Tell me why I wouldn't want to move to Florida... (Largo: school, taxes)

[seeriously]

Originally Posted by vaughnwilliams

"Tell me why I wouldn't want to move to Florida". I can only tell you why I'll be busting out of here in a few years. Weather and the political landscape of Florida. As years have gone by, I find them both more and more personally oppressive and contrary to what I am, and unfortunately, I have to deal with both on a daily basis.

Ah yes, the oppressive political landscape and the denial of evolution. Course, the fact that we still have neanderthals in FL explains this quirky ism. Wish you lived next door to me, Vaughn. I'm tired of keeping my thoughts to myself for fear of being attacked by finger-pointing neocons who like to blame liberals for all the problems in the US.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Dusty Rhodes

Tell me why I wouldn't want to move to Florida...

Well.......the speed limit may be 65 MPH, but the bluehairs are either doing 20, or 95, and taking up 2 lanes while doing so.

Haaaa Haaaa - some truth and some humor! You gotta come here more and have some fun with us.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by verobeach

Ah yes, the oppressive political landscape and the denial of evolution. Course, the fact that we still have neanderthals in FL explains this quirky ism. Wish you lived next door to me, Vaughn. I'm tired of keeping my thoughts to myself for fear of being attacked by finger-pointing neocons who like to blame liberals for all the problems in the US.

Wow, that sounds scary. Although I haven't seen even the most remote hint of this sort of thing here in Sarasota or in Tampa/St. Pete, I would definitely arm myself heavily if I felt I were the minority forward-thinker in the midst of such horrible ignorance.

Or I would have moved a long time ago, one or the other.

It must feel pretty lonely, really, nearly Kafka-esque, I bet.

Anyway, I think both the extreme left and right should continue to make such blanket claims against one another. At least that confirms for the truly rational folks that they should be phased out entirely.

"Neocons and liberals." Great. That's always very helpful.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Rushmore

Wow, that sounds scary. Although I haven't seen even the most remote hint of this sort of thing here in Sarasota or in Tampa/St. Pete, I would definitely arm myself heavily if I felt I were the minority forward-thinker in the midst of such horrible ignorance.

Or I would have moved a long time ago, one or the other.

It must feel pretty lonely, really, nearly Kafka-esque, I bet.

Anyway, I think both the extreme left and right should continue to make such blanket claims against one another. At least that confirms for the truly rational folks that they should be phased out entirely.

"Neocons and liberals." Great. That's always very helpful.

My sentiments exactly!

[seeriously]

Originally Posted by Rushmore

"Neocons and liberals." Great. That's always very helpful.

Since when is liberal a bad word? I'm proud to be one.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by verobeach

Since when is liberal a bad word? I'm proud to be one.

That's just my point. There are no bad words, only negative connotations, generated by those who are inclined to do so.

I am simply not inclined, and prefer not align myself on either side of a failing system. Why should anyone be "proud" to be a "liberal?" Why would that be a source of pride? Why do "conservatives" puff their chests out when applying the word? Why should that to which one is naturally inclined be something by which to identify oneself?

The answer is that they feel the seemingly never-ending need to BELONG to something, and also to be IDENTIFIED by the positive aspects of that group, most notably when sneering at the other group (which apparently gives them a real sense of accomplishment and superiority). Liberals are kind and generous, and conservatives are mean and greedy, right?

From the other side:

Conservatives are pragmatic and level-headed, and liberals are proponents of a welfare state and socialists.

What difference does any of this make, really? All it does is to obscure the fact that the country is run by the wealthy, controlled by corporations. Bread and circuses, as Caesar said.

[fairladyinsocal]

As Baby Boomer Northerners who have been debating whether to retire in Florida or Southern California, (loving the tropical climates in both places):

After spending several winter months recently in both places, California wins hands down for providing places to go in the evening refreshingly free of disgusting cigarette smoke.
Loving to dance, we tried many places in Florida from Key Largo to Sarasota, sadly walking out almost immediately after being affronted with the blue haze of cigarette smoke. Only one place in Sarasota "worked" for us because of it's outdoor lounge which allowed the smoke to disippate into the night air.
We have found that California probably caters more to a younger crowd who is against cigarette smoking..... while Florida caters more to Our Baby Boomer generation who sadly is still caught up in smoking?
So where can this cool 60's couple go? We don't smoke but ironically we love to dance.
Maybe there is a planet out there in space where we can find what we are looking for?

