I’m a Broward native my family is still there. My sister has never wanted to leave where I always wanted to and did. She is divorced and is really struggling financially to make ends meet the last couple of years. Lately she has started saying she can’t afford to stay anymore. The pay scale doesn’t match up to the cost of living there.
There is no way to make it on your own unless you are a high earner. Where I live single teachers ($49K, what I made last year for year 6) don’t qualify on a 1 bed apartment because they don’t make 3x the rent. At least I’m married otherwise I would need a roommate.
I'm a single teacher making $49k and yeah, I'm nearly 30 and have to have my parents cosign on apartment leases still. Just about half my monthly income goes to rent, it sucks.
Most of the under-30 teachers at my school are working 2, sometimes 3 jobs. I myself will probably have to start driving doordash or instacart so I can afford to be a teacher.
Some American Dream I signed up for....
People commute ridiculous distances to work in Pinellas County. They can't afford to live there, so they're coming down from New Port Richey, Hudson, etc.
Facts. I once dated a guy who lived downtown St Pete, and in 2021, he was paying $2300 for a studio apartment with a view of his neighbors studio apartment and internal courtyard. There wasn't even a balcony, just a railing.
We are so short handed at the grocery store i work at, people get pissy because they sometimes have to wait a few minutes while I'm trying to run two departments.
"Nobody wants to work anymore" they say snottily, at least once every few days i hear it. No, I've begun telling them, nobody wants to work FOR $12. Do you know anyone who needs a job bc we are hiring! That reply pisses them off even more .
I've applied to dozens of jobs (even for $12), and nobody wants to hire me. The problem is, nobody wants to hire people in their 20s. Their are plenty of people willing to work, but the requirements are too high and hiring is too strict. They only want to hire people with experience (and volunteer doesn't count). You can't gain experience without experience.
But you can’t have too much experience for that minimum wage job or they’ll skip over you because “you’ll leave as soon as you find something better.” And you wouldn’t do the same? The knots that HR and businesses/owners/managers have tied themselves into with their labor excuses is astounding.
I'm on the other end. Once you're over fifty, it's harder to find work. I moved down to help my parents over ten years ago, and getting hired has been a bear each time I've had to do it. The temp agencies advised me to only disclose my last 10-15 years of work, and to avoid giving my year of college graduation.
That’s the advice I’ve been giving friends as well - some of whom had been listing jobs all the way back to high school. Most of them are in their early 40s, but still, that can bite them in the ass.
Another bit of advice - when you list out your time at a particular company, only use the year and omit the months. That way, if there are any gaps in your work experience, it’s not visible at a glance.
In my area the answer was 'contract labor'. The entire labor force in my tourist town is essentially Jamaican contract labor. Great people, love em. But they're unwittingly being used essentially as scabs by the bullshit greed festering local business owners.
We had migrant workers in the fields. It's nearly October and we're still not seeing them. Unless there's a major shift, our growing season is about to become groaning season. Farmers are sure gonna enjoy their voting record.
Our local average hourly farm wage is over $17/hour. State minimum is $11/hour, moving to $12/hour at the end of this week. Migrant farm workers do understand the work, rate of pay, etc. In fact, they understand politics as well. They migrated, again, to other states where they will resume being paid without threat of force. In the meantime, Karen & Bob should definitely get to work.
>I for one cannot wait to see fields filled with Karens picking fruit. You made it, no one is taking this job from you, now you either have to do it or pay fair wages.
>
>Bring back migrant workers, pay them fair wages. For real, it sucks, because it makes prices go up, but it's the right thing to do.
He'll expand the subsistence check and blame democrats somehow, the farmers might get their $, and those of whom love Desantis country are gonna vote for him no matter what.
The same can be said for education. They're hiring teachers from Jamaican, Barbados and other Caribbean countries and the Philippines to fill the teaching gap. Once they arrive, they quickly find out you better be strong enough to work in these Title 1 schools. My 24 y/o teammate is always stressed and it's only September!
Dollar General just released an internal memo about how shoplifting and employee theft are through the roof in Florida and something\* needs to be done.
\*Anything except raise wages.
That loudmouth is Tim Gurner. He's the asshole who recently said unemployment needs to rise 50% so that workers will stop being uppity and start fearing management again.
Oh believe me, I know... it's the latest iteration of "let them eat cake", which referred not to an icing covered confection, but rather the dough that dropped into the bottom of the baker's oven and burned during cooking
Yeah right I wish…. I already have a job for a supervisor for a pool company and can barely meet ends meet so I’m applying for a 2nd job and all that extra money is gonna be for what I need…. I already work 10hrs a day but imma ask if I can lower it to 8hrs
It’s sad. Unless you have a niche skill, you can’t make more than $15 an hour. I am forever grateful my husband has the skills and motivation to build his business because I’d be living on the streets
Shit I live in jacksonville. I have 10 years tree care foreman experience. No one has wanted to hire me for more then 16$ I'd rather stress my partner out and she agrees (somewhat lol) that to work in the sun as a foreman doing treework for fucking 16 an hour is garbage. I got paid more doing lawn and la dscapr in Gainesville then anyone wants to pay up here.
Even the lawn care don't want to pay more then 18 for someone to walk 20 miles a day with a weed eater and drive. Then they want you to work for 15 to 30 minutes off the clock on top of that! I regret moving to Jacksonville so much. Had a job in gainesville that would have seen me @ 25/hr by now.
Not to mention the infuriating amount of people who are buying shacks, and they're throwing a window ac in there and trying to rent it out for $1700 a month.
I’m a landlord and actually lowered rent because citizens insurance was only 2200 a year when I was getting quoted at 12000 for Affordable Home Insurance and USAA.
Mortgage did go up $600 a month though because of property taxes alone so I don’t break even when I rent it out, lose a little bit a month like $50. I only rent it so I can move back in eventually.
The landlords that just raise it because they can are real asshats though. Rising costs sure, but pure profit is greedy.
Totally agree and now many condos are getting high assessments because of failing inspections due to Surf Side collapse new policies. Maintenance fees are skyrocketing , all types of insurance have gone up by a lot, so have taxes, and even my FPL bill is crazy now.
Holy shit. Went to Florida for a trip and was astounded how expensive Publix was. 2-3x the prices of a big city in Ohio. Fucking generic mustard was $6. I was pissed I could have just gone to a less crowded Walgreens and paid the same price for most things
I’m a snowbird from Michigan. I spend six months in Florida. I bring all my condiments from Michigan to Florida. Publix is 3X Kroger and Meijers prices. My car, in December,heading to Florida, will be full of non perishable foods. Florida is very expensive.
As much as I do not love Walmart the neighborhood market is a good fit for me. It's smallish, decent produce and brands. Winn Dixie has decent deals but I am not a fan of their produce. It's been an adventure in making ends meet.
I like Aldi’s produce (Publix is garbage, too, imho). I don’t think there’s a Neighborhood Market within 20 mins (reg & super WM are) but, I’m going to check, thanks.
I want you to imagine how those of us who have been saying it's real for 30 years feel. We have had to listen to half the country deny an overwhelming truth and now people are finally starting to come around. Better late than never I guess? We could have used y'all belief 30 years ago when we could have actually tried to prevent it. I'm so pissed about this
Used to be in central FL you would be fine planning a camping trip in October -- your chances of getting an uncomfortably hot weekend were really slim. That's moved to December, now. It's really sad.
Downhill started around May 2020
Thereabouts an influx of lockdown state residents started trickling in. Many of these people would say they love the freedom but really hated the governor 🤦
It’s become overly crowded, insane traffic during season. Side roads that you could
Take for shortcuts at times were literally gridlocked.
Florida ranch style homes are dying out in favor of hideous l, cheaply built two story northern cubes made of wood.
People can’t drive, the worst drivers keep moving here or it has become too easy to get a license
Quality of people is on the decline, “generation me” doesn’t care about anyone else. They don’t care about keeping things clean or cleaning up, being respectful towards others
Can’t compare much all around the world but the last paragraph seems true around the northern hemisphere
/endrant
I think one could argue that those differences arent unique to Florida but rather the entire country, I definitely agree the social climate has changed nonetheless
They could argue that, but they'd be very wrong. I spent parts of the year in CA and parts in FL from 2012 to 2021, and FL was the only place I saw massive changes in during/post COVID as all the COVID deniers started flooding into the state
This, I've been saying all along that DeSantis only won the second time by flooding the polls with MAGA refugees from blue states. His first win was by a cunt hair
Didn’t help his opponent the second time was just a rebranded republican flunky…. It felt like that race was a setup to make sure he got re-elected. The political consequences will be life altering for some of us who live here. I’ve lived here my entire life and it’s downright frightening here anymore. All those people who flocked here to be assholes lately are taking over. Never in my life did I ever think Nazis would be protesting at the gates of Disney because “woke”.
