[dlhanson]

Originally Posted by luvthatmouse

groceries are much more expensive.

Well, we are just snowbirds (for now) staying in the Tampa Bay area. We shop at a local organic store, a produce only store, Publix, and Walmart. Being strict vegetarians, we eat lots of fresh vegetables, citrus, whole grains and dry legumes. We haven't found these to be any more expensive than at home (in a mid Atlantic state). And the Florida cucumbers, tomatoes, and citrus are much fresher and tastier this time of year.

Here are prices for the foods that we eat while in FL, cucumbers at produce store 3 for a $1, navel oranges $6.95 for 1/4 bushel, brown rice at Walmart about $2.80 for 2 lbs (same as home), green split peas about 74 cents at Walmart for 1 lb (same as at home), Pomi box of chopped tomatoes $2.49 at Publix (same as at home), organic cabbage at organic store 99 cents, garlic $2 per pound at produce store, snow peas $2.99/lb at organic store, Pom pomengranite juice about $10.50 at Walmart (about 50 or 60 cents more than at home), fresh spinach about $6.50/lb at organic store, grape tomatoes $1.75 per pint at produce store (very tasty and fresh), butternet squash 99 cents/lb at produce store. We brought whole grain cereal and curry powder with us from home (both purchased at Amazon.com). Other than organic carrots (I can't recall the price), this is everything that we eat.

[Shoegal1075]

Originally Posted by luvthatmouse

Well, everything for us in FL is more expensive than MA, yet we are making about $30k less a year! We were paying $740/month for rent (on the train line into Boston) when we left in 2004. Moved here and paid $950/month in rent then $930/month + condo fees + HOA + taxes after we bought the place we were living in. Same size place. Parents moved from NYC to FL and their property taxes jumped from $3,000/yr to $7,000/yr! Our taxes is $2,500/yr on an 800 sf condo. Electric is twice as much, groceries are much more expensive. MIL sends the grocery store fliers from MA/NH so we can compare prices and FL is WAY more expensive. At our local Publix milk is $3.50/gallon, ground beef usually $3.99/lb., bread $3.99+ for a loaf, pack of 3 pepper $5.99-crazy prices. Housing is much cheaper and that is one of the reasons we moved, but it is also much more cheaply made. Not the same types of neighborhoods either. People come and go all the time. We are in a nice area and it is even turning into all vacation homes since no one can afford to live here year round.

Wow - mouse - I always thought Boston was very expensive - I never really thought of it as cheap - I can't imagine that the rents would have doubled in that time - I can tell you rents in NYC have doubled in NY since 1998 - the expenses you just described are the same here sometimes more - with all that said, if given the chance would you go back to Boston?

[JimMe]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

Amen! 532 days for me......

You lucky dog! You're going to beat me to Florida by a year.

[luvthatmouse]

I think our Publix and Target (and even our Wal-Mart) are very expensive because we are about 5 minutes to Disney. Big tourist/vacation area. Our produce and beef are awful too! I was shocked. No double coupons either. I do like the Publix BOGO free though.

DH and I love a lot of things about Florida. We love our condo and our area, we have made many great friends here and there is always something to do! Unfortunately moving here ruined us financially We have been contract/part time or temp and now with no benefits for over 5 years now. DH's latest contract is up in March so we have been applying all over. I loved MA/NH so would move back there but unloading this condo is the issue now. Also my parents are here now and we don't love the cold. Ideally we can hang on to our condo.

[Y_NLD]

I certainly regret being born here.

The weather is 12 months of 80% humidity, in your face, hot, soupy air.

We had a recent cold front which felt like a breath of fresh air a few days ago, but then I remember again how it was getting to 83-84 degrees in the middle of last December.

Oh, and the school are utter garbage, and I'd call you an apathetic, irresponsible parent for moving here unless you find a really good private school. The public schooling system here is a jungle of hell, and is failing so many students in this state every year, giving them third-rate education.

No jobs here either.

Oh, and you have to drive everywhere, and it's impossible to walk anywhere.

Florida is the kind of pedestrian death by car nationwide.

Counting the days till I leave this hell.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by dcrubin

I certainly regret being born here.

The weather is 12 months of 80% humidity, in your face, hot, soupy air.

We had a recent cold front which felt like a breath of fresh air a few days ago, but then I remember again how it was getting to 83-84 degrees in the middle of last December.

Oh, and the school are utter garbage, and I'd call you an apathetic, irresponsible parent for moving here unless you find a really good private school. The public schooling system here is a jungle of hell, and is failing so many students in this state every year, giving them third-rate education.

No jobs here either.

Oh, and you have to drive everywhere, and it's impossible to walk anywhere.

Florida is the kind of pedestrian death by car nationwide.

Counting the days till I leave this hell.

the most negatives I have heard about the weather comes from natives. Of course, not transplants because they think it is paradise.

[Ken E]

I was always told no matter where you go, if you really want to know what it's like ask a native. That makes sense.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Ken E

I was always told no matter where you go, if you really want to know what it's like ask a native. That makes sense.

That doesn't work in Florida.

In Florida, most of the natives are "Southern" in culture, and the negative ones resent the influx of Northerners into their state.


That which a "native" often likes about Florida is what the "transplant" often finds repulsive, and vice versa.


Can't please everyone, so it's best that those who can't take it at face value, move on out.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

Wow - mouse - I always thought Boston was very expensive - I never really thought of it as cheap - I can't imagine that the rents would have doubled in that time - I can tell you rents in NYC have doubled in NY since 1998 - the expenses you just described are the same here sometimes more - with all that said, if given the chance would you go back to Boston?

I live 10 miles from the largest tomato grower in Florida (Immokalee). In fact I have bought packaged tomatoes. Where were they grown? NEW JERSEY. Ironic, huh? Live in Florida and buy New Jersey tomatoes.

[Swimmom32]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

That doesn't work in Florida.

In Florida, most of the natives are "Southern" in culture, and the negative ones resent the influx of Northerners into their state.


That which a "native" often likes about Florida is what the "transplant" often finds repulsive, and vice versa.


Can't please everyone, so it's best that those who can't take it at face value, move on out.

Tri your so right, my paradise is obviously someone elses misery...as far as Tomato's goes, DOES IT MATTER if they are from NJ???

why is it that I can buy California produce in NJ??

Oy vey some people complain about everything...