[psouth]

Originally Posted by jendidier

Thank you for the detailed response. I get that Jacksonville pretty much sucks. Does this apply to life around St Augustine, or is it just pretty boring?

St. Augustine is very boring. Coming from Miami you would not be happy there. It is a nice little touristy town but that's about it. You walk around once and you've seen it all. There is very little to do and no nightlife to speak of. Also there are no jobs beyond tourism. So unless you plan to drive a trolley full of tourists around.....

I can't think of any town I would want to live in going up I95 from say Stuart to the Georgia border. There is just nothing happening and no employment. Definitely not a place for Europeans or for younger people who want to have a good life. Retirees would be fine anywhere but that's about it.

Coming from Miami I would seriously consider somewhere in northern Palm Beach County like Palm Beach Gardens or maybe Jupiter although it is a little far from things. North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens have very nice and safe sections. Of course the illegals and Hispanics are everywhere so you have to be prepared for that. But I'm sure you're used to that by now. Stuart is quieter and kind of nice still with less riff raff but it lacks convenience and entertainment.

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by psouth

St. Augustine is very boring. Coming from Miami you would not be happy there. It is a nice little touristy town but that's about it. You walk around once and you've seen it all. There is very little to do and no nightlife to speak of. Also there are no jobs beyond tourism. So unless you plan to drive a trolley full of tourists around.....

Going from Miami to anywhere else in Florida is going to be boring. Honestly, I'd even suggest you don't leave the Miami Metro area, but you could probably find what you're looking for in Broward or Palm Beach County, but still be within the Miami area you know? Tampa and Orlando are both nice mid-sized cities, but if you're looking for Miami amenities, you're going to have to stay in Miami.

[Chrome Microphone]

Wow, the last 2 posts are interesting. Yes, Miami has entertainment to offer, but being bored in St Augustine is what some people are looking for, ESPECIALLY after living in a place like Miami. A bit bored at first? Maybe. But the good news is, you are no longer in Miami. Breath in, breath out, slow down... look around and take it all in... no road rage, far less crime, friendlier people (by far), the English language... ahhhhhhh...

[tallrick]

Miami is more boring than many think. You just work, eat and sleep. Oh and worry about how you will make that inflated rent or mortgage. All with the wonders of traffic and corrupt government. Got to love those amenities! Mix in lousy pay and horrible weather for 6 months and the routine is sickening. Some areas offer a lower cost of living with similar wages, and in my experience when you have time and space you can make your own fun. Miami is extremely overrated and disappointing unless you come here with a financial lifeline. Do not fall for the "Miami is better" nonsense.

[stevep111]

Tallrick you hit the nail squarely on the head. I have lived here 15 years and that's all I do. Eat sleep and go to work. I come home and stay there. I am so frustrated and shell shocked by the time I get home after being subjected to death by other drivers 10 times on the way home that who could have the energy to go out. My neighbors are all self serving aholes who have no consideration of anyone but themselves. The government is full of people who are corrupt as the day is long and you can't get a job unless you habla. If you have a job and you don't habla you get passed over or treated badly by those same self serving people who are your neighbors. That is not anti spanish or imigrant but a fact. The lack of culture in this city is amazing. Old traditions died and about the only new one this city has is trying to cut people off and make their life as miserable as possible.

Miami has no ethics or community pride what's so ever. It is hell with palm trees and thats about as good as you can make it.

[Chrome Microphone]

Originally Posted by stevep111

Tallrick you hit the nail squarely on the head. I have lived here 15 years and that's all I do. Eat sleep and go to work. I come home and stay there. I am so frustrated and shell shocked by the time I get home after being subjected to death by other drivers 10 times on the way home that who could have the energy to go out. My neighbors are all self serving aholes who have no consideration of anyone but themselves. The government is full of people who are corrupt as the day is long and you can't get a job unless you habla. If you have a job and you don't habla you get passed over or treated badly by those same self serving people who are your neighbors. That is not anti spanish or imigrant but a fact. The lack of culture in this city is amazing. Old traditions died and about the only new one this city has is trying to cut people off and make their life as miserable as possible.

Miami has no ethics or community pride what's so ever. It is hell with palm trees and thats about as good as you can make it.

Amen to that.

[The Floridian]

stevep111, TallRick -

To both of you Gringos... Life is how you see it from the inside out. Your life is what you make it be in Alaska, China, Japan, Irak, Virginia and Miami. My advise is see your problems as blessings and act upon your heart felt urges. Listen to your heart and make decisions based on that.

There is no paradise....

I used to live on a small island in the western carribbean... it was paradise ....Then one day I woke up, a wild hair went where the sun never shines... and I was bored stiff. Another example; NYC has everything and anything a person could do or want but would you be happy there? Really happy? Many drawbacks: traffic, rude people, high cost of living, and you live like Ants unless your Mr. Madoff

Bottom line; I'm in Miami for 30 days right now on business. I am renting a small Flat in Coral Gables and every night I hit LA Fitness on US1. I don't feel or see many problems, but then again I don't live or work in Miami full-time.

