The Rodding Roundtable
Motorhead Message Central => Rodder's Roundtable => Topic started by: msuguydon on February 14, 2008, 06:47:07 PM
The Tuna boat may have a new port of call.
The economy has taken it's toll on my family, it appears that I will soon have an opportunity to start a new career in Florida, Tampa area.
I have this preconceived notion that Florida is a bizarre state to live in and that I may be making a horrible decision.
Any RRT members out there that have lived in Florida that can shed some light on my concerns/fears.
I have 3 kids, 16, 14 and 10. Schools?
I live in South West Indiana, which is more redneck and behind the times than most of Kentucky. I have come to understand, although it drives us nuts, the "things get done, when they get done" sorta attitude. We are also somewhat attuned to the summer heat thing as we get about a month and 1/2 of plus 90 humid days down here.
We lived in West Michigan, walking distance from Lake Michigan for 20 years and we enjoyed the water, sailing and beach going. Living in land locked Indiana has driven us nuts.
I am aware that housing is about 20% more than the mid-west.
I guess my comment / question is about the schools and crime, that sorta thing.
What is the deal with all the gated communities, is this just a Florida thing or is there a necessity for gated communities.
When I look at housing it is indeed smaller and more expensive than the Mid-west but with all this I hear/read about the housing market collasping in Florida, are there deals to be had?
What about the hot rod scene?
Bryan isnt too far from there so ask him.. If i could sell all my S&*T id leave tomorrow .. Oh ya S&*T means house .. Id haul the rest down.. Of course id need a job though before i left..
Dave :wink: :arrow:
Quote from: "jusjunk"Bryan isnt too far from there so ask him.. If i could sell all my S&*T id leave tomorrow .. Oh ya S&*T means house .. Id haul the rest down.. Of course id need a job though before i left..
Dave :wink: :arrow:
Im looking at kansas myself...Been to florida, nothing i want there...
Yes Tampa is Bryan's neighborhood. ts if I remember correctly, He's on the outskirts if I remember correctly. The fairgrounds there where the Nats are held each Oct is a very nice venue
Quote from: "Bugpac"Quote from: "jusjunk"Bryan isnt too far from there so ask him.. If i could sell all my S&*T id leave tomorrow .. Oh ya S&*T means house .. Id haul the rest down.. Of course id need a job though before i left..
Dave :wink: :arrow:
Im looking at kansas myself...Been to florida, nothing i want there...
Ah, now Bug, don't let the secret out, but Kansas is a very nice place.
Lol, witchita is were I am looking to, lol....Got to get as close to wyanoka oky, as i can....but dont wanna be an oky... :D
Quote from: "Carnut"Quote from: "Bugpac"Quote from: "jusjunk"Bryan isnt too far from there so ask him.. If i could sell all my S&*T id leave tomorrow .. Oh ya S&*T means house .. Id haul the rest down.. Of course id need a job though before i left..
Dave :wink: :arrow:
Im looking at kansas myself...Been to florida, nothing i want there...
Ah, now Bug, don't let the secret out, but Kansas is a very nice place.
How often you gotta get in the tornado shelter? :D
Hey Don,
PM me with what you want to know about the area. No sense in boring the rest of these mugs with tales of 75* winter days, driving with all the windows down and the shades on lookin' cool, scads of bikini clad girls all over the place and 12 good months to drive the hot rod without road salt, tar, snow and ice kicking up from the road surface.
I live in Clearwater, which is about 20 miles west of Tampa out in Pinellas County, a little peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico.
Here's a teaser for you... :D
Bugpac, Wichita is a nice place to live . (if you like taxes) The weather is Kansas style, If you don't like just hang around for an hour it will change. Tornado shelter? no way, we sit out on the porch & watch them.
We lived in Fl for over 10 years. Let's see if this is a good comparison....
