[ComSense]

Stuart is nice, to me, its just a little run down, at least in the areas I've been to. I have family there so I see it annually. But maybe I just see the older parts.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by ComSense

Stuart is nice, to me, its just a little run down, at least in the areas I've been to. I have family there so I see it annually. But maybe I just see the older parts.

The "older" parts are where the natives live.

[ComSense]

That could be, but not sure how you'd know that. My family lives on the water actually, they bought back when it was still "cheap." Then it went way up, and now back down again.

[Haai]

Originally Posted by lilred0005

Ok, Florida is a big state with lots of regional variety and even two time zones. Tell us what life is like in your part of Florida. First off, where do you live(roughly if you don't want to get too specific) in Florida? Are you in the Panhandle, Central Fla., North Eastern part, South East or West coast, Keys? Are you living in a rural area or one of our major metro areas? What is the weather like in your part of the Sunshine State? How about the geography- tropical, swampy, hilly? How about the foliage, Orange groves, Oak trees or Palm trees? Finally, what are the people like, Southern or a lot of transplants from the Northeast or Midwest? How's the crime? So, what is life like for you in your section of Florida? Thank you and have a great day, ..lil red..

I live in central western Florida (Tampa), in the heart of the city. This area is flat as a pancake - I've yet to see any hills in Hillsborough county.

Most of the trees here are oaks, especially in the older neighborhoods. There are palms everywhere, but you tend to see more of them in open areas, around office buildings, and in newer developments. The climate here can be described as subtropical. While the summers are hot and humid, it can cool off quite a bit in the winter (the lowest nighttime temperature I've seen here was about 47 degrees fahrenheit).

There's a very eclectic mix of people here. Some people are very nice, and others are not. The crime's a bit above average compared to other cities. From my experience, the most dangerous areas here in Tampa are the neighborhood that runs from Howard/Armenia Avenue eastward (in the 33607 zip code), and most of the eastern part of the city.

Personally, I love it here, but as I have said before, Tampa could do without the crime.

[parks71]

Jacksonville Fl

According to Folio weekly recently, we have lead the state in crime per capita for 10 years straight!

School systems? Florida is one of the top 5 worst states, Duval county one of the worst counties for Florida.

Climate, can get very hot in summer but some like that. Tomorrow its going to be 80 degrees! Winters are pretty mild.

Jobs are bad but its like that everywhere and I will say it is getting a little better but much room for improvement

Housing is still overpriced, infact one of the top 3 overprice markets in the USA according to an article in yahoo the other day.

Not a bad place to live if you are retiring, good waterways for boating and not too bad of a cost of living.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by parks71

School systems? Florida is one of the top 5 worst states, Duval county one of the worst counties for Florida.

That's not necessarily true. Not at all levels, AND the circumstances can vary based on county and city demographics. At the high school level, for example, quality can even change within the same school, based on whether classes are "regular" (awful) or honors, advanced placement or dual enrollment level courses.

Here is a ranking of public schools that puts Florida well in the middle of the pack for the elementary level:

Ranking of Elementary Schools in USA

And also at the middle school level:

Ranking of Middle Schools in USA


(Stanton Prep in Jax is nationally ranked, btw.... went to college and grad school with two or three Stanton grads, one is now a lawyer, the other has a government job).

[ComSense]

Chelsa,

To her, it may feel the same. To me, and you could probably ask Hiknapster to verify, but it feels a lot more humid in Miami/S FL. The actual temps may be very similar in the summer, but the humidity it what is so intense and makes it feel that much hotter.

[Shoegal1075]

As i pointed out to another poster in another thread, it is the most tropical part of what is probably the hottest state in the country - LOL. I think the problem witht he heat there is that there really is no end in sight. I promise you it gets really hot here in the city and on occassion, I think it gets hotter than Miami - NY goes well into the 90's with high humidity, but that usually only lasts for 3 days or so. It would be very unusual if it lasted the whole 2 months of our summer. So, it makes you appreciate your cool weather. Personally, I still think that heat is a little more bearable than the cold. that is just my opinion.

[ComSense]

In S FL, the intense heat and humidity lasts from May through early October.

[Shoegal1075]

I know LOL - that is my point - kind of like the cold here LOL.