Latin people are good people. Family people and they just want a better life and can you blame them?

USA... where dreams are made!

The American dream is alive and well in Miama!

[psouth]

Originally Posted by stevep111

Tallrick you hit the nail squarely on the head. I have lived here 15 years and that's all I do. Eat sleep and go to work. I come home and stay there. I am so frustrated and shell shocked by the time I get home after being subjected to death by other drivers 10 times on the way home that who could have the energy to go out. My neighbors are all self serving aholes who have no consideration of anyone but themselves. The government is full of people who are corrupt as the day is long and you can't get a job unless you habla. If you have a job and you don't habla you get passed over or treated badly by those same self serving people who are your neighbors. That is not anti spanish or imigrant but a fact. The lack of culture in this city is amazing. Old traditions died and about the only new one this city has is trying to cut people off and make their life as miserable as possible.

Miami has no ethics or community pride what's so ever. It is hell with palm trees and thats about as good as you can make it.

I understand and agree on most points but anywhere in Florida is pretty much the same maybe except for a few degrees. No matter where you live you will just eat, sleep, and go to work unless you are on vacation. It's like the dreamers and more dreamers come down here expecting to go yachting every day while money magically rolls in like you see on one of those infomercials. Yes, St. Augustine has less Hispanics and general riff raff but it also has no jobs or real economy beyond tourism in the center of town. You will hear plenty of Spanish spoken there as well though. At least in Miami you have world class shopping and entertainment and some of the best beaches with the nicest sites. St. Augustine and North Florida has none of this while still having plenty of riff raff and illegals. Sure there are less Cubans and illegals but you will find the same transients and rude people from the north living there. St. Augustine is mainly made up of very grouchy retirees like in Miami. With no real job market what would you expect? I am not sticking up for Miami because I know all about it but thinking St. Augustine or North Florida is the answer to all of Miami's problems is like being just another dreamer. A nice place to visit and take a walk on St. George Street but that's about it.

I don't really know of any part of Florida that has true community pride or a true sense of unity. Everyone is from somewhere else and when you throw in all the illegals you really got something. People even go to the Dolphin's games and other FL sports teams and openly root for the other team in droves. You won't find that in Pittsburgh or Dallas or even Buffalo. You would be killed in most other places.

[The Floridian]

Originally Posted by psouth

St. Augustine has less Hispanics and general riff raff but it also has no jobs or real economy beyond tourism in the center of town. You will hear plenty of Spanish spoken there as well though. At least in Miami you have world class shopping and entertainment and some of the best beaches with the nicest sites. St. Augustine and North Florida has none of this while still having plenty of riff raff and illegals. Sure there are less Cubans and illegals but you will find the same transients and rude people from the north living there. St. Augustine is mainly made up of very grouchy retirees like in Miami. With no real job market what would you expect? I am not sticking up for Miami because I know all about it but thinking St. Augustine or North Florida is the answer to all of Miami's problems is like being just another dreamer. A nice place to visit and take a walk on St. George Street but that's about it.

I agree 100%.

Originally Posted by psouth

I don't really know of any part of Florida that has true community pride or a true sense of unity. Everyone is from somewhere else and when you throw in all the illegals you really got something. People even go to the Dolphin's games and other FL sports teams and openly root for the other team in droves. You won't find that in Pittsburgh or Dallas or even Buffalo. You would be killed in most other places.

Again, and sadly, I agree 100%... But Florida still beats out every other state in the union (for living/working) except California and maybe Hawaii.

My 0.002

[psouth]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Miami is more boring than many think. You just work, eat and sleep. Oh and worry about how you will make that inflated rent or mortgage. All with the wonders of traffic and corrupt government. Got to love those amenities! Mix in lousy pay and horrible weather for 6 months and the routine is sickening. Some areas offer a lower cost of living with similar wages, and in my experience when you have time and space you can make your own fun. Miami is extremely overrated and disappointing unless you come here with a financial lifeline. Do not fall for the "Miami is better" nonsense.

Better yet do not fall for the "Florida is better" nonsense. If you don't retire down here with tons of money or you aren't young and on a trust fund then the palm trees and sunshine will do you no justice. It would be like living in Hawaii and making $30K per year selling t-shirst to tourists when houses cost $1 million. Tom Brady is not going to come off the bench to save you.

I think one of the biggest, if not the biggest, obstacle to happiness in Florida is the job market. If there were lots of big corporate headquarters and venture capital for high tech or other new business ventures then people would be much happier. Especially with the high cost of living. Working 2 or 3 dead end jobs really wears on people after a while. Plus with more highly educated jobs available less illegals and uneducated immigrants would come in since there wouldn't be much for them to do. Think Seattle and Microsoft or Boeing. Or Silicon Valley. Night and day.