South Florida is not getting any better. (Miami, Century: real estate, condo)

[Weston_in_the_Pines]

Me too

hey! fort lauderdale and I actually agree on something!

[webby3370]

Hi all! I just happened upon this board and I'm so glad that I did. I am a Ft. Lauderdale native - born at Broward General Medical Center - I am now 37 years old. I can tell you - not only is Miami in the dumps, Broward isn't far behind! Being here my entire life - I've never had a desire to go to Miami - I've never been impressed with it. And NOW, it's all about "ME". I know many people who moved here from New York thinking they'd be living the life of luxury - i say "HA!" They have watched one too many episodes of Miami Vice in the 80's, and probably too much MTV - they all think they are going to live the South Beach lifestyle - good luck if you're making $6.00 an hour. Everyone here is on drugs, looking for handout, the government is corrupt - housing even through Broward and the Palm Beaches is out of reach for the average working family. My husband and I gross an average of 80 $K per year and STILL can't afford a single family home - we've been in a condo for 7 years - but have outgrown it with our children - we are looking to move to Charlotte, NC - and I can't wait to get out of here! Even in Broward, the Spanish language has infiltrated - I don't have a problem with Spanish - just when I am discriminated against because I don't speak it. I've thought of moving to Central or North Florida - but, again, housing prices aren't much better there - the culture is much nicer though.

It's just a shame that South Florida has literally gone to the dogs. I refuse to let my children grow past the toddler stage in South Florida!!

[tallrick]

All of us who were born here may end up moving away!

[whatever]

Yeah, I repped the original poster too. We close on Friday and are happy to be part of the solution by leaving. I've been here 18 years, wife has been here since she was an infant in the late 60's.

Virtually everyone we know is on the way out or waiting for kids to get out of school to bail.

This place was great when I was in my early 20's and all I wanted was to drink and all of that stuff but now that I have a family (and drink at home ) and am not a bartender, attorney or wait staff and don't speak Spanish it's time to go.

Tequesta, Seminoles, Whites and now Hispanics. No regrets or bitterness now that the house has sold. It's just time to hand things over to the next culture. Enjoy!

[whatever]

Originally Posted by Derek1

<SNIPPED>
why does all of Florida have to suffer for the misgivings of Miami and South Florida ?
<SNIPPED>
.... but I am a Florida guy and still insist this great state has great areas to live in outside of South Florida .

Excellent, excellent points Derek.
There are some areas of central and northern Florida that are absolutely magical. We just can't work there. But you are 100% correct.

[backtofla]

webby3370, i am in orlando and looking to eventually move to n fla. there are nice places up there that i think you could enjoy. nc is getting more expensive now too, and you may find that charlotte, nc prices and northern fla prices arent much different. i lived in nc (born in fla), and i like charlotte too, but like northern fla better.

[lauralei2]

I was born in Miami, raised in Hialeah and have lived in Broward since 1994. I enjoy Broward much more than Dade County. It's much more relaxing...and I do realize no place is perfect, not even little Cooper City. As much as I do enjoy living in Cooper City, if I could move...it would be to the Maggie Valley, NC area. However, I enjoy where I work, my husband and I make decent wages, and my parents are elderly and I do not want to take care of them long distance.

[PBCboy]

I remember reading something in the paper last year about 10,000 or 20,000 middle class families moving out of Miami.

[webby3370]

Originally Posted by backtofla

webby3370, i am in orlando and looking to eventually move to n fla. there are nice places up there that i think you could enjoy. nc is getting more expensive now too, and you may find that charlotte, nc prices and northern fla prices arent much different. i lived in nc (born in fla), and i like charlotte too, but like northern fla better.

Hi backtofla - thanks for the info. Actually, my sister lives in Tallahassee and LOVES it. My only issue is finding work. I'm an Exec. Assistant and doesn't appear there is much work there, even worse for my husband who is a medical insurance arbitrator. other than that, I would certainly consider N. Fla. Where abouts did you live in NC? I found some wonderful homes in the $150 to $200 range - I'll never see the likes of that again in S FLA. It's very disheartening, but I don't feel as if I'll miss it once I'm gone.

[backtofla]

no, no homes in s fla for 200k anymore --- not that i know of. i lived in the asheville area. still doable in n fla though --- that's one reason why i am headed up that way!!! i can buy a brand new 4/2 1700 sq ft home off of us-1in the st augustine area for 196,900!!!