Same price house in FL & OH: Insurance in FL $3000/yr, OH $600
Property tax in FL $3500/yr, OH $2200
Car Ins was the same a little more in FL
Hot Rod Ins was almost double in FL
Hey, I do miss shopping for a Christmas tree in my shorts. Yes, we do miss FL and just might move back in a couple of years.
Just my couple of cents worth.
Quote from: "t-vicky"Bugpac, Wichita is a nice place to live . (if you like taxes) The weather is Kansas style, If you don't like just hang around for an hour it will change. Tornado shelter? no way, we sit out on the porch & watch them.
Yes, I have also sat and watched a few tornados go by in my time here.
If don't like tornados you might not like it here, for most of us tornados just add a bit of spice to a humdrum existence.
Also Bugpac if you really want to be close to Wynoka, then check out Arkansas City, its right near the Ok. border and is a nice town. Its an hour closer to Wynoka.
Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
Quote from: "t-vicky". Tornado shelter? no way, we sit out on the porch & watch them.
Being an old Scott City boy, I can relate to that :D
Hey Leonard, depending on what type of industry you are looking for, you might look around Hutchinson, Dodge City, Kingman, too.
Vance
Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
She looks my age!! :D
Quote from: "Bugpac"Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
She looks my age!! :D
don't get too excited, that's really rayvens brother.....
I have lived on the east coast of Florida since 1964. Like anyplace else, Florida has is pluses and minuses. Plus, real nice weather, though if you will be working outside, the summer does get pretty steamy. There is a lot to do in Fl. All the usual tourist attractions, a lot of nice scenery, Lots of shopping for the ladies, a lot of car related stuff. Daytona Turkey run, NSRA South East Nats, Orlando has the Old Town cruise every Saturday night, Zepher Hills has a couple of great swap meets. There is no shortage of things to do that are car related. Most areas have different cruise nights 6 or 7 days a week. Although the economy has slowed down, jobs are readily available, Money is generally good for trades and professionals. Taxes can be steep in some places. Smart people won't live in a incorporated town, they live in the surrounding counties. No city taxes that way, Services are a little less but still generally good. My advice about gated communities? Avoid them. Homeowners fees can be steep and the HOA likes to control EVERYTHING. Color of your house, your landscaping, the condition of your lawn, on and on. I guess somepeople can accept that nonsense, but I * sure can't. Tampa, is a very busy area. Be sure to look in surrounding areas before you buy. I-4 is the main artery into the Tampa area and it can get pretty miserable. You might like the Lakeland area, slightly east of Tampa. It is a nice sized town, services and goods readily available. A little west of Lakeland is Plant City. A smaller town than Lakeland, it has more of a "home town" feel to it. Both towns are within commute distance to Tampa, Orlando,too, though a little bit more of a drive. Housing prices are more reasonable.
The negatives are the hurricanes, insurance, and the density. Hurricanes have been more common in recent years. I live in south Florida which tends to be more at risk. We have gone thru 3 or 4 hurricanes in the last 5 years. My house sustained no damage. Generally the newer the house, the more hurricane resistant it is. Of course a large falling tree doesn't have much regard for building codes. THe most damage I have suffered has been the yard becomes a mess, fallen branches, debris every where. The biggerst hit that I took was in my homeowners policy. The insurance companys are raping us there. One other note, when buying, insist on a CBS home. That's concrete block structure. They are a must in Florida. Hurricanes don't seem to do as much damage, and they don't have near the maintainance issues. Florida is so humid that it seems like it never dries out. Wood structure, if not maintained very well tned to rot out at ground level.
Jeeze Don,, we're really gonna miss you around here. Oh wait, do they have the internet in Florida? Kansas? BOL what ever you decide.
Bryan,your boyfriend's lookin pretty good since he started the hormone treatments. When are they gonna do the gender reassignment surgery?
I was in a tornado in Illinois in 69 and a hurricane/monsoon in Thailand in 70, give me a good old fashioned California earthquake any time.
