[Horizons]

I'm seriously considering moving to Florida in the next 2 months. I am planning to move to St. Petersburg. I am sick of hearing everyone constantly bash Florida ! What is so bad about?! It's beautiful practically every day of the year. The fact is, it is a great state. I feel like Florida will always be a place worth investing in, despite the rough market conditions that may exist. Especially in the "Gateway" a little north of downtown St. Pete's. This is a place that is centrally located within 15 minutes drive to Tampa, downtown St. Pete's, and the beaches along the Gulf. What is really going on down there? Why do so many people want out? Please advise...

[pslOldTimer]

Florida is a great place. 34 years ago, I sold my snowblower and moved to Florida. I've never regretted a moment of it. I've lived here longer than I've live anywhere else, so this is home. My kids were raised here, getting a fine education in schools that some people like to run down. I'm just happy that I'm very seldom cold. Sure, there are bugs (I just spent 2 hours scrubbing the love bugs off our cars), but I remember mosquitos as big as hummingbirds in Massachusetts. Sure, it gets hot in the summer, but it's never been as hot as some of the 100+ days I experienced in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Plus, in the past 34 years, I have not experienced one of those 3 or 4 day long, cold, miserable, drizzly wet periods that leave everyone irritable.

I'm retiring on the proceeds of my Florida real estate investments; I've sold everything and am holding the mortgages myself -- great income without the hassle of being a landlord. I'm building a new house on 5 acres in Okeechobee; I have a diesel tractor with a front end loader to play with, and I'm taking delivery of a mini-excavator tomorrow (I like toys). I drive an RV based on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis. I'm not rich, or even wealthy, but I'm very comfortable, and everything is paid for. The point is, I came to Florida with almost nothing -- I had a 5 year old station wagon and a 22 year old pickup truck (I wish I had that 1950 Ford pickup now -- I sold it back then for $300).

But, I adjusted to the surroundings with a positive attitude, worked hard, made some good choices, stayed with the woman I love, and can't imagine living anywhere else in the world.

Maybe the folks who are so negative about Florida are creating their own misfortune based on their negativity? They probably came to Florida because they were unhappy somewhere else; they're unhappy here; and they'll probably be unhappy where they go next. Sad.

By the way, the East coast is a bit more comfortable than the West coast, but someone must like it over there or they'd all be over here.

[mom2justynsarah]

If this is what you want, go for it! Florida IS a beautiful state. The area you are interested in IS a great area. There are still much more people moving down here, then leaving.

My husband & I live in S. Florida. We are looking to get out for 3 reasons. The first reason is because of the hurricanes. We have been down here 11 years (originally from NY). The hurricane season is getting worse and worse. We JUST fixed our fence that was destroyed by last years hurricane. We are about to have our roof re-done as well (just in time for the new hurricane season this year).

The second reason is the value of our house. It has quadrupled in price. We would like to take advantage of that. We are interested in moving towards North Carolina or Georgia. We would be able to buy a much bigger house with little or no mortgage.

The third reason is that my husband & I miss the seasonal changes. We love mountains and rolling hills. There is not much to roll down here (except maybe in the sand- lol).

Don't listen to what people are saying about Florida. We are still the top toutist destination. There are lots of great things to explore, learn and experience in Florida.

[daedalo]

Come to Florida and judge for yourself. I suggest you stay in somewhat temporary digs until you feel out the community and lifestyle. It is a diverse and huge state. Those of us that are committeed to the state want to make it better and aren't in the slightest bit interested in sugar coating reality. That isn't necessary. There are great things about this state and there are regressive things. There are plently of tourism sites claiming endless sunsets on the beach.

[LM1]

Originally Posted by daedalo

Come to Florida and judge for yourself. I suggest you stay in somewhat temporary digs until you feel out the community and lifestyle. It is a diverse and huge state. Those of us that are committeed to the state want to make it better and aren't in the slightest bit interested in sugar coating reality. That isn't necessary. There are great things about this state and there are regressive things. There are plently of tourism sites claiming endless sunsets on the beach.

I actually agree with every single you said there, presuming that "regressive" isn't code for "not enough like San Francisco".

[Amanda63]

Good luck trying to get in on investing in St. Pete. My husband and I spent 2 years there trying to do that and have fled. Good deals are hard to come by in North st. Pete and all the ones you can make good profits off of are in the crime infested section of S. St. Pete. Forget trying to build anything in St. Pete. Empty lots are VERY hard to come by. St. Pete is beautiful, but VERY crowded, LOTS of crime and just isn't worth the hassle in my opinion. My husband and I moved 2 hours north of St. Pete are have down great investing in residential and commercial real estate here. The problem with St. Pete is the time to get in on that market was 10-15 years ago. What's left is over inflated, unless once again you go to the south side. You can get great deals on houses there, but be prepared to come face to face with the crime and rough side of the town. We know a few investors who buy up houses in the south side and have stuck in out and made nice profits, but that takes years to do and a lot of time and money. All of this is a shame though bc St. Pete is beautiful. We got the heck out of there because of the crime and over population. It's the smallest county in the state, yet the most populated. I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just be prepared.