My Florida/Hernando County Experience (Tampa, Sarasota: crime, how much, house)

[Playball40]

Originally Posted by Liz0872

Playball40:

First off, I was being sarcastic to an extent in my post and even added a qualifier. So,

Second, if you honestly believe there is no truth to the part of my post that you quoted, well, the Florida sunshine has really fried your brain. It is very true in this part of Florida. You should know this as your husband was raised in these parts. Or maybe that is a contributing factor to your disdain?
I admit, looking back, we made a mistake by moving here, at this point in our lives, to rural Hernando County. It is just not progressive enough for us. And, now it does not make any financial sense to be here either.
Another one. Living in Tampa...doesn't all this mess affect you and your family? Aren't you the least bit concerned? That is what the gist of my original post was about, save the 3 sentences about morbidly obese, pseudo-handicapped, salad dressing staring Wal Mart shoppers. C'mon now!

Honestly, I have no problem with your disdain for Walmart. I'm in TOTAL agreement there. I'm not even disagreeing with Hernando Country being somewhat backwoods rural. I know I wouldn't want to live there and I'm surprised someone from NY would want to. However, I must take issue with the broad brush insults directed at those from Spring Hill and Florida and general. It's just not true.

[INeedAChange]

"May you live in interesting times" -- old chinese saying

Originally Posted by House4Sale

Soon, it will be everywhere in varying degrees. Welcome to the new Millenium.

[House4Sale]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

"May you live in interesting times" -- old chinese saying

They sure are. There are some wonderful things about life in 2007 but unfort., there are many that are not. We try to enjoy the wonderful as much as possible.

[yukon]

Oh, and to Yukon...sounds nice where you live. Out west? Beautiful country.


Actually, OP, I live in Florida, in Land O' Lakes. In one of the many nudist resorts that populate Pasco County. We are an economic force to be reckoned with, and Pasco County recognizes that.

The "we've always done it this way" attitude is prevalent country wide, not just here in Florida or the South. And I do agree with you on some of your points. I just think some posters are trying to say that part of your problems in Florida might have been due to HOW you say things, if your posts are any indicator of your real personality. Like it or not, there are communication differences between the various regions of the country, and a wise business person will recognize that and use an approach most likely to work with those regional differences. You might be right on the drugs. Most folks don't realize the big drug problem now is meth, and meth knows no status or economic limits. I know they were having a huge problem with it in Polk County.

[blitzpooch]

What an obnoxious post. Definitely reinforces the NY stereotype. While you have valid points about the cost of living here (and I hate Walmart too) those last two paragraphs are off the wall. Having spent 32 years of my life in NYC, Florida does not corner the market on people who do not care about hygiene or their appearance. Haven't ridden the subway much, have you?

<<We cannot wait to get back to what we know to be civilization, where people actually care about other people, where people from all races, religions, sexual orientations and creeds are tolerated and welcomed, and progressing toward a better way of life and a strong work ethic and conducting oneself with integrity are of utmost importance.>>

Give me a break. All races are tolerated and welcomed? Remember Howard Beach? Bensonhurst? There are just as many bigots in "tolerant" NY as there are down here.

No, it's not NY down here. It wasn't my choice to come here but I can choose to make the best out of it and look for the good in the people around me. I can understand your financial reasons for leaving but spare us the liberal sermon.

[rhanse1]

Well Liz, your follow-up message was definately more clarifying and made you sound as I believe you are. Your first message sounded more rambling and angry....the f/u was more intellectual, refined, descriptive and most important accurate to a fault.

I moved here 12 yrs ago from PA (Bucks Co) not far from the Delaware River. I've found the HC, FL experience to be crackers with all the sterotypes...and some really great people, have to say, I'm sick of the heat and don't feel as spunky as I used to. I think the sun does fry the brain... So maybe that's why they are so layback, slow and l a z y

They don't like the Yankees, who would, we did kick butt! They only liked snow-birds that would come and spend their money....but alas, the northerners came and then their daughters w/3-6 kids came and went to school...now you needed schools on a seniors tax back, but the younger retirees came with a few bucks, built the big house, paid through the nose for all the kids to get to spend the day in a school and not a trailer...

