[chocomom]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Lulu, you just always seem like you're happy and content there though and that means a lot. We'd love to live in Fla., but the financial part may be a problem. We're middle class and it just seems like a lot of people in our league are struggling to make ends meet down there.

There are a couple of other places that we think would also be near Paradise. Both areas have more economical living. Don't you ever wonder what it is about human nature that so many of us are always looking for something nicer?

I never really thought about nicer until economics became a key issue. Some things are just a better fit than others, and that goes for most things in life. Choosing a place to live is no different. But as a native Floridian, I honestly never truly thought I would leave until money became the driving force.

Lulu is happy. But she is not happy seeing the pain and struggle others are going through. It is very difficult for long-time residents to see the changes and not wonder, "What the heck is happening to my paradise?" FL is not a bad place. Financially though it has become a home for the well-off, and seems to be further headed in that direction.

[Jammie]

Choco, I understand completely. I guess I'm not really looking for a "nicer" place either. I just want a warmer place. I do love the area that I live in, especially when we take a half day drive and get to see beautiful scenery. It's not expensive to live here, (eastern So. DAk), but as a norm our winters are awful. We've just lucked out the past two winters.

We also absolutely love Florida and since we have extended family there, it seems like it'd be the place to relocate to. But with the way prices are going with insurances, taxes, etc. it just appears to be unaffordable for us, too.

But that's actually ok cause it just means that we're not meant to live there. We'll just have to enjoy going down there once a year and enjoying it then.

[DAVID_S]

Doesn't really matter to someone that's lived in the same house for the past seven years. Taxes can't go up more than 3% per year on homesteaded property. My house is still worth more than I paid for it in 1999.

The ones in trouble are greedy investors that drove up the prices through speculation in the first place.

[MrTudo]

[quote=Jammie;82393]Lulu, you just always seem like you're happy and content there though and that means a lot. We'd love to live in Fla., but the financial part may be a problem. We're middle class and it just seems like a lot of people in our league are struggling to make ends meet down there.

That depends on what you do for a living, how you want to live, where you want to live etc. You can buy a decent 3 bedroom 2 bath house with garage in the Port Charlotte area ( lookup zip code 33952 and area) which is essentially the beginning of South Florida on the west coast for under 200K easily. With a pool if you want one and if you have the chutzpah and take advantage of this buyers market you can make an offer within 20% of an asking price in many cases and get the deal. Markets like this don't come around very often so take advantage of it.

[ready2move]

Originally Posted by DAVID_S

Doesn't really matter to someone that's lived in the same house for the past seven years. Taxes can't go up more than 3% per year on homesteaded property. My house is still worth more than I paid for it in 1999.

The ones in trouble are greedy investors that drove up the prices through speculation in the first place.

True about the 3% cap on the property that you presently live in...but if you were to move to another location within Fl, that would be null and void. Our taxes currently run 3400 and have been in our house since 1992. If we were to leave, the new owners would be paying roughly 10,000 a year. We have made good money on our house, but we are prisoners in our home because we will have the same situation with the taxes if we were to move. If we "downsize" we will end up paying the same if not more for a smaller property.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by ready2move

True about the 3% cap on the property that you presently live in...but if you were to move to another location within Fl, that would be null and void. Our taxes currently run 3400 and have been in our house since 1992. If we were to leave, the new owners would be paying roughly 10,000 a year. We have made good money on our house, but we are prisoners in our home because we will have the same situation with the taxes if we were to move. If we "downsize" we will end up paying the same if not more for a smaller property.

Right! Excellent point. And that 10 grand a year adds to the "motivation" of potential buyers to keep on walking

[Bones]

Originally Posted by DAVID_S

Doesn't really matter to someone that's lived in the same house for the past seven years. Taxes can't go up more than 3% per year on homesteaded property. My house is still worth more than I paid for it in 1999.

The ones in trouble are greedy investors that drove up the prices through speculation in the first place.

This is true,but there's no cap on insurance

[DAVID_S]

Originally Posted by ready2move

True about the 3% cap on the property that you presently live in...but if you were to move to another location within Fl, that would be null and void. Our taxes currently run 3400 and have been in our house since 1992. If we were to leave, the new owners would be paying roughly 10,000 a year. We have made good money on our house, but we are prisoners in our home because we will have the same situation with the taxes if we were to move. If we "downsize" we will end up paying the same if not more for a smaller property.

I agree with you. What the state of Florida needs to do is increase the homestead exemption. The current homestead exemption is obsolete - it's been around ever since homes were selling for $75,000.

What I'd like to know is what the counties are doing with their windfall of property taxes ever since real estate went through the roof.

[MrTudo]

What I'd like to know is what the counties are doing with their windfall of property taxes ever since real estate went through the roof.[/quote]

The same thing that all facets of government does with the cash they rip us off for. The squander it and then claim they need more.

[lulu]

My, my...I've been figured out . Truly weird, since nobody can see me.

Yes, I'm a happy person guess it was my happy upbringing here...and I really, really love Florida as this is my home. Chocomom is right, I'm frustrated to have to witness what's going on everywhere I turn - everyone here is talking/concerned about all this. I want my neighbors to have the very same/equal chance to get ahead thru hard work - same chances everyone had here. Even the ones that are established I'd like to see them be able to feel free to sell, buy and not feel trapped. Lately at the grocery stores, shops, home depots, etc. w/the clerks I caught myself thinking "Hmm...I wonder how they're doing?" It's like all of this has consumed me...
Jammie, please don't give up .... remember that I speak from S.FL ...there are other cheaper parts in the state, like Ocala that you were interested in, that are not as expensive as here. We're still here due to my husband's job but once he retires, it'll be like..."See ya later, alligator..!"