[arctanx]

I think alot of people have unrealistic expectations of Florida. I was born here, and I think it's great.

riverviewnative and jhlcomp have good points though, I hope it gets better soon...it's not to the point yet where I want to leave, but it's close.

[SF2FLL]

Originally Posted by arctanx

I think alot of people have unrealistic expectations of Florida. I was born here, and I think it's great.

riverviewnative and jhlcomp have good points though, I hope it gets better soon...it's not to the point yet where I want to leave, but it's close.

Very very good point about people's expectations. When I was in Florida last year on my "scouting" trip that lasted 4 months, yes it was very different, especially being from the West Coast. It really didn't bother me though that things were different, it made it that much more interesting.

I guess I really don't have that many expectations about my permanent move to Florida. I've done my research, I know I want to live where its really warm almost all the time and Florida is my best bet.

I will say that I initially turned to this forum to get useful information, not page after page of ramblings of the "horrors of Florida".

Well, I'm off to dream of Palm Trees and the Beach.........

[vpcats]

I've been in Miami almost 11 yrs. Came here for long weekends and stuff frequently during the year. Some of you will think I'm nuts but I always liked Miami and I like Florida in general and still haven't seen enough of it.
There are several reasons why I STILL like Miami - I don't have small children so don't have to worry about schools, I like the food, I speak Spanish, I am Cuban by birth, I have a very good salary and being raised in NYC, traffic, overcrowdedness, highrises, etc. don't bother me.

I will tell what is taking a toll. Homeowner's insurance and taxes and the fact that you can't just move to a better house or better location because you'll lose the homestead exemption (others have mentioned this). So even if your financial situation is not bad, the discretionary, vacation, new car, whatever extras income, starts to disappear because you need to cover other increases. I'm not planning to move, unless I win the lottery, but the belt keeps getting tighter.

[SF2FLL]

Originally Posted by vpcats

I've been in Miami almost 11 yrs. Came here for long weekends and stuff frequently during the year. Some of you will think I'm nuts but I always liked Miami and I like Florida in general and still haven't seen enough of it.
There are several reasons why I STILL like Miami - I don't have small children so don't have to worry about schools, I like the food, I speak Spanish, I am Cuban by birth, I have a very good salary and being raised in NYC, traffic, overcrowdedness, highrises, etc. don't bother me.

I will tell what is taking a toll. Homeowner's insurance and taxes and the fact that you can't just move to a better house or better location because you'll lose the homestead exemption (others have mentioned this). So even if your financial situation is not bad, the discretionary, vacation, new car, whatever extras income, starts to disappear because you need to cover other increases. I'm not planning to move, unless I win the lottery, but the belt keeps getting tighter.

I guess I'm in slightly different boat, I don't plan on buying a home in Florida right away, thats a few years down the road, thats one thing I don't have to worry about.

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by OREGONRAIN

I noticed all the complaints myself, and it does make it difficult for people that may be researching the state and think about relocating there. I also noticed when I visited there, many of the problems are well founded. Not everyone can afford to move to fla any longer, and perhaps that was intended I don't know. From the lack of infrastructure and overpopulation, maybe fla needs to take a rest from growth and catch up with itself.

It can't, Florida depends on selling itself to bring in the money. There's just not enough real industry to fund the jobs needed to take Florida to where it belongs, the #1 state in the USA! Also the quality of people here could never support a world-class business climate. We have to continue the back-room deals and under-the-table employment of slave-like labor to keep the investors profits up. You either are established already or get a running start here with boatloads of capital, but if the development stops the party's over.

[doggiebus]

Its not just the people that have moved here that are not happy with Florida, many of the native floridians are moving out of state for many reasons (weather, taxes, insurance, conjestion, crime, etc.) As an employer, I have to agree that the pool of great employees isn't great in South Florida.

[SF2FLL]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

Its not just the people that have moved here that are not happy with Florida, many of the native floridians are moving out of state for many reasons (weather, taxes, insurance, conjestion, crime, etc.) As an employer, I have to agree that the pool of great employees isn't great in South Florida.

Nor are the employers for that matter, If you look you can find them though.

[doggiebus]

We do look but it takes usually 2 months, and many, many resumes later that we find someone that is right for the job.

[dennis s]

A lot of dreamers move to Florida for a "better" life. They've listened to too many Jimmy Buffet songs and they think it's like living in a big resort.

People think it's going to be cheap and sunny , no problem mon.

Then after about a year of 10 sunburns and a couple of layoffs the reality sets in.

After a while it's complain, complain, complain. Whine, whine, whine. Most realize it's still better than where they are from, so they stay and complain and whine somemore.

My suggestion is go fishing and take a nice deep breath.

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by ellie

A lot of the complaints are facts. A large number of the problems in Florida have been compounded by population growth. The more people who move here, the worse it will get.

The Bay area is expensive, but must be worth it, or people wouldn't pay the price.

And there are many of us who think Florida is worth it as well.