[dmccauley]

I believe you have to compare apples to apples, and apply it to your own situation. For instance where I came from in NJ compared to here in Sarasota Florida.
[SIZE=2]NJ home assessed $300K property taxes
1.418/100 $4,254
includes street cleaning, garbage p/c
fire services and first aid.
Total $4,254
Home owners Insurance $ 987.00

Florida assessed value $300k
12.5588/1000 $3,767
HOA: street cleaning,garbage p/u $600.00
Total $4,267
Home Owners $3,200
[/SIZE]

[SirenSong71]

Originally Posted by jojajn

I am betting I have a more beautiful and higher quality house than you..

This made me laugh so hard i nearly fell off my chair...wow!

Thanks for the laugh...really...I needed it!

[ngrome]

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

Does what you are asking make much sense? I am very happy where I live, why would I want to move?
You also say not to get into the economics of it but just for goof I did a search and I would have to pay at a minimum twice as much for a house similar to mine.
Seems like a no brainer to me. I will stay right where I am.

Economics was one of the reasons I also moved down to FL. In some cases, it is cheaper to live here, I can pay off my house sooner because I bought it right before the boom. Taxes are cheaper too. But it wasn't enough to convince my wife to stay. She can't deal with the traffic and the heat and the attitude of people, whether it be on the road or stores or places for service. She is very happy we secured a house up north because she knows she'll have a home to move to in a few years. Economically, it may be a no-brainer for some folks to live here, but someone astutely pointed out that certain people will be willing to pay the price to live where they really want, and it's not necessarily market value, but what a person is willing to pay for the home they really want. It's a matter of the definition of quality of life is for you. Florida fits that for you and some others, but not for me and some others. So I'm giving up the secure job and lower cost of living to be back home, it wasn't enough to convince us to stay. We tried the experiment for over 10 years and we're going to end it in three.

[Mike Peterson]

Originally Posted by ngrome

Economics was one of the reasons I also moved down to FL. In some cases, it is cheaper to live here, I can pay off my house sooner because I bought it right before the boom. Taxes are cheaper too. But it wasn't enough to convince my wife to stay. She can't deal with the traffic and the heat and the attitude of people, whether it be on the road or stores or places for service. She is very happy we secured a house up north because she knows she'll have a home to move to in a few years. Economically, it may be a no-brainer for some folks to live here, but someone astutely pointed out that certain people will be willing to pay the price to live where they really want, and it's not necessarily market value, but what a person is willing to pay for the home they really want. It's a matter of the definition of quality of life is for you. Florida fits that for you and some others, but not for me and some others. So I'm giving up the secure job and lower cost of living to be back home, it wasn't enough to convince us to stay. We tried the experiment for over 10 years and we're going to end it in three.

Traffic and the attitude of people is a good reason to not like a place.
Fortunately we don't have bad traffic where I am and the majority of people are very nice.
You have to go where you are going to be happy and for many that place is not Florida.

But I am sure you have read through some of the other rants on here from people who seem to think since they are not happy in Florida that there is no way anyone could be happy here. Those are the posts I have a hard time comprehending.
Your post makes perfect sense though..

Good luck with your move.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

Traffic and the attitude of people is a good reason to not like a place.
Fortunately we don't have bad traffic where I am and the majority of people are very nice.
You have to go where you are going to be happy and for many that place is not Florida.

But I am sure you have read through some of the other rants on here from people who seem to think since they are not happy in Florida that there is no way anyone could be happy here. Those are the posts I have a hard time comprehending.
Your post makes perfect sense though..

Good luck with your move.

that you must make you own happiness even if that is in a place you don't like. So I suppose they are saying in a backhanded way that if you can't be happy here in Florida it's you own fault. You are just a miserable person and you won't be happy ANYWHERE. That is absolutely NOT TRUE at all, but some people have said those exact words.

We can all debate about issues like the economy, the schools, housing, etc., but when it comes down to the WEATHER that is very subjective. It is all matter of individual preferences, or medical issues. Florida's weather is just plain not for me with my Summer SAD, just as the North's weather is just not for people with Winter SAD. There is nothing one can do about that, you just have to MOVE. That is what I will do, hopefully not too much longer.

[jojajn]

Originally Posted by SirenSong71

This made me laugh so hard i nearly fell off my chair...wow!

Thanks for the laugh...really...I needed it!

You are welcome!

[The Floridian]

Beinvenidos La Florida! Vamos um estado bonita e mulhares muito bonita! Mar, Calienta, fruitas, naranjas e tudos para voces!

Welcome to Florida!

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by The Floridian

Beinvenidos La Florida! Vamos um estado bonita e mulhares muito bonita!

Not in Daytona, unless you like missing teeth.

[MaidenNJ]

I lived in Florida for 4 years when I moved there from the NE. It was fantastic Alwys something to do. The only problem with it was that the Overall personality of the state was so diluted by transients that it was kind of bland . Long story short I was convinced that moving back north was the right thing to do . 4 years later I would love to move back to FL.

[Kenny1948]

Originally Posted by dmccauley

Its always difficult to make a move to a new State. I've been told give it at least 2 years before you decide to go back to where you came from. How long did you wait before you moved back?

I have read the posts, and some are laughable!

They love the weather!

95 degrees in summer, with 98% Humidity. Thunder and lightning every day, so you can't plan a day at the beach.
From June 1st until November, theres that little problem of HURRICANES.

They love the "Healthy Lifestyle"

Eating fried food, till you're humongously overweight and have multiple medical problems.

Couldn't take the cold winters up north!

We have yo yo weather here in the winter. One day it's 70 the next day it's 40 on and on and on.

Friendly people!

Well not if you're gay, black, mixed race or anything other than a white bible banger.

Cost of Living!

People claim taxes are lower, but when compared to other states they are actually higher percentage wise.
Food is no cheaper here, than anywhere else.
Wages are the lowest in the country! It's a right to work state, and an "at will" state. Look up labor laws to see what these mean. Neither are good for the working stiff.

I personally am waiting for the day I can leave. Unfortunately it will also be the day, that I finally have no family left and will be alone. However, I will leave so fast the dust won't settle!