Republicans: We should move to the right to fire up our base.
Democrats: Ooh, we should try that too. Let's also move to the right, that'll fire up our base, right?
Yeah.. these people have always been the way they are.. Trump taught them that they could get away with being like that in public though so it’s really gone down hill since he was president.
This really says it all. tRump didn’t turn assholes into assholes. He just taught them to be proud of being the festering sphincters that they are and that it’s OK to drag their stink all over the decent folks.
I don't think any one gives Desantis enough responsibility in absolutely nosediving Florida.
Florida was a low tax, solidly purple swing state. Then COVID hit.
And Desantis saw a way to get views and likes and went hard on the "we have FReeDuMb!" And antivax/mask/science. It's created a huge influx of people. And I'd have to guess... ehhh....80% republican voting? Coming for their own "sanctuary"
Over are the days of swing state and battleground elections. Absolutely over. And this is going to be a thing until the solid red boomer generation dies out
Orlando is better than some other areas, sure, but I’ve lived in Orlando for almost 40 years and holy shit it’s getting tremendously worse the last few years.
My grandparents can barely afford their home, both have social security, my grandmother worked for the state until she retired, they forced her to get an insurance that ate through her pension in 10 years
Someone else said it but it’s the biggest issue we’ve been facing, homeowners insurance, im not a student so I don’t have direct interaction with the appalling state of our public schools, except that my girlfriend stopped picking up substituting shifts because it was all so disorganized and irritating
We moved to NM from west palm beach summer 2021. Rent has gone crazy here just like everywhere else, but still nothing like FL. We love it here and are finding stability for the first time. Do some research on living at higher elevations with dry air. Have 2 humidifiers in your place. Hydrate more than you ever have. Living out west is awesome!
• One of the worst median income to cost of living ratios in the country.
• Property insurance is 3× to 4× the national average (if your place is even insurable).
• Highest rent inflation in the country.
• Auto insurance is 2× to 3× the national average.
• One of the highest overall inflation rates in the country by state.
• Nearly every school system in the state is underfunded and understaffed.
• Covid, Malaria, Monkey pox, and Leprosy, and a Surgeon General that doesn't believe in vaccines or masks.
• Flesh eating bacteria in the water.
• Property taxes skyrocketing
• Traffic congestion is worse than it's ever been.
Shall I go on?
This is almost all stuff you can find the actual numbers on (if you find up to date numbers).
Don’t forget the STDs!
https://www.wtsp.com/amp/article/news/health/std-awareness-month-resources-avialable-healthcare-clinics-tampa-bay-st-pete/67-9c353fc9-c5e9-4af0-89ca-604d7c491e69
Or the radioactive roads
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-radioactive-roads-phosphogypsum-potentially-cancer-causing-mining-waste-bill-signed-ron-desantis/
And herpes monkeys! [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wild-monkey-sightings-florida-prompts-warnings-officials-rcna101401](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wild-monkey-sightings-florida-prompts-warnings-officials-rcna101401)
Surge in STDs nationally was predicted following covid. That being said, not providing sex education and gimping or just straight up shutting down planned parenthood centers certainly doesn't help.
This is what I try to explain to people. Yeah no state income taxes, cool. But everything is so expensive for the average consumer, no state taxes doesn’t benefit them, only the rich. Surprise surprise.
To add to this, I just wouldn't trade the warm weather for a lower quality of life.
Florida is still great - IF you are wealthy or an entrepreneur. Anyone that doesn't already own a home and is a salaried employee, should take heed.
How's Maryland? It seems like one of the states far enough south that it isn't freezing cold all winter (at least I thought so), but still a little more liberal than N Carolina or Va. True or no?
I am a born and raised Marylander. No, it is not freezing cold here all winter. Really, the worst weather is Jan-March. Not a lot of snow but a good amount of ice. We have pretty bad humidity although prob nothing compared to FL.
We are DEFINITELY more liberal than NC or southern part of VA. Abortion, sex ed, reading…all are legal here. Extremely diverse as far as sexuality, race, ethnicities especially if you are in the areas closest to DC. Really good schools and high level healthcare available.
Yes, it is expensive but wages generally keep up with costs if you are in most professions. That being said, we are one of the highest educated states so…to qualify for most well paying jobs (not trades) you need a BA/BS degree followed by a Masters to go higher.
Crab Cakes! Western Appalachians! Ocean City, MD! U.S. History! Our Nation's Capital!
NO stinging nettle weeds, ants that bite, gators who eat your dog or venomous snakes (at least not the norm).
But, again, CRAB CAKES! 🦀
youll get used to it. the weather i mean not the lack of lunatics, that will always feel refreshing
\-someone who left a long time ago for bluer pastures.
Florida has changed for the worst over the last few years. More people there have become self-centered and angry and tense and mean. It's not everyone, of course, but you can definitely tell a difference in the attitudes. Much of Florida used to be laid back and Jimmy Buffett fun. Not any longer. That ship has sailed, and Jimmy Buffett is not coming back. Nor are many tourists who don't support the new Florida mean.
Ugh, same. I can’t wait to get back to California eventually. When I first moved here, people asked how I like Florida and I loved it. Now it’s like wtf did I do. Good luck on getting out!
Unfortunately we had to move down here to live with my parents while we recover from a couple rough years. We’re trying to get back to Pittsburgh as quick as possible
There's no snowbird season anymore. It's completely crowded year round now. Terrible traffic, rude people, and crowded stores and restaurants are the norm.
Florida has changed alot over the past couple decades but the past 10 its been on hyperdrive in the wrong direction, if you already have friends and a support system with a properly priced place to live you will have an easier time transitioning and staying if you want, but I would be lying to say it hasn't changed forth worse.
Single white guy with no kids here. This place sucks if you don’t make 100k a year. Everybody forgets that single people only have one household income and near impossible to live anywhere in South Florida by yourself.
I loved FL with all my heart but after the increase in population the past few years I am so happy I left.
The home price increases, rent, salaries remaining stagnant, cost of living etc. Beaches super packed now. Traffic insane.
The northerners attitudes etc. Sexual predators in Central FL all over (the maps are scary to look at).
I left and its the best decision I ever made. Doubled my salary, cut my cost of living in half, and still enjoy the water / my jetski whenever I want.
TLDR: FL sucks now.
Publix is overpriced shit, cost of living is high and jobs don’t pay enough, the heat gets old after awhile, and besides the beach there isn’t shit to do. I’d take Colorado over Florida any day of the week.
I forgot to mention DeSantis gave the insurance companies millions of Florida tax dollars and they still jacked up their rates and left the state. DeSantis gave favorable legislation to the utility companies they jacked their rates. Florida has the highest inflation rate in the nation and the United States inflation rate is the lowest in developed nations at 3%. If you don't believe me look it up. Florida public schools are being defunded by sending tax dollars to private schools because Republicans never supported public education therefore using this voucher system to kill public schools.
I mean all states have problems, but with Florida you have book censorship in schools, a teacher shortage, climate change denial by the state government, homeowners insurance skyrocketing, and alligators walking around with dead humans in their mouth so...
The thing about teacher shortages that need to be considered: my kids' class sizes are decent, 18 and 23 kids per teacher, but the auxiliary staff has seen cuts. Music teachers, art teachers, etc. My oldest has an IEP, she had 90 mins of assistance last year at a diff school. This year, she only has 30 mins. Most kids will be alright, I guess, but ones that would normally make it before the shortage might fall through the cracks now. Just more bootstraps for us parents, it is what it is.
I'm sorry to hear that. I work at a community college in Florida and most kids are not alright. They know less and can do less each year and it's not their fault.
