[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by MisterNY

I'm no (trained) Economist, but I have been telling people that for years. Maybe I do know a thing or two about economics...

Yeah man, it doesn't take a economist to see the benefits of more diverse cities than the cities of South Florida. That is why it sort of baffles my mind when I see people say they wish Florida was the way it was. Things are changing, certain industries are dying off or they will be transformed into something else. Generally when that happens, the money generated from those fields are never on the same level they once were. To ask for things to go back to how they were is to ask for a continued depopulation and possibly even neighborhoods that will be empty etc. The prosperity of South Florida will depend on its ability to reinvent itself, get meaningful industries here and establish sustainable growth. As opposed to the ponzi scheme it was once based on.

[somebodymiami]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

My youngest child is a sophomore in high school. We pay about $5000 annually in property taxes for one of the best high schools in the state of Pennsylvania, possibly the country. Yes, the taxes may appear high to an outsider, but we live in a 4500 square foot home (including the finished basement) on an acre of ground. Combine the topnotch schools with the size of our home, and $5000 is a bargain.

my bejibes 4500ft, i live in one thats about 2100 and its considered ( big in miami, and by all my friends) and it not even that big, alot of the rooms are small

[MisterNY]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

Yeah man, it doesn't take a economist to see the benefits of more diverse cities than the cities of South Florida. That is why it sort of baffles my mind when I see people say they wish Florida was the way it was. Things are changing, certain industries are dying off or they will be transformed into something else. Generally when that happens, the money generated from those fields are never on the same level they once were. To ask for things to go back to how they were is to ask for a continued depopulation and possibly even neighborhoods that will be empty etc. The prosperity of South Florida will depend on its ability to reinvent itself, get meaningful industries here and establish sustainable growth. As opposed to the ponzi scheme it was once based on.

Go to SW Florida (Lehigh Acres, Imokalee and parts of Naples) on any given day, and you'll see. That's proof of what you're saying (in bold). There are no industries there. I don't even know what prompted people to go crazy during the boom to get a house there.

Some people I know are kicking themselves right now . Some friends approached me to invest money in some of those houses. I was the first to tell them it wasn't a great idea, unless they wanted a place to isolate themselves and relax. I dont like telling people "I told you so", but everytime some mention how they're considering letting go of these properties....the look on my face says it all..

There are no diverse industries there, let me correct myself..hardly any industries there for people to work and live...

It was bound to happen...They are the hardest hit. The house prices declined faster than everywhere in Florida. You can get deals over there for dirt cheap, but nobody is buying...

[Retiredcoach]

Originally Posted by somebodymiami

my bejibes 4500ft, i live in one thats about 2100 and its considered ( big in miami, and by all my friends) and it not even that big, alot of the rooms are small

Yes, but I live in Pittsburgh and the closest real beach is 6 hours away!

[somebodymiami]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

Yes, but I live in Pittsburgh and the closest real beach is 6 hours away!

so, lol i live in like the suburbs of the city, about a mile from the city limits. but the closest beach is like 6 miles away and most houses were built in the 80's, most of the people i know about 70% go to the beach atleast 3 times a year, it really is not that great, and its hard to have time to go. you northerners make our prices go up with your false dreams no hate just truth

[hiknapster]

Preach it!

I've been telling people for years this stuff. First they thought it was going to keep going up. They did that well past the peak. Then we had the fun watching them call a never-ending bottom. Now they are back saying things are going to go up, up, up, again.

Based on what? The place has always been for the low-to-middle-income retiree and the minimum wage service jobs that support them. The place is a mess.

Originally Posted by MisterNY

Go to SW Florida (Lehigh Acres, Imokalee and parts of Naples) on any given day, and you'll see. That's proof of what you're saying (in bold). There are no industries there. I don't even know what prompted people to go crazy during the boom to get a house there.

Some people I know are kicking themselves right now . Some friends approached me to invest money in some of those houses. I was the first to tell them it wasn't a great idea, unless they wanted a place to isolate themselves and relax. I dont like telling people "I told you so", but everytime some mention how they're considering letting go of these properties....the look on my face says it all..

There are no diverse industries there, let me correct myself..hardly any industries there for people to work and live...

It was bound to happen...They are the hardest hit. The house prices declined faster than everywhere in Florida. You can get deals over there for dirt cheap, but nobody is buying...