[psouth]

Originally Posted by annerk

I fyou don't think all of the above are also found in the big northeastern cities, you're really fooling yourself.

Yes of course these people are everywhere but Florida has always attracted an abundance of them as many of us have talked about on here. It all has to do with the weather, beaches, very low cost of living years ago, constant turnover in population. Not many successful people in the Northeast willingly give up their jobs and benefits and longevity somewhere to come to Florida for the heck of it. Most of the successful rightfully stay put until they retire and bring their pensions and savings with them.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by psouth

Yes of course these people are everywhere but Florida has always attracted an abundance of them as many of us have talked about on here. It all has to do with the weather, beaches, very low cost of living years ago, constant turnover in population. Not many successful people in the Northeast willingly give up their jobs and benefits and longevity somewhere to come to Florida for the heck of it. Most of the successful rightfully stay put until they retire and bring their pensions and savings with them.

The same can be said for immigrants from other countries who choose to immigrate to the United States (higher crime, lower quality of life, etc.) for the energy, the dream, etc. vs. somewhere like Canada.

The USA, by far, attracts more dreamers, drifters, idealists, wanderlust characters, shady people, upstarts, etc. etc, and has done so for centuries now.


But, where would YOU rather be?

[Huckleberry3911948]

an unexplained and overwhealming compulsion to be near 20 ft snakes alligators and hurricans and for some unknown reason a lot of cute girls that show up on CDF alot.

[psouth]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

The same can be said for immigrants from other countries who choose to immigrate to the United States (higher crime, lower quality of life, etc.) for the energy, the dream, etc. vs. somewhere like Canada.

The USA, by far, attracts more dreamers, drifters, idealists, wanderlust characters, shady people, upstarts, etc. etc, and has done so for centuries now.


But, where would YOU rather be?

Of course. After all this is the land of opportunity even still. But as far as the states go Florida is one of the worst, if not the worst, for attracting these characters mostly because of the weather. The weather seems to mislead people into believing they could live a dream life and land a dream job and land a dream spouse and just have fun for the rest of their lives that they cannot do anywhere else for some magical reason. I run into people every day that just moved down on a wing and a prayer but have nothing to offer and no way to make a living. It is just the transient nature of Florida.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by psouth

Of course. After all this is the land of opportunity even still. But as far as the states go Florida is one of the worst, if not the worst, for attracting these characters mostly because of the weather. The weather seems to mislead people into believing they could live a dream life and land a dream job and land a dream spouse and just have fun for the rest of their lives that they cannot do anywhere else for some magical reason. I run into people every day that just moved down on a wing and a prayer but have nothing to offer and no way to make a living. It is just the transient nature of Florida.

I would probably imagine that places like NY and LA, and Las Vegas take the cake when it comes to "wing and a prayer" types moving in, who end up waiting tables instead of realizing their dreams.

But, people continue to have dreams because some people DO make it in Florida on a prayer. From what I understand, the same is true about much of SoCal and Hawaii as well. Of course, the state is going through a real rough spot, but just a few years ago, the getting was good and people were making money. All of a sudden, when the carousel stopped, people are hungover. A lesson learned. Those that couldn't or can no longer make it will go where they think it's better.

Of course, this isn't the time ANYWHERE in the country to pack up and move to a new place hoping to find work if you don't already have a job in place.

I don't understand why all of the derision is reserved for those that want to move to FL, however, while people around here keep encouraging people to move to places like NC and SC.... which has an unemployment rates 1 and 1.5 points higher than FL, respectively.

[Retiredcoach]

[quote=OrlandoRE_Miracle;8972014]The recession is going to affect almost everywhere, not just one state. If things get as bad as you say you'll need a gated community up in the rust belt too.