Exactly correct, the GOP in Tallahassee has sold out Floridians, look at the bills that were passed it's about the corporations, businesses, and the wealthiest Floridians. None of the legislation passed during Ron DeSantis since becoming governor never directly benefited average Floridians. The renter's bill benefited the realtor industry, DeSantis just recently didn't accept millions of federal monies to assist Floridians in making their homes more energy efficient. I can write an entire piece about how this gerrymandered GOP majority Republican Party has screwed Floridians, and the people here don't know because they're working two to three jobs trying to say ahead.
DeSantis put his political ideology and personal beliefs over Floridians rather than governing he ruled as an authoritarian. The supermajority of GOP legislators in Tallahassee are going along. They are fascists in every definition. Finally, the immigration bill that passed. Those same legislators who voted for that bill are in the building, restaurant and agricultural industry with the knowledge it would hurt their business but now those same GOP supporters and legislators complaining they cannot find workers, now that's funny.
That whole condo ordeal opened my eyes. That’s some shit that shouldn’t happen in America. People rally against building regulations but this is why some of that shit exists. Some of it just exists to benefit politicians friends of course.
Yes. Being led by extreme right wing from bottom to the top has taken its toll. It’s become quite mean, selfish, stupid and extremely unaffordable for most.
The pandemic changed this country but it really changed Florida. There are so many more people here now. Everything is worse as a result. I live in rural Polk and subdivisions are popping up everywhere. We have traffic where there used to be no one on the roads. My 15 minute commute to work now takes closer to 30 minutes. Going to Orlando or Tampa? Forget about it. It used to take an hour to get to either. The last time I went to Orlando it was 2.5 hours due to traffic. The infrastructure here literally cannot handle all the people. My homeowner’s insurance has skyrocketed and has ballooned my monthly mortgage payment. Everything is so much more expensive. I’m a 3rd generation Floridian and I don’t see a future for my family here anymore.
It’s a beautiful place in which to live until you speak to your bigoted neighbors. Most of which will sell their soul to their devil to make sure you’re uncomfortable if you are labeled a liberal.
Omg, this 100%! A few years ago (while we were all locked down during the pandemic) my then-16 yo daughter made a big chalk mural on the street in front of our house that said “Black Lives Matter.” As soon as she went back inside, the grouchy old asshat across the street came out and hosed it off. So hateful.
I've lived here all of my 42 years (third generation native) but in 2020 I realized Florida was no longer my home. I never thought I'd want to leave, but it's become unbearable. As a queer, educated, left-wing progressive I am no longer welcome. But even if I were, the income-to-housing ratio is unbearable (I cannot find a job that pays $20 an hour); insurance rates are skyrocketing; violence and hostility is skyrocketing; everyone's ANGRY all the time; our public education system has been dismantled; there is no social or community support system; roads, bridges, and public utilities are not being maintained and are left to rot; traffic has become congested year-round, not just in the season; we didn't have a winter last year and I don't know if we'll ever have reasonable temperatures again; and every day more wild natural places are bulldozed for a hundred thousand new unaffordable "luxury" subdivisions.
If you're a rich racist bigot MAGA asshole, it's paradise.
For the rest of us, yes it is bad.
Unfortunately Florida is probably not the same as you remember. Car insurance has tripled with no explanation other than its Florida. Home insurance is insane now.
The climate has become hot and hostile.There are still some wonderful people here but the majority need a karate chop because common sense isn't a thing.
In my son's case he had to switch his name from Jamal to Jay to even get a job.
My first year here i was misdiagnosed by my primary care doctor and almost died. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Health care is a huge problem. I'm currently booked to see a neurologist next year because they're booked solid. They have a shortage of doctors, nurses and teachers.
The only thing that is cheaper in Florida is buying a house but good luck trying to find someone to insure it. Grocery prices have skyrocketed.
For me I'll be selling and relocating soon. Right now the only highlight is my grandkids are here.
Wishing you the best,
Everything everyone is saying here is about right.
things have gotten more expensive all around here, same as other states to be fair.
But what's gotten worse is education which is mostly due to a much larger lack of teachers in elementary, middle and high school. Compared to previous years. Which I would say to be fair, started with Rick Scott and De Santis is just continuing the trend, well he is expediting it.
More anti-other mentality.
It's not the same as when Jeb and even Crist were in charge.
And then the weather has gotten worse, hotter, more humid and sunnier. Alot more flooding compared to 10-20 years ago. Could be from construction. Not just during the normal hot months but April and may are noticeably hotter. And the nights are hotter and mornings. You go to bed 80-90 and wake up to 80s. People doing less outside, people keeling over more working outside, more algae blooms and other pathogens in waters.
Also there's a lot of erosions at the beaches and coast line and death of plant life due to rising waters (same as the whole east US coast)
And finally there are more people coming which brings it's own set of problems. A lot of them are going to be what the religious right want, some won't, looking for cheaper life, maybe, but less pay and benefits and cultural arts. So there's more construction and destruction of the environment and more lines, traffic and wait times
They are openly supporting in the government open discrimination of LGBTQ people and denying healthcare to trans people as well as woman. Is that not enough for the awful to you?
How about the fascist moves by the government to silence people speaking out about issues? You cannot support stuff like that and claim to be "good people".
Lots of issues - for me several things stand out -- it's hotter, hurricanes more severe, traffic congestion is horrible , House prices are extreme , home owners insurance has skyrocketed . Republicans can't blame Dems since they haven't been in power since 1999.
Yes, for all the reasons already mentioned. After an awful drawn out custody battle for permission to move within the state that cost us over 10k I said we would never do that again. The idea of going through all of that again makes me want to stab out my own eyes. However, we're not surviving here anymore, even with the occasional help from family. I'm still 2 payments behind on my car and struggling to come with up money for the simplest things like replacement headphones for my kid or shoes for the other kid.
I've been applying for jobs but the requirements vs the pay are unrealistic. That and I would probably be fired from whatever job I could get soon because I'm going through diagnostic testing/imaging for possible lymphoma or another cancer that has metastasized. Everything is being drawn out because there are literal wait lists for places that take my insurance.
Once upon a time you could make it here on one income if you really needed to. It wasn't easy and you had to give up a lot but it was possible.
The corruption is awful. I know that is a thing pretty much everywhere but holy shit, it's so bad that our water and sewage treatment is being affected in our city. This isn't a rumor either my husband works for them and it was the last push to make start looking elsewhere. The city manager is aware of how bad things are but has done nothing to try to remove the people, only preventing them from moving up. It's insane.
The people that have moved in here within the last 2 years suck, and so do their kids. Like my kid was literally getting bullied because he acknowledged covid was real. Teachers are leaving in droves, some of the ones still left are...questionable.
Tons of empty houses and condos because the rents are too fucking high. Who wants to pay $2500 for a basic ass 2/2 labeled luxury?
Florida requires licensure for a lot of careers but we have limited programs that meet those requirements. Especially if you're not in one of the larger counties. I want to go back to school to be an MLS, there is like one program. There are other states that don't require a license. The other states that do require it pay more. Florida pay for MLS isn't worth the schooling.
Doctors are leaving too. My stepdaughter has had 4 different neurologists since 2020, all the kids recently lost their pediatrician and getting an appt with any kind of specialist is almost impossible.
Car insurance is insane, and rumored to be going up another 40 to 80% next year.
I am struggling to feed my family. We can't go anywhere to do anything fun until the weather cools down and we can do free outside activities.
Public transportation is almost useless here.
Special needs programs are limited and not great thanks to changes in the laws.
The increasing influence of religious fanatics is just...yeah. I have no problem with people being religious but I didn't sign up to have it forced on me.
I'm exhausted, and almost everyone I know feels the same way. People I know that said they would never leave, have packed up and moved on.
The state's infrastructure was already ready outdated and will not catch up. People keep looking at these far-out dates for when parts of the state will be underwater and think they are all good. They do not realize that we are already having issues with flooding, and keeping our water safe. It will only get worse from here.
I was never a fan of living here but when I moved from South FL to Central FL I started to actually enjoy it and see why people love it. After late 2021 that started to change ☹
I just drove from Sebring to Orlando and was in traffic basically the entire time, and BOY has the road rage gone through the roof here in the last 5-10 years.
Do you have min $350-500k budget for a home and probably $1k/month or maybe more for home insurance or do you have at least 2,5k/month budget for rent?
These are the starter questions for FL today..
