[B to the T]

OK... so I am a Cali guy who has yet to move to or live in Florida (just visits) but this might all soon change... but I have been warned by others and have read on here so many people complaining about property tax and the high cost of living etc... let me share a few things with you from where I am at, maybe the FLHaters will see things differently

State income Tax
California has it... Florida does not
Win goes to FL

Sales Tax
CA avg 7.25%
FL avg 6%
Win goes to FL

Fuel tax per gallon
CA $0.639
FL $0.516
Win goes to FL

Combined Tax burden ranking 2007 (State/Local/Federal... #1 being the worst)
CA 8th
FL 12th
Win goes to FL

Nuff said?

[tallrick]

Now compare wages/incomes.

[B to the T]

Isn't everything relative? The tide raises all ships...

My point was the excessive complaining about how tough they have it and the over all negitivity... Floridians have not cornered the market in high taxes etc... Oklahoma was the cheapest, it was ranked 50th... maybe that is an option for those who don't like FL?

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Now compare wages/incomes.

Exactly wages in Florida are pathetic, and lets not also forget that the less you make in a lifetime, the less you will recieve at retirement. So you will live poor and retire poor.

[B to the T]

Maybe this will help...

IM-2007-02 (State Median Income Estimates for Optional Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2007 LIHEAP Program and Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2008 LIHEAP Programs) (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/guidance/information_memoranda/im07-02.html - broken link)

Avg income family of 4
CA $70,712
FL $62,269

That's a 12% difference...

Sacramento is an avg place in CA, not near the bay, mountains, dust bowl for allergies... I will compare this to Sarasota which is more expensive place then most in FL... I used FL avg income... this is what the numbers say...

Cost of Living - Cost of Living Calculator from CNNMoney

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I was looking at the price of homes in California, no way could I afford to live in a home like mine there. Its 10 years old with a HUGE backyard, cinder block construction with almost 2000 sq feet with a large one car garage.

YES you get paid more in California but the cost of living is also VERY high there. I have friends who have moved here from California just so they could afford to own a home. They used to live in Cali and they lived in a rented place with three kids.

[121804]

Originally Posted by B to the T

Nuff said?

Actually, no.

So, CA is more expensive than FL.

Ok? And your point other than CA is more expensive than FL?

My dh was making more money in FL & our COL was cheaper in FL than where we moved.

Sometimes people move based on other factors than taxes & cost of gas (which, by the way, is expensive everywhere so not sure about your point in that one).

Please, move to where you are happy. Go for it. No need to bash on those who don't share your same views. You are trying to instigate. It's not necessary. Maybe start a thread about forest fires in CA versus hurricanes in FL...that would be something new to get the junior high cheerleaders on both sides all excited.

[B to the T]

Originally Posted by 121804

Actually, no.

So, CA is more expensive than FL.

Ok? And your point other than CA is more expensive than FL?

My dh was making more money in FL & our COL was cheaper in FL than where we moved.

Sometimes people move based on other factors than taxes & cost of gas (which, by the way, is expensive everywhere so not sure about your point in that one).

Please, move to where you are happy. Go for it. No need to bash on those who don't share your same views. You are trying to instigate. It's not necessary. Maybe start a thread about forest fires in CA versus hurricanes in FL...that would be something new to get the junior high cheerleaders on both sides all excited.

Ok? And your point other than CA is more expensive than FL?
That was exactly my point, to those that think the cost of living in FL is so awful, I simply showed it's not that bad... I thank you for validating my point... I am simply showing the other side of the coin, maybe it might help somone to appreciate what they have?

Please, move to where you are happy
If you read what I had to say you would know that I am planning on moving to FL, and that I see it as an opportunity and a lower cost of living... that can't be said for someone moving from FL to Cali...

No need to bash on those who don't share your same views. You are trying to instigate
I never bashed, not once, stating clear facts only (not opinions) from 3rd party news sources... but you are bordering on it saying that I am... why is it that the stats I displayed made you so angry at me? The messenger has been shot, the message stays the same...

Thanks and have a great weekend!

[Katie1]

This IS the kind of Homework people Should DO BEFORE they move! Not move Then Complain about the new location...GREAT Work!!

[Sunnydee]

I agree! The chronic complaining about Florida gets tiresome. I also believe it gives people who come to City Data for relocation information a skewed view of the state and its people. No place is perfect, but Florida has many good points that often get lost in the negativity. One of the biggest pluses for me is the friendliness of the people who live in Florida. I'm always amazed at how truly nice Floridians are to deal with and how helpful they are when you need a hand.