Why Does Everyone Hate Florida So Much??

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I live in Chicago and have visited almost every part of Florida, I am actually going to be visiting Ft.Lauderdale at the end on January. I ask anyone here that has ever lived in Florida and they have nothing but terrible things to say. They tell me the schools and education systems are bad and that the majority of the population have low Iq's and are poor. I don't know why this is, everyone seemed pretty normal to me?? I would like to move there one day and start a new life with my husband but I'm worried about salary and job placement for both himself and I. Why are some peoples experiences so bad, its so beautiful and the people are very nice. I just don't get it. Can someone help me understand why this is??

Specializes in ER and Home Health.

I have lived in Fla all my life. I love it. I live in Cape Canaveral, Just one block from the beach. It is wonderful here.

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Chica and Poop et al!!

Some times you need to adapt or leave.. Not all Midwesterners have the same mindset!

I dont miss the cold ice or snow..

I miss Cheese Coneys and White Castles from home.. That's it!! *singing* Like Jennifer Holiday.. Am stayinggg!!

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Chica and Poop et al!!

Some times you need to adapt or leave.. Not all Midwesterners have the same mindset!

I dont miss the cold ice or snow..

I miss Cheese Coneys and White Castles from home.. That's it!! *singing* Like Jennifer Holiday.. Am stayinggg!!

I'm with you "I'm stayinggggg" hurricane's and all. Thinking about moving further southwest of florida to the costal areas after I graduate NS. Beaches, here I come. It's been raining and cold all week in the 5 boroughs of New York. I rather have 1 hour or 2 of rain everday here, than 1 week of continuous rain, gloom and cold in new york. My mom refuses to move down here with me so I said... SEE YA would want to BE YA! I have absolutely no family here in florida and couldn't care less.

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I'm with you "I'm stayinggggg" hurricane's and all. Thinking about moving further southwest of florida to the costal areas after I graduate NS. Beaches, here I come. It's been raining and cold all week in the 5 boroughs of New York. I rather have 1 hour or 2 of rain everday here, than 1 week of continuous rain, gloom and cold in new york. My mom refuses to move down here with me so I said... SEE YA would want to BE YA! I have absolutely no family here in florida and couldn't care less.

I moved down in 2004. The 1st weekend, we had our 1st hurricane. Folks were calling me left and right. (Now I dont recommend to all) we were grilling and lounging..

We have the rainy season too.. My family is up north too. Meet the right set of ppl, you'll have Florida family too! :redbeathe

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Hello everyone,

In glancing through this thread, its given me mixed feelings. However, I know everyone has and is entitled to their own opinion. I for one, visited Florida 12 yrs ago and have been determined to move there ever since. Any time I went to Florida I loved it.

I am a born & raised Bronx, NY girl. Granted, I know NY holds many opportunities but that doesn't equal happiness. I still yearn to be in Fl. I hate the winters here. I love the summer weather Fl has to offer. I also adjust easily so I know that it will not be hard for me to give up the city life. I'm a single stay at home mom of three boys with special needs. Living in a NY apartment doesn't cut it for my boys. They are full of energy and need the space to cut loose. So to have a decent rental home in Fl where my boys can have the yard space for themselves is very important to me. Of course, I would also be concern about education especially that one of my boys is autistic. I know my kids would be happier out there. They can't wait to move already.

I hold an LPN license and I'm a student RN. It has taken me longer than I expected but I haven't given up yet. I want to specialize in L&D. That is my passion and my calling. I know there are opportunities in Fl for this department. I would do what I have to do to make it there.

In fact, I expected to drive from NY to FL TODAY (last day of school here for my boys) to see what I can accomplish out there as far as finding a place to move into. However, I did end up having a rough night and wasn't able to get much sleep so I just might put it off til the weekend. Point is, I'm in the mist of making this move NOW for the month of July since I do know school starts up in Aug and there is sooooo much for me to do single handedly.

Now, about the mixed feelings, I'm hearing alot about the hiring of new grads or hiring in general which is making me a bit nervous. I expect to work as soon as I finish my RN. Although, time may be a factor in this. By the time I actually finish, I hope things would have changed in the job market.

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Specializes in Rehab.

i have lived in Florida for a total of 16 yrs ( 5 yrs in the 80's and then moved back down here in the 90's) I like floirda, its hard to get use to at first , the huge Bugs...the lizzards...the no see ums...the list goes on..there has been alot of changed since i lived here in the 80's the class of people are different...in the 80s it was like laid back..people were always freindly. now not so much people are always trying to do one better...i think that has to do with the influx of people from the north and northeast!...( im from michigan GO BLUE) Florida use to have southern charm. not so much any more!