Jbird 8)
Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
He's not sure, the picture came with his wallet :roll:
Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
Nah. No kids from this fella.
If that was my daughter I'd be spending every waking moment chaperoning her and teaching her how to shoot one of my handguns.
I guess it's great to have a great looking daughter, but in todays world it would be easier if they looked like the offspring of Dave and Phyllis Diller... :D
Quote from: "tomslik"Quote from: "Bugpac"Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
She looks my age!! :D
don't get too excited, that's really rayvens brother.....
You just can't keep a damned secret, can you... :?: :evil: :arrow: :D
Quote from: "Jbird"Jeeze Don,, we're really gonna miss you around here. Oh wait, do they have the internet in Florida? Kansas? BOL what ever you decide.
Yeah we gots thee innernet dawn heyah. Gumpnet is dah maine pravidah, en dey have Buddwiser sponsership en ever thing!! Dah only setbayack is ever ones homepage is Nascar.com... :!:
We ain't got no ipods or nuttin liyack dat. Dah folks in dah ritzy traylor parks gots dem dare walk mans, but us po folk doan have dat fanci stuff. We useyally gots dah wife screemin and naggin at us all day, so's we cuddint heyah dah music anyhows. See ya'll layduh. I gotta go get sum smokes for dah old lady. She has dis gap innner teeth, and it if ain't holdin' a cigaret, then she whissels while she weezes and its irritatun as h#LL. Sounds liyack 2 hyeenas with dare tails tied twogetter.
[quote="Jbird]
Bryan,your boyfriend's lookin pretty good since he started the hormone treatments. When are they gonna do the gender reassignment surgery?Jbird 8)[/quote]
Good One... :!: :D
As soon as the parts come in from California. I hear they are pretty much interchangeable coming from Northern Cali, as most folks there go both ways anyhow...At least that's what he reads in the Transgender Gazzette...... :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink: :D
Quote from: "enjenjo"Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
He's not sure, the picture came with his wallet :roll:
The only picture I keep in my wallet is Daves.
On the worst days when everything's going wrong and I feel like I'm getting rode hard and put away wet while getting my butt kicked, I open my wallet and look at Dave and say to myself..."Yep, it really could be worse".......... :lol: :lol: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :0-0
Quote from: "Rayvyn"Quote from: "enjenjo"Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
He's not sure, the picture came with his wallet :roll:
The only picture I keep in my wallet is Daves.
On the worst days when everything's going wrong and I feel like I'm getting rode hard and put away wet while getting my butt kicked, I open my wallet and look at Dave and say to myself..."Yep, it really could be worse".......... :lol: :lol: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :0-0
forward me that picture :-o
Vance
Quote from: "EMSjunkie"Quote from: "Rayvyn"Quote from: "enjenjo"Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
He's not sure, the picture came with his wallet :roll:
The only picture I keep in my wallet is Daves.
On the worst days when everything's going wrong and I feel like I'm getting rode hard and put away wet while getting my butt kicked, I open my wallet and look at Dave and say to myself..."Yep, it really could be worse".......... :lol: :lol: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :0-0
forward me that picture :-o
Vance
Your wish is my command... :wink:
That really really hurts guys...
Quote from: "jusjunk"That really really hurts guys...
Suck it up, take one for the team, lol...
Quote from: "jusjunk"That really really hurts guys...
well, it DOES look a little tight in the crotch.
don't it come in boxers?
i didn't realize you had more hair than me, either...
Quote from: "Rayvyn"Quote from: "tomslik"Quote from: "Bugpac"Quote from: "phat rat"Hey Bry thr gal with the Vette your daughter?
She looks my age!! :D
don't get too excited, that's really rayvens brother.....
