[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by FLTNLATX

Probably because a lot of them didn't move to Florida with a huge savings account and/or retirement/pension plan. Usually when people relocate someplace, they have to work. You have a much better chance of finding a job in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or Jacksonville than you do in Niceville, Ocala, Napes, Sebring, or Howey in the Hills, lol.

Yep. Most people need to work and of course it is usually easier to find work in a large city. Though it is quite reasonable to except to find work in a smaller town.

[UKWildcat1981]

I almost never met a person that actually liked Florida that moved there from another place unless they were a filthy rich athlete who didn't want to pay state income tax.. I love Florida to visit but would not want to move there. Have a blessed day as Tim Tebow would say

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Florida or Bust....

Anyone who can't tell the difference between living in a bubble vs. living in the real world needs a lot of help.

That is true. Its the bubble attitude that causes people to be unable to be their best.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by leftee

Possibly, but not everyone finds happiness in Florida and not just because of location. Consider yourself lucky that you are content where you are, but don't expect everyone to follow your lead and get away from the cities. You left Orlando awhile back for various reasons - you don't think a 25-year-old single would choose Spring Hill over South Tampa, downtown Orlando, or South Beach do you ?

Not lucky. I had a set of requirements and my current location met those requirements. Planning and thought. As far as that 25 year old, it would depend on what their personal expectations and needs are.
If a 25 year old chooses to be in a high COL area they are probably lined up for failure.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

I almost never met a person that actually liked Florida that moved there from another place unless they were a filthy rich athlete who didn't want to pay state income tax.. I love Florida to visit but would not want to move there. Have a blessed day as Tim Tebow would say

Wow. Really? You're moving in the wrong circles.

[FLTNLATX]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Has living in Texas solved your problem because you were able to find work there that is not available here?

I think a large percentage of AMERICANS every where are just getting by.

No place is a "crown jewel". What is necessary is to be where you're comfortable or can make yourself comfortable.

28 years ago I spoke with a friend who had lived in FL. I told him our plan was to move to FL within the next couple of years. He told me not to do it. There are no jobs and the COL is high. Study of the situation proved him wrong.

You are right though. It depends on who you are. Your personality, desires, goals.

To be honest, it's not my dream place to live. I grew up in Florida and miss it dearly so trust me when I say that I'm not trying to skew my opinion in one direction or another. I've found that the Texas job market has a lot more blue collar positions that offer a lot more entry level/on the job training opportunities within a wide range of careers. Warehousing, Manufacturing, Shipping, Dock work, Oil Field work, Agricultural work, Office/Business, Security, ect, ect. Not only does the job market here offer these types of positions, but the current unemployment rate in Harris County, TX (Houston) is 4.5%. Texas has outpaced the country in job creation for the last 3-4 years, and there are more positions available which means less competition for those positions.

I moved here without a job lined up and had a decent paying position within two months.

I think ultimately, in today's society and economy, the crown jewel should be where ever you can make money and take care of yourself and/or your family. If you have a prestigious education and have the opportunity to obtain a decent paying job in Florida, then I don't see why it's not paradise, but not everyone has that education and I think a lot of natives within the state could be placed in that category.

28 years ago I was 3 years old and my parents were about 5 years removed from a relocation from Ohio to Florida. From what I've grown to learn/understand, the economy in Florida didn't exactly fall apart into a service/tourism economy until the late 1990's, of course, I could be wrong. I was after all just a kid back then.

I have found, however, that the cost of living in Texas is MUCH cheaper than the cost of living in Florida. I think the only major disadvantage of living in Texas vs. Florida from a cost of living standpoint is property taxes, but that's easily outweighed by the difference in cost of homeowners insurance.

I agree wholeheartedly though, there's really no right or wrong answer to where is great and where "sucks." Personally, I'd rather someone kill me before I was forced to live in California.

[Spring Hillian]

i have to agree with you on California.

All the jobs you list are and have been available in FL with the obvious exception oil field work.'
Perhaps there are more entry level opportunities there. Texas is right up at the top with job creation.

Surely a great education helps no matter where you go.

The late 1990's was a time when population growth was very high. That puts a high demand on the job market and it gets to a point where there are way more people than jobs.

Yes, the crown jewel is where you are most content.

Originally Posted by FLTNLATX

To be honest, it's not my dream place to live. I grew up in Florida and miss it dearly so trust me when I say that I'm not trying to skew my opinion in one direction or another. I've found that the Texas job market has a lot more blue collar positions that offer a lot more entry level/on the job training opportunities within a wide range of careers. Warehousing, Manufacturing, Shipping, Dock work, Oil Field work, Agricultural work, Office/Business, Security, ect, ect. Not only does the job market here offer these types of positions, but the current unemployment rate in Harris County, TX (Houston) is 4.5%. Texas has outpaced the country in job creation for the last 3-4 years, and there are more positions available which means less competition for those positions.

I moved here without a job lined up and had a decent paying position within two months.

I think ultimately, in today's society and economy, the crown jewel should be where ever you can make money and take care of yourself and/or your family. If you have a prestigious education and have the opportunity to obtain a decent paying job in Florida, then I don't see why it's not paradise, but not everyone has that education and I think a lot of natives within the state could be placed in that category.

28 years ago I was 3 years old and my parents were about 5 years removed from a relocation from Ohio to Florida. From what I've grown to learn/understand, the economy in Florida didn't exactly fall apart into a service/tourism economy until the late 1990's, of course, I could be wrong. I was after all just a kid back then.

I have found, however, that the cost of living in Texas is MUCH cheaper than the cost of living in Florida. I think the only major disadvantage of living in Texas vs. Florida from a cost of living standpoint is property taxes, but that's easily outweighed by the difference in cost of homeowners insurance.

I agree wholeheartedly though, there's really no right or wrong answer to where is great and where "sucks." Personally, I'd rather someone kill me before I was forced to live in California.

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Not lucky. I had a set of requirements and my current location met those requirements. Planning and thought. As far as that 25 year old, it would depend on what their personal expectations and needs are.
If a 25 year old chooses to be in a high COL area they are probably lined up for failure.

Sure, you're lucky ... when you first moved to Spring Hill you had no idea if it was going to work out in the long term. It was just an educated guess, similar to a lot of people that move to different parts of Florida.

[Soup Not See]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Not lucky. I had a set of requirements and my current location met those requirements. Planning and thought. As far as that 25 year old, it would depend on what their personal expectations and needs are.
If a 25 year old chooses to be in a high COL area they are probably lined up for failure.

Not if the 25-year-old is highly educated and has a great job ...

[AES328]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

I almost never met a person that actually liked Florida that moved there from another place unless they were a filthy rich athlete who didn't want to pay state income tax..

I almost never believe people who make sweeping generalizations about a state that is about to eclipse NY as the 3rd most populated in the nation.