[jasontarazi]

As someone who is moving out of South FL, I admit it's easy to get caught up in what I don't like about living here. But I didn't stay here for 12 years for no reason, and there are good things about South FL. No one area is a perfect place to live. There will be pluses and negatives about wherever you live - it's a matter of identifying your priorities in life, and which area of the country will give you more pluses than minuses.

One thing that's hard to beat are the winters here. I'll definitely miss them!

Originally Posted by Margel

As a person moving to Florida, I have to say that all the negative bashing about Florida is really quite frightening. I do appreciate everyone's opinions, suggestions, and advice...that is why I enjoy this forum. When you are moving across states as I am coming from Pennsylvania (not Oil City, lol) it is smart to gather as much info as you can and a realtor will only tell you the good. However, I think that some posters do go overboard with their bashing. You would think that Florida the biggest dump in the U.S. They worry about how they will sell their homes in order to leave, but they defeat their whole purpose by repeatedly telling everyone how awful it is to live there. Give your opinion, sure, be honest, certainly, but don't let a seething hatred from your own particular world pour over into what should be just an opinion based on factual experience and not some exaggerated tale of how hot is that you have to gasp for oxygen, etc, etc. No place is perfect, but at least try to like your home while you are there.

[daniellefort]

well i think these forums are great for people to find info on places they want to live but it seems like more people offer info to the newcomers focusing on why NOT to live here wherever here may be. For me, i want to move to TN but i'm constantly told what NOT to do or bring with me to the state of TN meaning they like their peace and quiet up there and not to bring the big city boom with me or whine about it when i get there that i'm missing this and that from FL. It kind of discourages me. I've done my research (mainly through Chambers and other internet sources) and i know what to expect. I don't want to be hounded about how TN people do things and any other way is unacceptable. I already know. Sorry, i know this is off topic so as far as north and south FL, I haven't really been south. Been to Miami once to the big hospital down there and hated it only because it's so big and busy i had no idea where i was going but north FL above Gainseville is very rural. In fact on our way home from TN once, we took some back roads cause we like to explore new areas and i was really suprised how rural it is up in North FL. If i had to choose north or south, i'd probably go north. I live in the middle so i like it right where i am now.

[Need_affordable_home]

In case if anyone was wondering why I am still thinking of north FL, see my first post for all the advantages it has over south FL. Also the state might do away with property taxes which would give rich people a big advantage. There also is no state income tax so you keep thousands more. Theres nice 4 bedroom houses on acreage lots(some are over 5!) for around $300k in the Gainesville and Ocala suburbs. I would need to win the lottery or make in excess of $100k annually with my home business(very hard to do, $30k to $40k is realistic)

If FL doesnt do away with prop. taxes I could be living cheaper in Tennessee(much lower taxes than FL) or the Carolinas or really cheap in West Virginia, Ohio(generally southeast) and Pennsylvania(generally northwest) This is where alot of Floridians(especially south) are running away to. Nothing wrong with north FL but it needs the houses to be much cheaper or eliminate prop. taxes in order to compete with the other states that are a much better bargain.

[marteck]

I lived and worked in south florida for 25 years, and moved up to palm beach because i couldnt work down there anymore. I kept getting under bid on jobs so I went north to palm beach, but the cost of living here is outrageous. So I was definitly looking at north florida to move my Co. and family. I would greatly appreciate any contractors opinion on working in north florida.

[teagans_mom04]

Originally Posted by Need_affordable_home

Less like what? North FL has everything I need. Ive noticed theres more land, but the houses themselves arent cheap to build it seems Very affordable if you choose the mobile home route.




Well hurricane insurance is lowest in the interior of FL away from both coasts. Like in Gainesville.





My condolence for your plants. That was a very unusual cold that killed some of the more tender plants. Buy some seeds and start over. a/c costs more than heat and up in north FL you need heat maybe two days out of the year and only heat for a few hours during the night, once the sun comes out it warms quick.




