Tell me about Florida

[Potomus Pete]

I am going to need a place to go to get out of Florida. I got three houses over the years here in Sarasota. My wife hates it here with the nasty 93 degrees every day. I would have never believed that these houses would be worth so much. Must be a Republican thing, but Kentucky seems nice to retire

 

[zebra12]

... And it's not The South. It's geographically south, and there's pockets of Southern folk there (mostly in the Panhandle), but if you're used to The South, Florida ain't it...

My line of demarcation is - if I sit down at a restaurant and order tea (without stating I want sweet or unsweet), and the waitress brings me sweet tea, then I am in the "south."

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I just looked up current Phoenix weather. 111 and 17% humidity at 5pm. I think they would shut down my city due to fire hazard if we ever hit 17% humidity. It's 9pm here, and we're still at 80%. It was 80F, dead air and 95% this morning. Dew point is your body. That's common in FL too.

I've also been in dry semi-arid 115F which at the time I thought felt like 90 back home.

I moved from eastern Oklahoma to Pueblo, Colorado in spring of 2016, having never spent any significant summer time west of I-35. The first real "hot" day of the summer I checked the current weather condition before I left for the afternoon at 5pm, and saw 95°F. I was bummed that the heat had arrived.

I walked outside expecting the oppressively thick smothering of misery that I had come to know as 95°F, and instead immediately thought: this isn't 95, I could hang a hammock under a tree and take a nap in this. I pulled out my phone to check the conditions again and yes, it was indeed 95°F, but in small print down lower in the screen was the current relative humidity. It was 5%...a number I had never even considered was achievable in nature. It was wonderful and I enjoyed 5 more amazing summers where even 100+ was not at all unpleasant as long as you had some shade.

And then we decided life would be easier if we moved back closer to our kids grandparents and back to 75+ dew points, and I still haven't figured out if I'm just not used to it like I was, or if this is just what it's like to be 40 in humidity.

We're in the midst of a hot stretch right now but fortunately it's dried out quite a bit from what we had before mid-July when my glasses were fogging up when I stepped out of the back door.

 

[Mud Mixer]

Over 7 inches of rain in 10 hours

 

[Davidtj]

Sarasota here. Super expensive here lately. Great place to live , but overcrowded. Twenty years ago it was heaven. If you have the money, and your a Republican this is the place for you.

I am with you 20 years ago was heaven
Now more traffic crowded everywhere you go , property taxes going up , car insurance and home insurance not the paradise it was but I realize still better than most places. Did I mention cars with California tags everywhere I go

 

[Squatch]

Kensington Avenue in Philly feels like the middle

Not sure what it's the middle of, however.

Oh how our founding fathers are spinning in their graves

Well, that was depressing. When I see stuff like this, my thoughts and emotions run the full gamut. On one hand, I see "litter with legs"; the dregs of society. On the other hand, I realize that at one point in time, these shells of human beings were once helpless infants, likely cradled in the arms of their mothers, and fawned over. Any parent worthy of being a parent could never want this kind of life for their child.

Some say the issue is homelessness. I believe it's a drug and mental health issue. Homelessness is the likely result. No one seems to have the answer on how to deal with it. Whatever is being done now (if anything), sure as hell isn't working.

 

[NskLJ]

I'm having a complete re-evaluation about where I want to live the rest of my life. Not sure I've changed my mind. But certainly reconsidering what is out there.

MT has been at the top of my list for some time. But I'm seriously considering living in a better climate. I'm almost 60.

What can those that have lived or do live in Florida tell me about the state?

I'm considering the outer Tampa area. Maybe even as far south as Cape Coral. Or further north up the coast. I don't want to live in Tampa. Other than maybe Bradenton. More looking at coastal areas.

A few areas of concern:

Taxes.
Health, car etc insurance.
Real estate seems reasonable.
Cost of power.
Other costs?
Demographics. What areas around Tampa should I avoid? Meaning crime.
Are there better areas in Florida? I would prefer the gulf coast. I like saltwater fishing alot.
What am I not asking that I should be?
[/QUOTE
Here is a good comparison site for the nuts and bolts of things
https://www.bestplaces.net/compare-cities/

 

[Westtown Willy]

Well, that was depressing. When I see stuff like this, my thoughts and emotions run the full gamut. On one hand, I see "litter with legs"; the dregs of society. On the other hand, I realize that at one point in time, these shells of human beings were once helpless infants, likely cradled in the arms of their mothers, and fawned over. Any parent worthy of being a parent could never want this kind of life for their child.

Some say the issue is homelessness. I believe it's a drug and mental health issue. Homelessness is the likely result. No one seems to have the answer on how to deal with it. Whatever is being done now (if anything), sure as hell isn't working.