You just can't keep a damned secret, can you... :?: :evil: :arrow: :D
his brother got the looks AND personality :lol: :lol:
Quote from: "jusjunk"That really really hurts guys...
hey if the truth hurts :twisted: :twisted:
later jim
Quote from: "tomslik"Quote from: "jusjunk"That really really hurts guys...
well, it DOES look a little tight in the crotch.
if he would take some of the socks out it wouldn't be so tight :roll: :twisted: :roll: :twisted:
later jim
:ha) :ha) :ha) :ha) :ha) :ha)
I thought this might get good. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Perverts! I note that the "Typical Florida Girl" picture got twice as many hits as the "Wing House" girls. And they got five times the number of hit as the sandy beaches pictures.
Lived in Florida twice. Tampa 73-76 and Miami 87-89. Not recent but relevant I think.
Tampa is a working town. Lots of blue collar and lots of under employed. I would not live in Tampa proper if I could avoid it. But there are a number of nice communities in commuting range.
I really enjoyed my time in Tampa and I would go back if I could. But my wife likes the Panhandle, and if we ever relocate that is where we will go.
Miami was a less positive experience. We lived one mile from the Atlantic but had to drive twelve miles to get to a beach. The Keys were nice but Miami itself was almost like a foreign country. And we never really felt safe. Admittedly, this was back in the cocaine wars era. But friends tell us little has changed.
Florida attracts a trashy, unwashed underclass. Folks who don't want to freeze and don't want to work. And this brings along a lot of petty crime. But once you adapt this is less of an issue.
I have relatives in Gainsville and spent some time there before I came down to attend the University of Tampa. So I knew what I was getting into. I would not recommend relocating without an exploritory visit.
Well Team...Look's like we've created a monster... :shock: :shock: We guided him through his first car show...Schooled him in "Wax on--Wax off" ...Taught him all about "Righty Tighty--Lefty Loosy " ... Laughed with him during his "Scooping Escapade" ....Worried with him when "The Wheels Fell Off" ...Were thankful for him when his "Ball was Found Loose" .. :? ...
Wadda we get :?: :?: :?: :!:
He's off to the land of "Glitter & Glitz".. :shock:
Bling city... :shock: Bikini's on every corner... :shock: Where thong's are the norm.. :shock: Life is wonderful... :shock: Never any snow.. :shock: Beach scene's right outa the travel folders... :shock:
"70 something's" driving for miles with the right turn signal on ... :? ( At 25 MPH in the left lane) ... :x :x Folk's with sunglass's two sizes too large.. :? Homeless by the thousand's.... :? Sand gets into everything.. :? (That's if the bug's don't carry it away first.. :shock: )
Two different kinds of insurance on the same house.. :?: :shock:
(Three if you are "near the water"..)
Gator's in you backyard pool :?
Worse yet...Friend's from Michigan wanting to visit every winter :shock:
Hmmmmmmmmm.... :? :?:
The only question.... :?: :?:
Will he dye his hair blue or green :?: :twisted: :twisted: :P :P :lol: :wink:
( Hey Bryan..."fresh meat" comin' yer way.. :lol: :lol: )
[quote="Jbird]
Bryan,your boyfriend's lookin pretty good since he started the hormone treatments. When are they gonna do the gender reassignment surgery?Jbird 8)[/quote]
Good One... :!: :D
As soon as the parts come in from California. I hear they are pretty much interchangeable coming from Northern Cali, as most folks there go both ways anyhow...At least that's what he reads in the Transgender Gazzette...... :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink: :D[/quote]
Oops, I'm sorry dude I thought he was going the other way, you know takin junk off not puttin junk on. You're right about some of us up here in NorCal. I always figured I was totally straight but the other day I found out I have 'not so' latent, * tendencies.
At least he's not going for the species reassignment surgery like some Team Smart members' significant others. Ewe know who I'm talkin about.
Jbird 8)
So this is what I have learned...
Some things are better in Florida, some things worse!
Some things cheaper, some things more expensive!
Weather is nice in the winter!
Summer is Hot!
Florida is near the beach
A lot of people from Michigan do not have a clue about living in other states but they have opinions!
