[tilli]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Time changes. Florida has to rethink its former attraction to get people to move here again, or it will become the "has been" of the 21st Century. It just plain cannot sit back on its laurels and assume that people will continue to move here in droves. That was then. This is now.

To me, it is a relief that the tide is finally rolling out a bit. Since I was a child I have witnessed Florida's population explode and the consequences of that - crowded, sub-par schools, gridlocked roads, over development, native species driven to the brink of extinction. Florida doesn't need a continuous flow of people moving here, we don't have the infrastructure for the ones we already have.

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

It's unfortunate but at the same time, Maybe it's a good thing that all these greedy developers are now bankrupt and don't have the credit or reputation to get started back up. However, due to shows like Flip this House, There will always be someone ready to take their places.

I really think that all those house-flipping shows had a big hand in this mess. I hope people have learned a lesson from it but I doubt it.

[Chelsa1075]

Actually, I think reacords are showing Georgia to be the most popular state, specifically Atlanta, right now. Who knows in later records.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

Naples property did not DROP the way you state it, did you read my post?
The prices were fake to begin with, therefore they were lies and cannot be counted as dropped because they should have never been at those levels to begin with.

Come on, you know the housing prices in Florida was way over the real value and now you and others think it has dropped only because the numbers say so.

The fact is they are not dropping from the REAL VALUE, they are adjusted TO THE REAL VALUE.

As time goes by things change and if you do not think people do not want to live in Florida then you are sadly mistaken. If the economy was still good and there were jobs to be had and money to be made Florida would be in a complete boom right now.

Current happenings influence peoples decisions and for you to think that people are not shifting to the south is sad.

USA today had a great article with maps showing the shift and it is south.

It was Florida, lower Ga, Texas, and Arizona.

US Population continues to shift South.

FOXNews.com - Census Bureau Estimates U.S. Population Continues Shift to South, West - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Among other Census Bureau findings:
-- On a percentage basis, the Palm Coast, Fla., area was the fastest-growing in the nation. Population there jumped by 7.2 percent to more than 536,000. The next areas experiencing the biggest surge in growth were St. George, Utah; Raleigh, N.C; Gainesville, Ga.; and Austin.


From the NY Sun


U.S. Population Shift Again Favors South, West - March 28, 2008 - The New York Sun


** Do you think the politicians do not know the shift to the south is happening, they are already trying to gain seats with the shift and want to change the way votes are counted because of it.


Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Texas and Utah are projected to gain seats in Congress after the 2010 Census


For a person who believe that you can predict how many people are moving out of Florida based on the stats the moving companies puts out tells me you have no clue and only a hope.

Just for comparison as a projection ( numbers in thousands )

1995 2000 2005 2010
New York............ 18,136 18,146 18,250 18,916
Florida............. 14,166 15,233 16,279 18,497

Did you catch my post about an investment group here in Columbus, Ohio who have billions to toss around in investments.
Guess what they are doing? They are in Florida traveling around buying blocks of homes.

Why? They believe they can buy cheap and sell higher is why. They know they can grab cheap homes and foreclosures, short sales for less then value and resell in the furture for profits.

Whether you like it or not, even if I never make it to Florida, I can tell you
that Florida, Ga and the entire southeast population will be growing like a wildfire if the
economy ever picks up.

Who would move to NY and get overtaxed when you can live cheaper in Florida?
No one with any money is going to stay in NY and allow that crook to steal you money.

I am not surprised. Try this, AGAIN.


Fewer New Yorkers moving to Florida - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

[verobeach]

Originally Posted by TANaples

I am not surprised. Try this, AGAIN.


Fewer New Yorkers moving to Florida - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

4th paragraph from the bottom of the above article...

""Demographers aren't sure whether the drop in new Florida transplants, particularly New Yorkers, is temporary or long-term.""

Bottom line... Nobody knows. So long as Florida has sunshine, so long as people retire, Florida will still draw northerners.

[Retiredcoach]

I believe that with so many personal losses in employment opportunities and retirement income in this economic downturn, the bottom line for personal stability will come down to the affordability of a region. Yes, one may love the humidity and sunshine or the four seasons and snow, but the one constant will be whether the cost of living will allow residents to modestly enjoy the a region's amenities. Some may say that the mild winters and the beaches are Florida's greatest assets and appeal. I would disagree. As long as Florida can offer its residents and visitors an impetus for long-term financial stability, the desire to call Florida "home" will fuel its future growth and economic health.

Florida does not have the universal appeal to retirees that it once did. The cost of living (especially with regards to housing) had become too cost prohibitive to those on fixed or reduced incomes. Housing prices have come down significantly in most areas of Florida, however, it will need to diminish more as retirement saving have been impacted similarly.

The mild winters and the beaches are side benefits to living in Florida for many retirees exploring options. The most important factor will always be where one can afford to live within one's means. Many retirees realize that lack of a state income tax and a limited estate tax are strong positives to the appeals of Florida, but these benefits are being offset by other high taxes and the costs of supporting a dwindling tourist-based state economy.

[verobeach]

The stock market will go up. Housing prices will go up. The pendulum swings. People will fall out of favor with the Carolinas. Not all retirees are created equal. Not all of Florida is the same. My husband meets people at the golf course every day who are here from the north buying up five or more houses like the old days. Interest rates are at record low.

Retiredcoach, you mention 'other high taxes'. What taxes are these? My property tax came down $1,000 last year with the increased homstead exemption.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by verobeach

My property tax came down $1,000 last year with the increased homstead exemption.

They came down $1,000 but how much do you still pay ?

Also, I would say insurances (home, auto, life) are still pretty high.

[pianogal]

My family lives in SC. Their car insurance is much higher than ours in Orlando. They pay state income tax, taxes on food and drugs, personal property tax on their cars. For example, my parents pay $800 a year tax on their cars. We paid $77.00 last year to renew our tags - that's it....and we have newer, nicer cars than they do. Their city recently passed a new tax on restaurants...when they go out to eat now, they pay 10% sales tax.

So while our property taxes are higher - they make up for it paying taxes on cars, food, state income tax etc. I have complained about the property tax inequities here. I thing SOH is ridiculous - everyone should pay the same rate. But, we have compared living in SC (which is much cheaper than NC) and found that it's expensive to live anywhere these days.

People have to compare the costs, the lifestyle they want, and choose for themselves. Who knows where the next 'hot' place everyone wants to live will be.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by pianogal

My family lives in SC. Their car insurance is much higher than ours in Orlando. They pay state income tax, taxes on food and drugs, personal property tax on their cars. For example, my parents pay $800 a year tax on their cars. We paid $77.00 last year to renew our tags - that's it....and we have newer, nicer cars than they do. Their city recently passed a new tax on restaurants...when they go out to eat now, they pay 10% sales tax.

So while our property taxes are higher - they make up for it paying taxes on cars, food, state income tax etc. I have complained about the property tax inequities here. I thing SOH is ridiculous - everyone should pay the same rate. But, we have compared living in SC (which is much cheaper than NC) and found that it's expensive to live anywhere these days.

People have to compare the costs, the lifestyle they want, and choose for themselves. Who knows where the next 'hot' place everyone wants to live will be.

How much is your car insurance ?

[verobeach]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

They came down $1,000 but how much do you still pay ?

Also, I would say insurances (home, auto, life) are still pretty high.

I pay $1,000 less. Can't make it any clearer... My bill for Nov. 1, 2008 was $1,000 less than 2007.