I'm not wearing rose colored glasses in Broward County after all after I analyze...

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by tallrick

The affordability issue ruins it for me and many people. If you want to attract and keep highly educated or friendly people, get those home prices down! As for public schools being bad, thank the Department of Education. If I had my way the school board would be eliminated as well.

As for traffic, do you ever drive 595? We don't even have to discuss I-95. Thankfully most of my road time in Broward is on I-75. Broward's built out, so don't expect less crowding anytime soon.

I have never had any problems on I-95. I used to commute from Hollywood to out west at 5 in the afternoon. Never had any problems, except a little bottleneck kind of thing as University Drive on 595. The roads were definitely at their capacity, but moving along at full speed. Now, in the mornings, 595 is a different story SOMETIMES, but if you just take Griffin down to Davie RD and get back on where it starts moving again, it's no big deal.

Basically, quality of life is not the issue in MOST areas (not all though, some areas are definitely the pits). The issue is if this life is really worth it. Like I said, if I had to do it again, I would go for a city like Houston..

[chisoxfan]

I don't think those who like Broward are wearing glasses of the rose-colored persuasion. If you like warm weather and being where there's a lot of action and diversity -- and you have the financial wherewithal to deal with some of the pocketbook issues -- then Broward is livable.

At the same time, I don't criticize people who want to leave because of very real problems such as the high cost of living, poor schools, overcrowding, whatever. To each his or her own. There's a guy who posts on the Tennessee boards who has moved from Palm Beach County to Hawks Bluff, which is in the middle of the wilderness, and says he would rather drive 50 miles to work every day than put up with the South Florida rat race. Will he still feel that way if/when oil prices hit $100 a barrel, gas is at $4 a gallon and the cost of that 50-mile drive day after day is prohibitive? If the answer is yes, more power to him, because being in a peaceful, quiet region obviously is a priority. Just as those who like Broward have their reasons, too, and can live with some of the negatives.

[121804]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

When I say public schools are "Crap", I mean that in the most basic sense, as in a low overall graduation rate, 3rd graders who can't read, and lots of fighting and violence. Doesn't mean there aren't public schools that are "Good" in the most basic of the word, it's just that there are more "bad" ones than "good" ones. As far as whether they breed PC nonsense and have an outdated curriculum? Well, that's not a part of this thread! I personally have more faith in the public school system than the private one (where some guy is running it, can teach/do whatever he wants, and for all you know the kids can run around and do nothing and get straight As as long as he is "accredited". At least the public school system has guidelines, whether you like them or not), and I'm NOT a socialist by most stretches, but thats for another thread...

For many with school age children, school quality can be a deal-breaker for where they are hoping to live or will move to, etc. That is one of the reasons we are leaving & moving. There are public schools that are better than other public schools in every state. Much depends on state funding; city taxes, etc etc etc. It is a messy & complicated issue almost anywhere. I can find tons of public schools that are better & worse than the ones in the county we live in. It requires a lot of research & homework by parents. Parents who are involved or people who are parents understand this aspect.
I am a teacher & will only teach in private school. The things you listed about private schools are way off the mark [though some charter schools & some questionable christian themed schools may fall prevy to what you mentioned]. I also take 1/2 to 3/4's less pay than a public school teacher. In any good private school, no one can just teach whatever they want. No decent teacher just lets kids run around & just randomly hand out grades, not matter what type of school it is .
Great that you are happy where you are at, but blanket statements about certain issues, especially if you are not directly involved with the issue, throw off your point.

[florida1]

Just because an immigrant has their "papers" doesn't mean they are legal. I have met plenty of people applying for jobs that have driver's licenses, resident alien cards, and social security cards. However, many of them are fake and the social security numbers are generally stolen. They often look real to the naked eye though. I don't think you can honestly say that Broward has a low number of illegal immigrants compared to the rest of the state simply because the immigrants in Broward have their papers.

[Robbied]

they really like to shoot and kill them here! The area has gotten disgusting. Talk about lack of respect.. People will shoot police they will shoot anyone.
It is getting near time for us to go too.

[Robbied]

People are quite rude on those roadways aside from the traffic issues. You can be driving along when some broken down truck comes along with tree limbs falling out on the road and garbage flying off the truck.

I was almost pushed off the road by someone a few weeks ago. I had to call FHP while on 595 at 3pm because an idiot was trying to push me off the road. I apparently changed lanes (I always signal and do not cut anyone off) and he was upset because I would not go above 75 miles an hour. He got beside me and followed me almost to my house while trying to push me off the road.

The traffic is horrendous on 595 going east beween 7am and 830am and going west 430p-7pm.

[THX 1138]

The more that leave the better, when they move to the "real south" aka NC they will get a fill of the rednecks and never be happy. Good riddance! Take your pick, gold teeth or no teeth! lol

[Robbied]

I can not tell you how many rebel flags I have seen down here in South Florida and worse in North Florida.

I think a few of the neighborhoods around here have Sanford and Sons living in them. Broken down trucks and cars and campers in the yards. You dont need to be anywhere but florida to see rednecks.

[bkynfl]

The reason you see them in NorthFL- because most come from SGA. I agree with you 100%. I grew up in NKY(near Cincinnati) and never had seen Confederate flags as I've seen in Florida. This was the first impression I'd developed when I moved to Florida. Granted NKY, where I grew up (outskirt of Cincinnati) is not like the rest of the state of KY (minus Louisville and Lexington) but most of the citizens there are professional ball players. Running into Bengal and Reds players was a common thing growing up; just like DR. Phillips near Orlando (outskirt of Orlando) is very common to see Tyra Banks, Tiger Woods and other pro-ball players.

Originally Posted by Robbied

I can not tell you how many rebel flags I have seen down here in South Florida and worse in North Florida.

I think a few of the neighborhoods around here have Sanford and Sons living in them. Broken down trucks and cars and campers in the yards. You dont need to be anywhere but florida to see rednecks.

[THX 1138]

Yes you see them here even in South Florida once and a while I see some redneck driving around in a beat up pick-up truck with a flag pole in the back, but I never saw one flying in someone's yard around here...I'm sure elsewhere in the state that is common place. Now in GA, NC, SC or the real south, that's very common. Even more on pick-up trucks driving around populated areas with strip malls and people of northern origin.