[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Percentage of people with a bachelor's degree or higher:
FL 26.4%
CA 30.7%
USA 28.8%


Not much of a spread there. And CA has almost twice the population.

Population has no bearing on percentage. 30.7% is 30.7% whether you're talking about five people or 50 million people.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

Population has no bearing on percentage. 30.7% is 30.7% whether you're talking about five people or 50 million people.

30.7 percent of 100 is 30.7

30.7 percent of 200 is 61.4

30.7 percent of a million is 30,700.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by 8to32characters

You just described one of the biggest issues in Florida in your list of "pros."

Generally speaking, most people who grow up in Florida or who move there as young adults aren't all that ambitious and don't have very high educational and career-related aspirations to begin with. That's largely due to a warm, sunny climate coupled with a low-wage service-oriented economy that neither breeds nor attracts bright, talented, ambitious youth.

As someone who lived in Florida from ages 18-30, I found most young people in Florida to be more interested in their next trip to the beach or Walt Disney World than in educational pursuits or career advancement. It seemed like many were perfectly content working a $8-$12/hour job with limited non-wage benefits and opportunity for advancement.

That's perfectly fine, but when that type of culture and mindset prevails, corporations pick up on that and consciously choose NOT to set up shop in Florida. Because corporations will experience significant difficulty in sourcing local talent, they'll have to relocate many of their employees at great expense, which is not worth it for most.

In terms of educational attainment, Florida is roughly located in the third quintile, which is better than most other Southern states, but still lagging behind many Northeastern, Upper Midwestern, and Western states. It's also partly due to less emphasis on education overall, although Florida has been making significant strides in this department over the past decade or so.

Because so many people over the age of 65 live in/move to Florida, the population is inherently less educated, since educational attainment is lower among people age 65 and older than in younger generations. It's not necessarily that these people don't value education, it's simply that people in this age bracket had fewer opportunities to receive a higher education, not to mention there was less of a need for candidates with advanced degrees up until many of these folks were well-established in the workforce. That somewhat explains Florida's ranking.

Another issue with this demographic is lack of support for educational expenditures and investments. Many senior citizens move to Florida from high-cost areas of the country (and world) because property taxes among other costs are relatively low. Furthermore, many in this demographic cite that they've already "paid their dues" to the school district in whatever city/county up North they moved down from. Ugh.

Unfortunately, 65+ is the demographic that's best represented at the ballot box, not to mention this demographic has strong representation in state and local politics (more so than most states), so educational expenditures/investments often don't stand a chance if they come up for a vote. Since retirees/snowbirds are well-distributed geographically throughout Florida, this issue affects just about every community/school district in the state.

In conclusion, one should aspire to achieve more than a minimum-wage job and rely on social security and, perhaps, a small pension in retirement. For families with school-aged children moving to Florida, please--by all means--spend the extra money and send your children to private school. And don't bank on your kids staying in Florida if they're high academic achievers and/or with a "go-getter" personality because they'll probably end up elsewhere after college.

Why are still here posting on this thread sprouting lies like you do. Do yourself a favor and get a life because posting negative things like you do is not healthy. Maybe California isn't exciting enough for you to constantly come on here and act superior to the people here. You haven't lived here since 2007 so anything from is not credible enough to be taken seriously.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

I don't post about hating Florida, but I really don't like Florida (since the OP asked).

What don't I like about it?

1 The topography (or lack thereof). A flat sandy swampland.
2 The weather. My arthritis and my lungs much prefer the desolate arid climes of the desert, thankyouverymuch.
3 The fact that the only place my husband wants to retire to, is the Villages, which is most assuredly as far-right Republican as a person can get, and I'm more socialist/democrat/libertarian-leaning (I refuse to register with any party on principal). Conversations would likely be "Oh wow the Republican party has finally announced their schedule and they're coming here next tuesday! What will you wear?" followed by me saying "Probably my bathingsuit. I'll be spending the day at the pool in blissful silence since I'll have it all to myself for a change."
4 The choice between red ants or the sweet stench of pesticides wafting through my window, the one day of the year that the weather is tolerable.
5 Lack of four seasons. (though I'll give them a 1/2 point for not having 4-foot snow storms)
6 Lack of drinkable tapwater. I thought water here in Connecticut was nasty - there are times in Florida where the officials warn the citizens not to drink the water that week, and you can fill empty gallon jugs with filtered water at supermarkets. And, the tap water smells bad. Like sulphur. People are so used to it, that they don't even notice. But visitors notice. I don't want to get used to it. It's nasty.
7 Traffic. People complain about Connecticut being home to lousy drivers - but let's put that into perspective: Many of those lousy Connecticut drivers get old, and move to Florida to retire. Then, they become lousy Connecticut drivers who are old, whose vision, hearing, and reflexes aren't nearly as good as when they were simply lousy Connecticut drivers. Multiply that by all the states where people complain about their drivers, all moving to Florida when they retire. You end up with a chaotic mess of old people with dented cars.

