What is negative about living in South Florida? (Miami, Homestead: rental, home owners insurance)

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by NYTom

That's my fear. I love working in the yard and creating a beautiful backyard oasis. I would want a pool, outdoor bar, lounging area and beautiful landscaping. I would probably invest just as much in the yard then inside the house. To have a hurricane come and swoosh everything away would devastate me.

This isn't a real issue. Hurricanes don't swoosh away your backyard. Build things properly and you don't need to worry. Everyone down here has amazing backyards, and they last through hurricanes just fine.

[StarryKnight1]

“People living in their own bubble who can’t see past their own nose” definitely applies to one poster on this thread.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by independent man

Interesting. I haven't seen much of the "old" money in Ft. Lauderdale. Most of it so new, you can smell the ink on the bills. You're certainly right about the architecture.

I have and know a lot of those families. Yes, there is also a lot of 'new' money here but doesn't mean it isn't from old money families. My friends the Hellers are an example of that but thank goodness. They are very philanthropic.

Originally Posted by BNBR

Correct.

Some places to live, you need more money to truly enjoy all it has to offer. Others, not so much. There are low cost of living areas where you can live exceptionally well on a low salary. South Florida is not that way. In other words, the difference between those with and without money in South Florida is more pronounced, and it has a bigger impact on what you can do. That's not to say South Florida can't be amazing on a low income, it's just that the disparity is greater.

This.

My husband and I spend $100 everywhere and every single time we go out to dinner. No matter where we go.

We were just recently in Charleston, South Carolina and didn't spend half that at dinner. Not a single time even ordering bottles of wine with dinner.

A studio apartment downtown Fort Lauderdale is going to run you $2000 a month to start.

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by BNBR

I mean, I have a home in an extremely affordable area. It's outstanding. Who do you think they are for?

But yeah, I guess if fishing, jet skiis, boating, friendly neighbors, community events, clean streets, easy access to major airports/cities, and beautiful parks and hiking trails sounds miserable to you, than hey, more power to ya. Just glad I'm not as miserable as you.

What does "Who they are for" even mean?

Isn't Davie just a drained swamp super far from the ocean? ........We always called Davie and that area "swamp country" lol.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

Isn't Davie just a drained swamp super far from the ocean? ........We always called Davie and that area "swamp country" lol.

I have 2 homes

Davie, where I live, isn't affordable at all. I don't consider us to be super far from the ocean. We go to the beach plenty and it's an easy drive. Davie runs east of 441, right up near I95, and has large yacht facilities. So I'm not sure I'd call that "swamp country," personally.

[independent man]

Originally Posted by blueherons

I have and know a lot of those families. Yes, there is also a lot of 'new' money here but doesn't mean it isn't from old money families.

Not quite sure what "new" money from old money (many generations) families looks like? In New England, old money families produce old money. New rich people produce new money. In Ft. Lauderdale it mixes? By marriage?

[StarryKnight1]

Davie is up against 595 not 95. Only the eastern part touches 441. The vast majority of the city including the downtown area is in the western part which again, straddles 595 not 95. No part of Davie touches Interstate 95, nor are there any “yacht facilities” in the city center. Lies, lies, and more lies.

And if 595 is backed up there’s only surface streets to get to the beach, good luck on that one.

[StarryKnight1]

Originally Posted by BNBR

I mean, I have a home in an extremely affordable area.

Originally Posted by BNBR

Davie, where I live, isn't affordable at all.

Uh, okay.

[Mattie]

The biggest negative for us during our 3 years in South Florida was not the glorious weather, or the easy access to the beach, or the people ( plenty of unpleasant ones, but we found friends), it was the schools. We thought they were good, our kids were unhappy. In several corporate moves, only the one out of South Florida had our sons looking forward to their next home.

[StarryKnight1]

Originally Posted by Mattie

The biggest negative for us during our 3 years in South Florida was not the glorious weather, or the easy access to the beach, or the people ( plenty of unpleasant ones, but we found friends), it was the schools. We thought they were good, our kids were unhappy. In several corporate moves, only the one out of South Florida had our sons looking forward to their next home.

So very true. While there are some “diamonds in the dirt” schools (which are either impossible to get into, zoned, or have long waiting lists), so to speak, the vast majority of schools are Meh at best and downright awful at worst. Private school is an option but only if you can afford to shell out $10,000-$20,000 per year per child in tuition, which most families cannot.