You just might NOT be qualified to live in SW Florida IF..... (Miami: fit in, rental)

[121804]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Geez...see? I TRY to be nice and ask people's opinions, and I get complainers. You can't tell me you do nothing but work! I work 6 and a half days a week and still have time to boat! I MAKE time to have some fun! Weekend nights we like to go out and hear local music! There must be SOME of that down there! We love the Keys too! We've been there FIVE TIMES!!! And we live a LOT further away than you do!! We are NOT independantly wealthy, I would tell you what mrs.cool makes per hour, but she'd kill me it's so embarassing. If you want to have a good time, you'll make the time.
Why would you move to SW Fl which has world class fishing, some of the world's top beaches, and not go to the beach, boat, or fish???
And whoever made the remark about how things are rosy while the real estate agent is there, and then what do you do when the AC breaks?? Well, I guess you'd fix it. But if you can't afford to, I guess you'll have to be hot. Whoopee. How about being in Wisconsin and the FURNACE dies on a weekend night when it's 20 below? I'll tell you what happens THEN if you can't afford to fix it. Your pipes freeze and burst and you freeze to death. Hmmm....I'll take the broken AC. Thanks.

Yes, we had our 21yr old furnace break down on this past Feb when it was below 24 degrees outside. And a 13 month old child and 3 yr old to tend to keeping warm. And, yes, we fixed it. And the stories of the eldery who die of dehydration and heat exhaustion in the summer... The comparision of hot versus cold is a pissing match that has no need. We all like different things.

The point was that those who are in the business of selling a place will make it look as good as possible. Just makes sense. Are there some honest realtors out there? Yes. But they still have a bottom line and that is to sell a home. Whether or not the buyer can afford the UPKEEP of a home is not their problem nor the mortgage companies, is it? And unfortunately, too many people want to hear all good all thetime and not deal with the reality of what homeownership entails. Hence, some of the reason the entire country is in the mess that it is at this time. Point blank range of the housing mess can be found in SWFL. Everyone knows it. That's nondebatable. The greed of investors, builders, and some buyers has created a monster.

Again, you have yet to acknowledge that young families (grade school & younger children) may face a unique challenge living in area very well known catering to retirees and snowbirds. If you cannot see what challenges those pose to young families(and challenges that are possible to overcome to an extent minus the education mess down there), that's unfortunate. But I guess if it holds no value to you, so be it.

That's great it has good fishing and bands to listen & see.

Some people who live in SWFL has to earn an income and are not at a point to retire. Their reality is far different than what yours will be when you move there. So, how can you debate what they have time & money to do when you will not have to deal with what they are in SWFL?

My husband & I would love to go out every weekend. But that entails getting a babysitter and about $50 to pay her for the evening. We don't have $50 a weekend to hand out to a babysitter.

Are you aware of red tide? What Yachtcare said about the beaches was beyond correct. I suggest doing some reading on the beaches in SWFL. The drainage is an issue and several times during the summer months, the beaches are closed due to bateria counts. Walking Sanibel is nice when you don't have to dodge the dead fish. That's reality.

Is it all hell and horror? No. But it's bad, very bad. There are some very severe issues. We found out through a friend that the condo we rented has CDW. Several of the condos in the complex do. And there are some decent people who live there. Are you aware of the cost to repair CDW?

Do you know what some parents go through due to Lee County school choice?

Do you have to rely on earning income in SWFL or do you just get to move down, golf, boat & hit up the early bird specials without a care in the world?

Those who are retiring deserve to do such. But it seems many times those who are retiring or snowbirding are so quick to forget that at one time, they also worked very hard & probably went through tough times...so as you drive to meet your golf time or are lounging on your boat at 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon...don't forget that there are lots of people in SWFL that are dealing with issues that boating, fishing, and listening to bands do not resolve.

And just as some people living in colder states greatly dislike the cold, there are some people who live in warmer states who don't like the heat. Why do those who are moving to the area intensely assume a person loves sweltering heat from April-October & wants to walk in the sand Sunday through Saturday? Some people enjoy museums, parks, the mountains, historical landmarks, and so on...not really found in Port Charlotte but they stil live there...

