing is that I want to live somewhere with less of a have have-hot economy.

[cuquiandgus]

Originally Posted by tallrick

I need help deciding. Currently live in Key Largo, Florida. Used to be happy, but have been suffering with taxes that went up 10 times in 7 years, a business that is getting harder to run due to out of control rent, insurance, and employees ready to leave due to high housing costs. Traffic is out of control, and development ate up all open space. This area has turned into a third world country. My parents who live in Miami suffer with crime, and out=of-control code enforcement. Florida talks about property tax reform but I am thinking that nothing will be done. By next year I may be out of here.

What's a good place in Alabama with lots of open space, no code enforcement hassles, low taxes, low business expenses and decent transportation? Don't want to leave Florida, but this place is so bad that only a major hurricane can clean it out.

have you looked at the news lately TORNADOS FLOODS LOST OF LIVES I RATHER PAY THE TAXES THAN DISASTURES STRICKEN

[Frankie117]

About 15-20 years ago, Florida was similar to Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, etc. Lots of new industry, cheap, affordable housing and ideal weather. That attracted lots of retirees, people coming out of the West, Europe, North, etc. Over the years, it sort of clashed and made a mess of itself, and unfortunately, that is the direction I see AL heading towards. Hopefully, the neighboring Southerns states can learn from Florida's mistakes before it's too late.

I'd like to recommend a couple of mid-sized, but convenient places. Eufaula, AL is a great choice to look in to. Nice lake, plenty of sunshine, low taxes. Phenix City (across from Columbus, GA) is a great place if you like a more suburban environment. Huntsvile or Decatur are also great places. If you could be a bit more specific on what you are looking for, I'd be happy to provide more info.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by cuquiandgus

have you looked at the news lately TORNADOS FLOODS LOST OF LIVES I RATHER PAY THE TAXES THAN DISASTURES STRICKEN

Then again...Florida has hurricanes AND tornados...