are midwesterners allowed in tampa? (Miami, Orlando: relocating, real estate, for sale)

[knightgoose]

Moderator cut: personal attack ...the real 'south' is a lot more close minded about such issues than central and south florida

[Debi1957]

Knightgoose...sorry you think its a dumb post....

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by trailerguy

I work in Chicago now and live in the north suburbs. My employer, a major bank, has openings for the same work I do now in Tampa, at the corner of I-75 and FL-574 (aka M.L. King Ave.). I've considered transferring there, but all the negativity on these boards is putting me off.
I pull down about $45K/year. My partner makes about half of that; he'll have to find something new if we move there. We live in a mobile home in Waukegan which costs $575/mo space rent plus the loan to buy the house. My auto insurance is about $800/year for comprehensive coverage on a new car I owe money on. I have a clean driving record.
Is that area safe or affordable? How is the Mango/Seffner area? Does anyone know what space rents are in the mobile home parks? I'm in a real nice park now; I'm not interested in Dogpatch. Is auto insurance in Tampa really that bad?
Are gay people accepted in Tampa? We're pretty quiet, conservative guys, in our mid-50's. We've never had any problems any place else we've lived.
I'm sick of the miserable winters up here, but if I don't hear something positive about Tampa Bay, I'm going to chuck in the whole idea.

Trailerguy, there is LOTS of positive stuff posted on these forums about Tampa Bay (especially read Tampaguy's posts). It's just that there are a few super negative bashers who insist on jumping in on every thread and spouting nonsense for the sake of doing it, not being helpful at all. While I can't tell you anything about the parks in the area, there are LOTS of gays and lesbians here who mingle with all the other lifestyles and cultures in the area. Lots of times, a place is what you make of it.

If you didn't mind a bit of a commute, there are some nice parks here in Lakeland, my hubby commutes to downtown Tampa every day, takes hime 35 min. on Polk Parkway/I-4, and about 10 more minutes just door to door. I don't think you want to live in Mango/Seffner, don't think you will like the rural vibe there. There may be some parks nearer to your future employment, but you may have to do a little research. I am sure you can get something in your price range here, and I think you will like the Tampa Bay area.

Good luck to you!

[Excessively Diverted]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

It's just that there are a few super negative bashers who insist on jumping in on every thread and spouting nonsense for the sake of doing it, not being helpful at all.

I've just started reading these boards and I'm thinking about moving to Florida among other places. One thing that confuses me is why some people think that only those with positive things to say have a right to say it. Those that are unhappy have a right to express it too. I don't see this back and forth about positive/negative posts nearly as much on any of the other state's boards as I do on Florida's.

As someone who is considering moving I want to know the pros and the CONS. Every place has cons so why sweep them under the rug? Isn't it a little deceptive to suggest that any place is perfect. I want to know the negatives too so I can decide if I can live with the negative stuff or if this place is not right for me.

I hope to continue reading both positive and negative posts that are honest so it can help me make an informed decision. JMHO.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Excessively Diverted

I've just started reading these boards and I'm thinking about moving to Florida among other places. One thing that confuses me is why some people think that only those with positive things to say have a right to say it. Those that are unhappy have a right to express it too. I don't see this back and forth about positive/negative posts nearly as much on any of the other state's boards as I do on Florida's.

As someone who is considering moving I want to know the pros and the CONS. Every place has cons so why sweep them under the rug? Isn't it a little deceptive to suggest that any place is perfect. I want to know the negatives too so I can decide if I can live with the negative stuff or if this place is not right for me.

I hope to continue reading both positive and negative posts that are honest so it can help me make an informed decision. JMHO.

Most of us have no problem with people posting cons about an area - I have done it myself. I am referring to those who constantly BASH us in a disrespectful way (saying we are all fat, rednecks, idiots - that sort of thing) - there are more than a few here who make it a daily ritual, and some of us get tired of it. Since you have just started reading this forum, you probably haven't seen a lot of it yet, but you will, and you will see what I mean. Just try to sift through the posts and you will see who offers good information (positive and negative) and who just wants to bash for the fun of it. And I haven't seen anyone who claims any area is perfect, cause no place is.

I think it's hard to base a decision on whether to move by reading these forums. Take everything you read with a grain of salt, and good luck to you.