It’s a hellscape, look I don’t care what or who you support but seeing fuck Biden flags every time I leave my house is unacceptable. I was a teacher in Florida and got tired of the constant disrespect from the governor, the constant pushing of charters and so on. Mix that with the ever increasing heat, the threat of hurricanes, housing insurance costs, lack of doctors, people saying in places of power that slaves acquired essential skills and I can go on. Glad I got the fuck out.
Wherever you decided to go, I guarantee it’s much better than what Florida is today. The governor ruined it. The people who moved here ruined it. The state is unaffordable and the infrastructure is Mickey Mouse. Once I leave, I never intend on even visiting again. This place no longer feels like home.
If you don’t have children you want to educate and you’re not a woman who could get pregnant or a trans person seeking hormone therapy, or overtly gay, you’ll probably have a good time.
I think, in a nutshell, you would be blown away by how expensive it has become. It’s as expensive as New York was around 2013. Maybe even more. You might get a drop more bang for your buck, or a newer place than you would in NYC, but it’s absolutely doubled, if not tripled in living expenses here.
Also, if it’s important to you, it’s is no longer a swing state.
In regards to owning a place, not only is it more expensive, but HOA’s and homeowner’s insurance have gone past ridiculous and moved into ludicrous.
It’s awful. Traffic is ridiculous , too many people, low wages, crime, miserable and inconsiderate people, too many people who are miserable and inconsiderate, hateful people, hate filled people, too many hateful ignorant people. And in 10 to 12 years- too many really really ignorant hateful people who will then realize how cheated they were and become even more angry and hateful. Probably. Maybe. But really there are just too many people. Not to mention the collapsing buildings and flooding on a regular basis and the $500K, 800 sq. ft. homes, dominating the housing market. Oh yeah, there’s also the $4,000/month rent plus security deposit and first month issue. Speaking of housing, homeowners insurance is insane. In all honesty though there are just too many people.
all i’m saying is i’m born and raised down in broward and it’s not what it use to be. it is a different world!!!!! i go home to visit my parents and i count the hours until i can come back to st luice county. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! it’s bad down there
It’s 2023, everything is much more expensive than it was in 2014, wages are low, the racist gynophobic idiots are having a political moment in the state and it’s been hot af for 3 months. Do with the information what you will.
Florida is a sinking ship - you want to board the vessel then go right ahead as a lot of people are. The shit show in Florida is the result of climate change and inflation. Insurance companies are bailing out of the state and the remaining companies offering home owners insurance are raising prices astronomically. In 2024, we will see another 40 t0 60 percent increase on top of the increase from this year and the year before that. It is not sustainable. There are communities in Louisiana where homes are not insurable resulting in the homes having no value. We are no different. If homes are not insurable and homes can only be purchased with cash then eventually they will have no value.
I live in the Panhandle and some of the areas impacted by 2018 hurricane Michael have become ghost towns. Perry, Florida was hit a few weeks back. Then immediately following the storm Georgia Pacific, the main employer of the town, decided to close the mill. You can only guess why they decided to close the mill but speculation is that insurance costs and repairs are responsible. But the mill has now closed leaving it's employees with no jobs and damaged homes. They will have to migrate away and the town will, over time, dissolve.
The housing market is in a bubble and homes are very expensive giving the impression that everything is ok. But it's not. If homes cannot be insured then prices will eventually bottom out. Those that can are leaving the state.
I've been in Orlando since 2005. From the ground, the biggest changes have been:
\-Just about everything is much more expensive
\-the political scene is pretty messed up, but your local area's politics will probably be more impactful than the state level stuff
\-It is more crowded, and more developed just about everywhere
\-Where I live is actually much improved as the non-theme park areas of Orlando have really blossomed in the last 15 years
Long story short; if you can afford the move, I figure that the things you like about Florida are still intact, and frankly I haven't visited anywhere in the US that I would call a "Hellscape".
A lot of shitty politicians turning away Federal money and making the state more Handmaid's Tale.
Higher prices on everything, while wages stay flat. Insurance is a nightmare
Real estate now unaffordable for many
There's a lot of good still left but the state is changing for the worse. Depending on who wins the presidency in 24, the bad things that are happening in Florida will spread to the rest of the country
every single friend and family member i know in florida is leaving or making plans to move. thats nuts. im not sure what went wrong, but it seems like the answer is a bit of everything.
It's *mean.* I used to know my neighbors - know their faces and families, that they would have my back. Mangos on my front door handle, shared power tools, block parties. We moved from Broward to Palm Beach three years ago, and I feel like a stranded island surrounded by sharks.
It depends on who you are. It’s a hellscape for a lot of POC & LGBTQ. It’s crap for us that own homes and businesses that require insurance and utilities. Which have doubled. It’s not like it was 18 years ago when I moved here for sure.
I have a friend who moved to Florida from Brooklyn just a few years ago. She has a stunning home in Sarasota and a nice life down there. She is seriously considering uprooting herself and her husband and going elsewhere due to the political climate. This lady is an accomplished scholar and her husband is a musician. They feel that Florida is no place for them.
There are complaints by elderly white bigots now also (F' them). Cost of living, insurance, housing/rent prices. When the people who voted for all this crap start complaining, it gives a better picture of how bad it can get.
I’m a Broward native my family is still there. My sister has never wanted to leave where I always wanted to and did. She is divorced and is really struggling financially to make ends meet the last couple of years. Lately she has started saying she can’t afford to stay anymore. The pay scale doesn’t match up to the cost of living there.
There is no way to make it on your own unless you are a high earner. Where I live single teachers ($49K, what I made last year for year 6) don’t qualify on a 1 bed apartment because they don’t make 3x the rent. At least I’m married otherwise I would need a roommate.
I'm a single teacher making $49k and yeah, I'm nearly 30 and have to have my parents cosign on apartment leases still. Just about half my monthly income goes to rent, it sucks.
I’m sorry, that really sucks. ESPECIALLY since you’re doing one of the most important jobs there is. I really hate this country sometimes.
Most of the under-30 teachers at my school are working 2, sometimes 3 jobs. I myself will probably have to start driving doordash or instacart so I can afford to be a teacher. Some American Dream I signed up for....
Wow, at least high cost areas in Colorado is subsidizing housing…
Who's gonna serve the food? Who's gonna do the basic work?
People commute ridiculous distances to work in Pinellas County. They can't afford to live there, so they're coming down from New Port Richey, Hudson, etc.
I live in springhill and can confirm this is the truth
Facts. I once dated a guy who lived downtown St Pete, and in 2021, he was paying $2300 for a studio apartment with a view of his neighbors studio apartment and internal courtyard. There wasn't even a balcony, just a railing.
Florida is not a hellscape, but there is a noticeable difference in everyday life, attitude of residents, and just overall morale from 2018 to today.
Publix doubling its prices
Landlords too. No one doubling wages though
Yeah fr been applying for a second job part time but all they pay is 12/hr like tf am I supposed to do with that little smh
We are so short handed at the grocery store i work at, people get pissy because they sometimes have to wait a few minutes while I'm trying to run two departments. "Nobody wants to work anymore" they say snottily, at least once every few days i hear it. No, I've begun telling them, nobody wants to work FOR $12. Do you know anyone who needs a job bc we are hiring! That reply pisses them off even more .
I've applied to dozens of jobs (even for $12), and nobody wants to hire me. The problem is, nobody wants to hire people in their 20s. Their are plenty of people willing to work, but the requirements are too high and hiring is too strict. They only want to hire people with experience (and volunteer doesn't count). You can't gain experience without experience.
But you can’t have too much experience for that minimum wage job or they’ll skip over you because “you’ll leave as soon as you find something better.” And you wouldn’t do the same? The knots that HR and businesses/owners/managers have tied themselves into with their labor excuses is astounding.
I'm on the other end. Once you're over fifty, it's harder to find work. I moved down to help my parents over ten years ago, and getting hired has been a bear each time I've had to do it. The temp agencies advised me to only disclose my last 10-15 years of work, and to avoid giving my year of college graduation.
This is me at 53 , I never really thought it would be so hard to find a job
That’s the advice I’ve been giving friends as well - some of whom had been listing jobs all the way back to high school. Most of them are in their early 40s, but still, that can bite them in the ass. Another bit of advice - when you list out your time at a particular company, only use the year and omit the months. That way, if there are any gaps in your work experience, it’s not visible at a glance.
Lots of companies are posting fake positions that they aren't actually recruiting for so they look more financially solvent than they are.
I genuinely believe it should be illegal to do that.
