[Doctor Octagon]

I'd say crime in S FL is worse for sure man. Miami, Opa Locka, all those cittle crummy poverty-stricken towns... the only thing that would come close to that would be the worst part of Orlando, Pine Hills. And even then, I think I'd take my chances there over Overtown or Opa Locka.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Doctor Octagon

I'd say crime in S FL is worse for sure man. Miami, Opa Locka, all those cittle crummy poverty-stricken towns... the only thing that would come close to that would be the worst part of Orlando, Pine Hills. And even then, I think I'd take my chances there over Overtown or Opa Locka.

Orlando is about twice as bad as anything in South Florida north of Miami-Dade, sans Riviera Beach and Lake Worth which are small. Orlando is big and has a crime rate that's as all-around high as those tiny pockets which are among the worst in South FL. Comparing crime in Orange County to Broward and Palm Beach County is like comparing Hollywood Studios to Islands of Adventure, no pun intended. You do have your "tower of terror" (Pompano Beach could be one) or "rockin roller coaster" (Riviera Beach could be one) here and there, but overall it's fairly tame. On the other hand, Island's of Adventure might have a tame gift shop. South FL has large cities of varying socioeconomic levels and demographics that have an average to low crime rate, such as Coral Springs, Jupiter, Boca Raton (as much as you hate it), Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Miramar, etc. The Orlando/Central FL area has small pockets with a low crime rate and mostly high crime. Also, Miami-Dade is bad, but not as bad as Orange County.

[Doctor Octagon]

Orlando/Orange Co is pretty bad, I'll give you that, just not quite sure it measures up to Dade Co.

[Bette]

I do like living in Florida.

I came here with parents just before middle school. We still had a home up north. My father thought it was paradise.

Grew up in eastern Broward east of Federal Highway. We used to swim across the intracoastal to go to the beach. (You can't do that today).

Now live in Boca Raton.

We love the weather, the variety of things to do, our neighborhood, our church, family all here, and the diversity. I also appreciate the people that volunteer their time back into the community. I also love the water and I find the beach peaceful and soothing.

[Mike Peterson]

Originally Posted by Doctor Octagon

I havent met anyone (I live in Waterford Lks) other than a few family members that have lived in Orlando for longer than a few yrs. Most of them, were not even born in FL.

I wouldnt say 10 yrs is a really long time. In general, do you not see Orlando as very transient? Even my family members who have lived here for a while hate how transient it is here. It's only gotten worse the last 5-10 yrs as things have DRASTICALLY changed in Central FL.

I think you keep making the same mistake of referring to Orlando and Central Fl as the same thing.

Orlando is in Central Fl it is not all Central Fl.

Where I am in Central Fl is on the gulf coast, is definitely not a big tourist destination, has many families that have been here their whole lives and is nothing like Orlando.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

I agree. And even in Orlando we have some "normal" area that aren't tourist central.

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

I think you keep making the same mistake of referring to Orlando and Central Fl as the same thing.

Orlando is in Central Fl it is not all Central Fl.

Where I am in Central Fl is on the gulf coast, is definitely not a big tourist destination, has many families that have been here their whole lives and is nothing like Orlando.

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by Bette

I do like living in Florida.

I came here with parents just before middle school. We still had a home up north. My father thought it was paradise.

Grew up in eastern Broward east of Federal Highway. We used to swim across the intracoastal to go to the beach. (You can't do that today).

Now live in Boca Raton.

We love the weather, the variety of things to do, our neighborhood, our church, family all here, and the diversity. I also appreciate the people that volunteer their time back into the community. I also love the water and I find the beach peaceful and soothing.

Thank you.

So you moved to Florida in your teens and still like it. That is great news.

[amermaid9]

Glad to see some positive comments. I have lived around the country for work but I will not give up my South Florida home. Its a great place to live, work and play. Just use common sense.

[rachaelb]

I moved away from FL for personal reasons, but miss the beach SOO much that now I want to move back!! I moved to Florida about 8 years ago, on the east coast in Melbourne area. It has changed so much in that 8 years. I do agree that the job market isn't so hot, hopefully it will make a comeback. But, for those who love the water and beach as I do, it's an ok compromise to make.

I agree with itsajourney -- sometimes you have to move away from a place to realize the good qualities it has!

[On-da-Beach]

Originally Posted by Bette

I do like living in Florida.

I came here with parents just before middle school. We still had a home up north. My father thought it was paradise.

Grew up in eastern Broward east of Federal Highway. We used to swim across the intracoastal to go to the beach. (You can't do that today).

Now live in Boca Raton.

We love the weather, the variety of things to do, our neighborhood, our church, family all here, and the diversity. I also appreciate the people that volunteer their time back into the community. I also love the water and I find the beach peaceful and soothing.

Originally Posted by rachaelb

I moved away from FL for personal reasons, but miss the beach SOO much that now I want to move back!! I moved to Florida about 8 years ago, on the east coast in Melbourne area. It has changed so much in that 8 years. I do agree that the job market isn't so hot, hopefully it will make a comeback. But, for those who love the water and beach as I do, it's an ok compromise to make.

I agree with itsajourney -- sometimes you have to move away from a place to realize the good qualities it has!

It's "Green Grass and High Tides" for me, too!!!