Kensington is a phenomenon, every city has a ‘section’ but this particular one took things to a new level. The substances they’re taking (Tranq), apparently originated there turning people into the zombie brigade we’ve all come to know through the now infamous YouTube videos. Sadly, it’s spreading, much like crack & meth before it, the tranq’d zombie nation is coming to a city near you, actually from what I’ve read it’s already coast to coast & top to bottom, it just hasn’t seeped in to the extent it has in Kensington. Sadly, again, that’s simply a matter of time. For whatever reason(s) people sink to that level, those reasons certainly aren’t quarantined or unique to any geographic location, rather they exist everywhere. So when the reasons exist and the supply shows up…

For a time, Kensington attracted people from far and wide that ‘wanted in’ on this, a zombie meca, much in the same way cities like Portland, Seattle, San Fran & such attract the encampment crowd from outside of their city limits.

I used to wonder why the government sat idly by doing what appears to be absolutely nothing to stop this onslaught. However, given the sheer magnitude of horrendous things the government sits idly by watching but doing nothing, I no longer wonder.

But ‘Trump indictments’, they’ve got all the live-long day along with endless resources, energy, manpower, willpower & gumption to crank those puppies out!

 

[Shank]

I moved from eastern Oklahoma to Pueblo, Colorado in spring of 2016, having never spent any significant summer time west of I-35. The first real "hot" day of the summer I checked the current weather condition before I left for the afternoon at 5pm, and saw 95°F. I was bummed that the heat had arrived.

I walked outside expecting the oppressively thick smothering of misery that I had come to know as 95°F, and instead immediately thought: this isn't 95, I could hang a hammock under a tree and take a nap in this. I pulled out my phone to check the conditions again and yes, it was indeed 95°F, but in small print down lower in the screen was the current relative humidity. It was 5%...a number I had never even considered was achievable in nature. It was wonderful and I enjoyed 5 more amazing summers where even 100+ was not at all unpleasant as long as you had some shade.

And then we decided life would be easier if we moved back closer to our kids grandparents and back to 75+ dew points, and I still haven't figured out if I'm just not used to it like I was, or if this is just what it's like to be 40 in humidity.

We're in the midst of a hot stretch right now but fortunately it's dried out quite a bit from what we had before mid-July when my glasses were fogging up when I stepped out of the back door.

View attachment 446506

Last year was our first time traveling west and we went in July (to Colorado). The lack of humidity was extremely appreciated. We always talk of moving.

 

[RubiconRic]

I'm having a complete re-evaluation about where I want to live the rest of my life. Not sure I've changed my mind. But certainly reconsidering what is out there.

MT has been at the top of my list for some time. But I'm seriously considering living in a better climate. I'm almost 60.

What can those that have lived or do live in Florida tell me about the state?

I'm considering the outer Tampa area. Maybe even as far south as Cape Coral. Or further north up the coast. I don't want to live in Tampa. Other than maybe Bradenton. More looking at coastal areas.

A few areas of concern:

Taxes.
Health, car etc insurance.
Real estate seems reasonable.
Cost of power.
Other costs?
Demographics. What areas around Tampa should I avoid? Meaning crime.
Are there better areas in Florida? I would prefer the gulf coast. I like saltwater fishing alot.

What am I not asking that I should be?

I'm in Sarasota. Raised here, bounced around a while and now back. You mentioned saltwater fishing and Bradenton... I think that's a great idea and you should explore further. Bradenton is a unique little pocket where costs are less than other Tampa metro areas and saltwater fishing is accessible. Not sure if you plan to get a boat but I would factor that into your decision (e.g., buy/lease a slip, join a marina, contract with a fishing charter each time you want to go, make friends with someone who has a boat, etc.). Another place to check out is Venice/Englewood/North Port. Venice proper has gotten expensive (same as Sarasota) but North Port is similar to Bradenton in terms of demographics. Both home prices and rents have been increasing dramatically but just now seem like they're leveling off. I expect a drop in the next few years but wouldn't let that discourage you from buying, assuming you're planning to stay for the long haul. I would agree with the earlier Republican comment as the lifestyle in this area essentially embodies that mentality. There are other coastal areas that feel different throughout the state. Feel free to PM with questions.

 

[RINC]

I'm in Sarasota. Raised here, bounced around a while and now back. You mentioned saltwater fishing and Bradenton... I think that's a great idea and you should explore further. Bradenton is a unique little pocket where costs are less than other Tampa metro areas and saltwater fishing is accessible. Not sure if you plan to get a boat but I would factor that into your decision (e.g., buy/lease a slip, join a marina, contract with a fishing charter each time you want to go, make friends with someone who has a boat, etc.). Another place to check out is Venice/Englewood/North Port. Venice proper has gotten expensive (same as Sarasota) but North Port is similar to Bradenton in terms of demographics. Both home prices and rents have been increasing dramatically but just now seem like they're leveling off. I expect a drop in the next few years but wouldn't let that discourage you from buying, assuming you're planning to stay for the long haul. I would agree with the earlier Republican comment as the lifestyle in this area essentially embodies that mentality. There are other coastal areas that feel different throughout the state. Feel free to PM with questions.

