[pmichaelmd]

I don't know that I would classify NE Florida as any worse than any other Southern or Midwestern locale. I moved to Jax from "up North" 6 years ago and have found people to be, for the most part, hospitable and tolerant. Jax also is one of the more mixed populations I have encountered, largely secondary to the military presence. I say this in light of being of mixed ethnicity myself and having lived in Ohio, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida.

I have lived in Fleming Island and was just down there yesterday, looking at properties. Definitely has evolved into a more upscale community and seems to be full of friendly people. As noted before, there are many areas in Clay county that exemplify the stereotypes listed before. "Rednecks" south of Fleming Island toward Middleburg proper and Green Cove, "ghetto people" to the north in Orange Park proper, etc. Jax and its metro area is just like any other large city in the South.

Overall, I have enjoyed living here, but I anticipate moving back north next year. If you are used to the cultural outlets of NY, you won't be satisfied with what you find in NE Florida.

Oh, to add to demographic identifiers, I am a physician with a wife, child, and dog, so take my opinion for what it's worth

Cheers!

[rsangel64]

I have to jump in here, I dont know where to start and not sound to harsh cause I just dont understand. Who's power is to classify people in a certain catagory??? To me thats like putting blacks with whites and different races.
My mother always told me a person is a person no matter what color, nationality or what financial class they are. It all comes from the heart.
To me a Redneck, is a good ole country boy who likes to have a good time, camping, bonfires, and Country Music. Who am I to classify because they carry a gun in their back window or chew tobacco, yuch!!!
I work in a public place and many times I come across "Rednecks" and I come across "New Yorkers" or city people. I can tell you that some New Yorkers come in with a holier than thou attitude. Like they are better than everyone else. All I can say is that if anyone is coming with that kind of attitude, please don't come to Florida and if you do leave your attitude behind.

[chipdouglas]

Where would there be the lowest concentration of liberal, fish-mouth newyorkers driving Saab's? "the fist to forheads" are mainly on the Palm Beach area but do they also infect St Augustine?

any help appreciated.

[LM1]

Originally Posted by chipdouglas

Where would there be the lowest concentration of liberal, fish-mouth newyorkers driving Saab's? "the fist to forheads" are mainly on the Palm Beach area but do they also infect St Augustine?

any help appreciated.

I know exactly what you mean...

St. Aug isn't that bad, but it's getting there. Real Estate prices are getting out of the realm here, although you can still get in for under $200K in a few places.
Jacksonville is your best bet for a Metro area. The Jax/St. Aug commute is a real bear unless you are working in Southern Jax.

[backtofla]

rednecks in fla? yeah, there are some. they dont really bother me, it's just their rebel flags and nascar stickers (everywhere) that get on my nerves a little. but if you are discouraged by rednecks, do not move to the sc/nc area. you'll be frightened!!!

[CubanBread]

I just signed on to this message board and this is actually the 1st, response i have typed.

Red necks in Florida...

1. what is a Red Neck? - To me a red neck is a racist, close minded, p.o.s.
Mudding, drinking beer, and enjoying country music does NOT make you a red neck,... just simply makes you country.
Red neck is a term used to insult people,...much like the "N" word ...
you can like country things and country living and NOT be a red neck, as i said, you would just be country.

2. the abundance of "red necks" in Florida - Yeah i guess you could say we have our fair share,.... but we do not have the massive amounts like the rest of the south east, ... or mid west for that matter.

3. whats wrong with being liberal? ... im a born and raised Floridian,.. born in Levy county... you even know where that is? ... raised in the Ocala/ gainesville area,... and i never encountered as many racist people as i did until i moved to Cleveland, Oh.....i got off track there,... but i guess you could say im a hard core liberal from a small town on the gulf coast of central Florida where most people drop out of school and choose to shrimp for a living.

Jacksonville is a very diverse city in the sense of the racial make up, sure maybe not as diverse as Tampa, orlando or Miami,......but most certainly more diverse than nearly all the other major cities in the south.

I think the ones complainin just can handle that this isnt georgia... and you want you city to be so much like a lil country town in Alabama or somthin,.. Florida is not like any other state....if its N.Y. or Mississippi... dosnt matter we are not like either one.

