Some of the questions are completely personal choice and what the rest of us would like doesn't really matter.

For me, no way would I move to Florida and NOT be on or very near a beach. That would be a major point of why I was moving in the first place. Inland Florida holds zero interest for me, but either coast could work.

Also "senior community vs multi-age". I personally wouldn't move to a senior community myself, but my parents love that kind of arrangement. Just depends on what you are looking for, for YOU.

NewB I'm not sure I understand your comment. My point was many people move to Florida because there is no income tax. But if I'd just be trading high income taxes for high real estate taxes, it would be a wash. It turns out that isn't the case based on starrs' examples - real estate taxes in Florida would likely be quite a bit less than income taxes in California.

sf, I misunderstood your comment, I think, or projected onto you, sorry. People who have not thought it through often think, no income tax, yippee, I'll be rich! Without considering that the state still has to pay for infrastructure and services somehow.

I happen to think Florida needs to tax developers more in order to pay for public transportation and education, but that's another story! It's still true that the state is a bargain for the average person compared to California and New York.

I remember living in an apartment in Newark Delaware and seeing my first cockroach. I was freaked out but a building full of college age slobs and no pest control is what we had. I have only seen an occasional palmetto bug in my Fl house and that is because they are attracted to light and the dang dog door. Fire ants are a whole different subject.
We have cheap taxes here in my county. Under 3000 a year. I like having my garbage picked up twice a week, my recycling and yard waste once a week. They mow our ditches, they keep our pot holes filled and we have the best fire department and emts. live close to the water so pay for fema flood insurance. I have three airports close by, a beautiful ocean though another shark attack has me hesitant to go swimming today. Why so many in such a short period of time? I never remember them attacking this much. I think it has to do with us murdering the water with pollutants and run off. Angry fish. Surf fishing should be at a different far lot imo.

We have horrible politicians running this state. Egghead Scott just ticks me off daily and a Democratic senator that might as well be a Republican. Disney and NASCAR are blood suckers on the state. I-4 and 95 are horrible to drive on, we need more trains but Scott said no and they are adding another lane.

"Disney and NASCAR are blood suckers on the state."

With the millions of revenue these two bring into the state not to mention the thousands and thousands of jobs and related tax dollars, I'm curious what you mean by this. Care to explain?

I stopped reading when I hit the part about pollution causing shark attacks.

Why is that so risible, vincenzo? If pollution disturbs the environment--duh--could it not affect the hunting habits of the creatures in that environment?

It's funny, I stop reading when people start making snarky and ignorant comments...

Attention: there's another Florida thread that's been revived. The person warned readers about the heat and humidity (which is apparently hotter and more humid than comparable temperature and humidity levels everywhere else). And, more importantly, about all the crimes committed by all the illegals in South Florida. What was not mentioned was all the crime committed by all the non-illegals in South Florida so beware.

Dukey1, that post was hilarious! No one told her it was hot and humid in South Florida--the injustice!

Now I'm off to read it. Even if I can save a lot on taxes, I might not want to move there IF IT'S HOT AND HUMID (sheesh!)

Correction. Her MOTHER told her.

"My mother was born and raised here and moved out when she turned 21. I didn't believe her when she told me about the humidity"

She's a piece of work!

ps - there's a reason so many smart Floridians have mountain homes in north GA/ eastern TN/ western NC

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...om-his-job.cfm

Enjoy, sf!

Btw, I don't know a soul in Tampa who has a "mountain home", but plenty with beach houses. Does my anecdotal evidence cancel out yours?

Weather is really a silly thing to argue about, in the end. I think Florida is paradise, YMMV, but saying it's "smart" to like or dislike certain weather is ridiculous.

If this helps, I am 15 minutes or so from the ocean and the taxes are under $2,000 per year. I am in an 'adult" community and there is a large influx of "younger" residents....

I do not own in the community featured in this story (mind is a lot nicer, I think) but this might be of interest...the community in the article, Kings Point in Delray, is about 10 (or 15 maximum driving time) minutes from the ocean.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us...anted=all&_r=0

"Does my anecdotal evidence cancel out yours?"

That is TOTALLY weird.

My post has nothing to do with NewbE.
Weird.

ekscrunchy, I know a guy who was living in one of the Century Villages condos. An investor friend bought the unit and he was clearing out the previous owner's belongings (including the black laminate bedroom furniture that was part of the two furniture packages offered when the place was new). He called me about the deals available. This was about four-five years ago and they were going for a steal! He definitely was the youngest living in the community at the time. Thanks for that great article!

starrs, what's weird is the way you tirelessly try to stir up arguments.

If you don't like what I post, feel free to ignore it. I ignore 90% of what you post--it's easy.

eks, what is the average age in your community? We have looked at adult communities (in California), and were struck by 1) except in Palm Springs (where the average age might be younger, but half the people are weekenders only), the average age is quite a bit older than I am, and 2) the fact that there are no children around, which kind of spooked me in a Stepford Wives way.