I do not live in Michigan but everyone assumes I do!
Florida gets Hurricanes!
Some schools in the state are better than other schools!
There are some nice places to live and there are some not so nice places to live in Florida!
They have car shows in Florida, I don't love car shows..
If I move to Florida I will most likely sell the Tuna boat and buy a real boat as I am a sailor...
Oh and I will find a sailing bulletin board and let you guys be.
Thanks everyone
Now why would ya go and do that don? :D
Quote from: "Bugpac"Now why would ya go and do that don? :D
Do what ??? Sell the 58 and go Sail, no contest.. this boy is sailing
Let me share this with you...
This is NZL-12 - Alinghi - one of the test boats for the New Zealand Americas Cup defense - this is the ultimate sail boat... this is Tony Stewarts car, this is John Forces funny car, this is MSUGUYDON (at the helm) driving it....
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/msuguydon/P2230091.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/msuguydon/P2230097.jpg)
Why drive a 4 door C-Dan, when I can drive a F1 Farrari ??
The mast on this beast is 115 feet tall...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/msuguydon/P2230089.jpg)
Ohh by the way those are the waters off Paradise Island in the Bahamas... that sure beats Dewitt
Ok, how much you asking for the 58?
Quote from: "Carnut"Ok, how much you asking for the 58?
HMMMM lets see... sailboats are going for about 2k a foot, I need a 30 feet or larget boat.... soooo ... errr... 10 K
wouldnt that be 60k? :?: :?: :lol:
Quote from: "Bugpac"wouldnt that be 60k? :?: :?: :lol:
yes
Hey Don,
I'm not sure if you're mad, confused, sad, ticked off or being facetious with your post. I'm sure not trying to throw a monkey wrench in your plans or thoughts either.
But I did post earlier for you to give me a PM with your questions and anything else you might need to know about the Tampa area.
I live next to Tampa. Been here for 9 years. I know the area inside and out. I know the good locations and I know the dumps. I know the housing market, the industries, the people, the schools, the problems and the highlights, the roads and high traffic areas, and the outlook for the area for the future. I also know what there is to do besides car shows, like there's more sailboats per capita in Western Florida than anywhere else in the world. Half of the Americas Cup Team for the U.S. lives in St. Petersburg, and they house the boats there part of the year.
Yeah, there's swap meets and car shows, but there's a million other activities here too, and most of them are children inclusive. If your kids play sports, Florida is the most sports oriented and most college recruited state in the country except for Texas and California. Diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating, deep sea fishing, surfing, parasailing, camping. All year long.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds as if you were ticked off with the answers you got. Sorry about that. I could have been more specific about things because I'm here everyday. I offered to help, but never got a response from you.
Good Luck with everything.
Quote from: "Rayvyn"Hey Don,
I'm not sure if you're mad, confused, sad, ticked off or being facetious with your post. I'm sure not trying to throw a monkey wrench in your plans or thoughts either.
But I did post earlier for you to give me a PM with your questions and anything else you might need to know about the Tampa area.
I live next to Tampa. Been here for 9 years. I know the area inside and out. I know the good locations and I know the dumps. I know the housing market, the industries, the people, the schools, the problems and the highlights, the roads and high traffic areas, and the outlook for the area for the future. I also know what there is to do besides car shows, like there's more sailboats per capita in Western Florida than anywhere else in the world. Half of the Americas Cup Team for the U.S. lives in St. Petersburg, and they house the boats there part of the year.
Yeah, there's swap meets and car shows, but there's a million other activities here too, and most of them are children inclusive. If your kids play sports, Florida is the most sports oriented and most college recruited state in the country except for Texas and California. Diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating, deep sea fishing, surfing, parasailing, camping. All year long.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds as if you were ticked off with the answers you got. Sorry about that. I could have been more specific about things because I'm here everyday. I offered to help, but never got a response from you.
Good Luck with everything.
