Why do you hate it here? (Miami, Orlando: real estate, agriculture, gated)

[TANaples]

I voted for bad schools because I work at one, no jobs which is obvious, nothing to do except beach, beach, and more beach, and terrible HOT, HOTTER and HOTEST weather!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by TANaples

I voted for bad schools because I work at one, no jobs which is obvious, nothing to do except beach, beach, and more beach, and terrible HOT, HOTTER and HOTEST weather!

This is the Ft. Lauderdale forum not the Ft. Myers forum. Even though it's only an hour away, it's millions of miles away in every other way.

For future reference, whether you like Florida or hate Florida, it is irrelevant to vote on this poll if you don't live in the Broward County area. This is about Broward, not Miami, not Naples, not elsewhere in Florida.

[surfer boy]

Saw some NC shoutouts in some of these messages! As compelled said, Charlotts is having some trouble in the crime dept., but there are lots of other nice areas like Raleigh, Winston Salem, and Greensboro.

Compelled, I can say it til I'm blue in the face, but you cannot compare CLT crime to that of Miami. I have lived in both states, and very familiar with both, and NC is most defintely safer. I have lived in both, remember. Like I stated before, try a poll on the CLT forum (asking Floridians) which is safer.

[compelled to reply]

Raleigh is good but the counties that are home to Winston Salem and Greensboro all have higher crime rates than Broward County and by far too.

PS- did you read the post above? I'm not comparing it to Miami, and I'm not interested in some boosted poll that is going to be full of realtors chanting of the promised land. NC was brought up once in this thread and oddly enough, that person thinks the people in South FL are nice! And yes, you are right, Charlotte metro area overall is safer than Miami-Dade County as a metro area but as a whole, the crime rate is higher than South Florida (with the inclusion of Broward and Palm Beach counties respectively), Orlando, Tampa, you name it, and guess what, it's nothing new, the Charlotte area has always had a high crime rate.

And the oh so important news (really, how many of you have actually been victims), just watch WSOC in Charlotte and try to keep the rose colored glasses on. Crime in Broward County is moderate by comparison standards, in Dade County and Orlando area it's very high, and in Charlotte it's even higher.

Crime in Charlotte, NC

AHHHHH, crime crime crime rime!!!!!!

[MisterNY]

Originally Posted by Edison Winter

I live in Broward County.

I do Hate South Florida.

Compelled I didnt check any of your choices on the poll because I couldnt decided on just one thing I hated about South Florida.

LMButt off ....You could have chosen a few. Still hard to choose, I know..

I will say this though I have been hear for 4 years now and I havent encountered many rude people at all. Actually most of the people I have had interactions with from Gas station clerks and people who work at CVS and Target all the way to Police and Fireman even a few pro athletes I met, and people I work with have been really really nice. So much so to the point I almost feel guilty about hating South Florida so much. Honestly all the people above and come to think of it the neighbors I have and have had and the people I met since moving down here, and not 1 person has disrespected me at all or have been rude to me at all.

I come from New Jersey and man o man that place is Rude to the bone.
Trust me people I lived in Jersey for 23 years and its bad there. Rude people definitly out way the nice people and thats from neighbors, to customer service people, all the way to Police. The Mean and Rude out weigh the nice.

Always exceptions. Glad your experience with people here has been better.

My problems with South Florida are as follows.

The Crime.

Its bad. Very bad. Even if you live in a nicer area if you drive about 2-5 mins away from there you could potentially be in a scummy area filled with Pawn shops and XXX video stores and see some scary lookin people wandering about. The crime is all over the news so we all know the areas where it seems more bad then good happens. Hialeah, Miami, Lauderhill, Opa Locka etc etc.

