[LushTrees]

Originally Posted by macguy

You lose me a little bit, what is the incentive for your postings? Are they therapeutic in some way? I don't see any posting by you on other state forums. Wouldn't it be a better use of time to try to get on with your life then spend your time here doing this? Your postings are beginning to take on a very unhealthy flavor as you try to paint yourself as some kind of victim. You know, the guys with the blowers and mowers have just as much right to be here as you do. You want the right to be here but don't want anyone else to have the same right. It doesn't work like that.

Thanks for your questions. They help me think this stuff through...

Such as: my incentive(s) for posting, and are they therapeutic? Well, for one, like most humans, it's comforting to hear that I'm not alone with some of my opinions/observations regarding south Florida. I'm afraid to air these feelings out loud among my neighbors and peers in this geographic community. There's a good chance many of them actually like it here, and I don't want to rain on their parade. Although I've met several folks around here who feel just as negatively as I do about Florida, we prefer to be discreet about it, so as not to offend those who think this is "paradise."

I have not as yet posted on other state fora, as I am currently focusing on processing my feelings about Florida. I do not wish to begin a relationship [with another state] before closely examining what my tastes, likes, and dislikes are about the one in which I currently reside.

I realize that a "geographical cure" is not necessarily the answer, and am aware that I must take a good look within my self. You suggested I may be seeing myself as some sort of "victim." I'll have to think about that some more...

But as far as you saying that I think I have more of a right to be here than the guys with the blowers and mowers -- PLEASE! I have zero affinity to Florida, and couldn't care less about any "right" of mine to be here. Sure, I'd like to at least break even on the equity in my home. (And that shouldn't be too hard to achieve, since I've owned it since way before any "bubbles.")

I'm just scared to stay where I hate the heat, scared to offend, scared to move, scared of making the wrong decision. So that's why I'm here, I guess: to become better informed... Thanks for input, from all. Happy Holidays!

-->T

[Alphaman]

Good post even thou I don`t share your opinion about Florida.

And Florida is hardly Paradise it is just home for me now

Now if I was rich and could enjoy relaxing at the beach or playing on a casino boat that would be Paradise.

[LewLew]

LushTrees,

I went back and read your OP, and I do know that some of your concerns and feelings are valid. Much of what I do miss about the Midwest are the memories and change of seasons. However, I have to say, that I won't deny that to my children, and we'll take trips all the time to experience it. Just like people who come to Florida to escape the cold, my children will get the opportunity to go the other direction. I would never want my children to not be exposed to those types of things. Your children graduated, and are on with life. I'm sure you are confident that they ended up fine in the FL schools, or by all means, you would have pulled them out of here sooner. The monotony that is Florida is something that has to be broken up by travel to other places. To appreciate Florida, you have to embrace what it does have, and seek out the things it doesn't. That is the same way people up North, in the Midwest, or wherever get through the dark, dreary monotony of the winters. Ask one of them if the fact that they know spring will eventually come makes the winter any easier.?!?!?
If I were you, I wouldn't be scared to leave as life is way way way too short to suffer in a place you hate with every ounce of your being. To me, I would have been in a U-haul a while ago. I understand it's a big change, but if you are scared to go somewhere else, perhaps you either have bigger things to change in your life, or perhaps you are not as miserable in Florida as you say. Wherever you go, there you are. You stated that geographic changes don't change anything, but your OP states that is what you hate most about this place. If your child's teacher sent home the note when she was young...it obviously didn't bother you enough to not have those ignorant people teach your children all the way to adulthood. I think there is a back story under all of this, and perhaps you need a much overdue vacation instead.

[socrates1234]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

If you stayed 20 years, what are you positive memories? Got to have some?

She really just railed against the education system on here/change of seasons.....per education, she has a very good point..the state gets the quality work force they pay for. I understand Florida pays more for jails and law enforcement than they do for education. Both problems related as well..

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by socrates1234

She really just railed against the education system on here/change of seasons.....per education, she has a very good point..the state gets the quality work force they pay for. I understand Florida pays more for jails and law enforcement than they do for education. Both problems related as well..

No railing...just asking why stayed so long if it was so bad. It had to be more than the lack of snow gear she had to lug around. I do agree that the education system is not up to par in Florida, but it has still produced some well educated, successful individuals. I think it is what you make of it, and education must always start at home. Anyone solely relying of any state's schools to raise their children will have rude awakening...not just in FL. After all, her children ended up graduating from Florida schools...if she allowed that, it couldn't have been too bad.

Everyone is correct though that Florida should invest more in that department. From an earlier post, I agree that it has to do with a large influx of kids. Aside from the pay, they can't hire enough teachers for the population growth that FL experienced over the last 5-10 years. I guess the argument could be made that better teachers would apply if the pay was higher. Either way....I don't think that was her main irritation..just the beginning of the downhill spiral for her in Florida. She just isn't happy here, and needed to vent.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by LewLew

No railing...just asking why stayed so long if it was so bad. It had to be more than the lack of snow gear she had to lug around. I do agree that the education system is not up to par in Florida, but it has still produced some well educated, successful individuals. I think it is what you make of it, and education must always start at home. Anyone solely relying of any state's schools to raise their children will have rude awakening...not just in FL. After all, her children ended up graduating from Florida schools...if she allowed that, it couldn't have been too bad.

