[Sweating in Florida]

I feel your pain and I have been a big complainer since we have move down here and have never been my usual self. My kids all hate it here and say they would rather live in a box somewhere else than live here in with the heat, humidity and burning skin damaging sun, red ants and mosquitos, and highly irritable old people. My son needs to be under care of a gastroenterologist and there is only one 25 miles away from us in about a 200 mile radius(where are all the specialists for kids?). It's not home for us and we have lived in different states than this and have never complained before.
When we came here to be near my mother we thought is was going to be great to have the beautiful hot beaches, a tan year round, and the tropical atmosphere. We thought we would be better of financially here, but we found out the rent, electicity, lawn/pesticides and prices of things are not cheap enough to make up for the lack of industries and manufactures and rediculously low pay rates. I soon found out the food was more expensive here and the stores are lacking.
We have not made any investments here in 4 years. Have only rented and have only one car now and all old furniture and ect. When we move back to where we came from this summer after school it will be easy for us unlike my brother who purchased a home and cannot sell it in order to move up north.

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by Sweating in Florida

I feel your pain and I have been a big complainer since we have move down here and have never been my usual self. My kids all hate it here and say they would rather live in a box somewhere else than live here in with the heat, humidity and burning skin damaging sun, red ants and mosquitos, and highly irritable old people. My son needs to be under care of a gastroenterologist and there is only one 25 miles away from us in about a 200 mile radius(where are all the specialists for kids?). It's not home for us and we have lived in different states than this and have never complained before.
When we came here to be near my mother we thought is was going to be great to have the beautiful hot beaches, a tan year round, and the tropical atmosphere. We thought we would be better of financially here, but we found out the rent, electicity, lawn/pesticides and prices of things are not cheap enough to make up for the lack of industries and manufactures and rediculously low pay rates. I soon found out the food was more expensive here and the stores are lacking.
We have not made any investments here in 4 years. Have only rented and have only one car now and all old furniture and ect. When we move back to where we came from this summer after school it will be easy for us unlike my brother who purchased a home and cannot sell it in order to move up north.

You were very smart to rent. I unfortunetly made the same mistake your brother did. I bought in Dec 2004, just the start of the increase in prices. I did have a contract on it back in June 08. I was given 28 days to move out but the contract gave them 30 days to obtain a mortgage. I sold all my things had my moving truck in the driveway and 6pm the night before we were to close the people were denied their mortgage. I was assured the entire time there were no problems. Its been a nightmare but we haven't given up hope. Its unfortunate that we are both going thru similar situations however its relieving to know people understand. I guess some of those annoying little quotes are true "theres no place like home". Good Luck

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

I
Also, how can you NOT expect to have higher costs with a pool and a yard especially when it rains EVERYDAY in summer? NJ is the the worst state for property taxes (fact Property taxes: Where does your state rank? - MSN Money) So how can you complain about Florida property taxes at all? Its not really Floridas fault if you didn't fully research your move.

I didn't expect the higher costs because I am the type of person that does it myself. I also wasn't paying the high costs that I now pay when I first moved here. My homeowner went from $1200 per year to over $3k. My car insurance went up because there are so many uninsured drivers here and not just a little bit. I pay $500 more per year then Jersey. I was also unaware it rained everyday because we have been in a drought since I moved here. As you stated earlier it all depends on the neighborhood. In my case the town I came from property taxes were considered to be one of the lowest for the state. I knew there were bugs but didn[t know you had to pay someone to treat your house every few months for it. As far as doing my research I relied on familys advice, shame on me. I never blamed Florida, I take full responsibility for my actions, but again BUYER BEWARE. If I had only known about this site back then. I have to ask have you ever lived any where but Florida?

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

I moved to NC, then SC and I'm going to move to Florida, why? Because frankly I feel winters even in my area of SC are too dang cold, overcast, rainy, foggy and miserable. Maybe I'm not shoveling snow, but I do have to still scrape a windshield which is no big deal, but the constant cloudy skies, and wind are horrible to me.

I'm from Florida born and raised ( Tampa ) and moved to Nashville about 10 years ago, I LOVE the weather here in Nashville, Four Seasons, 3-4 months of cold weather, some snow here and there.. It's awesome !

Everyone has their own preferences.

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by dmccauley

Belive me I if I could I would. Its people like you that are so rude that give the state another thing to complain about.

Have you thought about renting your current house so that you could move back up north ?

From what I can see, The whole Tampa Bay Area has very inflated rental prices and I'm pretty sure you can hire a management company to look after the house once you moved.

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Have you thought about renting your current house so that you could move back up north ?

From what I can see, The whole Tampa Bay Area has very inflated rental prices and I'm pretty sure you can hire a management company to look after the house once you moved.

Thank you for the advise. I am going to put my home up in an auction where someone can buy it for $500.00 or less. The site is not up for bidding yet but when it is it will be the best opportunity for homeowners and buyers. I think this is such an awesome idea. Hey the government isn't helping maybe this site will be our answer.
Unique Bid Auction: A Beautiful Florida Home for Sale Under $500

[TXRyan23]

I think even I would think about moving back to the state if I could buy a house for $500.

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

I think even I would think about moving back to the state if I could buy a house for $500.

The person who wins the auction will have their taxes, pool, and lawn all paid for in for one full year. There won't be anything to do but move into the home. All the inspections would be done. Just pay $100 to place your bid and then start bidding. The person who has the lowest most unique bid wins and of course what ever the bid is buys the home for that amount. They will have their expenses paid to come see their new home plus all of the above mentioned expenses paid. Its not that much money to take a chance for what you get in return. I love the idea and can't wait for it to start.

[AYankeeButARebelAtHeart]

It snowed last night and I woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland. I love taking a walk in the woods after a freshly fallen snow & I took several pictures too. Now it is snowing again & I'm going to take another walk as it is even more fun to walk in the snow. I think about all the lucky folks down in FL who are suffering in all that sunsahine 60 to 70 degree weather. They don't know how lucky they are but I bet a lot wish they were where I am to be able to see, feel & smell the wonderful clean snow again. Too bad I don't hunt game anymore as this is the time to track rabbits in the snow & there are rabbit tracks everywhere. I'll be taking my annual trip to PC next month & can't wait. Meanwhile, I'll mke the best of the weather up here & its about time we finally get to see the white stuff instead of all that rain we've been getting for the last 2 months. I'm looking forward to our 1st blizzard & the deeper the snow the better. So enjoy FL yuall or better yet, why not take a trip back up to NJ to refresh your memory of just what its like to feel cold & see wonderful snow again? I wish I could send some of this white stuff down your way. Hey, why not get a snow making machine & cover your yard with snow? You'll be the 1st & only people around down in those parts to have snow in your yard. But make it deep so it'll last longer.

[dmccauley]

I'm jealous. I love the first snowfalls.