Seriously Thinking....Jacksonville! (University, Villas: university, living in, move)

[LoveBoating]

Well, at first we thought about moving to Las Vegas, but the summer heat can get awfully high there and the wind can blow high as well. We were told that Lake Mead can get very crowded with boats and, when the wind comes up, the lake is no place to be on! We didn't want to move back to So Calif/Orange County due to traffic, cost-of-living, etc. including my wife's family who we really don't want to live close to again. But, as with the crime, if the heat/humidity is that bad (again) why do so many people chose to move to Jax and other areas of Florida and why do so many people chose to stay living there......we just don't get it. We do keep hearing about the heat/humidity, but there are STILL lots and lots of people still living in all parts of Florida!! My wife's brother lives down by Miami and the heat/humidity doesn't bother him! My wife's best girlfriend has a second home by Daytona and loves it there! Neither of them complain about the heat/humidity at all. Shoot, we were told by people in Colorado that there would be lots of heat/humidity here in NC and that sure didn't turn out so (at least didn't feel like it to us). Since the crime is high, heat/humidity is also high there, why oh why are so many people still living there??????

[projectmaximus]

People are just tryin to scare you away so they can keep the city's amenities all to themselves. Seriously, though, you're on your way now so I think all anyone can do is wish you luck and welcome you with open arms. I think you'll like the city and if you're smart and careful, you'll avoid most serious crime.

The heat and humidity in the summer sucks about as much as the snow and cold does up north in the winter. What can you do? Just adapt your lifestyle. I think from what you've said, your lifestlye will suit our climate well enough.

So, good luck and welcome!

[Web B. Rowser]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

Well, at first we thought about moving to Las Vegas, but the summer heat can get awfully high there and the wind can blow high as well. We were told that Lake Mead can get very crowded with boats and, when the wind comes up, the lake is no place to be on! We didn't want to move back to So Calif/Orange County due to traffic, cost-of-living, etc. including my wife's family who we really don't want to live close to again. But, as with the crime, if the heat/humidity is that bad (again) why do so many people chose to move to Jax and other areas of Florida and why do so many people chose to stay living there......we just don't get it. We do keep hearing about the heat/humidity, but there are STILL lots and lots of people still living in all parts of Florida!! My wife's brother lives down by Miami and the heat/humidity doesn't bother him! My wife's best girlfriend has a second home by Daytona and loves it there! Neither of them complain about the heat/humidity at all. Shoot, we were told by people in Colorado that there would be lots of heat/humidity here in NC and that sure didn't turn out so (at least didn't feel like it to us). Since the crime is high, heat/humidity is also high there, why oh why are so many people still living there??????

Loveboating, first of all, I think you chose the best area of FL (the northern part) and I think you chose the best big city in FL to live in.

In response to your post above, I think a lot of people choose to move to FL for 2 main reasons: They are northerners tired of the cold (so they go from one extreme to another), and there are no income taxes. Some folks may move here for the beaches too. But below are some responses to your post above, and once again, I just say it like I see it. take it with a grain of salt, I hope you enjoy FL, I really do. Like I said, you picked the best part of the state to live in.

So yes, a lot of people have moved here, but the growth in FL is really slowing down, in fact, FL is probably losing people now. And here are the reasons (in my opinion): overcrowded (it didnt used to be), too expensive (it didnt used to be), with a large influx of people from all over including cities like NYC, Boston, and Philly, along with many foreigners (especially hispanics and hatians) a lot of "white flight" is going on, so we are losing a lot of the natives. Crime is also high (overall) in FL due to all the people, as well as congestion, traffic. A lot of rude folks also move down here and make FL their home, people who just cant seem to drive right or with consideration, etc... So yes, a lot of people move here, but the question is, are they the right kind of people that you want to be friends with/be neighbors with? Some are and some arent, but it is no secret, a lot of criminals and malconents choose to make FL their home. So it is a very transient area, people coming and going a lot. And may good people that move to FL and folks who you would want to stay leave due to the things mentioned above (crime, rude people, transient nature). So its like a never-ending battle.

And as far as folks in Colorado warning you about NC heat and humidity; FL is on another level when it comes to heat and humidity. You really cant compare the two.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Web B. Rowser

...A lot of rude folks also move down here and make FL their home, people who just cant seem to drive right or with consideration, etc...

