[Georgia]

Ok Floridian's.
What is going on. We on the Georgia thread are talking about the Florida invasion. Yes, it used to be the New York, New Jersey invasion, well, still is but Florida has entered the fray.


What is going on down there??? Is it getting that bad??

[ready2move]

Well Georgia, what is is going on in Florida you ask? It has become a state where the middle class are being forced out of their homes. Insurance rates have doubled since last summer with the hurricanes. Example, our homeowner's insurance last year was 2400. This year our premiums are going anywhere from 4400-4800. Housing is overvalued and overpriced and property taxes are out of control. We have something called "Save Our Homes" This allows a max of a 3% increase on your asessed value of your current property. We have been in our home since 1992. We pay approx 3400 a year on our property tax. Now if I sold my house today (which I am trying to do) at 450,000, the new owners would pay close to 10,0000.00 in taxes. NOT A TYPO. What Save our homes does not allow you to do, is to move to another home or different county within FLA because thate 3% cap does not follow you. So basically, you are a prisoner in your own home, unless you move out of state, so hence the exodus to GA. In addition, Florida, especially South Florida, has changed in the last years, english has become the second language, and people have become rude and angry. The only thing right now that FLA has going for it is no state income tax. I never thought I would leave FLA, been here since 1980, but there comes a point where quality of life outweighs everything else, and the mountains are looking better and better everyday!

[Prichard]

Here's whats going on, as best I can tell. I feel qualified to comment, since I recently bought some acreage and a small house in North Georgia (Clayton).

Before a Georgian can understand why so many Central Floridians are moving to North Georgia (and North Carolina), you need to know the demographics of Orlando pre-Disney. Pre-Disney, we were a southern town, predominantly white, mostly Christian with a fairly strong leaning toward Southern Baptist. Hmmmm, sound familiar? As Orlando grew and became more diverse, many of the families who had been in Central Florida for generations discovered that they no longer cared about the beach, the heat, orange groves that streached on for hundreds of miles and flat cattle land. They discoverd the beautiful hills of the Blue Ridge Mountians, and the weather that was on average 15 degrees cooler in the summer time.

As the first wave of Central Floridians moved up there, several places became vaccation destinations for other Central Floridians, like Highlands NC, Dillard, Clayton, even Atlanta. As kids we remember the beauty of this area and the fun we experienced, so when we bacame adults and got a little money, many of us bought "2nd homes", and/or eventually moved up there permenantly.

Then came Hurricane Charley! It ripped right through the middle of the state. We were without power for 3 weeks, not to mention dealing with the damage. Then, on top of that came two other Hurricanes, not as bad as Charlie, but still no picknick. That's when I decided that I wanted a refuge in North Georgia, both for recreational reasons, and for a place to live for weeks/months if another Charlie hit us again.

So, there you have it, that's how it started.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Ok Floridian's.
What is going on. We on the Georgia thread are talking about the Florida invasion. Yes, it used to be the New York, New Jersey invasion, well, still is but Florida has entered the fray.


What is going on down there??? Is it getting that bad??

That's funny since I used to work construction and we were invaded by Georgia and the Carolinas. They came here for the high paying construction jobs, they went from running a tractor making nothing, to high paying construction jobs. I am sorry you don't like people moving to your state, we have been living with it for 60 years. I don't know what you are complaining about, you have an influx of people bring money to your state, buying and building houses starting business raising families, that's bad?

[SunshineState]

What's going on is the homeowners insurance premiums have gone up hundreds of percent and the property taxes are outrageous too! I have lived here most all my life and in the last three years have had my homeowners go from $980 a year to $5800 a this year and next year they are estimated to be $12,000 (not a type either!) We have been looking at property in Tennessee. All the Floridians are being forced out....

Originally Posted by Georgia

Ok Floridian's.
What is going on. We on the Georgia thread are talking about the Florida invasion. Yes, it used to be the New York, New Jersey invasion, well, still is but Florida has entered the fray.


What is going on down there??? Is it getting that bad??

[Muggy]

What I don't get is why Tennessee? Is this where the "good life" is now?
Why not Kentucky? Arkansas? Alabama?

Everybody at work is talking about moving to "the mountains" of Tennessee. I don't get it. I mean, I understand why people leave Florida, but it seems to me that the new "good life" phrase is "mountains of Tennessee" whereas it used to be "Florida sunshine."

Simply amazing.

[GOODTOGO]

I wholeheartedly agree with MacGuy...Having lived in Florida since 1970primarily in South Florida and currently in Orlando, we have been dealing w/transplants for boo-koo years and don't give another thought to it. We have always had neighbors from NY, NJ, Brazil etc. Many years ago it would frustrate us, but now we just live w/it. Everyone needs to chill and treat others like you would to yourself....Just my opinion.

[lulu]

It's all about surviving & wanting what's best for our families - so we move on...
Most of my best friends have moved, too. The ones that hurt the most are in Tennessee, now. Others are spread out in FL.

[momandmore]

The current situation has left alot of Florida residents looking elsewhere for a more affordable lifestyle. We moved here from NY and currently live in Seminole County (suburb of Orlando) and I live in a fabulous subdivision, etc. But, my taxes have just jumped to $5,000, ho insurance has just doubled, power bill is out of control, water is getting ready to increase, etc. Not to mention that rents are out of control because the new generation of landlords are buying "investments" that are overpriced and passing on those higher prices to the new generation of renters. Some can afford it and some cannot. Speaking of investors....they have all but destroyed the Central Florida market. And I genuinely feel sorry for those who have not yet had the experience of owning a home. Forget about the first time homebuyers! Young couples with small children earning a moderate income cannot even scrape together a decent down payment to purchase a modest home to live in a desirable area.

Don't get me wrong....I love the sunshine, beaches and all the other pleasures that the Sunshine State has to offer. We have yearly passes to the theme parks and absolutely love vacationing here, but it has gotten to the point where we are looking to move as well.

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by ready2move

Well Georgia, what is is going on in Florida you ask? It has become a state where the middle class are being forced out of their homes. Insurance rates have doubled since last summer with the hurricanes. Example, our homeowner's insurance last year was 2400. This year our premiums are going anywhere from 4400-4800. Housing is overvalued and overpriced and property taxes are out of control. We have something called "Save Our Homes" This allows a max of a 3% increase on your asessed value of your current property. We have been in our home since 1992. We pay approx 3400 a year on our property tax. Now if I sold my house today (which I am trying to do) at 450,000, the new owners would pay close to 10,0000.00 in taxes. NOT A TYPO. What Save our homes does not allow you to do, is to move to another home or different county within FLA because thate 3% cap does not follow you. So basically, you are a prisoner in your own home, unless you move out of state, so hence the exodus to GA. In addition, Florida, especially South Florida, has changed in the last years, english has become the second language, and people have become rude and angry. The only thing right now that FLA has going for it is no state income tax. I never thought I would leave FLA, been here since 1980, but there comes a point where quality of life outweighs everything else, and the mountains are looking better and better everyday!

Positive reputation for you! I totally agree! There is an exodus of Floridians for the reasons you stated. I too am moving out. I can get a big, nice house with lot for cheaper than a tiny vacent lot in a questionable neighboor in south Florida! In fact some of the houses in other states can be had as cheap as a mobile home! For this reason, I have decided im not gonna bother buying a mobile, ill just move out and enjoy a great house!