Although a major issue, it's everywhere. You can't escape it. I cannot deny that the areas mentioned above are bad, but sometimes somethings in better areas are exaggerated, or better yet people are too gullible. I live in SW Broward (PPines to be exact), and although a good area, why would someone in their right minds leave a laptop in their car in plain sight? Stupid move from the person who just got their window smashed. I'm citing an example that happened in my neighborhood a few months ago...In my opinion those are teenagers that may live in the area that committed the crime, not some thug from Opa Locka. Senselessness like that irks me. Not because where I live is gated, means I am safe and immune to crime. People have this false sense of security living in gated subdivisions, and therefore are not careful, downright goofy if you ask me.
People need to be a bit more vigilant, be it in Opa Locka, Weston or whatever neck of the woods they live in.

The Weather.

Same thing all year. Boring. Hot 80 degress and sunny. Thanks but I will take that 4 months out of the year only please. I like 4 seasons.

I'm with you on the 4 seasons. It's too hot here, but we knew that before moving here. We have to deal with that. It's nothing we the citizens or the politicians can do about. ....I love GA, NC, weather. Suits me well. Beautiful, and not extreme.

High Price of Housing.

Simple as that. If you rent or you own you gotta pay big bucks to live there.

Anyone who dares saying otherwise, is either stupid or a greedy realtor...

To Crowded.

Waaaay to crowded. Thats one of main problems with South Florida. Its brutal. Its so hard to get from point A to point B without getting stuck in 5 traffic lights and getting annoyed at 5 bad drivers.

No arguments there. I'm used to overcrowding though. I am from NYC, afterall. I just wish there was a better mass transit system, just in case I dont want to drive somewhere.

The News.

Wow its awful. TV news that is. Especially talking about Channel 7 I think its Fox? Belkis Narey or whatever her name is, that channel is the worst but most of the local networks down here the news casters and reporters mainly the woman dress to trashy. The guy news casters and reporters try to be to hip and GQ. I know its "local" news but damn they all act like nothing exist outside of there Broward / Dade bubble.

Another thing about the news is that the newscasters and reporters are mostly latin Rodriguez, Martinez, Gonzlaes, Hernandez, Luiz, Diaz, etc etc.
Now I know that South Florida is big on the Latin style and all but damn there is a serious lack of non latin newscasters and reporters on all the networks. From meterologist to news anchors and reporters you dont see many White, Black, or Asians its mainly hispanics. And I think thats unfair and will be writing to all the local networks news directors and asking why that is.

AMEN!!!! I thought the same right before I changed the channel...Channel 10 news is better in my opinion. Channel 7 news is no more than a cheap gossip-like show. Joan Rivers should replace them all, and her voice annoys me.

Lack of true American Feel.

If you lived in say Washington or Vermont or Michigan or about 40 other states and you were being taken on a surprise trip but didnt know where to and ended up in certain areas of Miami you would really have a hard time knowing that you were still in the United States of America. The tropical air, the 90 degree heat and blasting sun, the sound of reaggae and reagge tone and the site of all the caribiean and cuban people you might think you were either in Jamaica or Cuba.

Although most people of all backgrounds down here are nice and not "rude" it is depressing that I being a white american feel like I am a visitor in someones tropical country. From food shops, to local ads, the news, the languages often spoken other then english, the music, the majority of the people in public, the style of clothes, and many other things really lack the good old red white and blue USA feel. I have seen people mention here before and its true, that not many people who speak other languages down here find it important enough to learn english and adapt to the american culture such as eating a good old hamburger because they are so catered to in there original language and culture. They eat the same foods and speak the same language they were raised with. I know if I went to someone elses country I would be well prepared to adapt to that style.

As one of my colleagues says, Miami is North Cuba, and he's latino. Funny but true. Many Miamians were offended when a state rep. from Colorado made a comment of Miami resembling a third world country a few years ago. Aside from the ghettos and dilapidated areas, it's got it uniqueness (not that I care for it much). Reminds me of the Dominican Republic more than anywhere else in this country. I still prefer D.R over Miami. Nicer women, better food and more laid back..lol..

Another poster mentioned how Christmas is depressing and its true very true and sad.

True. I used to feel that way when I was single. Now with the kids, it's different. They have yet to see snow. It's not the same as NYC, but what makes the difference is how you make it happen versus where you make it happen. I see both your points though.