This is a beutifal state with alot of culture and diversity.
please stop using the terms "Native Floridian" or "Old Florida" to describe country Floridians,...cuase I AM A NATIVE FLORIDIAN BORN AND RAISED IN A SMALL FLORIDA TOWN..... and you DO NOT speak for me

[Mountain Man]

Originally Posted by backtofla

rednecks in fla? yeah, there are some. they dont really bother me, it's just their rebel flags and nascar stickers (everywhere) that get on my nerves a little. but if you are discouraged by rednecks, do not move to the sc/nc area. you'll be frightened!!!

Yeah there are some in NC

[Weloveantiques]

I have a sort of neat Redneck story...

When we first moved to Florida I was outside alot one day and got a good sunburn. I was talking to my brother over the phone later that day and told him I got a redneck today. My brother said "good for you..what do you have him doing for you?" He thought I hired a redneck! Still chuckle about that one today.

[flacrackergrl]

Originally Posted by fla2006

I have been reading alot of posts about rednecks in Florida, where in florida are they, it sounds like in northeast Florida where exactly.
Thanks,

I'm one of many crackers,(rednecks) still here in Florida, thing is that where there is an influx of northerners you have to weed through them to find the natives. Where there is not an infulx down here, natives, crackers, rednecks whatever you'd like to call us are still all over down here. There is still so much of Florida that is not touch by development, yes alot is owned by
State parks, Division of Forestry, Wild life management areas, Swift mud, farmers, ranchers, Friends of florida, and many other conservation organizations, the rest owned by the state, but none the same, like in any other state the land is not just sitting there, basically we are all over, but some places where there's a majority of Northerners, natives they've moved away from there, disgusted to what happened to there small home town,and beautiful countryside.... can't blame them. Development to us Southerners is a thorn in our sides and an ache in our hearts (hence the attitudes towards "Yankees''), generations of families are still here, suffering from this, having there land taken, not able to pay taxes on there land what have you. Try to understand. I know people from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, (my husband is from there) that complain about the same thing we do down here. Growth is everywhere. Anyway this is a BIG answer to your small question I realize, and kinda off topic, but being 5th generation cracker, my kids 6th my family history down here is HUGE, and in my family I can tell you of I know of hundreds of us spread through Florida..We are still a huge agricultural state ranking high in many things for example No 1 in sugar cane, Horse capital of the world, Fishing capital of the world, Strawberry capital, Possum capital, second only to Texas in hog, much deer, turkey, florida panthers, black bear, use to be no 2 in beef industry, but that has declined over the years due to development, we are a logging state up north florida. The history here with native americans is vast, just head to the everglades, all over down there is cattle, you can hang with the Seminole tribe, they are huge citrus,sugar cane, cattle growers, they are there own government, but really spread through florida there is horses and cattle, matter of fact the 15th largest cattle ranch is in the country is down in South Florida. I use to be a rancher years ago in Brooksville Florida, many a rancher from Texas comes down here in the spring to buy up our calves and such to take back. Okay now I am preaching, but saw a door open and took it. I love Florida it rocks to me, but then I have history here and have gotten out and seen it, so I can honestly talk about it.
One other thing, Florida is the only state that has been governed under 5 different flags, the confederate flag being one of them years back, so we are proud to be rednecks, us true ones and I display a sign in my truck window reading Heritage not Hate with the confederate flag. Pick up a book sometime and read florida history, it is vast and very interesting what this state has been through and survived. Oh and watch out for the alligator, don't feed them, they have a natural fear of humans, and when fed they then associate food with people, that's when you have your trouble and usually the alligator will lose.
Thanks for listening
Ya'll have a good day now

[tallrick]

My ancestors were from Europe like the majority of Florida "natives" and have distant relatives all over the state. We don't hate Northeasterners, but they have an attitude that is generally unpleasant. They will act friendly to your face, then behind your back work against anyone who does not fit their mold. I grew up in a neighborhood FULL of "rednecks" and you know what? I grew to love it! Sure they all seem to smoke, drink beer and raise hell, but when one is upset with you, there's no denying it as they let you know. All my childhood friends were either rednecks or from midwestern background. Sure they like country music, but even though I don't, it's a whole lot better than Latin music or rap ! Miami is now almost devoid of the "crackers" their last stand was in redland-homestead. DOn't get me wrong, there are some northeasterners that are fine, but put a group of them together and you end up with a communist state. I have experienced the fun of breaking down and running out of gas, only to have everyone pass by except the occasional refugee willing to help. In the Lake Okeechobee area I got stuck in the sand and a family of "red necks" helped me out, no problem. Believe it or not I met one of their sons again, with car trouble at Wal-Mart and I helped him change the starter in his truck. I don't know why people complain about "Rednecks"