Naples--ANYthing positive? (Miami, Tampa, Tallahassee: layoffs, school districts, teacher salaries)

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by square-deal

. . . or, is that just about ANY place, once you get down there? . . . or . . . NO place, 'cause the place is full of retirees!?

Well, Miami is only an hour and a half and Ft. Lauderdale is only an hour...I like to go to that side of the state to relax.

[square-deal]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I agree, I would much rather raise my kids in the wonderful family envrionment of Queens! That's also pretty disrespectful to talk about the pay at the private schools when the OP has already basically confirmed their job. I don't know what would make you think that private schools pay any lower than the public schools anyhow...private schools in Florida typically pay high. As far as public, Collier pays like crap to my knowledge but teacher pay in Florida is actually midpack. When you factor in that the state has no income tax, your takehome pay is very similar to the national average Teacher Salaries by State. Oh and at that, the average pay was higher than Kansas. Read the post throughly before you assume something about someone you have never met before and do your research before you assume something about a state that you have never lived in before.

Hey, Compelled! Your comment about income taxes is interesting. That's good: no income tax! But, politicians gotta' spend one way or the other! Where do they get the money? Somebody mentioned to me that Florida taxes investment income, or some such thing. Do you know about that? Or, the more general question: Which pocket are they going to be picking?

[Tarastomsgirl]

Originally Posted by square-deal

Hi tarastomsgirl, Thanks for taking the time to respond. This past winter was pretty bad in Kansas, too, not just in the Northeast. I'm pretty sure I'd like Florida in the winter . . . but . . . if I move, it will be this July . . . and frankly, I'm concerned about the heat and humidity at that time of year. Just need to be sure anyplace that I rent is air-conditioned I guess. Your comment about your relatively inexpensive bill for running the air conditioner is encouraging! I've never had the opportunity to spend any time day after day on the beach. That could be difference. I burn easily! . . . Guess sunscreen might take care of that, if I can remember to apply it every day!

It will be hot and humid in the summer.. Thats a given. Just take the proper measures to make sure you are comfortable.. A/C in Fla unlike most northern states is standard in apts/housing. You won't find one that rents without it. I could not however find one with it up north and it was needed badly!....

[square-deal]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Well, Miami is only an hour and a half and Ft. Lauderdale is only an hour...I like to go to that side of the state to relax.

Oh! I guess that's not too long a drive. I hear the Atlantic waves are nicer (in some people's estimation) than the relative calm of the gulf. The sunsets over the gulf look attractive in pictures! Guess the sunsets wouldn't be much of an "attaction" for visiting college kids, though, huh?

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by square-deal

Hey, Compelled! Your comment about income taxes is interesting. That's good: no income tax! But, politicians gotta' spend one way or the other! Where do they get the money? Somebody mentioned to me that Florida taxes investment income, or some such thing. Do you know about that? Or, the more general question: Which pocket are they going to be picking?

They are going to nab you with the property taxes. Even if you are a renter, you are still paying for them.

[square-deal]

Originally Posted by Tarastomsgirl

It will be hot and humid in the summer.. Thats a given. Just take the proper measures to make sure you are comfortable.. A/C in Fla unlike most northern states is standard in apts/housing. You won't find one that rents without it. I could not however find one with it up north and it was needed badly!....

I've always tried to avoid running the A/C, in order to "save". Guess I won't even worry about it down there!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by square-deal

Oh! I guess that's not too long a drive. I hear the Atlantic waves are nicer (in some people's estimation) than the relative calm of the gulf. The sunsets over the gulf look attractive in pictures! Guess the sunsets wouldn't be much of an "attaction" for visiting college kids, though, huh?

Eh, both sides are pretty calm but we get some swells on the east side. I like to body surf and we sometimes get some good enough swells for that.

[square-deal]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Eh, both sides are pretty calm but we get some swells on the east side. I like to body surf and we sometimes get some good enough swells for that.

Yes! I like body surfing, too. And boogie-boarding. Are there EVER any waves, or swells, big enough for an adult to body surf there in Naples?

[compelled to reply]

Honestly, I'm not sure, but I think it's pretty rare. I have never seen anything bigger than 3 feet there. Naples has a great beach for just swimming and relaxing but not so much for other sports...

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by square-deal

Yoww! I've been browsing the comments about Naples. I've 99% decided to take a teaching job at one of the private schools there. BUT, I'm pretty shocked by all the negative comments I've discovered on this site about Naples, in particular, and the whole southwest Florida area, in general (not to mention almost the WHOLE of Florida)! Maybe I should just remain here in Kansas City, Kansas! (The winters are preeettty bad, though!) I'm actually thinking of moving into a unit at the Serano in Hammock Bay that is for rent. I believe I will be able to afford that, OK.

Does anybody have anything positive to say about Naples? About SW Florida? About living in a highrise like the Serano? Anything?

The Serano! Holy cow! Hammock Bay is very high end. The only drawback there is it is somewhat isolated from the rest of Naples. It is very close to Marco Island so if that is where you are working you will be fine.