One Month In.... (Orlando, Sunset: Home Depot, salary, maintenance)

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by Bellamouse

You said only seniors care about taxes when it comes to choosing a place to live. You weren't talking about just yourself.

And I wasn't talking about Manhattan. *I was talking about Chicago, average "suburbia" Chicago, not the fancy downtown area. *

You must be young and not in a very high tax bracket - heck you probably get the "earned income credit" (another joke) so you don't feel the real squeeze of the tax noose...

I'm here to tell you that the savings here in FL is much more than just 7%. Although that is a lot - can you imagine how much you would have if you put that 7% into a 401k or something?

There is a huge difference in one's quality of life when you can keep more of the salary you work hard for. More vacations, things you need, more going out for dinner or whatever. All that is severely curtailed when you live somewhere with high taxes. When Illinois raised the state income tax from 3% to 5%, that took an extra 2500 out of our pockets each year. That was our vacation budget. So no vacation for us! Taxes matter a GREAT deal to those that pay them.

I said, "I know retirees do it a lot, but I think younger and middle aged families think more about quality of life and the people over the tax rates."

I was using Manhattan as an example, since that seems to be very common on the FL forums.

I understand if you are being squeezed to death by taxes that living elsewhere makes more economical sense. Put it this way, if you can earn $60k in Raleigh NC or $60k in Orlando, I'm going to base my decision off of what I like/dislike about eachother before I take into consideration, well... I dont want to pay state income tax so I choose FL. When I know that Raleigh is a better choice for the family, for the school system, for safety, etc.

As for your "you must be young and not in a very high tax bracket," I'm not sure how to respond to that one. You might be surprised. Although I still consider myself young, being in my early 30's.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by StreetSmarts

honestly, i'm not sure whay several ppl have laughed at this. we make a bit more than this combined, and with all the expenses, etc. i dont see how ppl do it on less than at least 100k. rent/mortgage, groceries, day care, etc.

When we got out of college, our combined income was around $70k. With that, we were able to buy our house, maintain 2 good vehicles, and support our 2 kids, while never having to live too frugally.

Now, at over 100k, we are able to do much more, yes, but to say one needs 100k to be comfortable here is ridiculous.

[StreetSmarts]

Ok, it is my opinion, that a couple needs 100k to live comfortably here (with kids) and all the other expenses.

[DeejayDJ]

Saw this story on Charlotte Observer this morning:

Where do Mecklenburg

I would say in the last 2 to 3 years there has been a huge influx of people moving to Charlotte. Has it been the same with Orlando?

[Joey Falcon]

Anything over $12 an hour is big money in O-town.

[tworent]

Driving with your hazard lights on is against the law by the way

[Vellamint]

OP... you get free parking at Disney with your Annual Pass.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by Joey Falcon

Anything over $12 an hour is big money in O-town.

No... Let's not go crazy, now. $12/hour is college/intern money. Nothing more.

[bmartinez76]

$12 an hour is fairly low. I think if you have any form of a college degree and a skill set you can earn more than that. I was fortunate to get approved to work remotely, so I'm bringing my NY salary with me, but when I was looking for a new job (before getting approved) I was looking at 30k salary cut which would still have had me at a great salary in Orlando.

[chaseo1]

Originally Posted by Rgonzalez79

When driving, you have to slow down to about 10 MPH and throw on your hazard lights because you almost can't see through these giant rain drops (others do the same so don't feel weird about it).

This is actually illegal in Florida. Please dont be one of "those drivers".

thanks