[INeedAChange]

I know it's not perfect but it's better than many places out in the middle of the country that have nothing going for them.

Originally Posted by tallrick

Don't forget, less than 10 years ago there were places that seemed cheap. All of Florida was a good deal 100 years ago, then it started to become unrealistic. First in Miami, then the whole state. Besides the good things, don't forget about the hurricanes, heat, insects, lack of resources, low elevation, etc. It's not perfect.

[vpcats]

I'd like to know ONE, just one place, where it's PERFECT.
We all have different definitions of that word.

[firemed]

Originally Posted by vpcats

I'd like to know ONE, just one place, where it's PERFECT.
We all have different definitions of that word.

The bible tells me of such a place!

[INeedAChange]

Vegas?

Originally Posted by vpcats

I'd like to know ONE, just one place, where it's PERFECT.
We all have different definitions of that word.

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Vegas?

That might work... If I didn't' gravitate towards those cute little slot machines, as much as I like them. LOLLLLL

[yukon]

When was the last time that a first time home buyer thought "wow, this house is cheap", or "I'm getting such a great deal on this house, I'm sure that it will appreciate 10 fold in 20 years?

Here in Tampa, that would have been 2003, before the "investors" (a 4-letter word in my book) discovered us. We were amazed at the number of really NICE houses going for $120-$150K, when their counterparts in Ft Lauderdale were going for $250K and up (and prices were increasing weekly in S FL). That's one of the reasons we moved here - it was affordable. Not any more. And until wages increase, it will take a HUGE price drop to make it affordable again. But then, that's pretty much the case in any state that went thru a bubble.

[V20]

Originally Posted by firemed

The bible tells me of such a place!

That reminds me of a joke:

A man dies and goes to heaven. He meets St. Peter at the pearly gates. St. Peter asks "Where are you from?" The man replies, "Marco Island."

St. Peter says, "Oh, I don't think you're going to like this place."

[firemed]

Originally Posted by V20

That reminds me of a joke:

A man dies and goes to heaven. He meets St. Peter at the pearly gates. St. Peter asks "Where are you from?" The man replies, "Marco Island."

St. Peter says, "Oh, I don't think you're going to like this place."

If he said he like's the heat, I don't think he would like it.

[Old Man Winter]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

I don't understand why people would expect/demand that a place like Florida with so much to offer would also be the cheapest place in the country? How unrealistic.

Try not to lose sight of the fact that Florida was always "cheap" because it doesn't pay a living wage. Housing costs alone have almost tripled, add insurance and taxes doubling or tripling and we have a recipe for working class gone to working poor over night. Until Florida moves its earnings to a level that matches it's cost of living we are going to see many elements of the economy struggling to make it.

[Floridanative2]

I got a great deal on my house. I paid $69,000 for a 3/2/2. I did put some money into it though. Last year a house on my street sold for $280,000. That would not happen this year. Either way, if I do decide to sell and move, I will make money.