The biggest difference here, however, is that Pittsburgh had its "backbone snapped" when the steel industry collapsed 30 years ago. It has had a long period of time to reinvent itself, with ongoing and modest success. Our population has gotten older and shifted as many sought financial opportunities elsewhere.... kind of like Florida today and in the foreseeable future. It is a city/region that has been affected by by economic downturn, but not devastated by it. With the near total collapse of the housing industry and vast numbers of unemployed and underemployed, most of Florida cannot say the same. Florida is just beginning to feel the true pinch of the recession. One has to ask.... What can Florida offer to their citizens who have not earned their money elsewhere? Of all the states, is there another that is so dependent upon the whimsical spending of those who have saved/earned their money elsewhere? With the state's addiction to the waning sums built upon the tourism and spending, are there any signs that Florida is trying to rebuild itself with more real jobs providing real wages for its populace.

Have you ever watched the fans at a Steelers game?.... the mentality kind of defines Pittsburgh. We are in it together; taking regional pride in who we are and where we are going. Yes, a middle class exists in Pittsburgh, but not too many gated walls are present. We haven't had the need to shield ourselves from the those being devastated around us.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

Yes, a middle class exists in Pittsburgh, but not too many gated walls are present. We haven't had the need to shield ourselves from the those being devastated around us.

Did you ever stop to think that the gated walls are there for reasons other than crime? In many cases it's to keep out people who will try to use the amenities like pools and tennis courts that the owners pay to mantain.

[stars99]

I disagree with those who say this is the most expensive state to live in. California and much of the northeast and mid-atlantic is far worse. Look on their forums, there are plenty of people looking to get out because of the high COL there, good jobs or not.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

Yes, a middle class exists in Pittsburgh, but not too many gated walls are present. We haven't had the need to shield ourselves from the those being devastated around us.

You don't get to take credit for having been developed decades before places like South Florida. It's like NYC trying to claim fame for not having strip malls and sprawl, as if their geography and age of development would have allowed it even if they wanted to.

The gated community is a relatively new phenomena, and is a present feature of many many newly developed communities across the country.

[psouth]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

I would probably imagine that places like NY and LA, and Las Vegas take the cake when it comes to "wing and a prayer" types moving in, who end up waiting tables instead of realizing their dreams.

But, people continue to have dreams because some people DO make it in Florida on a prayer. From what I understand, the same is true about much of SoCal and Hawaii as well. Of course, the state is going through a real rough spot, but just a few years ago, the getting was good and people were making money. All of a sudden, when the carousel stopped, people are hungover. A lesson learned. Those that couldn't or can no longer make it will go where they think it's better.

Of course, this isn't the time ANYWHERE in the country to pack up and move to a new place hoping to find work if you don't already have a job in place.

I don't understand why all of the derision is reserved for those that want to move to FL, however, while people around here keep encouraging people to move to places like NC and SC.... which has an unemployment rates 1 and 1.5 points higher than FL, respectively.

The main problem in Florida is the economy and lack of real jobs. Other areas like CA, Las Vegas, etc. always had jobs and built industry. CA is the 7th largest economy in the whole world. It has industry galore and not just the movie industry per se. When things pick up again other areas like SC, NC, GA, CA, TX will be humming since they have diverse economies. Florida on the other hand has always been sputtering since the economy is one-sided and there is no diversity. When things pick up it will just be the same old same old with the same low paying jobs. Nothing new is coming to Florida. It is remaining the same and still waiting for construction and real estate and tourism to return. Big deal.

There are some on these Florida threads advocating people to move to Florida where anyone can get rich magically. I would hope they are just wasting time on their hands and trying to just get a reaction from people who live in Florida and know the truth. As you stated, Florida is no place to move to without a job not now and not ever. They will just sweat to death in the heat and humidity since they would not be able to afford the $250 per month summer electric bills.

By the way, I know people in Las Vegas and yes Vegas is definitely known for attracting transients and crazies like Florida gets. How could it not with all the gambling? The point is the cost of living in Las Vegas is much lower than Florida and the jobs pay at least double at the same time. Florida salaries are an absolute joke compared to most places outside of the third world. One educated person from Las Vegas I know was making $20 per hour there and she is now making $8 per hour in Florida with no benefits. She got suckered by the weather and beaches in Florida like the zillions of others.