Florida Crackers have been replaced by Immigrants in Working Class Jobs in Orlando (Tampa: credit)

[total_genius]

I use to live in Orlando in the early 1980s and worked at a Eastern Winter Park grocery conv store called Majik Market (remember them?). We had quite a interesting group of people come into the store. That was before ATM's, Easy Credit, Video Surveillance, illegal immigration. Most of our customers were old fashioned Florida Crackers. They did the really dirty jobs, manufacturing, landscaping and construction.

I went back to the Orlando area last year and visited my old store and it was called something else but still had the same type of customer. But the difference was most appeared to be Hispanic or other immigrants. What happened to the Florida Crackers who use to do this type of work? Yes I know the immigrants replaced them for less money but what are the Old Crackers doing now? What type of work?

[bdpop]

They were displaced by immigrants who are willing to work for less money.

[Wilshire81182]

There are lower income working class white people throughout Orange County, if that is what you are asking. I think areas of Christmas and Bithlo have a lot, as well as some central areas of Orlando and Casselberry. Brevard and Lake counties are also growing a lot as immigrant groups are moving into Orange County and people are moving out of the central areas to more rural areas.

[surfer boy]

They are in GA and TN now... LOL. They got out!!!

[compelled to reply]

What surfer boy said. Most of the lower income "Florida Crackers" left. Note you say that the customer base has not changed significantly.

As they say surfer boy, C.R.E.A.M.

[TNRyan23]

They demanded raises in an economy that dictated their employers could hire cheaper labor for the same work.

It's amazing how many white workers will complain until they're blue in the face about illegal workers but when they're offered a $6/hr job they suddenly become too good for that job and say " let an illegal take it. "

btw, I remember Majik Market too. They used to have several in the Tampa Bay area.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by surfer boy

They are in GA and TN now... LOL. They got out!!!

I moved to TN in 2001 and never looked back. I get homesick from time to time but all it takes to cure that is a vacation back home or reading these forums.

[surfer boy]

"I moved to TN in 2001 and never looked back."


I usually here that people miss their families, but they usually dont miss much else about FL. I have heard this over and over. I used to live in NC, so I heard many, many stories from Floridians turned North Carolinians. It would usually start off like this... "Oh, you are from FL too? I just met someone from Tampa, where are you from? (I answer)... Arent you so much happier up here, and arent the people here so nice? (I answer)... And, the leaves actually change colors!!!"

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by surfer boy

"I moved to TN in 2001 and never looked back."


I usually here that people miss their families, but they usually dont miss much else about FL. I have heard this over and over. I used to live in NC, so I heard many, many stories from Floridians turned North Carolinians. It would usually start off like this... "Oh, you are from FL too? I just met someone from Tampa, where are you from? (I answer)... Arent you so much happier up here, and arent the people here so nice? (I answer)... And, the leaves actually change colors!!!"

I only have limited family left in Florida. Everyone else left too. I miss the beach. That's about it.

I prefer seasons, I love getting snow/cold weather It's nice to not have to sweat all year round. People are generally nicer here but who cares really ? I prefer being able to own a house and be able to actually afford the insurance and taxes. I love not living around so many criminals and sex offenders. I love that i'm not stuck in Florida making $6/hr if I would even be able to find a job all while having to worry about paying my $1200 a month rent for my 300sqft studio apartment.

[surfer boy]

"I prefer being able to own a house and be able to actually afford the insurance and taxes. I love not living around so many criminals and sex offenders."


Yes, I definitely agree with you there. Criminals and sex offenders are a big concern here in Orlando.