Contrary to what some may believe, people from the NorthEast do not have the market cornered on rudeness. People are people and there are just as many rude people who were born and raised in Florida as there are rude people who relocated here. Rudeness and bad manners in general have everything to do with how you are raised, not where you are raised.

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by riveree

Contrary to what some may believe, people from the NorthEast do not have the market cornered on rudeness. People are people and there are just as many rude people who were born and raised in Florida as there are rude people who relocated here. Rudeness and bad manners in general have everything to do with how you are raised, not where you are raised.

Dont ya just love that old "northerners = rude & cant drive" stereotype here in FL?? I guarentee at least half the people who say that have never even visited, let alone lived up North anywhere.

As a matter of fact, I've lived all over the country & I-95 here in FL is seriously the worst road I've ever experienced with rude/dangerous drivers. You literally get pushed no matter what lane you're in. But yeah, its probably all those stickin' northerners.

BTW, I'm not from the north, just lived there. Southern boy born & raised. Just don't like those dumb stereotypes. If you don't know first hand, just don't comment. Like Riv said, rudeness is everywhere.

[LoveBoating]

Sometimes it is totally unreal how folks in one State/city/area can talk so badly about how folks drive/act from another State/city/area! Same thing happened in Colorado....they talked about just how bad the drivers were that moved there from So Calif.. Then, here in the Charlotte metro area, people talk about the drivers that move here from NY, Mass., Virginia.. Bottom line is, people TODAY are going to drive fast, not use turn signals/cut across lanes...whatever. That is just the way a lot of people drive today, like it or not! In Colorado, like here in Huntersville/Charlotte area, some people just drive too slow AND drive to fast. In part, it is just the generation we live in now. Don't like it, sell the car and take a bus or taxi or walk!

[Web B. Rowser]

Originally Posted by KerryB

Dont ya just love that old "northerners = rude & cant drive" stereotype here in FL?? I guarentee at least half the people who say that have never even visited, let alone lived up North anywhere.

As a matter of fact, I've lived all over the country & I-95 here in FL is seriously the worst road I've ever experienced with rude/dangerous drivers. You literally get pushed no matter what lane you're in. But yeah, its probably all those stickin' northerners.

BTW, I'm not from the north, just lived there. Southern boy born & raised. Just don't like those dumb stereotypes. If you don't know first hand, just don't comment. Like Riv said, rudeness is everywhere.

I'm going by firsthand experiences/what I've witnessed day in and day out, and also surverys and stats. They all lean towards the same thing. Places like NY, NJ, Philly are the worst/rudest places to drive, along with South FL.

According to moneycentral.msn.com, 7 out of the bottom 10 states for the worst drivers are from DC, NY, NJ, Mass., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. FL is filled with people from these states, I mean, it isnt really stereotyping IMO, it is what it is, whether personal experiences one has had or stats like the ones provided above.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...ar/P151501.asp

Please note the status of this member - no need to respond directly to the poster, he is no longer a member (previously banned member now banned again) -mod

[Elnonna]

I've only lived here since September - and even then I've spent most of my time in England where my Mother was ill and sadly passed away on Thanksgiving. However, talking about traffic, the first thing I've noticed (moving from Sarasota Fl) was how fast everyone drives on I95. I'm not certain I've ever seen anyone travelling at the speed limit. It seems I have to take a highway wherever I want to go, not really knowing the roads yet. I'ts taking a little while to get used to, but no doubt, before long, I'll be driving just like everyone else!!!

[LoveBoating]

We are here now and so far.......loving it! Only been here two days though, but that is a good start. We are in our new apartment now, but are waiting 'til tomorrow for our furniture to get here. Apartment is nice, but is almost 19 years old. Our apartment in NC was brand new when we moved in. What we like about our FL apartment is that we have NOBODY living above us!! This apartment is like living in a small 1-story house! Have been driving around getting some "necessary" things done and getting to know the area......our GPS sure is helping us there!
Even though it has been raining hard (at times) today, we are still happy that we made the move here! Now, to get jobs.

[apanda]

Great to hear! Keep your coats on for the next few evenings.