[yachtcare]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Geez...see? I TRY to be nice and ask people's opinions, and I get complainers. You can't tell me you do nothing but work! I work 6 and a half days a week and still have time to boat! I MAKE time to have some fun! Weekend nights we like to go out and hear local music! There must be SOME of that down there! We love the Keys too! We've been there FIVE TIMES!!! And we live a LOT further away than you do!! We are NOT independantly wealthy, I would tell you what mrs.cool makes per hour, but she'd kill me it's so embarassing. If you want to have a good time, you'll make the time.
Why would you move to SW Fl which has world class fishing, some of the world's top beaches, and not go to the beach, boat, or fish???
And whoever made the remark about how things are rosy while the real estate agent is there, and then what do you do when the AC breaks?? Well, I guess you'd fix it. But if you can't afford to, I guess you'll have to be hot. Whoopee. How about being in Wisconsin and the FURNACE dies on a weekend night when it's 20 below? I'll tell you what happens THEN if you can't afford to fix it. Your pipes freeze and burst and you freeze to death. Hmmm....I'll take the broken AC. Thanks.

Well, when you are self employed, you work. If your NOT working at working, you're working at finding work to be working at. Especially these days, in SW Florida.

When I first moved here, in 1991, yes I did some of those things, but after a while, as I suspect it is anyplace where one is NOT ON VACATION, daily life takes precedence over all the "world class whatever" you may happen to live near.

My work takes me to the waters edge nearly every day, and keeps me outside in the sun. On a big white piece of plastic, that's reflecting the UV, that's reflecting off the water, and it's hot. Can you say grave concerns over skin cancer? And did I mention the kidney stones?(Now THAT'S complaining, by the way) On my downtime, I like something a little different. Hiding from the sun, in an air conditioned office and posting on CD is an affordable pastime, isnt that pathetic? That's what working/living in SW Florida will do for ya!

My point wasnt that I do not have fun, I do, and I'm not saying life is one continuous crap fest....My point is that living in SW Florida is like living in the middle of one continuous crap fest.......

A parting, rhetorical question for you, M/M Cool. Where you live, how many times per month did/do you drop all, "and just go to the beach"? Or made a six hour drive, just to spend a day at someplace you like?(my equivalent to a trip to Key West)

[nhkev]

What I did today: Woke up , ate breakfast , chartered a boat, did some fishing, went to cayo costa (beach was absolutley beautiful , water was beautiful) went to the lazy flamingo in Bokeelia where they cooked up the fish we caught , drank a few beers, did some more fishing. Went home took a nap , ate dinner, went to cape harbour got some gelato listened to a live band playing outside at the joint. Did all with my 3yr old and 5 yr old I don't do babysitters I take my kids everywhere.

Wow that was a long run on sentence, here's a nice short one .. I had fun today. Maybe you should have skipped grammar class too and watch cnbc instead.

[hiknapster]

Just an observation, but I'm noticing that some people don't play well with others, so wherever they go, there they are, and perhaps they deserve to move to southwest Florida.

I'm just sayin'.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by nhkev

Maybe you should have skipped grammar class too and watch cnbc instead.

Or married well.

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Or married well.

Or are full of crap....

I guess if you are handed the perfect life, then it is just happy happy joy joy living down here, all rainbows and happiness, but for we who have to WORK for a living, not so great.

[ChrisA70]

Here is what I did today: Woke up, took shower, ate bowl of cereal, drank coffee, drove to WORK(this is a place where you do things to make money to live on) through the traffic, worked all day fixing AC's peoples broken things in thier apartments, of course I work at a place where 60% of the people do not have jobs and are on section 8, or fixed income, yet drive around in 2008 cars, sweat by butt off all day, by 3pm I was nearly comatose from the heat, drove home through the lovely traffic again, ate dinner, sat down to relax, pager went off, had to drive back to work, fix another air conditioner, drive back home AGAIN, relax for an hour, go to bed.... Here I am repeating the whole process.

