Southwest FL.. Chat room (Tampa, Clearwater: relocate, property taxes, condos)

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by mrshvo

Got signed contract; bought on one of the bird streets. Couldn't afford anything in 3 Oaks!!

Congrats!

[nomoresnow]

Yay, Mrshvo!

[bhau]

which part of FL is called the panhandle ? ..thanks

[bhau]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I assume you are asking me..No, I don't live in Ft Meyers.
I lived in Tampa for 30 years..

would you recommend the Tampa area for a retiree , to relocate to , who wants to get away from the cold winters .. thanks

p.s. only answer the foll. question , if you wish to... i'm not going to be offende if you don't ....Q:: where do you live now ?

[Suncoast Guy]

Originally Posted by bhau

would you recommend the Tampa area for a retiree , to relocate to , who wants to get away from the cold winters .. thanks

p.s. only answer the foll. question , if you wish to... i'm not going to be offende if you don't ....Q:: where do you live now ?

Hi. I don't mean to jump in here, but I would like to add me two-cents. I wouldn't recommend Tampa to retirees or to anyone to be honest and here's why: Tampa, like a lot of cities, has it's problems, the crime rate is high, and the town has more residents that Orlando! It's an older city, and it's kind of dumpy. Just remember this, last year Mayor Pam Ioreo's house was robbed. It's a conjested city and it's to me. But that's just me, and I don't mean to offend anybody, that's my opinion (or IMO for you texty people.) Keeper's opinion might be different, I guess we might find that out.

In simple terms, for a retiree, find a smaller city like Port St. Lucie or Sarasota is a wonderful city, and Cape Coral is good too.

Happy Choosing!!

[bhau]

Originally Posted by Suncoast Guy

Hi. I don't mean to jump in here, but I would like to add me two-cents. I wouldn't recommend Tampa to retirees or to anyone to be honest and here's why: Tampa, like a lot of cities, has it's problems, the crime rate is high, and the town has more residents that Orlando! It's an older city, and it's kind of dumpy. Just remember this, last year Mayor Pam Ioreo's house was robbed. It's a conjested city and it's to me. But that's just me, and I don't mean to offend anybody, that's my opinion (or IMO for you texty people.) Keeper's opinion might be different, I guess we might find that out.

In simple terms, for a retiree, find a smaller city like Port St. Lucie or Sarasota is a wonderful city, and Cape Coral is good too.

Happy Choosing!!

hi , Suncoast Guy ...appreciate your input......thanks
any comments for Punta Gorda..?? too expensive ??
couldn't find Port St. Lucie on the map

[mhoward48]

Hi,
I am trying to find out if they passed the tax swap bill they were talking about? I read awhile back they were going to put one on the ballot, to help lower home owners tax? I thought it was going to go be determined today, or read something about it being on Friday, for them to decide.

Trying to determine if we can move to the beautiful state of Florida or not. To tell the truth, it is very confusing to me, reading about the property tax info. I cannot find if this tax swap ever came about?

They spoke about making the sales tax higher, then lowering the property tax. I was not sure if it was good or not.

Any help or info on this would be appreciated. Would like to know If I could afford to move there.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by mhoward48

Hi,
I am trying to find out if they passed the tax swap bill they were talking about? I read awhile back they were going to put one on the ballot, to help lower home owners tax? I thought it was going to go be determined today, or read something about it being on Friday, for them to decide.

Trying to determine if we can move to the beautiful state of Florida or not. To tell the truth, it is very confusing to me, reading about the property tax info. I cannot find if this tax swap ever came about?

They spoke about making the sales tax higher, then lowering the property tax. I was not sure if it was good or not.

Any help or info on this would be appreciated. Would like to know If I could afford to move there.

Don't count on it. It has to go to the tax committee next week, I think, and then before voters in November. However, proponents of the bill now say that Floridians would end up paying more with the tax swap.

Google it.

Public Hearing Held to Discuss Florida's Tax Swap Plan

Senate Leader Stirs Opposition To Tax Swap - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville

[mhoward48]

Thank you. Does it sound like a bad way to go about lowering the property tax, to you as well? Are there some other ideas they may be looking at, to help lower the taxes?

Thanks for your info, and I will check out the links.

[hiknapster]

I think they are going to get you one way or another.

Up here in Tennessee, the property tax is low, but, wow, do they stick it to you on sales tax. It's 9 percent in Knox County and they tax groceries. They are also trying to attract retirees by luring them with the low property tax, but then they stick it to them with the huge Hall tax that taxes investments.

I think what really burns me is that Florida offers little for the taxes that you pay, with subpar safety and educational services.

But bear in mind that Florida property taxes are higher because real estate values went through the roof. With values sinking like a stone, taxes may not be that high.

I've lived in the northeast, Florida and now Tennessee, but it is only my opinion.