Bradenton Motorsports Park.
http://www.racebmp.com/

 

[Apparition]

Bradenton Motorsports Park.
[URL]http://www.racebmp.com/[/URL]

Hell yeah brother

 

[tr21triton]

Well, that was depressing. When I see stuff like this, my thoughts and emotions run the full gamut. On one hand, I see "litter with legs"; the dregs of society. On the other hand, I realize that at one point in time, these shells of human beings were once helpless infants, likely cradled in the arms of their mothers, and fawned over. Any parent worthy of being a parent could never want this kind of life for their child.

Some say the issue is homelessness. I believe it's a drug and mental health issue. Homelessness is the likely result. No one seems to have the answer on how to deal with it. Whatever is being done now (if anything), sure as hell isn't working.

hey but we have $billions to send to UKRAINE !!!!!

 

[Apparition]

hey but we have $billions to send to UKRAINE !!!!!

And a downgraded credit rating to show for it.

 

[Squatch]

hey but we have $billions to send to UKRAINE !!!!!

Yeah. That's a whole 'nuther reason to throw up our hands...

 

[NskLJ]

Kensington is a phenomenon, every city has a ‘section’ but this particular one took things to a new level. The substances they’re taking (Tranq), apparently originated there turning people into the zombie brigade we’ve all come to know through the now infamous YouTube videos. Sadly, it’s spreading, much like crack & meth before it, the tranq’d zombie nation is coming to a city near you, actually from what I’ve read it’s already coast to coast & top to bottom, it just hasn’t seeped in to the extent it has in Kensington. Sadly, again, that’s simply a matter of time. For whatever reason(s) people sink to that level, those reasons certainly aren’t quarantined or unique to any geographic location, rather they exist everywhere. So when the reasons exist and the supply shows up…

For a time, Kensington attracted people from far and wide that ‘wanted in’ on this, a zombie meca, much in the same way cities like Portland, Seattle, San Fran & such attract the encampment crowd from outside of their city limits.

I used to wonder why the government sat idly by doing what appears to be absolutely nothing to stop this onslaught. However, given the sheer magnitude of horrendous things the government sits idly by watching but doing nothing, I no longer wonder.

But ‘Trump indictments’, they’ve got all the live-long day along with endless resources, energy, manpower, willpower & gumption to crank those puppies out!

The government is on top of things San Francisco has hundreds or thousands living on the streets shooting up and using he streets and alleys for a toilet. But they made Elon take down the X on top of his buildings because it was an eyesore.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Do y'all really want to live in this? A day or two while on vacation is one thing, but living in it every day with no end in sight is not really much fun.



View attachment 446278

Its not that bad
I sat outside at the pool IN THE SHADE and drank beers all day in Scottsdale in 110 with my best friend and nis 75 year old father. Jumped into the pool once an hour, and dried super quick

Dry heat is NOTHING like high humidity heat. I think 90s and high humidity is worse personally. I will take 110 dry heat anyday over breathing theu a hot wet blanket with swampass all the time

The rays are worse, so ya gotta be smart and stay out of the direct sunlight for too long

 

[KennethS]

Its not that bad
I sat outside at the pool IN THE SHADE and drank beers all day in Scottsdale in 110 with my best friend and nis 75 year old father. Jumped into the pool once an hour, and dried super quick

Dry heat is NOTHING like high humidity heat. I think 90s and high humidity is worse personally. I will take 110 dry heat anyday over breathing theu a hot wet blanket with swampass all the time

The rays are worse, so ya gotta be smart and stay out of the direct sunlight for too long

I grew up and lived on the Gulf Coast (within 30 miles of the actual coast) so I well know about living in humidity, being surrounded by marshes and such. I visited Mom one July after living in Arizona for 20 years. Everyone was complaining about the heat and humidity, and while helping Mom out in her back yard it didn’t feel bad. My thought was hell it’s only 95 degrees, that’s 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. It really did not feel as bad as I remembered growing up. I thought it might be a fluke but a coworker who visits his folks in Florida told me the same thing.

As for drinking beer in the shaded pool, like I said that’s fine for a week vacation but these brutal summer temperatures last 5 months. Every year.

Oh yeah, my pool temp is currently 93 degrees.

 

[Zorba]

Yea, its hot. Yea, its humid. I can more or less tolerate both - but what I have problems with is that GLARING sun! When it disappears behind a cloud, its pretty nice. When it comes back out, I go inside.

 

[cliffish]

I grew up and lived on the Gulf Coast (within 30 miles of the actual coast) so I well know about living in humidity, being surrounded by marshes and such. I visited Mom one July after living in Arizona for 20 years. Everyone was complaining about the heat and humidity, and while helping Mom out in her back yard it didn’t feel bad. My thought was hell it’s only 95 degrees, that’s 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. It really did not feel as bad as I remembered growing up. I thought it might be a fluke but a coworker who visits his folks in Florida told me the same thing.

As for drinking beer in the shaded pool, like I said that’s fine for a week vacation but these brutal summer temperatures last 5 months. Every year.

Oh yeah, my pool temp is currently 93 degrees.

yeah my pool is 90 here on Long Island, NY nice when the sun goes down, but sucks during the day...BTW the hot tub is 97.