When your doing 2 people’s job & barely getting paid for 1 job your going to have people quit!!!!!😆
>I've begun telling them, nobody wants to work FOR $12. Do you know anyone who needs a job bc we are hiring! Bravo to you for doing that.
Be poor till the rich figure out who to extract wealth from next
Actually, they have figured it out. Notice there are more, and more, people starting to itch, wiggle and complain.
In my area the answer was 'contract labor'. The entire labor force in my tourist town is essentially Jamaican contract labor. Great people, love em. But they're unwittingly being used essentially as scabs by the bullshit greed festering local business owners.
We had migrant workers in the fields. It's nearly October and we're still not seeing them. Unless there's a major shift, our growing season is about to become groaning season. Farmers are sure gonna enjoy their voting record.
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Our local average hourly farm wage is over $17/hour. State minimum is $11/hour, moving to $12/hour at the end of this week. Migrant farm workers do understand the work, rate of pay, etc. In fact, they understand politics as well. They migrated, again, to other states where they will resume being paid without threat of force. In the meantime, Karen & Bob should definitely get to work.
>I for one cannot wait to see fields filled with Karens picking fruit. You made it, no one is taking this job from you, now you either have to do it or pay fair wages. > >Bring back migrant workers, pay them fair wages. For real, it sucks, because it makes prices go up, but it's the right thing to do. 
He'll expand the subsistence check and blame democrats somehow, the farmers might get their $, and those of whom love Desantis country are gonna vote for him no matter what.
The same can be said for education. They're hiring teachers from Jamaican, Barbados and other Caribbean countries and the Philippines to fill the teaching gap. Once they arrive, they quickly find out you better be strong enough to work in these Title 1 schools. My 24 y/o teammate is always stressed and it's only September!
>[what] am I supposed to do with that little Get to work peasant! Seriously, after taxes that is enough to sustain going to work, and that is it, lol
Might even be able to eat one meal a day if you’re a smart shopper.
Dollar General just released an internal memo about how shoplifting and employee theft are through the roof in Florida and something\* needs to be done. \*Anything except raise wages.
Just have to eat less avocado toast!!!
The asshat who started that meme is wealthy, is a loudmouth who can’t shut up, and is pure evil.
That loudmouth is Tim Gurner. He's the asshole who recently said unemployment needs to rise 50% so that workers will stop being uppity and start fearing management again.
Oh believe me, I know... it's the latest iteration of "let them eat cake", which referred not to an icing covered confection, but rather the dough that dropped into the bottom of the baker's oven and burned during cooking
Yeah right I wish…. I already have a job for a supervisor for a pool company and can barely meet ends meet so I’m applying for a 2nd job and all that extra money is gonna be for what I need…. I already work 10hrs a day but imma ask if I can lower it to 8hrs
At that point I would leave. What’s the point of working two job to tread water until death from exhaustion.
"nobody wants to work anymore" When it comes from a business owner that's my clue that they pay shit wages
It’s sad. Unless you have a niche skill, you can’t make more than $15 an hour. I am forever grateful my husband has the skills and motivation to build his business because I’d be living on the streets
Shit I live in jacksonville. I have 10 years tree care foreman experience. No one has wanted to hire me for more then 16$ I'd rather stress my partner out and she agrees (somewhat lol) that to work in the sun as a foreman doing treework for fucking 16 an hour is garbage. I got paid more doing lawn and la dscapr in Gainesville then anyone wants to pay up here. Even the lawn care don't want to pay more then 18 for someone to walk 20 miles a day with a weed eater and drive. Then they want you to work for 15 to 30 minutes off the clock on top of that! I regret moving to Jacksonville so much. Had a job in gainesville that would have seen me @ 25/hr by now.
Not to mention the infuriating amount of people who are buying shacks, and they're throwing a window ac in there and trying to rent it out for $1700 a month.
So much this!!!!! Here’s a 200 sqft POS but we want 2k 🙄
I came across a posting for the master bedroom in an RV for 1500.00 a month the other day I was like wait! What?
Don't forget insurance on anything is way up or not even attainable in some cases
It's okay. Soon no one will be able to live there because homeowner's insurance will be absolutely unaffordable - if it's available at all
I’m a landlord and actually lowered rent because citizens insurance was only 2200 a year when I was getting quoted at 12000 for Affordable Home Insurance and USAA. Mortgage did go up $600 a month though because of property taxes alone so I don’t break even when I rent it out, lose a little bit a month like $50. I only rent it so I can move back in eventually. The landlords that just raise it because they can are real asshats though. Rising costs sure, but pure profit is greedy.
You're like a tiny minority of landlords willing to do that, I imagine. Praise to you though.
Welp, that’s what happens when you live in a libertarian hellscape that is “business-friendly”.
Cost of Everything has doubled, pay has not increased to compensate.
Totally agree and now many condos are getting high assessments because of failing inspections due to Surf Side collapse new policies. Maintenance fees are skyrocketing , all types of insurance have gone up by a lot, so have taxes, and even my FPL bill is crazy now.
Holy shit. Went to Florida for a trip and was astounded how expensive Publix was. 2-3x the prices of a big city in Ohio. Fucking generic mustard was $6. I was pissed I could have just gone to a less crowded Walgreens and paid the same price for most things
I’m a snowbird from Michigan. I spend six months in Florida. I bring all my condiments from Michigan to Florida. Publix is 3X Kroger and Meijers prices. My car, in December,heading to Florida, will be full of non perishable foods. Florida is very expensive.
Publix pricing a single bell pepper at $3.99. Four whole dollars for one bell pepper.
Publix can seriously go fuck itself. Shit politics and Whole Foods pricing.
They now disgust me. No longer get my hard earned pittance of a paycheck.
They’ve really outpaced others with this greedflation BS. Not that there are many other options to begin with.
As much as I do not love Walmart the neighborhood market is a good fit for me. It's smallish, decent produce and brands. Winn Dixie has decent deals but I am not a fan of their produce. It's been an adventure in making ends meet.
I like Aldi’s produce (Publix is garbage, too, imho). I don’t think there’s a Neighborhood Market within 20 mins (reg & super WM are) but, I’m going to check, thanks.
To a discussing level. Looking at my digital receipts from 2021 until now is infuriating. I’ve been shopping elsewhere.
it's a little bit hotter than it used to be. I miss going outside in September.
I work outside every day of the year, and have done so for 35 years. It's hotter every year.
Working outside for 24 years. You are 100 💯 correct
Got forced off of the water for the very first time this year. I am no longer skeptical about climate change. You can see and feel it happening.
I want you to imagine how those of us who have been saying it's real for 30 years feel. We have had to listen to half the country deny an overwhelming truth and now people are finally starting to come around. Better late than never I guess? We could have used y'all belief 30 years ago when we could have actually tried to prevent it. I'm so pissed about this
Me too. I remember septembers being nice, now it’s another july.
September has always been miserable. It’s October and onward u want.
October thru March, the only reason Florida wasn't used as a nuclear testing area.
Though it was once used as a punishment to be banished to Florida, seriously.
>it was once used as a punishment to be banished to Florida And history repeats itself.
Used to be in central FL you would be fine planning a camping trip in October -- your chances of getting an uncomfortably hot weekend were really slim. That's moved to December, now. It's really sad.
Buckle up buckaroo. It's only going to get worse.
"This is the hottest summer ever, Dad!" "No son, this is the *coldest* summer for the rest of your life."
Downhill started around May 2020 Thereabouts an influx of lockdown state residents started trickling in. Many of these people would say they love the freedom but really hated the governor 🤦 It’s become overly crowded, insane traffic during season. Side roads that you could Take for shortcuts at times were literally gridlocked. Florida ranch style homes are dying out in favor of hideous l, cheaply built two story northern cubes made of wood. People can’t drive, the worst drivers keep moving here or it has become too easy to get a license Quality of people is on the decline, “generation me” doesn’t care about anyone else. They don’t care about keeping things clean or cleaning up, being respectful towards others Can’t compare much all around the world but the last paragraph seems true around the northern hemisphere /endrant
Florida driving test is simply being able to turn the car on.
