Does Poverty "Run Rampant" in Orlando? (Davie: extended stay, appointed)

[DavieJ89]

I was talking with one of my customers about the city and where the city is headed. While I think Orlando is heading in the right direction economically, this person who I was discussing with disagreed saying that "Poverty runs rampant in this town, look at all the extended stay hotels on South OBT, West Colonial and on 192, look at all these people on food stamps and wic, look at all the jobs that pay $7.67 an hour to start..."

Does anybody else here that poverty "runs rampant" like this man put it? I don't believe so. I do believe that our percentage of those in poverty is higher than other places but certainly not a majority or running rampant by any means. We seem to have (in my opinion) an even balance of middle class and lower class people, with a pretty sizeable upper-middle class and upper class population

Thoughts?

[kyle19125]

I don't think it runs rampant but do think that jobs pay less than most mid-sized metros, as well as a cost of living that runs disproportionately higher for those in the lower to middle pay sectors.

[chopchop0]

check out parts of the rustbelt states like pa oh and mi if you want see real poverty. Orlando has nothing on that, except for maybe bithlo

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

check out parts of the rustbelt states like pa oh and no if you want see real poverty. Orlando has nothing on that, except for maybe bithlo

I agree with you. Many people in PA are very poor. There literally is no work at all, at least where I came from. There are jobs here but many pay less than other metros. OTH, it depends on the position and the qualifications that you need. The pay for those jobs can be more. It just all depends. I think there is a mix of lower class, middle class and upper class as well. I see a lot of building going on again and that leads me to think that area is starting to better.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by beckycat

I agree with you. Many people in PA are very poor. There literally is no work at all, at least where I came from. There are jobs here but many pay less than other metros. OTH, it depends on the position and the qualifications that you need. The pay for those jobs can be more. It just all depends. I think there is a mix of lower class, middle class and upper class as well. I see a lot of building going on again and that leads me to think that area is starting to better.

Yup. NPR did a special recently on Reading, PA, which wins a sad national distinction. Parts of NY OH and MI are like this too, sadly

Cycle Of Poverty Hard To Break In Poorest U.S. City : NPR

[kyle19125]

Unfortunately pretty much all of the building going on is of convenience stores, gas stations and such which might mean more jobs, but certainly not the kind that's going to be a game-changer for Central Florida's way of life.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Unfortunately pretty much all of the building going on is of convenience stores, gas stations and such which might mean more jobs, but certainly not the kind that's going to be a game-changer for Central Florida's way of life.

Yeah, ignore all that jazz near the airport

[DavieJ89]

I wonder what it is that makes pay scales lower here compared to other mid-size metros with similar COL's. Out in Las Vegas, pay for jobs is more than it is here, and the COL is slightly less than Orlando

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Originally Posted by DavieJ89

I was talking with one of my customers about the city and where the city is headed. While I think Orlando is heading in the right direction economically, this person who I was discussing with disagreed saying that "Poverty runs rampant in this town, look at all the extended stay hotels on South OBT, West Colonial and on 192, look at all these people on food stamps and wic, look at all the jobs that pay $7.67 an hour to start..."

Does anybody else here that poverty "runs rampant" like this man put it? I don't believe so. I do believe that our percentage of those in poverty is higher than other places but certainly not a majority or running rampant by any means. We seem to have (in my opinion) an even balance of middle class and lower class people, with a pretty sizeable upper-middle class and upper class population

Thoughts?

Poverty is definitely higher than it used to be back before raods like John young were not even fully built haha. But it's definitely not a culture here. It's more of a "get paid a lower wage, have less money to solve more problems." vs. " Get paid a higher wage and have more money to solve less problems." Essentialy thats how I've started looking at it. Even too, Orlando you still see "Nice Ghettos" meaning up to the standard of lacking a complete ghetto definition but in ways still is considered below par for standards of living to the common Central Floridian.

And it's mostly minority here, although I'm not sure what race (if there even is) a minority anymore.
I know white people tend to stay to the east, Hispanics to the south and , Blacks to the west, but just driving around and the typical non racial person can't really put a finger clearly on what is minority here unless they visit often or pull stats. It really does just feel like "A City" to me.

The pay rate has a lot to do with the Hotels and Theme Parks . As we know they make an important part of Central Floridas Economy, tourist and monthly visitors do in general, but thats the thing. Our economic engines are not of traditional ways, so don't expect traditional pay rates and living styles. Doesnt scream extreme poverty to me.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Yeah, ignore all that jazz near the airport

I said "pretty much" not "all". I do realize your role in this forum is of self-appointed cheerleader for Orlando and Central Florida but do try and comprehend before getting all overly emotional.