[Mattias]

Florida's climate is too hot...

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Mattias

Florida's climate is too hot...

Which climate is that? North Florida, or South Florida? Inland, or Beachside?

[Prettygyrl777]

Originally Posted by Rwarky

Native Floridians and Transplants, do you consider Florida a good or great place for a vacation or to visit, yet a bad place to live year-round?

It depends on where you live...and what you're looking for. I lived on the Treasure Coast for a long time and once I reached my twenties, I realized that I HAD to leave. It's a great place for 'married w/childrens' but for single professionals-it was terrible! I'm much happier here in my new city- it feels like a 'better fit' for my current situation. I just think people really need to research a particular area before relocating. What might seem perfect for an elderly couple may not be the greatest place for a young, single person.

[cal bear]

As someone who moved from California for Florida three times under the premise that lower living costs would translate into a better quality of life, I must say that the "cost of living" is as much a qualitative indice as quantitative. I ended up "running" back to California each time. Although I have family in St. Pete and Tampa, am addicted to red snapper, and love the fruits, I found Florida as culturally and socially flat as its topography. I missed the savvy of California, the laid back nature of the place, and the opportunities that simply being there provides. As an African American, seeing and knowing so many folks in service and hospitality jobs was utterly depressing, as well as the level of civic debate and discourse.

No disrespect, but Florida is not a hotbed of intellectual activity. Nothing like a Stanford, Berkeley, or UCLA there. I came to the conclusion that I would rather work my hands to the bone in California than live in Florida (or the South for that matter). This may well change after I receive my Ph.D. - but for me, Florida's only positive is as a gateway to the Caribbean.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by cal bear

As someone who moved from California for Florida three times under the premise that lower living costs would translate into a better quality of life, I must say that the "cost of living" is as much a qualitative indice as quantitative. I ended up "running" back to California each time. Although I have family in St. Pete and Tampa, am addicted to red snapper, and love the fruits, I found Florida as culturally and socially flat as its topography. I missed the savvy of California, the laid back nature of the place, and the opportunities that simply being there provides. As an African American, seeing and knowing so many folks in service and hospitality jobs was utterly depressing, as well as the level of civic debate and discourse.

No disrespect, but Florida is not a hotbed of intellectual activity. Nothing like a Stanford, Berkeley, or UCLA there. I came to the conclusion that I would rather work my hands to the bone in California than live in Florida (or the South for that matter). This may well change after I receive my Ph.D. - but for me, Florida's only positive is as a gateway to the Caribbean.

specifically, Manhattan born and raised, I can fully understand and appreciate what you are saying.

[ChrisA70]

All of the above...

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Which climate is that? North Florida, or South Florida? Inland, or Beachside?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by cal bear

As someone who moved from California for Florida three times under the premise that lower living costs would translate into a better quality of life, I must say that the "cost of living" is as much a qualitative indice as quantitative. I ended up "running" back to California each time. Although I have family in St. Pete and Tampa, am addicted to red snapper, and love the fruits, I found Florida as culturally and socially flat as its topography. I missed the savvy of California, the laid back nature of the place, and the opportunities that simply being there provides. As an African American, seeing and knowing so many folks in service and hospitality jobs was utterly depressing, as well as the level of civic debate and discourse.

No disrespect, but Florida is not a hotbed of intellectual activity. Nothing like a Stanford, Berkeley, or UCLA there. I came to the conclusion that I would rather work my hands to the bone in California than live in Florida (or the South for that matter). This may well change after I receive my Ph.D. - but for me, Florida's only positive is as a gateway to the Caribbean.

Originally Posted by TANaples

specifically, Manhattan born and raised, I can fully understand and appreciate what you are saying.

Who on earth are you hanging out with?
I am no intellectual giant, but I have met many intelligent, active folks here (two friends actually hail from the Bay Area.)
The best aspect is that the people I've met have been doers rather than just talkers: concerts are promoted, funds raised for the local library, there was even a peace rally at the courthouse.
Make no mistake, I certainly concur that there is neither a Berkeley here, nor as much of a Berkeley attitude. There is only one California, and, for that matter, only one Manhattan. One doesn't need a PhD to understand that such places cannot be recreated elsewhere (nor should they).
However, after a year in my new home, I hardly see it as a cultural wasteland. I've lived everywhere from the Tenderloin to New York, and none of those places were perfect but I do believe that you get out of a living situation what you put into it.
I do agree with Prettygyrl that there are different fits at different stages of life, and some do a bit of seeking before finding their niche.

[seeriously]

Originally Posted by cal bear

As someone who moved from California for Florida three times under the premise that lower living costs would translate into a better quality of life, I must say that the "cost of living" is as much a qualitative indice as quantitative. I ended up "running" back to California each time.

3 times?!? Did you think it would be different each time?

We came to Vero Beach from Boston, Chicago, and DC in that order and we wouldn't go back to any one of those places.

[sange77]

People use to say this to me all of the time and I use to think that they were crazy, how could a beautiful place like FL not be great to live in but now I have figured it out!!! It's a great place to vacation because the touristy areas are beautiful however, the places where you actually live are different. I'm not going to say why b/c I don't want to bash anyones culture but those of you who know what I what I mean, know why!

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by sange77

I'm not going to say why b/c I don't want to bash anyones culture but those of you who know what I what I mean, know why!

Even though the article says it's mostly economic, I think that is only part of the story.

Non-Hispanic whites leaving Broward, Palm Beach County in large numbers -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com