[lovecrowds]

I spent 2 months in Orlando, Tampa and Sarasota. I thought it was a very, very clean and orderly state.

The interstates were in very good shape compared to most states and the roads in Orlando were some of the maintained I have seen.

I live in Phoenix now and prior to that was in Vegas. I was stunned how Orlando was so lush and smelled like a tropical rain forest with all the amazing trees, plants and flowers. The whole city is like a botanic garden with no admission fee.

Orlando was the cleanest city I have ever seen. The roads were silky smooth, I saw very little litter and seemed like they must do a thorough cleaning of the city often. The interstate was spotless going through Orlando and the lushless is beautiful, its like a constant mist of Fabreeze.

The area around Lake Eola was busy with many people enjoying the lake and neighborhood. The skyline is very nice for a city of 230,000 people with all the sleek mid-rises.

Tampa was a bit rough around the edges, it seemed like the infrastructure was not as good as Orlando but it was still far, far better then most American cities. The downtown has a very nice skyline for a city of 350,000 and even the rougher areas of North Tampa are nothing compared to most North American major cities.

I like the fact Tampa metropolitan area isnt a one size fits all metro area where everyone is married with kids. Its been rated a great for singles of all ages and I did see alot more non-married then most metropolitan areas.

Pinellas County is great with the proximity to the beaches, the cities are well maintained and the people are very friendly.

I also spent time down in Sarasota which instantly seems like one of the most well run cities in America. It is a city of only 50,000 people but yet the downtown is better then many cities of 500,000 people or more.
The downtown was very clean, unlike other cities with only restaurants and bars they had a wide variety of retail. Many cities 10 times larger then Sarasota don't even have a downtown grocery store but yet they have a massive Whole Foods in the middle of the downtown.

Overall, I had heard that Florida was trashy and dirty before I visited but I was shocked by how clean, orderly and well-run the state and it's cities are.

I also noticed that Floridians are the most attractive people I have seen. Floridians have such soft and smooth skin from the lack of pollution and the abundent humidity. The friendly, older ladies in Sarasota look healthier then women in most of America half their age.

What is amazing about Florida is it has no state income, very low sales taxes compared to other areas and very low property tax rates but yet has some of the most beautiful, well-maintained, cleanest cities I have ever seen.

[BNBR]

I just had a bit of an argument on this forum a month or two ago with someone trashing the infrastructure in Florida and saying we needed higher taxes to improve it.

The cities are in remarkable shape. The roads are clean, well paved, etc. Glad you noticed it

Florida is really quite awesome.

[FromCTtoFL]

That's why 800 - 1000 people move to Florida every day. Moved here 10 months ago and it was the best decision we ever made. Although I am in south Florida, my town (village) offers everything OP mentioned - sooooooo clean, no litter, beautiful lush landscaping (year round), no potholes, no cracked/broken sidewalks, happy & friendly people, lots of activities, wide variety of retail and restaurants, etc, etc - what's not to love?

[Arcenal813]

Glad you enjoyed it.
A few things to keep in mind, however: While Orlando itself has only 230,000 inhabitants, the skyline (and downtown) represent the core of a MUCH more populated area, with a population wavering around 2.6 million. Same with Tampa, at closer to 3 million. It's just the way Florida cities in general are built.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by BNBR

I just had a bit of an argument on this forum a month or two ago with someone trashing the infrastructure in Florida and saying we needed higher taxes to improve it.

The cities are in remarkable shape. The roads are clean, well paved, etc. Glad you noticed it

Florida is really quite awesome.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by FromCTtoFL

That's why 800 - 1000 people move to Florida every day. Moved here 10 months ago and it was the best decision we ever made. Although I am in south Florida, my town (village) offers everything OP mentioned - sooooooo clean, no litter, beautiful lush landscaping (year round), no potholes, no cracked/broken sidewalks, happy & friendly people, lots of activities, wide variety of retail and restaurants, etc, etc - what's not to love?

Here Here gf

[OptimusPrime69]

I agree that FL roads are in generally great shape.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

I agree that FL roads are in generally great shape.

So one positive thing about FL to go with the laundry list of negative things.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by PDF

So one positive thing about FL to go with the laundry list of negative things.

There isn't a place on the planet that doesn't have a laundry list of negative things. That's called "life" and why we have innovation and progress. And I use "progress" non-politically, I'm a conservative.

So talking about a laundry list of negative things is fairly irrelevant.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by BNBR

There isn't a place on the planet that doesn't have a laundry list of negative things. That's called "life" and why we have innovation and progress. And I use "progress" non-politically, I'm a conservative.

So talking about a laundry list of negative things is fairly irrelevant.

Exactly BNBR.
Besides, some people's negatives could be someone else's positives.