Is it REALLY worth it? (condo, income, work)

[macguy]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

well, I see lots of people on this board who do, and I know people personally as well. I grew up in a house and I saw how much work it is--every 2 seconds there is a problem with the gutters, insects in the basement, the roof needs something done, oh look there's water coming out of the wall in the garage--no thanks. As for the ones who put down the tile, I don't have any sympathy for them--they deserve to be sued for being so inconsiderate of the people below.

First, I think you needed a better house. You say in other posts you are from NY so you are used to apartment living. A lot of people who down size and end up in condos can't stand them. It takes getting used to. I had to see my attorney and stopped by his place where he lives. I backed into a guest spot and before I was out of the car a woman came actually running telling me I could not park by backing in.

She must have been sitting at her window with binoculars or something. She said I had to turn the car around because the exhaust can kill the grass. I locked the car and walked away. By the time I got back there was like three more people there waiting for me. WTF, they started saying a bunch of crap and I just got in my car and left ignoring these idiots. Could you imagine a daly diet of this crap if you live there. I would end up putting one of them in the hospital.

[INeedAChange]

Maintaining a house is a ton of work--it's my idea of hell on earth to spend my free weekend time mowing a yard and doing other such things, but that's my opinion...

As for the rules, that's unfortunate what happened to you, but I would rather live with strict rules than in rental apartments where no one follows any rules and make life miserable for others. Where I live now the stairwell smells like pot or someone's garbage half the time, and there were people lighting firecrackers behind the building (and I don't mean on July 4th). I would rather give up some freedom for the good of the group as a whole and have some sanity.

Originally Posted by macguy

First, I think you needed a better house. You say in other posts you are from NY so you are used to apartment living. A lot of people who down size and end up in condos can't stand them. It takes getting used to. I had to see my attorney and stopped by his place where he lives. I backed into a guest spot and before I was out of the car a woman came actually running telling me I could not park by backing in.

She must have been sitting at her window with binoculars or something. She said I had to turn the car around because the exhaust can kill the grass. I locked the car and walked away. By the time I got back there was like three more people there waiting for me. WTF, they started saying a bunch of crap and I just got in my car and left ignoring these idiots. Could you imagine a daly diet of this crap if you live there. I would end up putting one of them in the hospital.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Maintaining a house is a ton of work--it's my idea of hell on earth to spend my free weekend time mowing a yard and doing other such things, but that's my opinion...

As for the rules, that's unfortunate what happened to you, but I would rather live with strict rules than in rental apartments where no one follows any rules and make life miserable for others. Where I live now the stairwell smells like pot or someone's garbage half the time, and there were people lighting firecrackers behind the building (and I don't mean on July 4th). I would rather give up some freedom for the good of the group as a whole and have some sanity.

I can't believe they have never made a situation comedy based on condo living. The few shows Sinfeld did were really funny. I thought the best possible spin off from Seinfeld would have been the parents but I think the actors are a little old to do it. Condo living can be a real trip. Talk to anyone who lives in a condo and they will tell you stories for hours.

[INeedAChange]

not every condo is like that--I know plenty of people who live in them and I've rarely heard those kind of stories. Co-ops can be a nightmare though--I wouldn't go near one of those with a ten foot pole for a lot of reasons.

Originally Posted by macguy

I can't believe they have never made a situation comedy based on condo living. The few shows Sinfeld did were really funny. I thought the best possible spin off from Seinfeld would have been the parents but I think the actors are a little old to do it. Condo living can be a real trip. Talk to anyone who lives in a condo and they will tell you stories for hours.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by THASPECIAL

From experience i would say Nashville would be the place to go if you are a Floridian looking to live in a nice area with decent pay and enough to start building a future....

I appreciate the thought and taking the time to post about Nashville .

I have a good friend who ended up there (a transfer), so spent time in Nashville enough to know it is not for me, but it's a pretty place that seems to be growing, so it could be good for some who don't care about living near the ocean, etc.

Trying to get by on a lower wage is proving to be difficult across the nation.....there is truth in the saying that in America, "the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer" . I don't think it is exclusive to Florida, unfortunately.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Maintaining a house is a ton of work--it's my idea of hell on earth to spend my free weekend time mowing a yard and doing other such things, but that's my opinion...

I know what you're saying, INeedAChange. Houses, even new ones, need regular maintenance and attention.

Sometimes I'll say to my husband "if we didn't have the dogs, and I didn't like to garden, we'd be in a downtown condo (Jax) in a heartbeat", and he agrees.

We'll always have big dogs, so I suppose we'll always live in a single family home...it's a lifestyle choice.

[thepizzaguy]

Hello,

Chicago here. I am moving within a year and started my search in Colorado. There I can get 70 acre for 30K near Trinidad, and have found several single family homes in Buena Vista for under 50K. With that said, my second choice is Florida.

I'm considering a mobile home. I've found so many nice looking parks and trailers. Some are on the Inter-coastal waterway, for the high end, where you can either become a resident owner and pay like 150.00 a month for HOA, with heated pools, tennis courts, and clubhouses, or pick up a 3K trailer and pay as little as 300.00 a month rent on the lot.

As I was investigation, I found out that some laws were changed, and MH owners are getting cut when the park owner sells these tracts to a developer. The trailer owner gets 1400.00 for his 30K trailer. I also did some reading on "resident owned" trailer parks/mobile home courts, and that looks like a great idea, if you actually own you lot and have title to it.

Anyways, sorry to read about your troubles but at least you have the ocean to enjoy if you can find a place to lay your beach towel. I was looking at Tampa, Port Richey, area, and was never considering Orlando or Miami. The Keys sounded great, but have been unable to find anything in my price range.

I am a pizza driver, and have found so much work available in Florida. It's not a bad job, but it's a great 2nd. If you guys are looking for employment, check out craigslist.com. You may have a better chance than fighting with 1000 other applicants who found their add in the newspapers.

I've passed around so karma and rep, and if anyone has any information on "resident owned" mobile home courts, I am all eyes. I'm just a single guy who had an issue with the cops in Chicago, my lawyer is working on getting me a decent settlement. The complaint was sent into arbitration, a date set in August, so I hope to have my 250K+ by New Years. Seriously.....

Have a great day!

William

[INeedAChange]

well that makes sense riveree--I never understood how so many people keep large dogs in Manhattan apartments!

Originally Posted by riveree

I know what you're saying, INeedAChange. Houses, even new ones, need regular maintenance and attention.

Sometimes I'll say to my husband "if we didn't have the dogs, and I didn't like to garden, we'd be in a downtown condo (Jax) in a heartbeat", and he agrees.

We'll always have big dogs, so I suppose we'll always live in a single family home...it's a lifestyle choice.

[cloudsky45]

I heard many enjoy living in the Carolinas.

[BrowardResident]

Originally Posted by macguy

She must have been sitting at her window with binoculars or something. She said I had to turn the car around because the exhaust can kill the grass. I locked the car and walked away. By the time I got back there was like three more people there waiting for me. WTF, they started saying a bunch of crap and I just got in my car and left ignoring these idiots. Could you imagine a daly diet of this crap if you live there. I would end up putting one of them in the hospital.

LOL

That's exactly how it is!

My mom lives in a condo in Miami and that's exactly how it is. I hear the following when I talk to her... We had an association meeting, people got into an argument, so and so said this, the noise coming from the balcony, he parked in my spot, someone scratched the elevator door and the whole thing was caught on camera, etc. It's insane!!!!!