white flight (Miami, Plantation, Weston: crime rate, school rankings, quality of life)

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by NCN

Sorry. I did not mean to ruffle your feathers, but when the clerk is behind a glass like a bank, it kind of gives you an idea the area is not safe. There was a guard in the parking lot of our condo and the condo was very nice, but the area was something I was not used to. I guess some of us country people get a little education when we go to other areas and it is bad enough here. I grew up in an area where we did not have to lock our doors when we left home. I had a friend go to Alexandria, Virginia and she said the people at the McDonalds was behind this type window there too. That is all right for the person inside the glass, but how about the poor person needing service. It really gives you an uncomfortable feeling. This is not garbage, it is the truth. We probably will never go back to that timeshare. They always seem to have space available. The room we stayed in there was the prettiest room we have had with our timeshare, but outside the gates was another story.

I saw gas stations exactly like you mention when I was in Richmond , VA. two years ago .. it is not something unique to South Florida . I doubt there are too many places in our great nation where you can get away with not locking your doors .

[NCN]

Originally Posted by Cane Fan

I saw gas stations exactly like you mention when I was in Richmond , VA. two years ago .. it is not something unique to South Florida . I doubt there are too many places in our great nation where you can get away with not locking your doors .

We live in Union County, North Carolina and did not bother to lock our back door for about the first 20 years we stayed here. We have been the fastest growing county in America for a couple of years and things have changed here too. Those good old days were really nice though. I am not sure the home I grew up in in Wilkes County even had a lock to lock from the outside. I think we started locking our doors there when I was a senior in high school.

I don't remember saying the station was unique to South Florida. I had just never seen anything like that before. There are a lot of places I have not seen. I'm working on it though.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by MisterNY

Not taking a shot at you, Cane Fan, but you seem to want everyone to sweep everything negative (about South Florida) under the rug.

Let me stick-up for CaneFan -- he is VERY honest about SoFla, it's good points and negatives.

I take his point to mean (a point I try to make when I can) is that not EVERYTHING about SoFla sucks ALL the time to ALL people. And some people actually LIKE what it has become, including my wife and I.

Born here but mostly grew up in NY. Came back to Broward about 35 years ago, college in G'ville, then Atlanta for ~5 years, Coral Gables for ~5 years, San Diego for ~ 6 years, now back to Coral Gables. Wife born and raised here.
MUCH prefer Miami to Broward and enjoy everything it has to offer. NO WAY I would be living in SoFla if it was like it I remember 35 years ago.

And I wonder WHY, on a board devoted to discussing locales and sharing info about those locales, there are SO MANY people who seem to have nothing to add except negative criticisms? Suspicious, no?

[MisterNY]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Let me stick-up for CaneFan -- he is VERY honest about SoFla, it's good points and negatives.

I take his point to mean (a point I try to make when I can) is that not EVERYTHING about SoFla sucks ALL the time to ALL people. And some people actually LIKE what it has become, including my wife and I.

Agreed, No one said that was the case. I'm not some 60-70 year old, claiming to know what Florida was like 30-40 years ago (segregated, mostly farm land,swamps, good old days etc), but can respect all input, be in negative or positive. You are one of the few I have seen say that you like what it has transformed to. I am surprised, and it's a good thing. Not everyone is pessimistic about South Florida's change and not everyone wants to leave. Although I dont think many are going to work for change, but expect things to get themselves in order.

Born here but mostly grew up in NY. Came back to Broward about 35 years ago, college in G'ville, then Atlanta for ~5 years, Coral Gables for ~5 years, San Diego for ~ 6 years, now back to Coral Gables. Wife born and raised here.
MUCH prefer Miami to Broward and enjoy everything it has to offer. NO WAY I would be living in SoFla if it was like it I remember 35 years ago.

I can imagine. It was seemingly not like what it is now, if you like it. During its growth, it has managed to attract many good and bad elements, and is seeing its growing pains. Not unlike many other places, well understood..

And I wonder WHY, on a board devoted to discussing locales and sharing info about those locales, there are SO MANY people who seem to have nothing to add except negative criticisms? Suspicious, no?

People will be people, they will never be 100% satisfied, so that's normal. Humans are insatiable, and some more than others. As compelled to reply would say, you also have your malcontents...They're all over. You can't get rid of them. It's a revolving door, gotta either get used to it, or do the easiest thing....not log onto this forum to see them post.