None of the above... not mad... actually very excited about the prospect of moving to Florida and very serious.. if i do move to Florida, the car is up for sale... as I would rather have a boat...
Quote from: "msuguydon"Quote from: "Carnut"Ok, how much you asking for the 58?
HMMMM lets see... sailboats are going for about 2k a foot, I need a 30 feet or larget boat.... soooo ... errr... 10 K
I see ya got yer team smart cipherin down pat :lol:
Gee Don...Didn't mean to get ya angry or nothin'... :( The boat is nice but can ya pile the family in & run to the buger joint with it?? ..I'd keep the car AND get a boat .. :idea: ..The best of both worlds :!: :wink:
( Maybe keep it for your sons :idea: :wink: )
Bob.....
Quote from: "phat rat"Quote from: "msuguydon"Quote from: "Carnut"Ok, how much you asking for the 58?
HMMMM lets see... sailboats are going for about 2k a foot, I need a 30 feet or larget boat.... soooo ... errr... 10 K
I see ya got yer team smart cipherin down pat :lol:
Hey, you old Russian Hillbilly, you makin' funna the Mah-Mah-Mah-MathaMattakkul abilatees ova Team Member... :?:
That's like stoolin' on a made member, see... :twisted:
Da boyz ain't gunna like dat, see... :evil:
Dere might even be some :(U) because a' dat remark, see... :P>
At least he sees the light of opportunity knocking. The light you guys see is the one on the front of the snow plow. I thought Michigan was actually Canada Light?
Or, as the Snowbirds say, "Just a tad more of the same old boring U.S. countryside to drive through on our way to FLORIDA"
BTW-it was 77* here today. And sunny as h@@L.
Another day in paradise... :roll: (yawn) :D
Quote from: "Rayvyn"Quote from: "phat rat"Quote from: "msuguydon"Quote from: "Carnut"Ok, how much you asking for the 58?
HMMMM lets see... sailboats are going for about 2k a foot, I need a 30 feet or larget boat.... soooo ... errr... 10 K
I see ya got yer team smart cipherin down pat :lol:
Hey, you old Russian Hillbilly, you makin' funna the Mah-Mah-Mah-MathaMattakkul abilatees ova Team Member... :?:
That's like stoolin' on a made member, see... :twisted:
Da boyz ain't gunna like dat, see... :evil:
Dere might even be some :(U) because a' dat remark, see... :P>
At least he sees the light of opportunity knocking. The light you guys see is the one on the front of the snow plow. I thought Michigan was actually Canada Light?
Or, as the Snowbirds say, "Just a tad more of the same old boring U.S. countryside to drive through on our way to FLORIDA"
BTW-it was 77* here today. And sunny as h@@L.
Another day in paradise... :roll: (yawn) :D
how many times did ya have to honk at granny? cant go outside without a diaper on to absorb the sweat on your xxxxx.... :D
Well another way of looking at it is we have 3-4 months downtime to build or change things on the hot rods. Say what you want but I wouldn't like living in Fl. A short visit is nice but not too live there. We may get some snow but we don't get, hurricanes, flooding, monsoons, alligators, the humitity that Bugpac mentioned. So thanks but I'll stay here a mile off Lake Michigan with it's cooling breezes in the summer, it's warming affect in the winter and enjoy the 4 seasons. While down there you enjoy rain, hot, hotter and HOTTER. Oh and one other thing. The more old grannies move down there the less there are here to impede traffic. So we'll keep shipping them down to you, but first we'll wire the left turn signal on and tell them it's the law to always drive in the left lane down there. LOL
Quote from: "phat rat"Well another way of looking at it is we have 3-4 months downtime to build or change things on the hot rods. Say what you want but I wouldn't like living in Fl. A short visit is nice but not too live there. We may get some snow but we don't get, hurricanes, flooding, monsoons, alligators, the humitity that Bugpac mentioned. So thanks but I'll stay here a mile off Lake Michigan with it's cooling breezes in the summer, it's warming affect in the winter and enjoy the 4 seasons. While down there you enjoy rain, hot, hotter and HOTTER. Oh and one other thing. The more old grannies move down there the less there are here to impede traffic. So we'll keep shipping them down to you, but first we'll wire the left turn signal on and tell them it's the law to always drive in the left lane down there. LOL
);b( :ha) :ha) :ha) :ha) :ha)
slightly off topic but here goes . How many hours of sunlight do you get in a summer day? Up here in the great white north we get LONG sunny days in the summer. The wife and I will go for walks in June and July at 10PM and later IN THE SUNLIGHT.The farther North you go ,the longer sunlight hours you get in the summer.
