Why do you diss your former state?

[LuvNH]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

[Hardlyworking]

I never lived up north and had everything you listed. Southern born and raised.

[manaboutown]

I sometimes miss but do not dis my prior states of residence and I know how to spell dis..
Dis Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dis)

Although I was born in NJ we moved to NM when I was three years of age. In my adult professional life I spent a few months in Pittsburgh but only once lived for any length of time north of Maryland, in Rochester, NY. Although I loved the two months of summer there it was the longest twenty years I ever spent in 30 months, 12 feet of snow my first winter there and very little sunshine. The 1967 RS/SS Camaro convertible I took up there started to rust out. I soon discovered "Up North" was not for me. I like warmer climes and lots of sunshine. I do miss the Rocky Mountains. My son lives in the Idaho panhandle 30 miles south of Canada. I do not visit during the winter but love the long days of a northern summer, the lakes and mountains up there. His mother-in-law, who has spent most of her life in San Diego, Hawaii and Baja California, Mexico went up there over the holidays, slipped on ice, and shattered her wrist. I remember in Rochester a 23 year old secretary slipped on ice in the Kodak parking lot and broke her hip. Another reason I do not care for long, cold winters.

[ThirdOfFive]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.
I think the OP has it a bit backwards. Many of us didn't leave our home state for what it WAS, but for what it has BECOME.

[Nucky]

I take an occasional shot at New Jersey because of the obscene Property Taxes. I am so disappointed in the way the quality of life for my friends and family is still deteriorating. It isn't all about what exit you live near because there are plenty of solid points about New Jerkey and it is beautiful the further west you go. Towards the Pennsylvania border.

I just wish it was easier on 2 of the 3 children we have who still live there. They moved about 10 miles from the PA border and their property taxes are in the neighborhood of $20,000. Yes, 20K. Sad indeed.

[asianthree]

Still own our north homes, love SNOW, fall colors, the multi lakes one can swim, kayak, waterski, and party on the sandbar. Not sure why one would be concerned about the home state of others

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I miss Connecticut, Boston, and New York. All three were my stomping grounds to one extent or another. I don't think I'll ever stop missing up north. I'm not a summer person, never was. I'm not a heat+humidity kinda gal, never was. I am not fond of palm trees, I think they're silly looking.

On the other hand, I'm also not a February in Connecticut kinda gal either. Extremes bother me in all things, from weather to politics. But given only two choices: a couple of months with a couple feet of snow and a nor'easter OR 6 months of heat and humidity - I'd rather crank up the heat and shovel my way to the snow plow in the garage.

[Mleeja]

I sometimes miss but do not dis my prior states of residence and I know how to spell dis..
Dis Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dis)

Although I was born in NJ we moved to NM when I was three years of age. In my adult professional life I spent a few months in Pittsburgh but only once lived for any length of time north of Maryland, in Rochester, NY. Although I loved the two months of summer there it was the longest twenty years I ever spent in 30 months, 12 feet of snow my first winter there and very little sunshine. The 1967 RS/SS Camaro convertible I took up there started to rust out. I soon discovered "Up North" was not for me. I like warmer climes and lots of sunshine. I do miss the Rocky Mountains. My son lives in the Idaho panhandle 30 miles south of Canada. I do not visit during the winter but love the long days of a northern summer, the lakes and mountains up there. His mother-in-law, who has spent most of her life in San Diego, Hawaii and Baja California, Mexico went up there over the holidays, slipped on ice, and shattered her wrist. I remember in Rochester a 23 year old secretary slipped on ice in the Kodak parking lot and broke her hip. Another reason I do not care for long, cold winters.

Maybe you should check the references you cite.

dis
1 of 5
verb
ˈdis
variants or less commonly diss

[Cybersprings]

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here.

I have yet to read or hear anyone say, [x state] sux because I moved to Florida.

They usually reference the weather, the taxes, the crime, the politics, etc. So your point makes no sense (to me).

Because years ago our home state was awesome, does that preclude us from having a valid opinion now?

[Pairadocs]

I never lived up north and had everything you listed. Southern born and raised.

Ditto ! Did (due to career) have to live in Illinois for a few years, so welcome
"dissing" that state, the one that never met a tax they didn't love, and "might" hold the title of most governors sent to prison (or does Louisiana hold that title ?) along with a variety of other elected officials. Good to be back in the south. Actually moved "north" to central Florida to retire...LOL.

[Woodbear]

I am so glad I no longer call NY home. Now I truly know what it is like to leave an abusive relationship. I have no regrets for leaving and I feel bad my children had to spend 2 decades in that sorry state!

[mickey100]

I am so glad I no longer call NY home. Now I truly know what it is like to leave an abusive relationship. I have no regrets for leaving and I feel bad my children had to spend 2 decades in that sorry state!

We lived in NY and when we go back to visit, I feel proud, not embarrassed like I do in Florida. But no place is perfect. I like to think the lifestyle choices in The Villages offset the negative aspects of the State of Florida.

[Eagle06]

We lived in NY and when we go back to visit, I feel proud, not embarrassed like I do in Florida. But no place is perfect. I like to think the lifestyle choices in The Villages offset the negative aspects of the State of Florida.

I am a “Native New Yorker” and wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of New York and Florida. I am sure you enjoy the “No Income Tax” and “Low Property Taxes” in Florida compared to New York! Sounds like you’re one of those northerners that we like to tell, “Welcome to Florida but please don’t bring your voting mentality with you”! Luckily we still live in a “Free Country” (for the time being), you are “Free” to move back to New York. We wouldn’t want you to live, feeling embarrassed every day !

[ThirdOfFive]

I have yet to read or hear anyone say, [x state] sux because I moved to Florida.