[yellowsky]

"What difference does any of this make, really? All it does is to obscure the fact that the country is run by the wealthy, controlled by corporations. Bread and circuses, as Caesar said."
Bingo!

[feelinglucky1]

My Husband and I will be moving to Florida soon from the midwest. My only concern is having a job lined up. This will be my husband third transfer and I've always found a job when I arrived in each city if not found before arriving.I know Orlando may be harder in that case. Visting Florida so much it has always been our dream to final settle down their. Orlando here "we" come!!! SoFlGal think you so much for your post it has answered alot of concerns!!!

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

OK, it's good to see that some people are still here with me!

Yeah the job market is terrible. There's just no other way to state it. I'm sure Ladywithafan can attest to that since she was just out there pounding the pavement and found a job after a few months. Summerbabe, on your second point, if you haven't spent extensive time researching and you know exactly where you'd want to live---rent. There's nothing worse than buying a home and realizing a few months later that you like another area way better. And the sex offenders, well not much to say about that other than use the website and check things out.

Come on now! All you negative Nellies, worriers, etc. Here it is an open field. A whole thread of concerns. Let's get back into the 50% discussion and maybe add to it. I'm quite certain we could make it a few pages.

I'm sure people have many more concerns than my little list. Maybe we need to call Yoko from the Cape Coral board over here. I know she could add a few things to my list. Oh yeah, I forgot to include old drivers, snowbirds and lightning. On Siesta during season you could wait 30-45 minutes coming on and off the key in the morning and late afternoon because of the beach traffic. If there's an accident you should just hang it up, turn around and go home. The highway is only two lanes. It gets kind of aggravating.

Florida is the lightning capital of the world. Folks, if it starts lightning and you're golfing or at the beach, it's time to come in. And don't go hide under a tree and wait for the rains to end. That's probably the worst place to be during a lightning storm.

Speaking of beach. What about the stingrays and riptides or what about red tide? Well, I always recommend doing the "stingray shuffle" when entering the water. To do this you shuffle your feet along the sand instead of lifting your feet up and placing them down. The shuffling motion usually scares the stingrays off so you don't step on their poisonous barb. If you do happen to get stung, soak the area in hot water.

Rip tides are unusually strong currents that run perpendicular to the shore and can be very dangerous. If you're caught in one, don't panic or try to swim back to shore against the tide. Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current or it has subsided, then return to shore.

Red tide is a naturally occurring algae that blooms and can kill marine life and cause respiratory irritations in humans. People with respiratory problems should avoid the beach when red tide is present.

Seriously, if anyone has any concerns I'm all ears and would be glad to try to answer them as I'm sure many others would.

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by fairladyinsocal

As Baby Boomer Northerners who have been debating whether to retire in Florida or Southern California, (loving the tropical climates in both places):

After spending several winter months recently in both places, California wins hands down for providing places to go in the evening refreshingly free of disgusting cigarette smoke.
Loving to dance, we tried many places in Florida from Key Largo to Sarasota, sadly walking out almost immediately after being affronted with the blue haze of cigarette smoke. Only one place in Sarasota "worked" for us because of it's outdoor lounge which allowed the smoke to disippate into the night air.
We have found that California probably caters more to a younger crowd who is against cigarette smoking..... while Florida caters more to Our Baby Boomer generation who sadly is still caught up in smoking?
So where can this cool 60's couple go? We don't smoke but ironically we love to dance.
Maybe there is a planet out there in space where we can find what we are looking for?

So I guess you researched the insanely high taxes in CA & the current downward spiral the state is in then? The entire state of FL is not in a smokers haze I assure you. Neither I or my husband smoke- frankly, the smell of cigarette smoke makes me ill. Haven't really had any problems here in Sarasota with that. I see people smoking but it's pretty easy to avoid it, as with many places.