Quote from: "chimp koose"slightly off topic but here goes . How many hours of sunlight do you get in a summer day? Up here in the great white north we get LONG sunny days in the summer. The wife and I will go for walks in June and July at 10PM and later IN THE SUNLIGHT.The farther North you go ,the longer sunlight hours you get in the summer.
And summer lasts what, three days? :lol:
well at least we don't have top be subjected to this yearround.
As i look out the window at the rain (possibly Freezing) and the ice on both vehicles and knowing the daytona 500 is on (in hi def) at about 3pm today id rather be somewhere other than here.. Really im thinking south but not very far. Im thinking Indiana around indy.. Why.. Race tracks ... I like open wheel roundy round racing and Indiana is the best place to be to go racing.. Florida is very nice and anywhere you can ride motorcycles all year is cool.. But i dont think my income could handle the housing and insurance prices.. So ill just visit.. Sue came up to me at work last week and asked if i wanted to do anything in may this year as the calender was open in her dept. Ok no were talking.. Ill be in Indiana for over a week entering into memorial weekend doing nothing but going to races .. I always wanted to do this and now its planed.. It would be better if i took 2 weeks but 1 is gonna do.. Maybe in my spare time i should check the job market while im there..
Oh ya... Jack.. If I didnt have the winter months to build a car id prolly do it anyway and id still have nice weather for riding the harley ..
Dave :wink: :arrow:
I feel the need to clear some things up as I have received several PM's and posts about this thread most are apologetic in tone. I am not upset with anyone.
I should have been clearer when I started this thread. My intent was to get information regarding Florida from people that either currently live in Florida or have lived in Florida and have advice regarding making a move to that state. I am not really inserted in the opinions of folks that travel a couple of times to Florida to visit Disney World.
I am not asking anyone if I should or should not make the move, that is a decision that only my wife and I can make when we have all the facts.
I did not want this to be a thread comparing Michigan to Florida or Kansas to Florida, I live in Indiana so I need to compare the economy, schools and housing market of Indiana to Florida.
I was hoping to get information like...
1) When looking at a home find out if is a CBS (concrete block structure) this type of home will reduce your home insurance cost.
2) The school systems in Florida are like the school systems in any state "they are not created equal" Florida does a yearly evaluation of the public schools, look for Grade A or B schools.
3) The new communities around the Tampa area in the Wesley/Chapel area, out of the city but a relatively short commute (under 20 minutes), you might want to consider this area when house shopping. However, most of the WC area used to be swamp land. The water table is high and a lot of those places end up very wet when you get the heavy rainfalls that come with tropical storms and hurricanes. My wife who was born and raised in Zhills, always said, don't build if there are cypress trees in the yard.
4) Don, I read that you have teenage children; you might want to consider that t if the kids go in-state to college, UF and FSU are among the 5 least expensive major public schools for in-state students, just as a comparison scUM and MSU are among the 5-10 most expensive for in-state students. If your kids are young enough, look into the Florida Pre-Paid College Tuition plan, and lock in today's prices for your kids' college if they go to any state university. If they go out of state or to a private university, the money in your "account" goes toward whatever you have to pay at that school.
So I hope this explanation will let people know what I was after and that I am not angry with any of you.
