[macguy]

Originally Posted by Nirvana-Guy

I don't think Orlando was a dump back then as well. There were lots of good things about Ohlanduh back then, but now it's just downhill depressing, violent, and aggressive. I am talking less than 10 years ago, Orlando was definitely not the crime hub it is today and it certainly wasn't as expensive or jobs weren't as avilable.

Stubborn family members of mine who were "Orlando Worshippers" are ready to get the heck out, jump ship, abandon Orlando as it now stands. I think there is a consensus out there that most long-time Orlandoans know their town is going to hell and they are wanting to leave too.

Now if you were raised in NYC or Philly or Detroit, Orlando will be a major improvement in many aspects, but for people who have enjoyed decent, safe, and plesant lives elsewhere, Orlando will be a total disapointment. And of course, most Orlando residents agree on one thing: Orlando is not what it used to be and it is sadly much worse.

South Florida operates in it's own reality. 10 years here is like several decades somewhere else. I use to travel quite a bit and I would go places that never seemed to change. Go back 10 years later and go to the local diner and the same guys will be sitting there talking about the days events. I think in a way I like that. In Fort Lauderdale you drive down a street you haven't been down in a few months and the buildings will be gone and something else is being built. I am not exaggerating, it changes here that fast. It seems like every drive someone in the car will be saying, "Do you remember what used to be there"?

[florida cracker]

i'm a native, grew up in st pete, moved to bartow at 15, saw 2 worlds, moved out of fl about 20 yrs ago, just moved back, and yes, it's CHANGED!
the old south is almost gone, replaced by the new south, technology, disney, huge influx of florida swamp land sellers, everyone hoping to make a buck out of paradise. BUT it's still paradise.

[grew-up-3rd-culture]

Originally Posted by Floridabound09

Thinking positive thoughts I often wonder what others would consider their absolute favorite memory of Florida, whether you live their or not.

Walking through Little Haiti in Miami for the first time. Being a gringo, I found Little Haiti to be so out-of-the-ordinary from what many would consider "America" that I was struck by the uncertain fact that I was still in the USA but walking in a third world county: most store signs were in creole, the language on the street corner was creole, pot holes in the streets, no grass - just dirt, nothing was new, particle board was being used as shelter, radio blasting into the streets and from parked cars was creole, and not another (pardon the slang) "******, cracker, redneck" around and the blackest black people I had ever seen. Although it's not my favorite Florida memory, it was so truely unique that I decided to post it here.

[backtofla]

nirvana-guy, although i do tend to think you exaggerate a lot, on this one, you are right. orlando has gone down hill, and i see many of the things you have seen before you left. the rudeness on the roads here is bad. i mean bad. the crime = gone up; traffic = got worse; rude ppl = more prevalant. cost of living = went up; pay = stayed the same!!!

[bryan61]

What seemed like a million little fiddler craps scurrying for their holes as you walked up on them on Matheson hammock. Street drags on the old blimp base whcih is now Miami Metro zoo. Camping in the Everglades next to a huge pond where two full grown gators lived, we used to grow some killer weed out there. Schools of Parrot fish crusin the shallows in the keys

[Nirvana-Guy]

Originally Posted by grew-up-3rd-culture

Walking through Little Haiti in Miami for the first time. Being a gringo, I found Little Haiti to be so out-of-the-ordinary from what many would consider "America" that I was struck by the uncertain fact that I was still in the USA but walking in a third world county: most store signs were in creole, the language on the street corner was creole, pot holes in the streets, no grass - just dirt, nothing was new, particle board was being used as shelter, radio blasting into the streets and from parked cars was creole, and not another (pardon the slang) "******, cracker, redneck" around and the blackest black people I had ever seen. Although it's not my favorite Florida memory, it was so truely unique that I decided to post it here.

That sounds like East Orlando, except in East Orlando it is Puerto Ricans and Mexicans all the way.

In Poinciana (next to Kissimmee), it is truly another country. It has been dubbed "Puerto Rico North", but I think it's a Puerto Rico/Mexican area. But true, most of the Honda Civics with the huge tailpipe blasting Spanish music at 3am has "Mi Orgullo" stickers on the rear window with a big Puerto Rican flag under it. That is when you don't see "BORICUA" in huge letters on the bumber. "Boricua" means "Puerto Rican" en Espanol.

Miami is a true ghetto in every sense of the way. It is known as "Detroit with palm trees". Liberty City (north of Miami) is 100x worse than even Pine Hills in Orlando, if you can believe it. I had a friend who worked for a news stations and there are riots there on a regular basis and the media dare not even get close. Too dangerous.

