California or Florida?????

[UB50]

I've also lived in both Florida and California.

I'd pick California mostly because I like the cultural opportunities, the weather and the varied terrain.

Florida is great, but it's for vacations mostly. Take the kids to Disney World -- that kind of thing. You can hit all the hot spots in two weeks, while it would take months to see everything California has to offer.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Jpeterman22

Not sure where you heard this. St Petersburg, FL is known as the sunshine city averaging over 361 days of sunshine per year. Believe me, after the incredibly beautiful winter season here you'll be really looking forward to a nice cloudy/rainy Summer day. Do a Google search on "St Petersburg sunshine city. "

I don't see how a city which averages about 45 inches of rain a year can have 361 days of sunshine per year. Unless 5 minutes of the sun peaking out counts as "sunshine."

Los Angeles averages 15 inches of rain per year and has 43 days with at least .01 inches of rain.
Yuma, Arizona receives only 2.63 inches of rain per year and on average has 350 sunny days per year.

Tampa, Florida averages 238 sunny days per year.

On a percentage basis, the U.S. cities with the most sunshine are:
Yuma, Ariz.----------- 90% of possible sunshine
Redding, Calif.-------- 88%
Las Vegas, Nev.------ 85%
Tucson, Ariz.--------- 85%
Phoenix, Ariz.--------- 85%
El Paso, N.M.--------- 84%

The figure for Los Angeles is 73% and for Miami, 70%.

[cleanfun]

Although I have never been to Florida, I can honestly say that it has to be the superior choice for the reason that California MUST be the worst state in the country. Economics, housing, pre-college education, immigration issues galore, crime, etc ...

[monti]

Originally Posted by cleanfun

Although I have never been to Florida, I can honestly say that it has to be the superior choice for the reason that California MUST be the worst state in the country. Economics, housing, pre-college education, immigration issues galore, crime, etc ...

Yeah? I have a pointer for you then, I heard of this place where the housing is super cheap - check it out, it's called Flint, Michigan.

Tell me how you like it after the move!

best wishes
monte

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by cleanfun

Although I have never been to Florida, I can honestly say that it has to be the superior choice for the reason that California MUST be the worst state in the country. Economics, housing, pre-college education, immigration issues galore, crime, etc ...

Actually, as a state as a whole, California is nowhere near #1 for worst crime.
This is shown in the realtytimes.com website.

In the year 2000, New Mexico had the highest violent crime rate, highest aggravated assault and the highest burglary rate of any state in the country.

The states with the highest crime rates in 2000:

#1. New Mexico
#2. Florida (!)
#3. Nevada
#4. Louisiana
#5. Maryland
#6. South Carolina
#7. Arizona
#8. Tennessee
#9. Illinois
#10. Michigan

California is #12 and #50 (the safest state) is North Dakota with New Hampshire, at #49, right behind it.

Most Dangerous/Safest State Award 2000

[Think (Freedom)]

Originally Posted by cleanfun

Although I have never been to Florida, I can honestly say that it has to be the superior choice for the reason that California MUST be the worst state in the country. Economics, housing, pre-college education, immigration issues galore, crime, etc ...

Sounds like Florida to me. I'm a native Floridian and I'm dying to move out to California...

[Pariah]

I've never lived in CA, but my husband is originally from San Diego. We lived in Orlando, Florida for three years for college and we both hated it. My husband loves California and said that Florida is nothing compared to it. He says the weather is far better, he likes the people better overall, and there is a lot more to do. I have to admit, I did hate the Florida weather. I really love summer and going to the beach, but it was hard to enjoy it when the humidity is so bad you can barely breathe.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by Fleet

Actually, as a state as a whole, California is nowhere near #1 for worst crime.
This is shown in the realtytimes.com website.

In the year 2000, New Mexico had the highest violent crime rate, highest aggravated assault and the highest burglary rate of any state in the country.

The states with the highest crime rates in 2000:

#1. New Mexico
#2. Florida (!)
#3. Nevada
#4. Louisiana
#5. Maryland
#6. South Carolina
#7. Arizona
#8. Tennessee
#9. Illinois
#10. Michigan

California is #12 and #50 (the safest state) is North Dakota with New Hampshire, at #49, right behind it.

Most Dangerous/Safest State Award 2000

Thanks for pointing this out ... this is one of the great myths about California ... that we have a tremendous crime rate.

Far from the truth. We actually have 150,000 less violent crimes per year than we did in 1992 ... even though our population has increased by 6 million people since then ...

Why? The Three Strikes Law. For better or worse ... it's working. Lock 'em up ... and they don't hurt anybody anymore.

Of course now the federal courts are threatening to release some of the convicts due to overcrowding but, hopefully that won't happen.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by monti

Yeah? I have a pointer for you then, I heard of this place where the housing is super cheap - check it out, it's called Flint, Michigan.

Tell me how you like it after the move!

best wishes
monte

LOL!

People love to complain about this state but, the fact is, I've lived all over the country and I've never made as much money as I have in California. I love this state ... yeah, the cost of living can be high but, I'd rather live in a state where wages are on upswing rather than stagnant job opportunities.

I'm an RN so, I could never live in Florida. The wages suck and the patient loads are horrible there. Here, patient loads are limited by state law so, the working conditions are much better also.

But maybe it's different for other professions.