Orlando, Fortlauderdale or Atlanta? (Jacksonville, Miami: apartment, rent, condos)

[amhn]

I would recommend going on the forum. I am also searching it myself.
In regards to the weak economy in orlando, I have heard the same thing.
Check out the Atlanta forum.
I was wondering how the people are like in the fortlauderdale area. Is it is easy to meet new people and make new friends? I know in some places people tend to stick to themselves and their own. Just wondering if it is easy to get adjusted and settle in.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by amhn

I was wondering how the people are like in the fortlauderdale area. Is it is easy to meet new people and make new friends? I know in some places people tend to stick to themselves and their own. Just wondering if it is easy to get adjusted and settle in.

It's kind of similar to a northeastern feel, except it's a little more reserved. There are quite a few people who tend to be reclusive, but there are just as many who are quite social. The vibe here is about as far from warm as you can possibly get, but there are people here from all over and most tend to be open minded, so as long as you fit that description, you should be fine. I have also noticed that people here do NOT typically clique by race or cultural background. I mean sometimes they do but it's not the rule like you are going to find in Atlanta. That really helps out too, I find myself having a very diverse group of friends and learning a lot about different cultures.

So "easy" isn't quite the right word, you do need to kind of put yourself forward a bit, but anyone can fit in if they want to. The adjustment period however should be easy, although it is very different from Jacksonville. Maybe even polar opposite.

[amhn]

That sounds good to me. I previously lived in Philadelphia went there for undergrad. And I think I am looking for the polar opposite of Jacksonville. We came down here because my husband had a job opportunity, and figured we would give it a try. But now just looking to move on and dont want to go back to the Northeast.

[tjax1000]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

So "easy" isn't quite the right word, you do need to kind of put yourself forward a bit, but anyone can fit in if they want to. The adjustment period however should be easy, although it is very different from Jacksonville. Maybe even polar opposite.

I'm curious to here more comparisons between the two cities. I lived in Jax for about 10 years and at the time I thought it was good, but now I don't really want to move back. I think I'd rather go somewhere else in FL.

I always stuck up for Jax when I lived there, and I'm the kind of person who can be happy anywhere. However, I disliked the colder winters (relative to central/south FL), and I finally see what everyone was always saying about it being one of the biggest sprawls of strip malls and cookie cutter houses in the U.S. In general, the people in the Southside were pretty good, although much of the city was too conservative for me and some areas have too many rednecks. (FWIW I'm a fiscal conservative, social liberal kind of guy...think Ron Paul.) Also the city is so sprawling that to live in a new area like Nocatee and commute anywhere for work seems like it is going to be a friggin mess. In general the beaches are disgusting although places like Hanna Park were always nice as was areas south of Jax Beach (Guana River, etc.)

Does Ft. Lauderdale solve any of these problems for me? And what new problems does it introduce?

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by tjax1000

I'm curious to here more comparisons between the two cities. I lived in Jax for about 10 years and at the time I thought it was good, but now I don't really want to move back. I think I'd rather go somewhere else in FL.

I always stuck up for Jax when I lived there, and I'm the kind of person who can be happy anywhere. However, I disliked the colder winters (relative to central/south FL), and I finally see what everyone was always saying about it being one of the biggest sprawls of strip malls and cookie cutter houses in the U.S. In general, the people in the Southside were pretty good, although much of the city was too conservative for me and some areas have too many rednecks. (FWIW I'm a fiscal conservative, social liberal kind of guy...think Ron Paul.) Also the city is so sprawling that to live in a new area like Nocatee and commute anywhere for work seems like it is going to be a friggin mess. In general the beaches are disgusting although places like Hanna Park were always nice as was areas south of Jax Beach (Guana River, etc.)

Does Ft. Lauderdale solve any of these problems for me? And what new problems does it introduce?

Ft. Lauderdale solves almost all of the problems in exchange for an almost California liberal atmosphere (Fiscally, and Broward has one of the lowest gun ownership rates in the country for the state that has one of the highest, go figure) and more crowding but still a basically suburban layout, although it is much more compact. You would most certainly like it better here overall.

[tjax1000]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Ft. Lauderdale solves almost all of the problems in exchange for an almost California liberal atmosphere

Well, there is liberal, and then there is Hawaii (which is where we currently live.) Don't get me wrong, Hawaii is great, and admittedly I don't identify well with either political party. But this place takes the cake. We're a big melting pot of all the most extreme activists that you've ever seen.

Thanks for the added info. Ft. Lauderdale may need to get added to our lists of places to check out on an exploratory trip.

[Newyorker2]

How do you post a thread and keep it on top? I would like to start a thread ( my new hobby now ) to see pics of actual neighborhoods in south east fl. i was looking on the ATL forum and while there were pics of the atrium and the stadium, they also had pics of downtowns and neighborhoods as well. In the FL forum, you have tons of pics of the beaches and the sunsets etc.. but not much of actual neighborhoods, like i would love to see pics of Parkland areas or Weston etc... ( no people in them though). so again my question is, how do I start athread and stay on top?

[amhn]

I believe you go to the forum where you want to start the thread, ( fortlauderdale for example) and in the left hand side of the screen you will find the option to post a thread, click on that and fill in the information. Below that page there is the option on how to receive notifications, and I think you have to make sure to click on subscribe. I am new too, so hope that helps

[Alphaman]

A mod has to make it sticky.

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I also suggest Atlanta if you are an obsessive xenophobe who fears Hispanics, since that seems to be a hotspot for them on the forum. If you sit in a room where 2-4 out of 10 people are speaking a foreign language (although they most likely will speak to you in English if you speak to them in English) and yet you feel like you are a minority, avoid Orlando AND Ft. Lauderdale. I bring this up because this really seems to be a very prevalent and widespread phobia on CD.

If you don't fear Hispanics I also strongly suggest Houston, TX. .

Very few people FEAR Hispanics, they just don't like hearing Spanish spoken so prevalently.