Pros and Cons of living in South Florida - by a nonresident (Hollywood: condo, crime)

[hknox222]

I am moving from Pittsburgh, PA

[hknox222]

Why did you move there? I am moving to SF in November.

[crisan]

Originally Posted by hknox222

I am considering moving to the Fort Lauderdale area. I am concerned it is too far south. Any thoughts on a single 30 something girl moving to that part of Florida. BTW, I do not speak spanish. Would that be a problem? I work in the Hotel Industry and thought I would have a good shot of getting a job there.

For the service industry especially hotels, I think speaking Spanish does help but you could always learn it when you arrive.

I have never had a problem finding a job just speaking English but I don't work in the service industry.

[crisan]

Originally Posted by amymc01

I have been here since June and I have yet to find any pros!! I am praying for a way out!!!!

I am curious, too. What led you over here?

[robertjohnson]

Originally Posted by Moderate Guy

This thread is gratis from me to all those interested in moving to South Florida. It's based on visits, research, conversations, etc. Please read and decide for yourselves whether to relocate.

Be guided by the knowledge that South Florida remains part of the good old USA and as such, imho, will always have those basic wonderful characteristics of living in the USA. Also be cognizant that one man's meat is another man's poison. The decision to relocate is an individual thing but one must be forewarned and take the blinders off.

For those who choose to relocate, God bless, for those who don't, God bless.

Cons:

--intense heat June - November.

--intense humidity.

--threat of hurricanes.

--palmetto bugs the size of cadillacs.

--fire ants and love bugs.

--limited employment opportunities outside of healthcare and a few service industries.

--payscale usually lower that in many other northern states.

--public schools have a notorious reputation.

--everyday life operates at a slower, less efficient pace than up North.

--lack of state income taxes also a con as funding for infrastructure and other standard facilities suffer as a result.

--traffic nightmares - including snowbirds either crawling along to the mall or going over the speed limit to snag that early bird special.

--drugs, crime, sex offenders rampant. Geograhic location makes illegal drug movements into mainland easier than elsewhere. Transient nature of population facilitates constant inflow/outflow of outlaws, pedophiles, rapists, assorted criminals.

-- while weather often cited as plus, can also be minus where intense heat and humidity keep one indoors unable to enjoy the blessings of a no winter environment, hence difficult to enjoy true year round outdoor events.

Pros:

--fantastic winter months weather.

--no need for heavy winter attire - gloves, hats, scarves, coats, snowboots.

--put away the snowblower.

-- no slush, sleet, snow, dangerous winter road travel.

--no state income taxes.

--easy acces to northeast and to Caribbean.

--sexy gals in sexy bikinis!!!!!!

Once again, Florida may be for you, it may not be. Good luck whatever you decide. I've decided that if I ever hit it big as a writer, I'll buy a winter home there....otherwise I'm "a staying" up here in NYC. Some of my loved ones have decided Florida is the place to be. Only you personally can decide what's best for you.

Best.

Make sure they are indeed 'gals'.

[southshorereject]

Yes, but do you see how painstakingly perfect it is written? My goodness -- should the rest of our countrymen and women defend our language sins so eloquently, we wouldn't need Moderate Guy!

[southshorereject]

Originally Posted by hknox222

I am considering moving to the Fort Lauderdale area. I am concerned it is too far south. Any thoughts on a single 30 something girl moving to that part of Florida. BTW, I do not speak spanish. Would that be a problem? I work in the Hotel Industry and thought I would have a good shot of getting a job there.

FTL is the perfect place. Miami is mostly Spanish speaking. FTL is more relaxed but still a thriving city with a good hotel industry. It's perfect for young people.

[Indy2Mia2Atl]

Originally Posted by Moderate Guy

This thread is gratis from me to all those interested in moving to South Florida. It's based on visits, research, conversations, etc. Please read and decide for yourselves whether to relocate.

Be guided by the knowledge that South Florida remains part of the good old USA and as such, imho, will always have those basic wonderful characteristics of living in the USA. Also be cognizant that one man's meat is another man's poison. The decision to relocate is an individual thing but one must be forewarned and take the blinders off.

For those who choose to relocate, God bless, for those who don't, God bless.

Cons:

--intense heat June - November.

--intense humidity.

--threat of hurricanes.

--palmetto bugs the size of cadillacs.

--fire ants and love bugs.

--limited employment opportunities outside of healthcare and a few service industries.

--payscale usually lower that in many other northern states.

--public schools have a notorious reputation.

--everyday life operates at a slower, less efficient pace than up North.

--lack of state income taxes also a con as funding for infrastructure and other standard facilities suffer as a result.

--traffic nightmares - including snowbirds either crawling along to the mall or going over the speed limit to snag that early bird special.

--drugs, crime, sex offenders rampant. Geograhic location makes illegal drug movements into mainland easier than elsewhere. Transient nature of population facilitates constant inflow/outflow of outlaws, pedophiles, rapists, assorted criminals.

-- while weather often cited as plus, can also be minus where intense heat and humidity keep one indoors unable to enjoy the blessings of a no winter environment, hence difficult to enjoy true year round outdoor events.

Pros:

--fantastic winter months weather.

--no need for heavy winter attire - gloves, hats, scarves, coats, snowboots.

--put away the snowblower.

-- no slush, sleet, snow, dangerous winter road travel.

--no state income taxes.

--easy acces to northeast and to Caribbean.

--sexy gals in sexy bikinis!!!!!!

Once again, Florida may be for you, it may not be. Good luck whatever you decide. I've decided that if I ever hit it big as a writer, I'll buy a winter home there....otherwise I'm "a staying" up here in NYC. Some of my loved ones have decided Florida is the place to be. Only you personally can decide what's best for you.

Best.

As a former South Florida dweller, this post is spot on. When I lived there, I got over living in the over-hyped Miami very quickly. Now that I'm in ATL, I sometimes miss it though. There is an *energy* that coastal cities have, that I can't put into words. I miss that at times. Now that I'm married to a Bahamian, I just may end up back down there eventually. Won't go any further south than FTL tho.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Indy2Mia2Atl

Won't go any further south than FTL tho.

What's wrong with Cooper City, parts Hollywood, parts of Hallandale, Davie, Weston, Pembroke Pines, west Miramar, etc? I think if anything, the south side of the county is in better shape than the north side.

[crisan]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

What's wrong with Cooper City, parts Hollywood, parts of Hallandale, Davie, Weston, Pembroke Pines, west Miramar, etc? I think if anything, the south side of the county is in better shape than the north side.

After reading many of replies here on CD I am starting to believe that. When I mention moving south of I595 it is out of the question with my husband and always has been. We have friends out there (Weston, Davie, Hallandale, Hollywood) but I can't convince him.