The way developers tear down perfectly good trees and disrupt land for wildlife disgusts me as well. All so they can add more apartments, more townhomes, more houses that are all the same cookie cutter style and look you know that ugly brownish pinkish cement look. And also hey we have a million cvs stores lets rip down this nice green area of land and trees to add another!

Build Build Build South Florida!

Capitalism, greedy bureaucrats, and poor planning.

South Florida will never change for the better to my liking. So I think its a matter of love it or leave it, and trust me folks I am leaving it sooner then later. Thank god I have a great family and great hobbies, and a best friend, and great pets to take my mind off this place.

Same here. We all have to find solace somewhere, somehow.

Just FYI I moved down here for family reasons not because I chose to. I would have never in a million years moved anywhere south of North Carolina. My family is down here and I had to come down here I honestly had no choice. I didnt think I would hate it this much but I do.

Same here. I had to move here with my parents as a teenager. No choice then. I liked it then, more than I do now. I also have the choice to leave, which is what I am opting to do in the future. Things that did not bother me, or I did not notice then, annoy me now (have been for a while). To clear the air, I moved back to NYC, Central Florida between then and now.

I wouldnt go back to Jersey though, they have there own major problems almost as bad as down here and might be worse considering how small that state is and how even more so overpriced it is there.

I will move some where, just havent decided where yet but Im excited about it.

Good points though....As for the restaurants, variety is good. Good to taste different cuisines. I dont mind that.

[sofritogirl76]

I hear what you are saying, Edison Winter. When I moved to South Florida I was very surprised at how international it was. There are parts down here where you will not see a single white person. By "white" I take it you are referring to White Anglo American, since most people do not seem to acknowledge the existence of white Hispanics or even bother to make a distinction for white Europeans. But you're right...not one red-blooded American in some parts. And I can see why that may bother some white folks.
However, the truth of the matter is, white Anglo Americans tend to bring this on themselves. As soon as a couple of minorities move into their neighborhoods, what do they do? They take off. So what happened? Life went on without "white people" and South Florida took form. That is what happens. If white people get upset because they feel like "visitors" in a place they perceive should still belong to them (their good ol' USA), then maybe next time you feel "threatened" by something foreign, you should probably think twice about all of you packing your bags, instead of holding your ground to "defend" it. Maybe English would not have become a second language in Miami if English speakers had stuck around to defend it... A lot of people don't learn English here because they don't need to.

South Florida is a richer place for having so many international people, the lack of white dominance has not stopped it from flourishing, and being fun and exciting, even though it has serious flaws, like most cities, and they should be examined and discussed.

However, about the fashion... you and I strongly disagree, my friend. I'll be the first person to criticize the super flashy, over-the-top designer-flaunting, ghetto-glam stuff down here... it can be awful, but South Florida people, in general, dress waaaay better than people in most states in the United States. New York and maybe Los Angeles being the only exception. Why? Because for better or for worse, appearances here matter... maybe a little too much and most people are clearly preoccupied with their weight, their bodies and their style.
The last couple of times I've been out on the town in Washington DC, New Jersey and Philadelphia I was shocked and dismayed by the fashion sense, or rather, lack thereof. One might argue that the fashion sense in South Florida is a bit loud or risqué... but one can also criticize Washington DC for making women dress "masculine" in order to get any credibility. I mean, Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld chose Miami to debut his recent Cruise 2009 Collection. He didn't pick New Jersey or Pennsylvania to do it. So, they must be doing something right down here...

And as far as Christmas goes, which was my post earlier, I do enjoy Christmas in Jersey waaay better. Jersey, Denver, Puerto Rico, New Orleans...anywhere but South Florida! I grew up accustomed to Christmas in the tropics and I can appreciate both a white and chilly Christmas as much as a rowdy, musical Caribbean one or a mellow and melancholy Southern one... my criticism stems from the fact that because there are so many foreigners here, there is no unified sense of celebration or theme. Everyone's all over the place, tradition-wise.

So I think you and I both will be on a flight come December... no matter how badly the airlines are treating us all these days...