Ive been to north FL and the air is cleaner and smells better.





Depends on what states. You cant generalise the northeast as being expensive everywhere. Take Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to name three, those are cheap almost everywhere, especially West Virginia. Maine is more expensive but still far cheaper than north FL.




I prefer to live in the more rural areas anyway, its got much less crime, less pollution, less traffic and lower costs of living. The more rural areas in north FL your looking at $200k easily. Compare that to $50k in the more rural areas in several northeastern states.




Many houses today have small rooms. I visited one that had a bedroom measuring 10x10



And I find that design to be boring and simple. I love the designs many northeast houses used in the early 1900s. Two stories with basement and attic





I doubt FL will eliminate property taxes but its being proposed now. No matter, theres always Tennessee and its very low prop. taxes and HOI and no state income tax. Some $50k houses as well but your gonna need more like $100k for a decent house in a safe area. Still beats Florida prices anyday and I prefer the TN weather. I wish it was cooler now, im sweating!

If you have housing that cheap you generally dont have jobs in the area. WV is a cheaper state but there is no economy.

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by teagans_mom04

If you have housing that cheap you generally dont have jobs in the area. WV is a cheaper state but there is no economy.

This is why more people need to be self employed like me. My friend is self employed and makes over $100k a year and ive seen some make over $250k or even over $500k a year. My friend says I can reasonably make $40k a year and if I put lots of time, effort and skills I could probably pull $100k too.
Then you can live a very good lifestyle among the wealthy in an affordable location. Its crazy to think how little house $500k gets you in Miami, for the same money you could get a great big house or even mansion elsewhere

[Where2Move?]

Originally Posted by Need_affordable_home

This is why more people need to be self employed like me. My friend is self employed and makes over $100k a year and ive seen some make over $250k or even over $500k a year. My friend says I can reasonably make $40k a year and if I put lots of time, effort and skills I could probably pull $100k too.
Then you can live a very good lifestyle among the wealthy in an affordable location. Its crazy to think how little house $500k gets you in Miami, for the same money you could get a great big house or even mansion elsewhere

What do you and your friend do? I have done some things that have allowed me to work from home, but the commission was just too unpredictable... feast or famine. I have wanted to be self employed all my life, like the rest of my family is!!

Tina

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by Where2Move?

What do you and your friend do? I have done some things that have allowed me to work from home, but the commission was just too unpredictable... feast or famine. I have wanted to be self employed all my life, like the rest of my family is!!

Tina

Start a new thread for this topic. Lets get back to South FL vs. north FL vs. northeast. Your opinions please. Keep them comming!

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Where2Move?

What do you and your friend do? I have done some things that have allowed me to work from home, but the commission was just too unpredictable... feast or famine. I have wanted to be self employed all my life, like the rest of my family is!!

Tina

This is too true! I know someone who relied on commission payments from basically one lucrative online sponsor to pay his bills (even though I TOLD him to never rely on internet income and to view it only as a bonus or for savings to supplement his "dayjob" income)....

He sure had a rough couple of months financially when that commissions sponsor went under!

Originally Posted by need_affordable_home

This is why more people need to be self employed like me.

Good economy + People with money and good jobs = more expensive to live.

If everyone in West Virginia had a home business making 150k a year, they would start demanding more amenities, better houses, more entertainment choices in their area... and suddenly it wouldn't be so "affordable" in that area!

20K for a dream house? My great-grandparents bought their home in New Jersey in the 1930s or 1940s for that much!!! It STILL just doesn't sound right to me that homes can be had these days for those prices for discriminating buyers.


Nonetheless, I'm still perplexed as to why you haven't decided on somewhere to move to yet? You basically have freedom most people would envy.... no demands or needs besides CHEAP, BIG HOUSE, and COOLER WEATHER. I'd imagine you'd just pick the biggest house you can get and go?