[kyle19125]

The HGTV show which features the Napiers from Laurel MS and several other HGTV designers have chosen Sebring for a large-scale makeover. Should be interesting and beneficial based on the results of previous towns chosen. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...-3/ar-BB1iFr8P

[Corrie22]

The goal of the projects will be to ”amplify the town's charm, build community pride, and make Sebring a must-visit destination.”

don't know about that.....the people I know in Sebring like it because it's not that

[Travelassie]

Don't think I'd appreciate a takeover and makeover of my ( adopted) hometown by HGTV. I don't think Sebring needs anything from this phony honkytonk entity either.

Plus, with all the transplants, snowbirds and other visitors already flocking in droves to the state, I don't think Sebring, or anywhere else in Florida needs help from HGTV to be a must visit destination.

[kyle19125]

Typical killjoy FL forum responses I suppose...shocking.

Sebring needs help for those living there. 1/3 of the town lives in poverty, the median household income is less than most cities average median incomes (38K per year). The average age is 46 which means most young people leave, because there is no employment or future there. It's not about making it into a tourist town for out-of-state visitors and more probably for the folks living in SE or SW Florida who might make a day trip and pump some money into their local economy, which sounds horrifying. *insert eyeroll*

[JBtwinz]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Typical killjoy FL forum responses I suppose...shocking.

Sebring needs help for those living there. 1/3 of the town lives in poverty, the median household income is less than most cities average median incomes (38K per year). The average age is 46 which means most young people leave, because there is no employment or future there. It's not about making it into a tourist town for out-of-state visitors and more probably for the folks living in SE or SW Florida who might make a day trip and pump some money into their local economy, which sounds horrifying. *insert eyeroll*

I think for many of us that were living in small obscure towns that have suddenly now become retiree hot spots this kind of story seems all too familiar.

We boomers tend to be like locusts looking for these small charming towns. I have seen this happen in TN, NC, NV and Florida. What were affordable places to live have now become in demand driving up housing prices.

Amelia Island was once a very small quiet sleepy coastal town that was mostly middle class now it is an extremely affluent retirement community. We definitely feel out of place living here now.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by JBtwinz

I think for many of us that were living in small obscure towns that have suddenly now become retiree hot spots this kind of story seems all too familiar.

We boomers tend to be like locusts looking for these small charming towns. I have seen this happen in TN, NC, NV and Florida. What were affordable places to live have now become in demand driving up housing prices.

Amelia Island was once a very small quiet sleepy coastal town that was mostly middle class now it is an extremely affluent retirement community. We definitely feel out of place living here now.

Would a jump across the state line into St Mary's alleviate that? It seems real estate costs drop drastically moving just a bit north from there. It's still a beautiful area with the same climate obviously. St Mary's is a quaint little town as is nearby Brunswick.

[JBtwinz]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Would a jump across the state line into St Mary's alleviate that? It seems real estate costs drop drastically moving just a bit north from there. It's still a beautiful area with the same climate obviously. St Mary's is a quaint little town as is nearby Brunswick.

Saint Mary’s in the downtown area is very high now as far as housing values. While it still hasn’t recovered from the mill as far as businesses it has really increased in housing costs. They have done an excellent job on their waterfront and it is the jumping off point for Cumberland National Seashore.

Because rental prices are so high on Amelia and off island, Saint Mary’s and Kingsland are where most of those in the service industry who work on Amelia live.

We do complain about everything being so high now but the flip of the coin everything we need is on island now including medical specialists. Grass isn’t always greener as they say but Amelia Island’s vibe is so much different than since we moved here.

[SanyBelle]

Article from Southern Living magazine:


https://www.southernliving.com/erin-...uwEC__xXSrcUnA

[Daryl_G]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Typical killjoy FL forum responses I suppose...shocking.

Sebring needs help for those living there. 1/3 of the town lives in poverty, the median household income is less than most cities average median incomes (38K per year). The average age is 46 which means most young people leave, because there is no employment or future there. It's not about making it into a tourist town for out-of-state visitors and more probably for the folks living in SE or SW Florida who might make a day trip and pump some money into their local economy, which sounds horrifying. *insert eyeroll*

Considering all the building in Lakeland stretching to Haines City and Winterhaven, the building is coming either way.

I do agree for the most part but my biggest gripe with constant expansion in Florida is how poor the Road infrastructure is in these areas to support the extra population. The local areas are so concerned with attracting builders and businesses that they overlook the fact that many areas have 1 state road or 1 county road in and out. And it can take over a decade before any construction on additional roads to help starts.

The areas around Tampa can be awful due to this issue and at least they have a major Highway (I-75) to use (or sit in traffic on). You build up Central Florida away from I-4 and it going to be quite some time before infrastructure catches up with all the building. And you might only get a toll highway extension from Lakeland down which would also suck.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Daryl_G

Considering all the building in Lakeland stretching to Haines City and Winterhaven, the building is coming either way.

I do agree for the most part but my biggest gripe with constant expansion in Florida is how poor the Road infrastructure is in these areas to support the extra population. The local areas are so concerned with attracting builders and businesses that they overlook the fact that many areas have 1 state road or 1 county road in and out. And it can take over a decade before any construction on additional roads to help starts.

The areas around Tampa can be awful due to this issue and at least they have a major Highway (I-75) to use (or sit in traffic on). You build up Central Florida away from I-4 and it going to be quite some time before infrastructure catches up with all the building. And you might only get a toll highway extension from Lakeland down which would also suck.

Unless you know something, that toll extension won't leave Polk County. It will be a loop around Winter Haven and back up to I-4. The Heartland Pkwy (now defunct) may be the extension you're referring to.