The good part of florida:

The Villages is beautiful. But I can't credit Florida for that, the Villages would be even more beautiful, in my personal opinion, if they moved it to Santa Fe NM.

There are a few weeks during the year that are really marvelous for relaxing outside (as long as you keep your feet covered to avoid the pesticides or the red ants).

Costs are low, perfect for northerners who retire, since people who live in Florida growing up have no hope of getting paid enough to afford living there. Our minimum wage is higher up north so we have a better shot at retirement affordability in Florida as long as we get social security and pensions.

Your landscaping *looks* gorgeous. Even though most of the plantlife isn't native. From a safe distance away from alligators, Florida appears beautiful.

First of all a lot of retirees own second homes and don't actually live here year round. Second it seems like you have a problem with old people which you serious help for. How does it feel for Connecticut to be one of the slowest growing states in the country and its killing the middle class with insane taxes and high cost of living that even with a good salary most families wont be able to afford retirement. Connecticut may be educated and provide good salaries but that doesn't help it retain population now does it. Florida has gained billions of dollars of wealth from the NE as well as other high taxing areas because they keeping pushing all the good loyal taxpayers out.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Fl1150

Why are still here posting on this thread sprouting lies like you do. Do yourself a favor and get a life because posting negative things like you do is not healthy. Maybe California isn't exciting enough for you to constantly come on here and act superior to the people here. You haven't lived here since 2007 so anything from is not credible enough to be taken seriously.

It proves they have nothing else to think about.

That probably is a reason he couldnt hack it Boca. The New Yorkers would have cut him off at the knees with his attitude.

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

30.7 percent of 100 is 30.7

30.7 percent of 200 is 61.4

30.7 percent of a million is 30,700.

???

I don't get where you're coming from - percentage is percentage regardless of anything else. Anyway, Florida ranks #23 in percentage (not total) of residents with college degrees.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

???

I don't get where you're coming from - percentage is percentage regardless of anything else. Anyway, Florida ranks #23 in percentage (not total) of residents with college degrees.

If you have 100 items - apples - oranges - people - 10 of them is 10 percent

If you have 200 items 20 of them is 10 percent.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Percentage of people with a bachelor's degree or higher:
FL 26.4%
CA 30.7%
USA 28.8%


Not much of a spread there. And CA has almost twice the population.

I've always thought these arguments were silly, and I still do.

No matter what a state's ranking is, it really doesn't matter. I mean, I'm sure I'd be happy in Mississippi if I moved to a nice town with friendly people. Whether you live in CA or FL or even in MA (#1 in education) you might have some neighbors who are sophisticated and others who are ignorant. It would be like saying Baltimore is a dangerous, violent city because of the latest headlines, when there are some very exclusive neighborhoods in Baltimore. In fact, Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the U.S.

Every person has his or her reasons for living in FL or leaving it. Most of those reasons are personal. I absolutely love the weather in the mountains where I'm staying, and I'm considering staying here. However, I don't hate Florida at all. It just isn't where I want to spend the rest of my life.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

If you have 100 items - apples - oranges - people - 10 of them is 10 percent

If you have 200 items 20 of them is 10 percent.

Yes, but its still 10%. This is what he's saying. 30.7% in FL is the same as 30.7% in CA. Yes, that might mean there are more with a 4 yr degree in CA due to more people, but its still 30.7% have a 4 yr degree. So if you asked random people, roughly 1/3 are going to have a Bachelors Degree, whether you're in FL or CA.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by StreetSmarts

Yes, but its still 10%. This is what he's saying. 30.7% in FL is the same as 30.7% in CA. Yes, that might mean there are more with a 4 yr degree in CA due to more people, but its still 30.7% have a 4 yr degree. So if you asked random people, roughly 1/3 are going to have a Bachelors Degree, whether you're in FL or CA.

Exactly and those percentages are not actual official updated full census data just from a survey they do. We wont know how that has changed until the 2020 Census comes out so I suspect higher numbers anyway. Also I just wanted to say its only three recurring posters causing the most of the ruckus. Most forum members are not responding to them which makes them look silly and stupid I just responding because they were sprouting flat out lies like they are facts.