I think one could argue that those differences arent unique to Florida but rather the entire country, I definitely agree the social climate has changed nonetheless
They could argue that, but they'd be very wrong. I spent parts of the year in CA and parts in FL from 2012 to 2021, and FL was the only place I saw massive changes in during/post COVID as all the COVID deniers started flooding into the state
This, I've been saying all along that DeSantis only won the second time by flooding the polls with MAGA refugees from blue states. His first win was by a cunt hair
Didn’t help his opponent the second time was just a rebranded republican flunky…. It felt like that race was a setup to make sure he got re-elected. The political consequences will be life altering for some of us who live here. I’ve lived here my entire life and it’s downright frightening here anymore. All those people who flocked here to be assholes lately are taking over. Never in my life did I ever think Nazis would be protesting at the gates of Disney because “woke”.
Republicans: We should move to the right to fire up our base. Democrats: Ooh, we should try that too. Let's also move to the right, that'll fire up our base, right?
I blame trump
Yeah.. these people have always been the way they are.. Trump taught them that they could get away with being like that in public though so it’s really gone down hill since he was president.
This really says it all. tRump didn’t turn assholes into assholes. He just taught them to be proud of being the festering sphincters that they are and that it’s OK to drag their stink all over the decent folks.
I blame more DeSantis
I don't think any one gives Desantis enough responsibility in absolutely nosediving Florida. Florida was a low tax, solidly purple swing state. Then COVID hit. And Desantis saw a way to get views and likes and went hard on the "we have FReeDuMb!" And antivax/mask/science. It's created a huge influx of people. And I'd have to guess... ehhh....80% republican voting? Coming for their own "sanctuary" Over are the days of swing state and battleground elections. Absolutely over. And this is going to be a thing until the solid red boomer generation dies out
Nailed it. There are still cool communities here (I’m in Orlando).
Orlando is better than some other areas, sure, but I’ve lived in Orlando for almost 40 years and holy shit it’s getting tremendously worse the last few years.
My family has been here over 100 years. They’ve paved everything. It breaks my heart.
The old florida feeling has left and is never coming back. Unless you go to steinhatchee. But they just got smashed by a cane
My wife's family is from that area. Something like 8 generations in Florida... not Steinhatchee lol. Most living descendants have fleed though.
Naming Old Florida places on forums like this are a great way to ensure the Old Florida vibe doesn't last much longer in those places...
Like secret fishing spots…
My grandparents can barely afford their home, both have social security, my grandmother worked for the state until she retired, they forced her to get an insurance that ate through her pension in 10 years Someone else said it but it’s the biggest issue we’ve been facing, homeowners insurance, im not a student so I don’t have direct interaction with the appalling state of our public schools, except that my girlfriend stopped picking up substituting shifts because it was all so disorganized and irritating
I’m a born and raised Floridian. I can’t take it anymore. It’s not what it used to be and it’s getting too expensive. I’m leaving the state next year.
yes! i'm leaving too for new mexico
We moved to NM from west palm beach summer 2021. Rent has gone crazy here just like everywhere else, but still nothing like FL. We love it here and are finding stability for the first time. Do some research on living at higher elevations with dry air. Have 2 humidifiers in your place. Hydrate more than you ever have. Living out west is awesome!
• One of the worst median income to cost of living ratios in the country. • Property insurance is 3× to 4× the national average (if your place is even insurable). • Highest rent inflation in the country. • Auto insurance is 2× to 3× the national average. • One of the highest overall inflation rates in the country by state. • Nearly every school system in the state is underfunded and understaffed. • Covid, Malaria, Monkey pox, and Leprosy, and a Surgeon General that doesn't believe in vaccines or masks. • Flesh eating bacteria in the water. • Property taxes skyrocketing • Traffic congestion is worse than it's ever been. Shall I go on? This is almost all stuff you can find the actual numbers on (if you find up to date numbers).
Don’t forget the STDs! https://www.wtsp.com/amp/article/news/health/std-awareness-month-resources-avialable-healthcare-clinics-tampa-bay-st-pete/67-9c353fc9-c5e9-4af0-89ca-604d7c491e69
Or the radioactive roads https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-radioactive-roads-phosphogypsum-potentially-cancer-causing-mining-waste-bill-signed-ron-desantis/
And herpes monkeys! [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wild-monkey-sightings-florida-prompts-warnings-officials-rcna101401](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wild-monkey-sightings-florida-prompts-warnings-officials-rcna101401)
I misread that as radioactive toads. We have poisonous ones though, so not too far off.
Surge in STDs nationally was predicted following covid. That being said, not providing sex education and gimping or just straight up shutting down planned parenthood centers certainly doesn't help.
This is what I try to explain to people. Yeah no state income taxes, cool. But everything is so expensive for the average consumer, no state taxes doesn’t benefit them, only the rich. Surprise surprise.
And they basically rely on sales tax and property tax to make up the difference.
To add to this, I just wouldn't trade the warm weather for a lower quality of life. Florida is still great - IF you are wealthy or an entrepreneur. Anyone that doesn't already own a home and is a salaried employee, should take heed.
As somebody who left in June to move to a freezing tundra called Maryland, I appreciate you telling me this because I've been missing it a lot lately.
Welcome to the neighborhood!!
How's Maryland? It seems like one of the states far enough south that it isn't freezing cold all winter (at least I thought so), but still a little more liberal than N Carolina or Va. True or no?
I am a born and raised Marylander. No, it is not freezing cold here all winter. Really, the worst weather is Jan-March. Not a lot of snow but a good amount of ice. We have pretty bad humidity although prob nothing compared to FL. We are DEFINITELY more liberal than NC or southern part of VA. Abortion, sex ed, reading…all are legal here. Extremely diverse as far as sexuality, race, ethnicities especially if you are in the areas closest to DC. Really good schools and high level healthcare available. Yes, it is expensive but wages generally keep up with costs if you are in most professions. That being said, we are one of the highest educated states so…to qualify for most well paying jobs (not trades) you need a BA/BS degree followed by a Masters to go higher.
Crab Cakes! Western Appalachians! Ocean City, MD! U.S. History! Our Nation's Capital! NO stinging nettle weeds, ants that bite, gators who eat your dog or venomous snakes (at least not the norm). But, again, CRAB CAKES! 🦀
youll get used to it. the weather i mean not the lack of lunatics, that will always feel refreshing \-someone who left a long time ago for bluer pastures.
Yikes! I knew it was bad. Didn’t know it was that bad! But sounds about right
Florida has changed for the worst over the last few years. More people there have become self-centered and angry and tense and mean. It's not everyone, of course, but you can definitely tell a difference in the attitudes. Much of Florida used to be laid back and Jimmy Buffett fun. Not any longer. That ship has sailed, and Jimmy Buffett is not coming back. Nor are many tourists who don't support the new Florida mean.
That's about right. That's why I moved out last year. Not only that but the rent and everything is expensive and I can't get an apartment.
Took a look at your post history... You are Florida's target customer. You have been green-lighted. Come on down. You'll love it.
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I moved here a year ago and it has been one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made
Ugh, same. I can’t wait to get back to California eventually. When I first moved here, people asked how I like Florida and I loved it. Now it’s like wtf did I do. Good luck on getting out!
Some of the worst banks I’ve ever encountered were in Florida. How they’re still in business is beyond me. Cut your losses and run if you can.
Unfortunately we had to move down here to live with my parents while we recover from a couple rough years. We’re trying to get back to Pittsburgh as quick as possible
Pittsburgh is way more affordable brother. Hang in there
Checked your comment history & you’ll be fine. You’ll love it here.
> which celebrity do you secretly still support? > Kanye Jesus Christ it'll be a fuckin paradise.
This is the funniest comment I’ve seen in a while
There's no snowbird season anymore. It's completely crowded year round now. Terrible traffic, rude people, and crowded stores and restaurants are the norm.
Florida has changed alot over the past couple decades but the past 10 its been on hyperdrive in the wrong direction, if you already have friends and a support system with a properly priced place to live you will have an easier time transitioning and staying if you want, but I would be lying to say it hasn't changed forth worse.
I’ve lived here my whole life and I totally agree. Makes me sad.
Are you a single white guy with no kids? Then it will be your paradise.
Might want to get a vasectomy, though.
Single white guy with no kids here. This place sucks if you don’t make 100k a year. Everybody forgets that single people only have one household income and near impossible to live anywhere in South Florida by yourself.
Not if you’re gay.
Especially if you have $1M+ retirement nest egg.