The cost of living is a bit cheaper down here, use to be way cheaper..but when the state figured out that people with more money were moving down here from New York, ohio.. Michigan...etc..a light bulb went off!...its a shame....

I Dislike where i live in Florida..its way to "city " for me...with lots of Northerners who think they own the road..not to mention the mass crowds that come to visit Mickey..I would be out of this area if i could sell my house for what it is worth but we all know thats not happening...I lived and went to highschool in Clearwater..LOVED IT...i make trips over there often...how ever it is crowded to now...

what they say about the school system is TRUE..there are only a handfull of schools in each district that are decent...the teachers are underpaid and over worked, they get to discipline the children because the parents dont or cant. due to having to work two jobs..( minimum wage jobs that is ) .Our Son who will be 7 is zoned for a D rated school ( yes down here they give the schools grades and ya'll know D is nothing to be proud of) so there was no way i was sending him there, we do have school of choice , but again the teachers are left to discipline the children taking valuable time away from teaching the class!..so we work hard and send our Son to a Private school..which reqiures involvement from the Parents..which is great!...i dont mind because i know my child is getting a great education...

Florida is not a bad place, there are worse place's to live..it just takes time to get adjusted..

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I have read through each of these replies and I am still unsure of whether or not to make the move. I have visited FL a dozen times, only once in July,,,very humid,,it's also humid here in New England but only June July August, lil of Sep.

It would be a big step since I am 40's and 'set in my ways' ie: seasons and all that other stuff that doesnt seem to matter as much anymore, I love diversity and get along well with almost everyone. I think the main concern for me is financial..I make appx 30 an hour here..need to do more research into pay scale etc...cost of homes...I am thinking Winter Park? I pay almost 4K in property taxes here and a 900.00 mortage..hopingf or any input and to keep this thread going school system not a big issue for me but I am more tham willing to do my fair shre in that are (I did havee 2 children who went to good schoolos here and I think every child deserves that...hope to talk to you all soon take care Sorry for rambling,just got off a 12 hour shift, I have to learn how to just say NO lol

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Hi, To address a few of your concerns. I live in Orlando and am biding my time till i "get out!" Yes, that is how I feel. I love mountains and seasons and yes, I like snow! I have lived in Vermont and had no problems adjusting to the severe weather, but this heat and hummidity is another animal. In August, the hummidy turns up a notch-thus I am doing my annual florida avoidance vacation-I leave in a week for 3 weeks in the mountains. But, I digress. August and September are the worst as far as oppressive heat/hummidty. And then the tropical storms start up. Usually the local news make

a big deal about the oncoming hurricane and then it is down-graded to tropical storm and it rains for days. . .

As far as jobs-you can probably make 30 an hour w/experience IF you can find a job. Currently it's a pretty tough market. Winter Park is very nice and very convenient, but pricey. There are some modest homes with a Winter Park zipcode but arn't really "Winter Park" if you get my drift. To live in WP it is very expensive!

Hope that helps!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/Oncology/CSU/Managed Care/ Case Management.

I have been in Florida since 1985 and just recently took a trip to Dallas, Texas and I am moving there. I have accomplished all that I wanted to in this state. Dallas is very trendy and doesn't seem to be affected by the economy. Everything Large appears to be in Texas--I hope that applies to an RN salary!! :o)

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I've always experienced mixed feelings towards Florida from people I know or whom I'm acquainted with. I know the list goes on and on for the ones who complain about Florida and its enviroment and climate. Living in New Hampshire isn't exactly pie either. The market for nurses in this state is just a horrible, to what I've seen and read, than what others are saying about Florida or any other state for that matter.

Born in Massachusetts and residing in New Hampshire my entire life I can honestly say that the winter here SUCKS. Between the freezing temperatures to the point where your car may not start, frostbite just walking to metrostations if need be, the bitter cold with that burns your face, the freezing rain that coats the trees and brings them down on powerlines/houses/vehicles, the ice everywhere you step basically, the snow that just keeps falling day after day it seems(last year). If you own a car here you're better off buying a 4WD vehicle to make it to work there and back safely. The cost of heating and oil is outrageous here, try $1000 a month to fill the tank. I'm sure the entire country heard about the ice storm that we had here winter 2008 that they completely underestimated that brought everything up here to a complete standstill. It was dangerous to even leave your home to attempt to even purchase a generator for your home, if you were lucky to find one to begin with cheaper for $600. Forget calling 911 for help b/c the ambulances won't make it to your home(I've got a friend who is an EMT). Waking up at 5 AM to get out of your nice warm bed to throw on 24 inches of layers to go outside to shovel a WAY to your vehicle then dig it out then to clearn it off, and yes no matter what you'll end up almost breaking your ass out there on the ice. Goodluck if your car is stuck hahahaha. You won't find boots tall enough to keep the snow out or warm enough to keep your toes from freezing. Nevermind the damage it does to your back. Did I mention don't even bother attempting to drive in that crap?

