[silverct9a]

Briefly read the article - West Palm Beach and South Florida as a whole has never known as or marketed itself as inexpensive. If you're looking for that cheap, floriDUH beach bum lifestyle, it certainly is NOT here. Summed up, it's congested, bustling, cosmopolitan, and expensive down in this part of Florida and unless you're independently wealthy, you will be too busy working to afford it. This is generally NOT an area for those looking to skate by, or on a fixed income (unless you're seeking 55 plus housing)...it's not called the Gold Coast for no reason.

Now with all that said, unless one is seeking a particular higher end lifestyle (private schools, luxury vehicles, gated communities etc), I still don't believe one needs to make $200k to live a decent life here but you certainly need to earn above the average. Now if you're looking to purchase a SFH in South Florida with no previous equity in this current 7.7% - 8% mortgage interest environment, you're certainly looking at an average monthly payment of $ 4,200 - 4,500/month for a 25 year old home and yes a minimum income of at least $150k is needed to qualify for such a mortgage.

[otterhere]

Where IS the "cheap" part of Florida -- if there is one?

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by otterhere

Where IS the "cheap" part of Florida -- if there is one?

Most inland parts of Florida away from the major cities is still fairly reasonable, especially the further north you go in the state.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by EscAlaMike

Most inland parts of Florida away from the major cities is still fairly reasonable, especially the further north you go in the state.

Yes^^^. North, inland, away from the coasts. Basically north of the central dividing line for the state.

[Pincho-toot]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

No place is perfect, but Florida's as close as it gets if you are healthy & affluent. The rest should look elsewhere....Florida's a bad place to be sick & poor.

Or gay, or pregnant, or black

[Pincho-toot]

Originally Posted by chiluvr1228

I'm one of those people leaving Florida. Hurricane Ian last year turned me off to this area, then the hotter than usual summer and the threat of another hurricane with Idalia. With Ian, I had no power for 12 days. I'm tired of the heat and humidity and especially the hurricane threat for 6 months out of the year. My homeowner's insurance jumped to $6,124 a year for a 2 bedroom house and I've had no claims in the 6 years I've been here.

I want to decorate my Christmas tree without needing to have the a/c on. I'm tired of dealing with snowbirds and tourists and the traffic when they come down.

I've spent the majority of my life here and I'm so done.

I left in 2014 and never looked back. My moms roof was wrecked by Ian and now her bathroom has mold from water seeping in whenever it rains and insurance companies don't wanna pay out so she's dealing with the hassle of suing them. My brother used to work for a law firm that dealt with hurricane insurance claims. Its so much corruption with those insurance companies.

The weather sucks in general. Its always too hot and humid. No seasons. I don't miss hot Christmases. Last Xmas I spent in Florida was in 2013. I am fine with not going for Xmas lol They can always visit me, and experience what Christmas SHOULD be like!

My brother left for Massachusetts this year. He also had enough of Florida.

[Pincho-toot]

Originally Posted by EscAlaMike

I can definitely relate to the article.

I grew up in Florida, but moved my family to Alabama in 2009 for cost of living / quality of life issues. We are very happy here and have not looked back.

Of course if you are from New York, Chicagoland, or California then Florida will seem like paradise -- and it is!

However, if you have lived in Florida for many years, then you have experienced the ways in which it has changed for the worse and other southern states may be better options for you. Such was the case with me.

Not a big fan of living in the South in general, but I grew up in Florida and spent my early 20s in Texas and I much preferred Texas. If I was to return to the South though, it would be most likely Virginia or North Carolina. Wouldn't go back to Texas lol But when it comes to visiting family... Texas is more enjoyable to visit. I love my family but cannot stand Miami. Rudest people, worst drivers.

[NW Crow]

Originally Posted by Corrie22

you

and just for kicks and giggles.......Georgia's population is decreasing and has been decreasing since 1988

https://www.macrotrends.net/countrie...%20from%202019.

May not be understood immediately by all that this refers to Georgia the country.

[Thundarr457]

Adios and don't let the toll booth hit you on the way out

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Yes^^^. North, inland, away from the coasts. Basically north of the central dividing line for the state.

North of Orlando is generally cheaper, especially The panhandle. It's cold there in the winter and the demand isn't as high for obvious reasons.