Originally Posted by backtofla

nirvana-guy, although i do tend to think you exaggerate a lot, on this one, you are right. orlando has gone down hill, and i see many of the things you have seen before you left. the rudeness on the roads here is bad. i mean bad. the crime = gone up; traffic = got worse; rude ppl = more prevalant. cost of living = went up; pay = stayed the same!!!

I am glad we finally agree on something. The downhill turn that Orlando has taken is more like a plunge into a demise, I am not sure the city can recover from. The Orlando I grew up in (mind you again, I am 28, I am not some old foggy complaining Orlando ain't what it used to be back in the 1970s) is completely different. It is the Orlando realtors STILL use to advertise today... but it is the Orlando that has been.

Everything you stated about Orlando is 100% true. And people read this and they lie to themselves and move down here anyway, just to have life slap them on the face. It is incredible!

Oh and another thing. Areas in Orlando where lower-middle class and poor folks lived were decent before. Theyw ere poor, but there were no dealers with an M-16 walking down the street or crackheads on every corner. NOW, you go to these areas (like south Hunter's Creek or Meadow Woods or Hoffman or south Kirkman road) and it's an inner-city ghetto, with all it's ammenities (graffiti, dealers on the corner, screams, thugs outside grocery stores, etc etc). It is a horrific transformation.

And the good areas like MetroWest have been literaly overrun with criminals who live 3 miles down the road. You have to have like $400,000 to be able to live in a house in Windermer or Dr. Philips or Turkey Lake Rd or Heathrow or Maitland and escape the chaos and the crime. Not good for most working people like you and me.

Originally Posted by bryan61

What seemed like a million little fiddler craps scurrying for their holes as you walked up on them on Matheson hammock. Street drags on the old blimp base whcih is now Miami Metro zoo. Camping in the Everglades next to a huge pond where two full grown gators lived, we used to grow some killer weed out there. Schools of Parrot fish crusin the shallows in the keys

Can anyone translate this for me??? What the heck was just this post????

[Floridabound09]

Thinking positive thoughts I guess got tossed out the window by a few of the normal unhappy Florida posters. I find it rather odd that of all the people I speak to personally, on several boards and mention what a select few of you post here that I almost always get this idea.

Surround yourself with good solid positive people who work hard and have good moral values you will get the same in return, surround yourself with negative people, negative thoughts and an almost willing desire to make things worse you get what you deserve.

I am sure the few of you that are waving or not waving on the way out wont be missed because the many who are taking your place and have so far just do not see it your way.

12 new Florida residents on this board alone in 3 months and they are ALL LOVING IT !!!

Florida needs a sign going north at the border, if your moving out of Florida... Thank you!!

Assuming that the ones moving north are similar to the ones who post how Florida is so bad. Sure, some will leave for other reasons, but the ones who are not leaving for jobs, family etc will know who they are.

I am sure Florida wont miss the negative people that failed themselves and yet have the guts to blame it on others or an entire state. You build you own destiny no matter what state you live in.

Florida has FAR MORE opportunities to succeed personally then any other state in the US.

I cannot remember who posted here that they live VERY COMFORTABLE on one income in Tarpon Springs of only 48k per year. If you cannot make 48 k per year in Florida then you need to move, you will soon see your opportunites will get much worse before it gets better elsewhere.

Now please post your favorite positive memory and stop ruining a good thread with your self inflicted self causing horror stories while blaming something else for your failures and not yourself.


MODS ( This is NOT a direct personal attack but is for those in general who hate Florida and blame the state for their failures )

By the way, Orlando is heaven compared to ohhhhhh 15+ cities I travel to monthly.

[Floridabound09]

Originally Posted by florida cracker

i'm a native, grew up in st pete, moved to bartow at 15, saw 2 worlds, moved out of fl about 20 yrs ago, just moved back, and yes, it's CHANGED!
the old south is almost gone, replaced by the new south, technology, disney, huge influx of florida swamp land sellers, everyone hoping to make a buck out of paradise. BUT it's still paradise.

Thank you !!
Our entire country is changing before our eyes. Thank goodness Florida has something no other state has.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Nirvana-Guy

Can anyone translate this for me??? What the heck was just this post????

I guess a Florida memory, that was the intent of this thread.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by Nirvana-Guy

Can anyone translate this for me??? What the heck was just this post????

Made sense to me.
I understand it perfectly.
And it was on topic!

Now please post your favorite positive memory and stop ruining a good thread with your self inflicted self causing horror stories while blaming something else for your failures and not yourself.

Good for you for defending your thread, Floridabound.


Another favorite memory: watching an otter munching on a stolen fish