[chisoxfan]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

And I wonder WHY, on a board devoted to discussing locales and sharing info about those locales, there are SO MANY people who seem to have nothing to add except negative criticisms?

Internet message boards are a bit like the Letters to the Editor were back in the day when newspapers were much more influential. People are much more likely to write something negative than positive -- seems like it's human nature. For proof, check out just about any Internet message board; the malcontents are more apt to speak up. Then again, let's not forget that Broward and South Florida aren't for everybody (as the population trends indicate).

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Let me stick-up for CaneFan -- he is VERY honest about SoFla, it's good points and negatives.

I take his point to mean (a point I try to make when I can) is that not EVERYTHING about SoFla sucks ALL the time to ALL people. And some people actually LIKE what it has become, including my wife and I.

Born here but mostly grew up in NY. Came back to Broward about 35 years ago, college in G'ville, then Atlanta for ~5 years, Coral Gables for ~5 years, San Diego for ~ 6 years, now back to Coral Gables. Wife born and raised here.
MUCH prefer Miami to Broward and enjoy everything it has to offer. NO WAY I would be living in SoFla if it was like it I remember 35 years ago.

And I wonder WHY, on a board devoted to discussing locales and sharing info about those locales, there are SO MANY people who seem to have nothing to add except negative criticisms? Suspicious, no?

Thank You !!!

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Let me stick-up for CaneFan -- he is VERY honest about SoFla, it's good points and negatives.

I take his point to mean (a point I try to make when I can) is that not EVERYTHING about SoFla sucks ALL the time to ALL people. And some people actually LIKE what it has become, including my wife and I.

Born here but mostly grew up in NY. Came back to Broward about 35 years ago, college in G'ville, then Atlanta for ~5 years, Coral Gables for ~5 years, San Diego for ~ 6 years, now back to Coral Gables. Wife born and raised here.
MUCH prefer Miami to Broward and enjoy everything it has to offer. NO WAY I would be living in SoFla if it was like it I remember 35 years ago.

And I wonder WHY, on a board devoted to discussing locales and sharing info about those locales, there are SO MANY people who seem to have nothing to add except negative criticisms? Suspicious, no?

not everyone likes South Florida, so what. If someone doesn't like something they are going to express that, let them. I don't see why people are so insecure that they have to argue with someone when they express their dislike for south florida.

[MisterNY]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

not everyone likes South Florida, so what. If someone doesn't like something they are are going to express that, let them. I don't see why people are so insecure that they have to argue with someone when they express their dislike for south florida.

Thank You!!!

[doggiebus]

BTW, I have been to a few gas stations like this lately. Gas Stations that were never like this in the past, are now doing this. I guess they have had problems. Its a real pain btw, because you have to guess how much to put in your tank, and sometimes don't get a full tank. I guessed this week at a station and was a quarter of a tank short. I wasn't about to go back to the window to guess at how much that quarter of a tank would cost me. So they lost out on some money.

Originally Posted by Cane Fan

Where do people come up with these stories ... I have lived here for thirteen years and I have never had a place "demand" money before I filled up ...

[Cane Fan]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

not everyone likes South Florida, so what. If someone doesn't like something they are going to express that, let them. I don't see why people are so insecure that they have to argue with someone when they express their dislike for south florida.

Obviously , not eveyone likes South Florida ... there is much in fact that I do not like and would change if I could ... but this is supposed to be an informative forum highlighting data on cost of living , employment , places to live , crime rates , school rankings , demographics , restaurant reviews , arts , culture ... not highly personal opinions and personal dislikes that can border on unfair , can be mean spirited and even racist .. this forum has ceased becoming a place to go , for where can I send my kid to school or what good Cuban restaurant can I go to this week end or what nice beach can I take to family too ... but it has become a place for naysayers to vent and spew in a twisted form of therapy for some I guess .. your comment "Wildstyle" implying that I am insecure is exactly what I refer too ... I happen to be a UM graduate , who is just entering his second year of his MBA program at FIU while working now almost full time at Ryder Corp so I resent your implication and I hold firm that a few posters are making this site a negative place to participate in . We have enough issues in South Florida to have be subject to negative opinion on an almost non stop basis .. Wild style why don't you and Mr. NY create your own I hate South Florida forum and spare everyone else here your profound words of wisdom ?