[quote=Edison Winter;4321131]I live in Broward County.


Lack of true American Feel.

Although most people of all backgrounds down here are nice and not "rude" it is depressing that I being a white american feel like I am a visitor in someones tropical country. From food shops, to local ads, the news, the languages often spoken other then english, the music, the majority of the people in public, the style of clothes, and many other things really lack the good old red white and blue USA feel. I have seen people mention here before and its true, that not many people who speak other languages down here find it important enough to learn english and adapt to the american culture such as eating a good old hamburger because they are so catered to in there original language and culture. They eat the same foods and speak the same language they were raised with. I know if I went to someone elses country I would be well prepared to adapt to that style.

Another poster mentioned how Christmas is depressing and its true very true and sad.

[MisterNY]

Originally Posted by sofritogirl76

I hear what you are saying, Edison Winter. When I moved to South Florida I was very surprised at how international it was. There are parts down here where you will not see a single white person. By "white" I take it you are referring to White Anglo American, since most people do not seem to acknowledge the existence of white Hispanics or even bother to make a distinction for white Europeans. But you're right...not one red-blooded American in some parts. And I can see why that may bother some white folks.
However, the truth of the matter is, white Anglo Americans tend to bring this on themselves. As soon as a couple of minorities move into their neighborhoods, what do they do? They take off. So what happened? Life went on without "white people" and South Florida took form. That is what happens. If white people get upset because they feel like "visitors" in a place they perceive should still belong to them (their good ol' USA), then maybe next time you feel "threatened" by something foreign, you should probably think twice about all of you packing your bags, instead of holding your ground to "defend" it. Maybe English would not have become a second language in Miami if English speakers had stuck around to defend it... A lot of people don't learn English here because they don't need to.

South Florida is a richer place for having so many international people, the lack of white dominance has not stopped it from flourishing, and being fun and exciting, even though it has serious flaws, like most cities, and they should be examined and discussed.

Very good point. You said it best. "White flight" is the reason why these things happen. Great thinking. The sad thing is that some of these "minorities" that move into these areas want these same for their families (safety, great education, amenities etc). They work hard to achieve and accomplish certain things, just to "scare" away the natives. That's the reason why there are so many ghettos now in this country. It will never stop if "white flight" continues to exist. It wont stop either. Let's all get used to this cycle.

I dont know you, but love what you say..

[surfer boy]

Compelled, that's a lot of criminals. I noticed most were in the ghetto. And, something else was strange about all those photos of the criminals... almost like I saw a trend...

[Edison Winter]

Dont get me wrong I have friends of all backgrounds and am more attracted to latin woman then white woman.

I understand why people who live in Cuba or Jamaica or one of the islands below south florida, that want to move to America move to South Florida instead of say Vermont or Maine. Why? Because they dont want to feel like an outsider or a visitor in someone else's area. So of course they all move to the closest place possible which would be ...South Florida. Its perfect for them. They are surrounded by there people, there food, there weather just there way of living but what makes it better for them is that they get to enjoy all the rights and privileges and opportunities the USA has to offer without actually feeling like there in the USA. No snow, no cold weather, no worries about learning english and fitting it and adapting to the American way of living. And honestly I dont blame them for that because that seems like the easiest thing to do for them without a total change in there lifestyle. But again its me who feels like a visitor and outsider in someone elses country and thats why I have to make a move so that I am more comfortable and happy with the people around me, the weather and just the overall way of living.

I do have more respect for any latin or caribbean folks who want to live in America and choose to live north of florida and not in a direct pocket surrounded by there people. To me that shows that they truly want to enjoy America and adapt to the American way of living which includes building a snowman with your kid and learning to speak fluent english.
Or maybe even displaying an American Flag on your car instead of your home country.

With that being said I still dont find many rude people down here but I do find people to be catered to and spoiled in some ways.

[surfer boy]

"Or maybe even displaying an American Flag on your car instead of your home country."

Ahh... the American flag, I dont see too many of those. I see more Puerto-Rican flags for sure than any other flags.