This is in the real life of someone who has to work for a living.

[nhkev]

Originally Posted by ChrisA70

Or are full of crap....

I guess if you are handed the perfect life, then it is just happy happy joy joy living down here, all rainbows and happiness, but for we who have to WORK for a living, not so great.

full of crap, nope.

handed perfect life, no. I have worked at gas stations, kitchens, retail stores, carpentry , tree work , mortgage business, and entertainment. No matter what I did I lived within my means. I don't mean I could afford my bills. I always made sure to put money in Savings, 401k's , college plans , then what was left over is what I lived on. never wasted money on things like smoking,scratch tickets, drugs, alcohol, high tech gadgets, $40k cars, avoided credit cards. But I also made sure to enjoy my life, Today we're packing a cooler and going to Sanibel , Paying for parking and toll will be the only expenses, so you can enjoy life on a small budget. Marrying well certainly helps and I did... but when I met my wife she was working at Dunkin donuts, and then McDonalds, and her dad had been laid off for about 9 yrs. Marrying well meant my wife shared the same financial discipline and drive to be successful. True that I would not be able to live my vacation style life without her, but if I'm out on the boat I bring a change of clothers for her , I prepare dinner and she meets me at the dock at 5:30 and we eat out on the lake and on the weekends we switch roles. Do I have the perfect life now? Yes, but nothing last forever I'm just enjoying it while it lasts.

One thing that obviously makes a big difference is that I work at night so during the day I'm able to do a lot more stuff.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by nhkev

full of crap, nope.

handed perfect life, no. I have worked at gas stations, kitchens, retail stores, carpentry , tree work , mortgage business, and entertainment. No matter what I did I lived within my means. I don't mean I could afford my bills. I always made sure to put money in Savings, 401k's , college plans , then what was left over is what I lived on. never wasted money on things like smoking,scratch tickets, drugs, alcohol, high tech gadgets, $40k cars, avoided credit cards. But I also made sure to enjoy my life, Today we're packing a cooler and going to Sanibel , Paying for parking and toll will be the only expenses, so you can enjoy life on a small budget. Marrying well certainly helps and I did... but when I met my wife she was working at Dunkin donuts, and then McDonalds, and her dad had been laid off for about 9 yrs. Marrying well meant my wife shared the same financial discipline and drive to be successful. True that I would not be able to live my vacation style life without her, but if I'm out on the boat I bring a change of clothers for her , I prepare dinner and she meets me at the dock at 5:30 and we eat out on the lake and on the weekends we switch roles. Do I have the perfect life now? Yes, but nothing last forever I'm just enjoying it while it lasts.

One thing that obviously makes a big difference is that I work at night so during the day I'm able to do a lot more stuff.

When I worked the Midnight shift, all I wanted to do was sleep all day.

[kristin4]

Originally Posted by nhkev

What I did today: Woke up , ate breakfast , chartered a boat, did some fishing, went to cayo costa (beach was absolutley beautiful , water was beautiful) went to the lazy flamingo in Bokeelia where they cooked up the fish we caught , drank a few beers, did some more fishing. Went home took a nap , ate dinner, went to cape harbour got some gelato listened to a live band playing outside at the joint. Did all with my 3yr old and 5 yr old I don't do babysitters I take my kids everywhere.

Wow that was a long run on sentence, here's a nice short one .. I had fun today. Maybe you should have skipped grammar class too and watch cnbc instead.

Ah, that sounds so nice. I can't wait to be doing what you are doing. My kids are a bit older, 13 and 15 (I also have 2 adult children) and I, like you, take my kids everywhere, always did, never had a babysitter. (trying to out do you on the run-on sentences...)They are very excited about the move. They like fishing with their Dad.

You are a very blessed man, a wife, children and you are enjoying them and the place you call home. This makes for a very happy family!

Only 14 days left...then we will be down in our rental looking for a home to buy! I hope we are as satisfied as you. I truly believe life is what you make of it. One of the Great things about living in U.S.A.