[firemed]

The last 5 years were great for the little towns of Florida. Homes went up so high that all the new found money made everyone rich on paper. Now its slow and the impact fees to pay for all the new found areas of Florida have almost been cut in half. But the bills still have to be paid. The larger cities to the small towns of Florida are feeling the impact. They had borrowed heavily to finance new road and public service construction and utilized sales taxes and land fees to pay their debts. Now the Yankee dollars are vanishing. If you think the taxes were high before just wait and see.

[faithfulFrank]

Hey.......I just did my part......(hehe)

Frank D.

[Margel]

Part of the problem is the brutal and often scary honesty of this forum. I am having a home built in Florida and it was started before I discovered the forum. My in-laws all live in Florida; they all love it and my family and I love visiting as often as we can...hence the big decision to move. But I tell you truly if I had read all that I read on this forum, I am not so sure I would be moving to Florida at all. I know that Florida, like all states, has its problems, but the state bashing that goes on here on a daily basis will really put a dent in those wanting to relocate. Your homes may be sitting even longer on an already slow market.

[nomoresnow]

me too, me too, Frank!

Pattie

[pianogal]

Originally Posted by Margel

Part of the problem is the brutal and often scary honesty of this forum. I am having a home built in Florida and it was started before I discovered the forum. My in-laws all live in Florida; they all love it and my family and I love visiting as often as we can...hence the big decision to move. But I tell you truly if I had read all that I read on this forum, I am not so sure I would be moving to Florida at all. I know that Florida, like all states, has its problems, but the state bashing that goes on here on a daily basis will really put a dent in those wanting to relocate. Your homes may be sitting even longer on an already slow market.

Sometimes that brutal and scary honesty is a complete exaggeration! Contrary to what you have read...most places are SAFE, we don't have gangs on every street corner waiting to steal your car or break into your home, it doesn't take hours to run simple errands, there are still caucasians living here, we do have some excellent schools, and some of us actually enjoy the warm sunny weather. Alot of us also love our jobs, our churches and have friendly neighbors. We are HAPPY and fulfilled here, our children have friends, play sports and live normal lives here. We enjoy the beach, going to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld etc. It can be a great place to live.

What most people don't realize is that alot of people are posting here because they were unhappy for whatever reason and discovered this forum looking for other places to move. There are MILLIONS of happy Floridians who have no idea this forum exists. I didn't until a few months ago. I stumbled on it by accident. The only reason I joined was because I couldn't believe alot of the exaggerations and sometimes outright lies told by a few (most of whom don't post here anymore or have been banned). I joined because I felt someone needed to be here to give a more balanced view.

I know Florida has problems, but I have family living in other states and they are experiencing some of the same issues - most are not exclusive to Florida but are a fact of life in today's world.

[AJ67]

I agree every where has problems...there are certain places to stay away from.. but all in all florida is GREAT

[Margel]

All I can say is thanks to you both for saying something positive. Even though this forum has given me some reservations, I still do look forward to my move. I hope I have people like both of you as my new neighbors!

[jhlcomp]

Where are you moving to?

[applejuice]

I left South Florida and got the hell out of there before I found this forum! I did not need this forum to tell me South Florida sucks. I was born and raised there so I know what I am talking about. I don't know one single person (including family, friends or exco-workers) who love South Florida. The peope that stay are for three reasons: family, great job, or mild winters.

Even those reasons are not strong enough anymore. However, other parts of Florida might be better...I can't say because I did not live there.

I think alot of the Florida bashing DEPENDS what area you are talking about.

Me, you could not pay me a million dollars to move back to South Florida. They wanted my hubby to move back and told him to "name his price" to go back to his old job. I said "over my dead body." I have a toddler and no child of mine will grow up in South Florida.


Some things you can't put on price on.

I tell everyone who is moving to South Florida to rent first. Do not buy a house, until you are absolutely sure you love the place. The market down there is a mess...until it stablizes, I would not buy.

[V20]

I plan on moving to South Florida in the next two years. I travel to Cape Coral, Naples and Marco Island alot (I have seasonal rentals in those areas). I have spoken with many people from business owners to workmen to neighbors and I have yet to meet anyone who has said anything as negative as the comments on this forum. The comments I hear are "It's beautiful, warm, the people are friendly..." How can anyone drive around Naples or see Marco Island and say such places are horrible? You would have to be bonkers! I am sure South Florida has its problems with crime and drugs, but are there many areas that don't? You want to see nightmare cities try those of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Massachusetts. Cold, criminal and ugly. I'll take South Florida anyday.