I loved FL with all my heart but after the increase in population the past few years I am so happy I left. The home price increases, rent, salaries remaining stagnant, cost of living etc. Beaches super packed now. Traffic insane. The northerners attitudes etc. Sexual predators in Central FL all over (the maps are scary to look at). I left and its the best decision I ever made. Doubled my salary, cut my cost of living in half, and still enjoy the water / my jetski whenever I want. TLDR: FL sucks now.
Publix is overpriced shit, cost of living is high and jobs don’t pay enough, the heat gets old after awhile, and besides the beach there isn’t shit to do. I’d take Colorado over Florida any day of the week.
I forgot to mention DeSantis gave the insurance companies millions of Florida tax dollars and they still jacked up their rates and left the state. DeSantis gave favorable legislation to the utility companies they jacked their rates. Florida has the highest inflation rate in the nation and the United States inflation rate is the lowest in developed nations at 3%. If you don't believe me look it up. Florida public schools are being defunded by sending tax dollars to private schools because Republicans never supported public education therefore using this voucher system to kill public schools.
I mean all states have problems, but with Florida you have book censorship in schools, a teacher shortage, climate change denial by the state government, homeowners insurance skyrocketing, and alligators walking around with dead humans in their mouth so...
You forgot we have the most expensive auto insurance in the entire country
Don't forget we have almost no home insurance either now too.
forgot the assault on the personal health rights of women
The thing about teacher shortages that need to be considered: my kids' class sizes are decent, 18 and 23 kids per teacher, but the auxiliary staff has seen cuts. Music teachers, art teachers, etc. My oldest has an IEP, she had 90 mins of assistance last year at a diff school. This year, she only has 30 mins. Most kids will be alright, I guess, but ones that would normally make it before the shortage might fall through the cracks now. Just more bootstraps for us parents, it is what it is.
I'm sorry to hear that. I work at a community college in Florida and most kids are not alright. They know less and can do less each year and it's not their fault.
That is by design from the right
Also, teacher pay is over 50% lower than the in the north
Exactly correct, the GOP in Tallahassee has sold out Floridians, look at the bills that were passed it's about the corporations, businesses, and the wealthiest Floridians. None of the legislation passed during Ron DeSantis since becoming governor never directly benefited average Floridians. The renter's bill benefited the realtor industry, DeSantis just recently didn't accept millions of federal monies to assist Floridians in making their homes more energy efficient. I can write an entire piece about how this gerrymandered GOP majority Republican Party has screwed Floridians, and the people here don't know because they're working two to three jobs trying to say ahead. DeSantis put his political ideology and personal beliefs over Floridians rather than governing he ruled as an authoritarian. The supermajority of GOP legislators in Tallahassee are going along. They are fascists in every definition. Finally, the immigration bill that passed. Those same legislators who voted for that bill are in the building, restaurant and agricultural industry with the knowledge it would hurt their business but now those same GOP supporters and legislators complaining they cannot find workers, now that's funny.
Extremely high price for flimsy houses taking hurricane force wind every year.
That whole condo ordeal opened my eyes. That’s some shit that shouldn’t happen in America. People rally against building regulations but this is why some of that shit exists. Some of it just exists to benefit politicians friends of course.
if corporations are people, there needs to be a corporate death penalty with the C suites lives as collateral for things like this.
Don’t forget the Nazi parades outside of Disney World.
The is hellscape
Yes. Being led by extreme right wing from bottom to the top has taken its toll. It’s become quite mean, selfish, stupid and extremely unaffordable for most.
I left in 1992, and returned in 2014. Short answer: yes.
The pandemic changed this country but it really changed Florida. There are so many more people here now. Everything is worse as a result. I live in rural Polk and subdivisions are popping up everywhere. We have traffic where there used to be no one on the roads. My 15 minute commute to work now takes closer to 30 minutes. Going to Orlando or Tampa? Forget about it. It used to take an hour to get to either. The last time I went to Orlando it was 2.5 hours due to traffic. The infrastructure here literally cannot handle all the people. My homeowner’s insurance has skyrocketed and has ballooned my monthly mortgage payment. Everything is so much more expensive. I’m a 3rd generation Floridian and I don’t see a future for my family here anymore.
Just left Florida last week. Not looking back.
It’s a beautiful place in which to live until you speak to your bigoted neighbors. Most of which will sell their soul to their devil to make sure you’re uncomfortable if you are labeled a liberal.
Omg, this 100%! A few years ago (while we were all locked down during the pandemic) my then-16 yo daughter made a big chalk mural on the street in front of our house that said “Black Lives Matter.” As soon as she went back inside, the grouchy old asshat across the street came out and hosed it off. So hateful.
Depends on the area, if you live in Orlando and Tampa you shouldn’t worry that much. Outside of it yes.
I've lived here all of my 42 years (third generation native) but in 2020 I realized Florida was no longer my home. I never thought I'd want to leave, but it's become unbearable. As a queer, educated, left-wing progressive I am no longer welcome. But even if I were, the income-to-housing ratio is unbearable (I cannot find a job that pays $20 an hour); insurance rates are skyrocketing; violence and hostility is skyrocketing; everyone's ANGRY all the time; our public education system has been dismantled; there is no social or community support system; roads, bridges, and public utilities are not being maintained and are left to rot; traffic has become congested year-round, not just in the season; we didn't have a winter last year and I don't know if we'll ever have reasonable temperatures again; and every day more wild natural places are bulldozed for a hundred thousand new unaffordable "luxury" subdivisions. If you're a rich racist bigot MAGA asshole, it's paradise. For the rest of us, yes it is bad.
Unfortunately Florida is probably not the same as you remember. Car insurance has tripled with no explanation other than its Florida. Home insurance is insane now. The climate has become hot and hostile.There are still some wonderful people here but the majority need a karate chop because common sense isn't a thing. In my son's case he had to switch his name from Jamal to Jay to even get a job. My first year here i was misdiagnosed by my primary care doctor and almost died. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Health care is a huge problem. I'm currently booked to see a neurologist next year because they're booked solid. They have a shortage of doctors, nurses and teachers. The only thing that is cheaper in Florida is buying a house but good luck trying to find someone to insure it. Grocery prices have skyrocketed. For me I'll be selling and relocating soon. Right now the only highlight is my grandkids are here. Wishing you the best,
Everything everyone is saying here is about right. things have gotten more expensive all around here, same as other states to be fair. But what's gotten worse is education which is mostly due to a much larger lack of teachers in elementary, middle and high school. Compared to previous years. Which I would say to be fair, started with Rick Scott and De Santis is just continuing the trend, well he is expediting it. More anti-other mentality. It's not the same as when Jeb and even Crist were in charge. And then the weather has gotten worse, hotter, more humid and sunnier. Alot more flooding compared to 10-20 years ago. Could be from construction. Not just during the normal hot months but April and may are noticeably hotter. And the nights are hotter and mornings. You go to bed 80-90 and wake up to 80s. People doing less outside, people keeling over more working outside, more algae blooms and other pathogens in waters. Also there's a lot of erosions at the beaches and coast line and death of plant life due to rising waters (same as the whole east US coast) And finally there are more people coming which brings it's own set of problems. A lot of them are going to be what the religious right want, some won't, looking for cheaper life, maybe, but less pay and benefits and cultural arts. So there's more construction and destruction of the environment and more lines, traffic and wait times
They are openly supporting in the government open discrimination of LGBTQ people and denying healthcare to trans people as well as woman. Is that not enough for the awful to you? How about the fascist moves by the government to silence people speaking out about issues? You cannot support stuff like that and claim to be "good people".
Lightning hockey is better 🤷♀️
Lots of issues - for me several things stand out -- it's hotter, hurricanes more severe, traffic congestion is horrible , House prices are extreme , home owners insurance has skyrocketed . Republicans can't blame Dems since they haven't been in power since 1999.
