Theory about those who dislike Florida (Tampa: house, rent, job)

[INeedAChange]

Leaving aside the native Floridians who are upset by some changes over the years, I've noticed that a lot of those who dislike Florida moved there from LA or other places out west. I'm wondering if this could partly just be an east coast/west coast thing? I lived on the west coast for one year a long time ago and I just couldn't relate to it. There are some very beautiful places out there but it just wasn't "me", and the lack of humidity freaked me out for some reason. I guess I am used to the big east coast cities and the way everyone is jammed together into small spaces, and the way people relate to each other here.

[Ken in Tampa]

HI,
I am one of those people who moved from the West Coast, or as you Floridians like to call it the "Left Coast".

I think I can answer your question with a definate "yes, it is a west-East thing". I live in Tampa and absolutely hate it here. I have been here fourteen years, due to having elderly parents who live here. I have quite a few friends here, but have never managed to relate to them or their lifestyle. I definately think it is a West vs East thing, not just a Florida thing. I moved from San Francisco which is about as liberal as you can get, then arrived in Tampa to what I consider to be as right wing - Christian conservative, as you can get.
I have never felt comfortable living here. I disagree with everyone about everything! That includes my friends. To elaborate a little - the gas wars- out west people believe in conserving. Here people seem to think it is their God given right to use up every resource available. Style - I could never imagine living in a huge house, with elaborate decoration. Here it seems to be the desired thing. Food - MEAT, MEAT, MEAT! I have never found a decent restaurant here, and if I did - it went out of business. People here eat huge portions of greasy fried junk! That seems to be the norm. I have never seen so many overweight people as here. I too do not like L.A., but because it is like the East Coast. In case you are not aware of it. Southern California and the rest of the West Coast like Northern Ca., Oregon, and Washington have little in common with each other. Most westerners opt for simplicity over elegance, wide open spaces over urban sprawl, and difinately are much more liberal in their political and environmental thinking. I hope I helped to answer your question.
Ken in Tampa

[INeedAChange]

hmm, I didn't realize Tampa is so right wing--that's good to know about in considering a move...personally I do think LA is quite different from the east coast, although it's also different from the Pacific NW

Originally Posted by Ken in Tampa

HI,
I am one of those people who moved from the West Coast, or as you Floridians like to call it the "Left Coast".

I think I can answer your question with a definate "yes, it is a west-East thing". I live in Tampa and absolutely hate it here. I have been here fourteen years, due to having elderly parents who live here. I have quite a few friends here, but have never managed to relate to them or their lifestyle. I definately think it is a West vs East thing, not just a Florida thing. I moved from San Francisco which is about as liberal as you can get, then arrived in Tampa to what I consider to be as right wing - Christian conservative, as you can get.
I have never felt comfortable living here. I disagree with everyone about everything! That includes my friends. To elaborate a little - the gas wars- out west people believe in conserving. Here people seem to think it is their God given right to use up every resource available. Style - I could never imagine living in a huge house, with elaborate decoration. Here it seems to be the desired thing. Food - MEAT, MEAT, MEAT! I have never found a decent restaurant here, and if I did - it went out of business. People here eat huge portions of greasy fried junk! That seems to be the norm. I have never seen so many overweight people as here. I too do not like L.A., but because it is like the East Coast. In case you are not aware of it. Southern California and the rest of the West Coast like Northern Ca., Oregon, and Washington have little in common with each other. Most westerners opt for simplicity over elegance, wide open spaces over urban sprawl, and difinately are much more liberal in their political and environmental thinking. I hope I helped to answer your question.
Ken in Tampa

[jolee]

There are probably a million reasons people relocate and find they do not
like Florida as much as they had hoped.
I think some people visit Florida and think it would be great
to live there, but once they do they see that Florida has its share
of problems just like everywhere else.
I think it depends on what problems you are willing to put up with.
I had thought about moving to Florida for at least a year. I finally
decided not to move because I was not willing to swap my problems I have now in Michigan with the problems in Florida. I had to brutally honest with myself.
I dislike humidity, I have a fear of bugs & hurricanes & etc.
THe reason I wanted to move initially is to get away from the snow & the 4 months of cold weather. I decided to put up with it because of the other postives in my life. There is very little crime and very little traffic in the town
I live in. People are nice and my daughter loves her school. So if I decide to
move anywhere it will be when she graduates.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

I can't imagine how bad my life would suck if I had to live in a place I hated to much Ken...

Luckily I live exactly where I want to...in Florida...not that I am conservative by any means.

[lorriem]

I grew up on the east coast (LI) but we lived in CA for 25 years and it is the weather in CA. We lived in the SF bay area and even in the summer you could open your windows at night and get some fresh air. It could go as high as 100 during the days but at night it would be in the 50's or 60's. Since moving here air is on 24/7.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

I have a broader theory, its not just people from Florida who are complaining, if you go and you will see someone going on about how they hate where they live...

I think some people are not happy unless they have something to complain about...

As far as I know we all have the free will to get up and move if we truly hate it that much...if responsibilities keep you where you don't want to be, grow up and live like an adult instead of crying into your milk all the time...

[Rhett_Butler]

Because people who complain about Florida on this website walk around in thier daily lives and complain about it to everyone they meet about town too... You can't dislike something and be a happy person after all!!!

Ergo, anyone who doesn't like Florida on this site is just a cynical bitter sort....

[travelerUSA]

Wherever you go just remember you always take yourself with you

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by Lisa_from_Debary

I have a broader theory, its not just people from Florida who are complaining, if you go and you will see someone going on about how they hate where they live...

I think some people are not happy unless they have something to complain about...

As far as I know we all have the free will to get up and move if we truly hate it that much...if responsibilities keep you where you don't want to be, grow up and live like an adult instead of crying into your milk all the time...

"All things in life will someday pass"


That is what my Grandma used to say when things in life got to be a burden. Having lived over half a century, I have learned that statement is true about 99.9% of the time.

Because of circumstances, I got a job working overnights. Do I like living the life of a "vampire"? Hell, NO. Do I complain about it? Hell, YES. BUT I took this shift knowing full well it would only be for a few months, NOT FOREVER. Otherwise, there is no way I would be working this.

It is the same with my move to Florida. Because of cirucumstances, I am moving to Florida, after having lived there before and moved away. Will I like living there? Hell, NO. Will I complain about it? Hell, YES. BUT I am moving knowing full well it will only be for a few years, NOT FOREVER. Otherwise, there is no way I would be moving there.