Dont go, its to hot, lol... :lol:
You will fit in nicely in Florida don... :D And you have your passion "Sailing" at arms reach...
Don, I read that you have teenage children; you might want to consider that t if the kids go in-state to college, UF and FSU are among the 5 least expensive major public schools for in-state students, just as a comparison scUM and MSU are among the 5-10 most expensive for in-state students. If your kids are young enough, look into the Florida Pre-Paid College Tuition plan, and lock in today's prices for your kids' college if they go to any state university. If they go out of state or to a private university, the money in your "account" goes toward whatever you have to pay at that school.
Heh heh...GO BLUE...heh heh... :P :P :P
Well keep in mind that as I write this I'm recovering from the worst 7 days of flu I ever had
Hell Yes I'd move to Florida!!
I even broke from the race today to watch golf cause it looked so nice with the palm trees and grass
not 4 feet of snow
screw the gators ,humidity and population.
I'll take the beaches,seafood,beaches and also the beaches
Ravyn in my opinion you're a lucky man
Jeff
we'll still talk (post) to you even if you go sailing 8) 8)
when ever i want to compare an area to where i'm at i go to http://www.bestplaces.net/ you can compare alot of different factors, like climate crime and cost of living.
later jim
Having always had a boat one of the first things we did when moving to fl. a few years ago was get another one. Three minutes to the marina, call and they gas and ice up. Used the thing six times in a year, I'd become a car guy and didn't have time. Make sure before you jump in.
Not sure but the way I read it is he's a boat guy trying the car scene
Quote from: "oiler"screw the gators
:shock:
Don, if you talk to 100 people you will get 100 different opinions of how living in Florida is. Here is MY opinion.
We've lived in Pa, NC, Cal, and now Florida. No place is perfect, and Florida certainly falls into that catagory. The good things:
1) The weather. I could NEVER go back to the stuff you guys up North get. Today is a iffy day here and it is 75 and sunny. It is going to warm up tomorrow into the mid-80's, AND THIS IS FEBRUARY!! :D
2) Activities: I love the water too and just retired from the marine industry. You have year round fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, etc with miles and miles of water all around you.
3) Housing: The bottom has dropped out of the housing market so there are tons of great deals out there right now. Prices will rise again some day, so you can make some money if you buy now.
4) People: Generally the people here are very friendly. Some areas better than others. Nice part is that EVERYONE is from somewhere else, so it isn't like you will be an outsider. We are ALL outsiders. :)
There are more good things, but those are the top ones. Here are some not so good things:
1) The weather. As nice as it is in the winter months, it does get hot and humid here in the Summer months. But you learn to limit your activities, or if you are a sunworshiper like me, you get a tan.
2) Job market. Right now it sucks, and in certain fields it is never good. I made twice to 3 times the money a year up North that I made in Florida. There is no real manufacturing here, most jobs are in the service type industries. I know there are lots of people here who make tons of money, but for every one of them there are 10 more making lousy wages.
3) Overpopulation and crowding: Guys like me have discovered Florida so it is really getting crowded. The winter months especially, when the Snow Birds come here for the sun then head home in the Spring.
4) Hurricanes: Most people here don't really think about them much. When I lived in Cal we had earthquakes, midwest has tornados, up North snowstorms, etc. Every place has Mother Nature to deal with.
5) Crime: I know it is bad all over crimewise, and Florida is no exception. I used to take long walks with my GF late at night, and I wouldn't dream of doing that now. My area has changed.
So, bottom line. You might be one of the people who move here and love it or you might hate it. A lot depends on what you want out of life and even more important, what your wife or GF wants out of life. If she hates it here you will hate it too. My ex-wife fought tooth and nail not to come here, and now she wouldn't leave for anything. You have to give it a chance.
But if you have a good job lined up half of your problems are solved right there............and you love to sail, so the odds are you would like it here.
Me, I will never leave here either. :D
Don