Everyone is correct though that Florida should invest more in that department. From an earlier post, I agree that it has to do with a large influx of kids. Aside from the pay, they can't hire enough teachers for the population growth that FL experienced over the last 5-10 years. I guess the argument could be made that better teachers would apply if the pay was higher. Either way....I don't think that was her main irritation..just the beginning of the downhill spiral for her in Florida. She just isn't happy here, and needed to vent.

It was more of an "I'm OK your OK" exercise. She wanted people to tell her she was OK. Well she is OK, and her beliefs are probable accurate from here perception and sheared by many of us to a degree. I am also moving on as are many others. I would like to think at least I had the best that was to be offered at the time but now seek new horizons and changes. What counts is what "she" does and not our opinions. In the end, we are our own masters. I hope she takes the wheel and steers a course that can lead to future happiness.

It is an over used phrase but still a fact, life is short. Her children are grown now and what ever was, was, Time to move on and there is no problem with her wishing things had been different but that was yesterday and what counts is today and tomorrow and the tomorrows after that. There are probably grandchildren to come and things she has yet to imagine, maybe she will write a book or start a business, who knows. The past is best left right where it is and not dragged along.

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by macguy

It was more of an "I'm OK your OK" exercise. She wanted people to tell her she was OK. Well she is OK, and her beliefs are probable accurate from here perception and sheared by many of us to a degree. I am also moving on as are many others. I would like to think at least I had the best that was to be offered at the time but now seek new horizons and changes. What counts is what "she" does and not our opinions. In the end, we are our own masters. I hope she takes the wheel and steers a course that can lead to future happiness.

It is an over used phrase but still a fact, life is short. Her children are grown now and what ever was, was, Time to move on and there is no problem with her wishing things had been different but that was yesterday and what counts is today and tomorrow and the tomorrows after that. There are probably grandchildren to come and things she has yet to imagine, maybe she will write a book or start a business, who knows. The past is best left right where it is and not dragged along.

It will be interesting to see where her children end up...and if it's Florida, will she remain? I think Florida worked for her when she had that responsibility, but nowhere is the same when you are left there in an entirely different capacity (ie widow/er, empty nest, divorced etc) You start to see things around you differently. Things that were great, are now old news etc. I agree that she just needed some sort of affirmation. She should definitely find that on these boards, as I believe more of those who post are unhappy here. I love it, but will I always....who knows...I have gypsy blood.

[socrates1234]

Originally Posted by LewLew

No railing...just asking why stayed so long if it was so bad. It had to be more than the lack of snow gear she had to lug around. I do agree that the education system is not up to par in Florida, but it has still produced some well educated, successful individuals. I think it is what you make of it, and education must always start at home. Anyone solely relying of any state's schools to raise their children will have rude awakening...not just in FL. After all, her children ended up graduating from Florida schools...if she allowed that, it couldn't have been too bad.

Everyone is correct though that Florida should invest more in that department. From an earlier post, I agree that it has to do with a large influx of kids. Aside from the pay, they can't hire enough teachers for the population growth that FL experienced over the last 5-10 years. I guess the argument could be made that better teachers would apply if the pay was higher. Either way....I don't think that was her main irritation..just the beginning of the downhill spiral for her in Florida. She just isn't happy here, and needed to vent.

Seniors are to blame for much of the poor education spending in FLA, as they have voted down referendums for school bonds and tax increases for many years. They all say the same thing....we paid taxes for OUR kids to get an education, now that they have grown, we see no need for it anymore. Blame it on the gated community syndrome...or the "I'm out of area and a senior, so don't ask me to pay for YOUR kids schools" syndrome...

[macguy]

Originally Posted by socrates1234

Seniors are to blame for much of the poor education spending in FLA, as they have voted down referendums for school bonds and tax increases for many years. They all say the same thing....we paid taxes for OUR kids to get an education, now that they have grown, we see no need for it anymore. Blame it on the gated community syndrome...or the "I'm out of area and a senior, so don't ask me to pay for YOUR kids schools" syndrome...

What does it matter what they say, they still pay like 20 or 30 cents ( I would have to pull out my tax bill) of every tax dollar weather they want to or not. In fact so much money goes to education it is hard to believe they aren't rolling in money. Where does all that money go anyway?

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by macguy

What does it matter what they say, they still pay like 20 or 30 cents ( I would have to pull out my tax bill) of every tax dollar weather they want to or not. In fact so much money goes to education it is hard to believe they aren't rolling in money. Where does all that money go anyway?

It goes straight into the school board's pocket....that's where it goes. The other money goes to a galaxy far far away.....