Just like you said, there should be plenty of money, but the big salaries and benefits of all those county officals, locals & NYers make the big bucks and the rest try and scratch out a living with poor wages, no benefits and yes, no rights....

My uncle made more on his retirement pension than most here could make in 3years. Very sad, but true, I wish I could convince my hubby to sell everything and go north....maybe keep a metal box in a park w/o insurance for winter and take our chances...

Sounds like you sold your home....you're one of the lucky ones and they don't care about the rest, because they know you can't leave till you sell and till then you pay...

You didn't talk about the fire trucks that follow the ambulance in case they need a 3 person....and the new fire house that's built on SH Dr, that can't house the big new fire truck they bought awhile back...or SH's fire department that had the wave-runners they train on out of the area because there's no water in the area. They loan them out to Ridge Manor...

The embezzling that goes on with our tax dollars, the closed door deals, the no accountability, the county legal representation that will be our next tax liability....it goes on and on!

I too built a home actually built several....the last one over 3 yrs ago, we thought it would be the the place to live & die...wrong! This area is like Tampa and I didn't move here to be in a city with 5-6 lane highways all over and traffic. Such growth too, they just approved all those permits and collected & spent all the imact fees. Now the money is needed for roads, schools and it's gone...

Now I'm rambling and I just really want to say, I know what you're saying, dreams die hard, it's tough to make a big move, mistake when you did your homework & have it go to S_ _ _ , and then move back and start over again....

I'm not sure how, when or where I'll be, but I used to think if something happened to my spouse, I was home, but not now, I would pack up and sell so quick! Go anywhere, live in a RV till I know for sure and rent! When I came they said this was for the newlyweds and the nearly deads! or young/dumb & old/left behind...

[movingsoon]

Way to go Liz! Long live the NY & NJ civilized people. Oh...I've got the names of plenty of great deli's in our areas. Welcome back from the deep South.

[Songbird42]

Naturally coming to FL from the North, your all gitty with excitement, new house/new surroundings, like being on vacation, BUT then after a few months it all wears off and reality hits you in the face. I can't be crazy, and now others react the same as me, I'm glad I'm not alone, and those that love it, maybe there not being honest......this is not paradise, far from it. Go where your heart tells you to go.......go and be happy, you have but one life to live and live it well and happy.

[DaveB]

I'm a Canadian from Toronto who bought my house in Spring Hill almost two and a half years ago and I'm glad I did. I know and have an excellent social relationship with a number of my Spring Hill neighbors, whereas in Toronto I don't even know the names of of my two next door neighbors.

For the record my Spring Hill neighbors are from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Everywhere we go in Spring Hill (or the Tampa area in general) my wife and I are always amazed at the friendliness of the people. We find them much more friendly than in Toronto. We are also very well travelled and have been around long enough to realize that Spring Hill, or Florida or Jersey or New York or Pa or Michigan or Toronto are not for everybody. I have many friends who love Florida. I have many who hate it. The same can be said for everywhere. Nobody's right and nobody's wrong.

At any rate, if that's the case there isn't much point in trashing anyplace. You just cut your losses and go to (or back to) a place that will make you happy.

[Minniemom]

Originally Posted by DaveB

I'm a Canadian from Toronto who bought my house in Spring Hill almost two and a half years ago and I'm glad I did. I know and have an excellent social relationship with a number of my Spring Hill neighbors, whereas in Toronto I don't even know the names of of my two next door neighbors.

For the record my Spring Hill neighbors are from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Everywhere we go in Spring Hill (or the Tampa area in general) my wife and I are always amazed at the friendliness of the people. We find them much more friendly than in Toronto. We are also very well travelled and have been around long enough to realize that Spring Hill, or Florida or Jersey or New York or Pa or Michigan or Toronto are not for everybody. I have many friends who love Florida. I have many who hate it. The same can be said for everywhere. Nobody's right and nobody's wrong.

At any rate, if that's the case there isn't much point in trashing anyplace. You just cut your losses and go to (or back to) a place that will make you happy.

Very well put.