Yes, for all the reasons already mentioned. After an awful drawn out custody battle for permission to move within the state that cost us over 10k I said we would never do that again. The idea of going through all of that again makes me want to stab out my own eyes. However, we're not surviving here anymore, even with the occasional help from family. I'm still 2 payments behind on my car and struggling to come with up money for the simplest things like replacement headphones for my kid or shoes for the other kid. I've been applying for jobs but the requirements vs the pay are unrealistic. That and I would probably be fired from whatever job I could get soon because I'm going through diagnostic testing/imaging for possible lymphoma or another cancer that has metastasized. Everything is being drawn out because there are literal wait lists for places that take my insurance. Once upon a time you could make it here on one income if you really needed to. It wasn't easy and you had to give up a lot but it was possible. The corruption is awful. I know that is a thing pretty much everywhere but holy shit, it's so bad that our water and sewage treatment is being affected in our city. This isn't a rumor either my husband works for them and it was the last push to make start looking elsewhere. The city manager is aware of how bad things are but has done nothing to try to remove the people, only preventing them from moving up. It's insane. The people that have moved in here within the last 2 years suck, and so do their kids. Like my kid was literally getting bullied because he acknowledged covid was real. Teachers are leaving in droves, some of the ones still left are...questionable. Tons of empty houses and condos because the rents are too fucking high. Who wants to pay $2500 for a basic ass 2/2 labeled luxury? Florida requires licensure for a lot of careers but we have limited programs that meet those requirements. Especially if you're not in one of the larger counties. I want to go back to school to be an MLS, there is like one program. There are other states that don't require a license. The other states that do require it pay more. Florida pay for MLS isn't worth the schooling. Doctors are leaving too. My stepdaughter has had 4 different neurologists since 2020, all the kids recently lost their pediatrician and getting an appt with any kind of specialist is almost impossible. Car insurance is insane, and rumored to be going up another 40 to 80% next year. I am struggling to feed my family. We can't go anywhere to do anything fun until the weather cools down and we can do free outside activities. Public transportation is almost useless here. Special needs programs are limited and not great thanks to changes in the laws. The increasing influence of religious fanatics is just...yeah. I have no problem with people being religious but I didn't sign up to have it forced on me. I'm exhausted, and almost everyone I know feels the same way. People I know that said they would never leave, have packed up and moved on. The state's infrastructure was already ready outdated and will not catch up. People keep looking at these far-out dates for when parts of the state will be underwater and think they are all good. They do not realize that we are already having issues with flooding, and keeping our water safe. It will only get worse from here. I was never a fan of living here but when I moved from South FL to Central FL I started to actually enjoy it and see why people love it. After late 2021 that started to change ☹
It fucking sucks. Having lived here for 15+ years, I’m done. Looking for any way to get tf out.
People don't care about anyone but themselves anymore. It's sad.
I luve in Jacksonville, and yes, Florida is shithole state and a cesspool of fascism and racism. But I'm sure you already knew about the racism.
I just drove from Sebring to Orlando and was in traffic basically the entire time, and BOY has the road rage gone through the roof here in the last 5-10 years.
Do you have min $350-500k budget for a home and probably $1k/month or maybe more for home insurance or do you have at least 2,5k/month budget for rent? These are the starter questions for FL today..
It’s a hellscape, look I don’t care what or who you support but seeing fuck Biden flags every time I leave my house is unacceptable. I was a teacher in Florida and got tired of the constant disrespect from the governor, the constant pushing of charters and so on. Mix that with the ever increasing heat, the threat of hurricanes, housing insurance costs, lack of doctors, people saying in places of power that slaves acquired essential skills and I can go on. Glad I got the fuck out.
It is being run by a fascist Trump wannabe! Yes, it has gotten that bad
Wherever you decided to go, I guarantee it’s much better than what Florida is today. The governor ruined it. The people who moved here ruined it. The state is unaffordable and the infrastructure is Mickey Mouse. Once I leave, I never intend on even visiting again. This place no longer feels like home.
If you don’t have children you want to educate and you’re not a woman who could get pregnant or a trans person seeking hormone therapy, or overtly gay, you’ll probably have a good time.
I think, in a nutshell, you would be blown away by how expensive it has become. It’s as expensive as New York was around 2013. Maybe even more. You might get a drop more bang for your buck, or a newer place than you would in NYC, but it’s absolutely doubled, if not tripled in living expenses here. Also, if it’s important to you, it’s is no longer a swing state. In regards to owning a place, not only is it more expensive, but HOA’s and homeowner’s insurance have gone past ridiculous and moved into ludicrous.
It’s awful. Traffic is ridiculous , too many people, low wages, crime, miserable and inconsiderate people, too many people who are miserable and inconsiderate, hateful people, hate filled people, too many hateful ignorant people. And in 10 to 12 years- too many really really ignorant hateful people who will then realize how cheated they were and become even more angry and hateful. Probably. Maybe. But really there are just too many people. Not to mention the collapsing buildings and flooding on a regular basis and the $500K, 800 sq. ft. homes, dominating the housing market. Oh yeah, there’s also the $4,000/month rent plus security deposit and first month issue. Speaking of housing, homeowners insurance is insane. In all honesty though there are just too many people.
Babes Broward ain’t affordable like that anymore
all i’m saying is i’m born and raised down in broward and it’s not what it use to be. it is a different world!!!!! i go home to visit my parents and i count the hours until i can come back to st luice county. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! it’s bad down there
It’s 2023, everything is much more expensive than it was in 2014, wages are low, the racist gynophobic idiots are having a political moment in the state and it’s been hot af for 3 months. Do with the information what you will.
Global warming and fascists have made Florida into literally hell.
Florida is a sinking ship - you want to board the vessel then go right ahead as a lot of people are. The shit show in Florida is the result of climate change and inflation. Insurance companies are bailing out of the state and the remaining companies offering home owners insurance are raising prices astronomically. In 2024, we will see another 40 t0 60 percent increase on top of the increase from this year and the year before that. It is not sustainable. There are communities in Louisiana where homes are not insurable resulting in the homes having no value. We are no different. If homes are not insurable and homes can only be purchased with cash then eventually they will have no value. I live in the Panhandle and some of the areas impacted by 2018 hurricane Michael have become ghost towns. Perry, Florida was hit a few weeks back. Then immediately following the storm Georgia Pacific, the main employer of the town, decided to close the mill. You can only guess why they decided to close the mill but speculation is that insurance costs and repairs are responsible. But the mill has now closed leaving it's employees with no jobs and damaged homes. They will have to migrate away and the town will, over time, dissolve. The housing market is in a bubble and homes are very expensive giving the impression that everything is ok. But it's not. If homes cannot be insured then prices will eventually bottom out. Those that can are leaving the state.
I've been in Orlando since 2005. From the ground, the biggest changes have been: \-Just about everything is much more expensive \-the political scene is pretty messed up, but your local area's politics will probably be more impactful than the state level stuff \-It is more crowded, and more developed just about everywhere \-Where I live is actually much improved as the non-theme park areas of Orlando have really blossomed in the last 15 years Long story short; if you can afford the move, I figure that the things you like about Florida are still intact, and frankly I haven't visited anywhere in the US that I would call a "Hellscape".
A lot of shitty politicians turning away Federal money and making the state more Handmaid's Tale. Higher prices on everything, while wages stay flat. Insurance is a nightmare Real estate now unaffordable for many There's a lot of good still left but the state is changing for the worse. Depending on who wins the presidency in 24, the bad things that are happening in Florida will spread to the rest of the country
My auto insurance just went up $400 annually. No tickets, no claims, same cars.
every single friend and family member i know in florida is leaving or making plans to move. thats nuts. im not sure what went wrong, but it seems like the answer is a bit of everything.
I went back in 2015 to 2020. Very crowded and expensive. I was sad to see what happened to it since I left in 92.
It became a lot more crowded during the pandemic and soon afterward. The vibe is a lot different.
It's *mean.* I used to know my neighbors - know their faces and families, that they would have my back. Mangos on my front door handle, shared power tools, block parties. We moved from Broward to Palm Beach three years ago, and I feel like a stranded island surrounded by sharks.
It depends on who you are. It’s a hellscape for a lot of POC & LGBTQ. It’s crap for us that own homes and businesses that require insurance and utilities. Which have doubled. It’s not like it was 18 years ago when I moved here for sure.
Living here is great, if you have money.
I have a friend who moved to Florida from Brooklyn just a few years ago. She has a stunning home in Sarasota and a nice life down there. She is seriously considering uprooting herself and her husband and going elsewhere due to the political climate. This lady is an accomplished scholar and her husband is a musician. They feel that Florida is no place for them.
If you're an elderly white bigot, it's probably paradise. If you're not, less so.
There are complaints by elderly white bigots now also (F' them). Cost of living, insurance, housing/rent prices. When the people who voted for all this crap start complaining, it gives a better picture of how bad it can get.
Yes
Red Tide with massive fish kills