[ready2move]

Originally Posted by sheilaramos

I don't think people are saying they don't like Florida - they are saying THEY CANT AFFORD FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!! so those of us that cant - have done just that - WE LEFT!!!!!

we were just told that our HOI will go up $200.00 per month in December, so 1 step forward 2 steps back..

[bamboosmom]

Oh boy...I just don't know what the heck is going on. I bet it's not only here in Florida that things are out of line with things.

[chocomom]

Originally Posted by bamboosmom

Oh boy...I just don't know what the heck is going on. I bet it's not only here in Florida that things are out of line with things.

Nope, its not. It's a national epidemic in many places in the great country of ours. Definitely not contained to FL.

[bamboosmom]

Originally Posted by SunnyDog

Most anyone can afford Florida--heck lots of people here make 7 bucks an hour and live here. The question is at what cost? Many will sell and buy a cheaper home, will rent, will take in a roommate, or will take a second job. I can easily afford to pay cash for a nice 1 bedroom condo in the midwest or the Carolinas, yet that same wad of cash would only make a 20% down payment on a nice 1 bedroom condo in Miami. I'll gladly choose here and pay the price, but another person may choose to leave instead. There are always options available.

I still think home prices here are still much lower than alot of other areas, plus we have so many nice things to do. The East Coast is a bit higher than the West Coast, and the middle of the state is also cheaper in some areas than both coasts.

[simplistic007]

Dee2E

Thank you for your note. I hear all this complaining about Florida it is kind of scary. I have done quite a bit of research and I don't see the pay being worse than Massachusetts. Actually the laborers make more money in Florida than Massachusetts. The professionals just need to find the right job. I agree with you. It all depends on who you are and how you see things and what you consider expensive.
Your notes made me feel a bit better after reading all this negativity.

[Susan058]

USed to be NC, now it's TN. No state income tax in TN; important for me to be semi-retired at 47. Sick of the traffic, heat, crime, hurricanes, rude people. Although, where I live in central FL for the past 7 yrs. is much better than Miami. I really want the change of seasons (some snow), and I love the beauty and peace of the mts. It really depends what you want out of life, and what you enjoy doing. FL is for some, just not for me.

[pianogal]

You're right, Susan. It's a personal choice. We're all different, want different things out of life. We have this wonderful country and we're free to live anywhere we want. If we don't like it in one place, there are no guards at the state line. Although I love living in Florida for now, Colorado is our dream for retirement - we love the mountains and are thinking of Grand Junction. Good luck with your move - I hope you find the place of your dreams.

[Southside Shrek]

Susan
I wholeheartedly agree with you about the change of seasons.

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Spotrod, it sounds like you found your place in life and that's wonderful. It's unreal that someone with a master's degree isn't able to be middle class in Fla. That surprises me.

Its just insane, I know! I too would only be able to afford a mobile home with a masters(which I dont even have!) I live with my parents and am getting a computer based job and will work my way up and gain experience then im considering Houston where I can get a great 4 bedroom house for only $100k!
Ironically I am considering south California because the jobs pay so much that ill be able to retire earlier. Itll have to be a mobile home but they are very nice over there and the mobile parks are upscale! It feels like a nice middle class+ neighboor!

[Set4Life]

Some of the people who live in Florida are very creepy.
We have neighbors who never leave their house and
they call Code Enforcement on a lot of people in our
neighborhood. One day, the little man of the family
was outside and we heard "boom" where he had picked up
a large rock and threw it at our front door light for no reason.
His wife is half his age and twice his weight and cannot
look us straight in the eye. Not all of our neighbors are this creepy
but we do not find the folks to be very friendly here in Flori-duh.