[Debi1957]

Diverted....where are you thinking of moving from? I am a long term Floridian...soon to be a New Englander...yeah!!!!! I am a negative basher...there is, in my very humble opinon, very little that is positive about the state. I say that, just opening my home owners insurance and finding out it went up AGAIN, so now I am paying 1900 a year on a block home on top of a dry "hill" with no danger of flooding. I could go on...but you can read past posts. Let me know if I can help. I will tell you that Florida is a GREAT place to visit. Beaches in this area stink, but if you get to Beverly Beach, it is a bit more private and actually scenic...but you have to be strong to swim there as the under tow is a bit much. My dogs like it and i love the view. Florida, IMO, is a great place....to be from.!!! Good luck...let me know if I can help. But am anxious to know where you are coming from and what are your other state choices to move to???

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Debi1957

Diverted....where are you thinking of moving from? I am a long term Floridian...soon to be a New Englander...yeah!!!!! I am a negative basher...there is, in my very humble opinon, very little that is positive about the state. I say that, just opening my home owners insurance and finding out it went up AGAIN, so now I am paying 1900 a year on a block home on top of a dry "hill" with no danger of flooding. I could go on...but you can read past posts. Let me know if I can help. I will tell you that Florida is a GREAT place to visit. Beaches in this area stink, but if you get to Beverly Beach, it is a bit more private and actually scenic...but you have to be strong to swim there as the under tow is a bit much. My dogs like it and i love the view. Florida, IMO, is a great place....to be from.!!! Good luck...let me know if I can help. But am anxious to know where you are coming from and what are your other state choices to move to???

Hey Debi, I can understand you wanting a nice change from Florida. Being a native myself (58 y.o.) until last year was going to make a change myself. There is no doubt Florida has it's problems, and I was wanting a place with change of seasons. We did buy a second home in Asheville, NC. with the thought that I would move up there part of the year (while hubby stayed in Fla.) We tried it for a few mo., and didn't work, and then one day went for a ride and discovered Lakeland, which we love. So bottom line, hubby has a good job, we have a house we love in a town we love, and that really makes all the difference for us. I hope you find your paradise in Mass., and that you will be able to get up there soon. My own sister left Florida for Wisconsin over 20 years ago, and she just loves that frigid weather.. BRRRRRR!!!!! lol I visited her in late April one year and it was snowing and 28 degrees! Our country has something for everyone!

[Debi1957]

Gyps...I hear ya!!! I am actually looking forward to the cold...I am a much better human when the temp is cooler...LOL...I absolutely hate the heat and it seems like it is getting worse and worse. I hate being couped up in August because walking outside will cause me to have a heat stroke, july, june, sept...all the same!!! I dont think Mass is paradise...I am not disillusioned...(unfortunately, i think most folks that move here are...they think paradise, so not!), but I do think there is so much more up there, and much nicer...people here are rough!!! I think because of the exodus of the north to the south and the south to the north...LOL...so strange!

[Excessively Diverted]

Originally Posted by Debi1957

Diverted....where are you thinking of moving from? I am a long term Floridian...soon to be a New Englander...yeah!!!!! I am a negative basher...there is, in my very humble opinon, very little that is positive about the state. I say that, just opening my home owners insurance and finding out it went up AGAIN, so now I am paying 1900 a year on a block home on top of a dry "hill" with no danger of flooding. I could go on...but you can read past posts. Let me know if I can help. I will tell you that Florida is a GREAT place to visit. Beaches in this area stink, but if you get to Beverly Beach, it is a bit more private and actually scenic...but you have to be strong to swim there as the under tow is a bit much. My dogs like it and i love the view. Florida, IMO, is a great place....to be from.!!! Good luck...let me know if I can help. But am anxious to know where you are coming from and what are your other state choices to move to???

At the moment we live in Maryland, near Baltimore. We are thinking about southeastern Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, or Texas. DH works in the computer industry so we need to live near fairly large cities with hi-tech markets. We are getting tired of the Baltimore/Washington DC area but I do like the culture, museums, theaters, and unique restaurants this area has. I would prefer to live in a place with similar culture or a place within a few hours drive.

I don't mind the snow we get here in the mid-Atlantic but I don't think I could handle the snow in New England. My grandparents used to live in Bradenton so I have spent time in Florida before they passed away.

I would never base the decision of where I live on a message board. I'm not that gullible. I do think it helps to see what the opinions of people who live in an area is though. It can give you a lot more insight into the day to day life in a place rather than just what a city website wants you to know. Once we narrow down our choices to 1 or 2 we plan to visit those places and spend some time looking at the city.

Good luck in New England. Boston has a lot of great activities. We have taken the Acela train from DC up to NYC and Boston a few times. One thing that is nice about this area is the easy access to some great cities.

[crystalblue]

midwesterners are welcome


as long as your not ultra-conservative. if you are, go to texas...