Orlando, Tampa or Miami Beach? (Pine Hills, Belle Isle: real estate, insurance, public schools)

[the 7 oh 4]

Where to move to and why?

Want to move to Florida for warm weather & beaches (and YES I know that Orlando & Tampa are not on the beach...but close).

THANKS!

[Major League]

Not too familar with Tampa and Miami, but I live in Orlando. I am also very familiar w/ Charlotte. I urge you to rethink leaving Charlotte for Orlando, Tampa, and especially Miami. Moderator cut: comment

[EasyCheeze]

miami beach, orlando, and tampa are all drastically different from each other. what exactly are you looking for?

[kinglouix]

Tampa is the only city you should consider, although Florida is the last place you should consider living.

[the 7 oh 4]

Why are alot of Floridians so down on Florida?

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Why are alot of Floridians so down on Florida?

Charlotte is paradise, don't leave!

[AaronS]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Why are alot of Floridians so down on Florida?

Just give it a while after you've moved down here. You'll learn.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by AaronS

Just give it a while after you've moved down here. You'll learn.

Rude people!

And I would like everyone to note my message below my name.

But seriously, Miami Beach wins this one. In general this forum ranks quality of life based on percentage of Hispanic population, even if there is no correlation. The lower the better. If you want beach, if you want warm, if you want walkability, if you want funk, if your street smart, sorry you can't beat Miami Beach. Tampa has a fair amount of history (for a Florida city) and fairly affordable housing. Plenty to see, plenty to do, right on the bay, but a slightly aged population.

That being said, I really wouldn't recommend Orlando.

[orlandoyankee]

I can only speak for myself. I have lived in Orlando for almost 29 years. During that time, I have seen tremendous changes in Orlando and Florida. Unfortunately, not much of that change has been positive. What was once a sleepy mid-sized town has become overbuilt and overpopulated. With that overpopulation has been an unbearable increase in crime. Not just in the bad parts of town but in the so-called good areas as well. Just last week, my wife's car was broken into and her purse stolen (it was well out of sight). Not in Pine Hills or Parramore. But in Belle Isle IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT. The traffic in Orlando was bad years ago and has become horrendous. The roads are probably 10 years behind the growth in population. With the bad traffic comes VERY aggressive drivers, some bordering on dangerous. I don't mean dangerous in that they are bad drivers (which they are) but dangerous in that if you dare look at them, you risk getting shot. Too many people running red lights 10 seconds after they change and too many people changing multiple lanes in front of other drivers just to get to a turn-only lane. Then, there's the influx of undocumented workers (illegal aliens for the non-PC among us). When I went to lunch today in my company cafeteria, it was obvious that the person preparing my order had command of perhaps 6 words in the English language. Very frustrating to say the least. The public schools here are among the worst in the country in my opinion. The teachers are forced to teach down to the lowest intellect forcing the brighter ones to become bored. I can go on and on but much of this has been covered before. As I said at the top of this message, I am only speaking for myself. I have less than two years to go before retirement. Then, I'm free to move about the country. I'm sure there are going to be posters who will disagree vehemently. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I myself am speaking from 29 years of experience. Have a nice day.

[Major League]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Why are alot of Floridians so down on Florida?

4 oh 7, look at the message above mine, except the schools. Are schools are ranked 29th, not at the bottom. Real Estate prices and insurance, immigration, traffic/congestion bringing down the overall quality of life in FL. There are exceptions of course, not all of FL is like this... hope this helps.

It's funny that you wanna leave Charlotte, a lot of ppl down here want to move to where you are.