BUT, we do get warm temperatures here. It does get humid here to folks. But the last couple years have been nothing but summer. Rain, rain, rain, rain and below normal temperatures. For 10 months out of the year is disgustingly depressing and dead with maybe if your're lucky 2 months of green beautiful sunny warm temps. Oh, and the beaches are far from lovely.

There's really nothing "fun" to do in New England it seems. It's boring boring boring. Some schools are outstanding in the sense of education but all have their downfalls and violence.

I'd give anything to trade my life for New England life for a life full of winter-free BS. I'd take on the huge nasty bugs, hurricanes, muggy climate, and drivers down there anyday for the life I live here. The people here are rude and nasty, but I suppse that's how us "northeners" are. I hate it honestly. The drivers here as just as bad as they are down there. Don't care about anyone but themselves, probably that not even. Aggressive and dangerous. Crime where I live isn't that bad but the Boston area is bad enough but nurses obviously have better pay in those areas.

Sorry for my rant but some think it's a breeze to live here lol. But I guess point proven every place has their PROS and CONS. Some people boast about residing in New England, and whoop-dee-doo good for them they can stay here but as for the ones that hate it, we HATE it. I think I'd rather take a cut in pay, deal with just as ******/psych patients as we've got here than having to deal with winter 10 months out of the year(including fall b/c of the cold and getting longer it seems) and dangerous driving conditions and almost breaking my ankle and ass just trying to clean my car off for work.

I've got many reasons for relocating to Florida aside from my general dislike of the climate here in New England.

Florida FTW.

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Specializes in LTC, Other.

Well I for one dont get it I decided to move to florida in march so I visited for the first time in june and I loved it. My son and I moved to florida in july and so far it is awesome I was able to find a job before I moved that paid better than what I made in Minnesota. I have a great little two bedroom apartment and so far the people I met have been really nice. I am now looking into going back to school to get my BSN. The only draw back so far has been schools for my son they have you fill out forms and list where you want to go but then they put you wherever they want anyway. Which leads to some unhappy frustration among a 16 year old who had his heart set on another school but he will be fine. I love my job and i work with great people. I have no fear of living in a city this size (the same wouldnt have been true in minnesota) yeah its warm but I dont miss the cold and I definitely wont miss the snow.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I am originally from the Bronx as well and moved to Florida in 2006. Like many people from NY I visited Florida incessantly before I moved here, and I can tell you now that no matter how many times you come here as a vacationer, you will never be able to see and experience Florida fully unless you are a resident. When I moved here it was paradise for at least a year, having realized a dream of mine. My draw for moving was the weather mostly, and you can't beat 70 degrees when your New York counterparts are battling freezing temps and snow!

It's now 2009 and I am looking forward to returning to NYC next year. I have loved my time here, never one day of regret to have the chance to live outside of New York and have a palm tree outside my window, but I still have family and friends up north that I want to reunite with and be nearer to. The economy also has a lot to do with it as well, and if I am going to be a nurse I just cannot see myself working for a wage that I can easily more than double in my own hometown (and for people who are quick to argue about income taxes, I've done the math and it's still more). Certain places in Florida are starting to become almost as expensive as NYC so really there isn't that much of an advantage financially, and if you move to a really bargain basement area of Florida I think coming from New York City you're bound to become suicidal within months, seriously. I also think once you grow up in a city like NYC there is a vibe that you grow up with that once you leave behind for a while you miss greatly. As far as people that live here, there are many nice people, but there is a significant culture of Floridians that are sometimes just weird ... for lack of a better word ... sorry, but that's just the way I see it and about as best as I can describe it at this late hour. I have been working with school districts here since I moved, and I can tell you that I am fortunate to have earned my early education in NY because FL has the most bureaucratic DOE I have ever seen and unfortunately the students suffer in the end. On a minor note, this being the South the use of "sir" and "ma'am" is used quite more often than I care for and although I realize it's used as a form of respect here I hate being called sir because I perceive it as being called out as old, and I consider myself far from old despite my age ... again, sorry - that's just how I was raised.

Besides, half of Florida seems to be from New York anyway! Every other person I have met here says, "You're from New York? Me too! Where from?" I kinda got sick of that, LOL! I've already decided that once I move back to NY I will certainly not vacation in FL as much as I used to before I moved here. Once you live here, I guess FL becomes a different place .. and you learn to appreciate the world more beyond the Sunshine State.

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