[Retiredcoach]

Originally Posted by tilli

Of course it will. Eventually. Once we finally start to climb out of this mess and people begin to vacation a little more freely, tourism will pick back up, and there will always be a steady trickle even during downturns. Those who depend on tourism expect this to happen during economic downturns. Maybe those theme parks should try cutting their prices for a change!

As for whether people will continue to actually relocate here which was also driving Florida's economy (via construction), I think that the same is true. It may not be THE retirement spot anymore, but young professionals who haven't put down deep roots elsewhere still want to relocate here. What's stopping them is the economy and the job market.

This does really reinforce the point that Florida needs to diversify its industry. We are going to lose what's left of the citrus industry pretty soon between the hurricanes spreading the canker far and wide and the citrus greening disease spreading unchecked. Which is frankly better for Florida as sad as it is for the industry. All that agriculture requires incredible amounts of fertilizer since Florida's soil (and I use the term loosely!) is so poor. All that fertilizer gets washed out to the ocean and the gulf, getting the chemistry all out of whack and screwing up the ecosystem. I remember when the water at Clearwater beach was literally clear.

What else do we have? Several valuable ports. A good size, extremely diverse population. Sadly depressed wages. Space race era defense contractors. Decent universities. Insufficient infrastructure. Unfair tax structure. Very jekyll and hyde weather. Like everywhere else, Florida has strengths and weaknesses. Right now Florida is getting hit harder than places that didn't boom the way we did. That doesn't mean Florida is doomed. In the long run, plenty of people love this place even if it's not for everyone.

Excellent post!! A big plus for Florida relocation for retirees (beyond the winter weather) is/will be the lack of a state income tax and the limited estate taxes. Florida has long taken care of its senior residents.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by verobeach

Why am I always defending myself on this board??? My property taxes went from $4,600 to $3,600. Where do you get $7,000??? Our assessment went down in Indian River County and our homestead exemption went from $25,000 to $50,000. Why is this so difficult to understand?

I put $7,000 as a ballpark number because just coming out and braging about how low your taxes are now that they went down $1,000 means nothing if you don't also provide a starting number.

No offense but $3,600 for property tax is absurd.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

Excellent post!! A big plus for Florida relocation for retirees (beyond the winter weather) is/will be the lack of a state income tax and the limited estate taxes. Florida has long taken care of its senior residents.

In 4 years, Florida will give me a pension. I will take that pension and say adios. Cannot get better than that. Sweet satisfaction. I will spend that pension someplace else.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by Sunny-Days90

It is called location, being central to distribute goods and products is why.
Why do you think Saturn built in Tenn?
The new solar plant in Tenn?
Both because of being great distribution points.
Why do you think Atlanta is growing so fast recently? It's all about location.

Most of those plants are being opened in Tennessee to exploit the depressed wages of the area.

So "now" you are saying that Florida can not attract Fortune 500 corporations because of location? Make up your mind.

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

No offense but $3,600 for property tax is absurd.

But it's still significantly less than what my parents pay for a 2500sf house in Michigan.

We're in a low tax rate county in FL. With SOH, we pay $1200/year for a 1700sf home in a good neighborhood with excellent schools.

As for the under-$100K homes, here's a few in my area that are in reasonably nice locations if you don't mind being north of I-10 and are patient enough to deal with a short sale/REO property:

EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com

EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com

EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com

EmeraldCoastHomesOnline.com

[Pink flamingo]

I pay $3,500 property tax per year. A smallish town in WI. 1600 sq.ft, 3bed 2bath, brick cape cod, 1950.
Yes I agree it is absurd!! To make it even worse, The home is taxed based on the bubble price. I am trying to sell it for much less. 2 inches of snow predicted for this evening. I hope to make my move to Florida before next winter.

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

Most of those plants are being opened in Tennessee to exploit the depressed wages of the area.

So "now" you are saying that Florida can not attract Fortune 500 corporations because of location? Make up your mind.

Make up my mind??? now you say Tennessee is getting all those plants because they have depressed wages, I thought you said Florida had all the low wages????? I thought you said the NE was the powerhouse and all those companies would be coming there. You did say that you know!

I never said they would ever attract F500 companies!

Especially those who need distribution points.

I sell tons of advertising space to Florida business owners and I am going to repeat it again, they simply are not having any problems with business at all. They could not afford my 300 per month ad space if they were hurting.

So you are agreeing, Floridas economy is based mostly on tourist, well if so then the Florida economy will be back long before any new jobs in any other state. People will start spending money again and it will be spend by tourist.

Floridas economy has been down before during previous hard times and has always rebounded, many states with no jobs will never rebound no matter what. Ex: Michigan is toast, the entire state is based on cars and our elected leaders are hell bent on the global market especially this fool running the show now.

[Rachael84]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Despite the blanket carping from people that you need to be a millionaire to enjoy Florida, you don't NEED a 100k salary to live well in Florida, especially now when things have dropped in price by a lot. It makes things nicer, of course, but it really isn't necessary for people who lead average lifestyles. Can YOU buy a 3 bed/2 bath/2 Car garage house that wasn't built in 1935 and have rooms the size of broom closets for less than 100k pretty much anywhere in the NYC metro area (that's not a complete ghetto?)

That's the point.

I don't think you can buy a 3 bed/2 bath home for less than 100k in most areas of the country.

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

I don't think you can buy a 3 bed/2 bath home for less than 100k in most areas of the country.

I know what you mean. I've been waiting for prices down there to drop to a level I can afford, like a 3/2 for less than 100k.

Well, guess I'll just have to end up a beach bum with sunscreen and towels making a living if prices don't drop enough!

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by DailyJournalist

Most of those plants are being opened in Tennessee to exploit the depressed wages of the area.

So "now" you are saying that Florida can not attract Fortune 500 corporations because of location? Make up your mind.

That's not true.

Saturn and Nissan were both in Tennessee before the bottom fell out. Volkswagon is currently building in Chattanooga.

All of these companies were in operation before the bottom fell out on wages...

Fortune 500 2008: States - Tennessee