They usually reference the weather, the taxes, the crime, the politics, etc. So your point makes no sense (to me).

Because years ago our home state was awesome, does that preclude us from having a valid opinion now?
Bingo.

Growing up, even living there as an adult, Minnesota was wonderful. Our nearest "neighbor" lived two miles away. I was always an outdoor type and living in proximity to the Superior National Forest in northern MN was something no red-blooded Minnesota lad could NOT appreciate. Hunting, fishing, trapping, skiing--we had it all in abundance. To the north of us stretched 50 miles of land unbroken except for one road and a couple of small rivers. School was a one-room schoolhouse which served the children through grade six, followed by grades 7-12 in a smallish school in a small town 20 miles away. To give it some perspective, our school district was larger than the entire state of New Hampshire.

Of course time has a way of glossing over some of the drudgery. We heated with wood, so it was the task of my three brothers and myself to make sure the woodpile and wood box in the basement were full--and when winter mornings could plunge as low as 40 below zero (often colder) we burned a LOT of wood. We burned birch wood almost exclusively; wood that once harvested was cut into 18" blocks, split, piled and dried for at least one year. Summers were not all play: we grew most of our own food which meant that a relatively brief Minnesota summer was filled with gardening chores, and filling the potato bin in the basement with enough potatoes to feed a family of seven for an entire year meant a growing season that was labor-intensive to say the least. Fall, we harvested wild blueberries, raspberries and cranberries which Mom turned into wonderful jams and sauces. November meant deer-hunting season and sausage-making: we always had plenty of venison on hand, and after buying a pig from a neighbor we'd combine the meat from both and turn it into about 200 lbs. of sausage, which we'd smoke along with a couple of hams and some bacon. Nothing went to waste: mom would boil the pig's head (often along with a steer's head) and turn it into loaves of wonderful headcheese. Of course, there were the mosquitoes, cars that didn't start in the winter, shoveling a 200 yard driveway by hand, things like that. But overall, GREAT memories. Minnesota was great when I was young.

But things change. The Minnesota I remember was undoubtedly nowhere near as wonderful as I remember it. In truth I could have lived the same life in a number of northern states and had the same experiences. But whatever it WAS, there is unfortunately no denying what it has BECOME. There are reasons that people are fleeing that state like deranged lemmings. My wife and I were only two out of many tens of thousands to do so.

[JGibson]

I know the OP didn't come from NYC.

[Rainger99]

Shoveling a 200 yard driveway by hand, things like that.

Wow!! How long did that take?? Did you not have a tractor or pickup with a plow??

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We lived in NY and when we go back to visit, I feel proud, not embarrassed like I do in Florida. But no place is perfect. I like to think the lifestyle choices in The Villages offset the negative aspects of the State of Florida.

Bingo. My parents live in southeastern Florida, so I'd still need to visit the state even if I didn't live in it. But for living in it - if the Villages wasn't here, we would've retired to a different state entirely.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I am a “Native New Yorker” and wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of New York and Florida. I am sure you enjoy the “No Income Tax” and “Low Property Taxes” in Florida compared to New York! Sounds like you’re one of those northerners that we like to tell, “Welcome to Florida but please don’t bring your voting mentality with you”! Luckily we still live in a “Free Country” (for the time being), you are “Free” to move back to New York. We wouldn’t want you to live, feeling embarrassed every day !

I wouldn't pay income tax even if I lived in New York - since - I'm retired. And yes - we are free to bring our mentality down here to Florida. If you don't like it, you are free to pack up and go to a state where the mentality is not allowed.

[ThirdOfFive]

Wow!! How long did that take?? Did you not have a tractor or pickup with a plow??
No. At least not in our younger years. But I had three brothers and there was always an ample supply of shovels around.

I recall once, about age 13 or so, when I asked dad why my brother and I had to saw up all the wood with a two-man saw when the big yellow Pioneer chainsaw, that I very well knew how to run, sat in the garage. His reply? "Because tired kids don't get into trouble". Sort of the same philosophy, I guess, with the driveway.

[Meboko]

I take an occasional shot at New Jersey because of the obscene Property Taxes. I am so disappointed in the way the quality of life for my friends and family is still deteriorating. It isn't all about what exit you live near because there are plenty of solid points about New Jerkey and it is beautiful the further west you go. Towards the Pennsylvania border.

I just wish it was easier on 2 of the 3 children we have who still live there. They moved about 10 miles from the PA border and their property taxes are in the neighborhood of $20,000. Yes, 20K. Sad indeed.
I’m from NJ. Property tax is high. NJ does not have a Disney World that pays BILLIONS of dollars in taxes. We’ll see how long that last here in Florida.

[JMintzer]

I think the OP has it a bit backwards. Many of us didn't leave our home state for what it WAS, but for what it has BECOME.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

[JMintzer]

I get tired of the people who constantly say FL doesn't have as good (insert subject here) as (insert home town/state here)...

[Taltarzac725]

I have been here in Florida since 1996. So, it has become my home state. I have not lived any where else for longer than the 27 years we have been here in Florida.

I never would have predicted I would have moved here though. My late younger brother moved here from the Wine Country area of California to take computer programmer team leader supervisor jobs. Or something like that. We followed to be near my parents grand kids who are now spread all over the US.

I do really miss the Villages when coming back from various places.

[CPD050]

When people find out where I’m from, I usually get asked what it’s like. I will try to stay non political but here’s a short list of why I fled.
Crime, winter, corruption, crime, taxes, infrastructure, crime….
This defines Illinois, more specifically Sh*tcago, I mean Chiraq, um I mean Chicago
As many in Chicago say, come for the food , stay because your dead. Sad it’s become that way.

[MrFlorida]

Things change, the state you were born and raised in may not be the same state you retired in. Politics may play a big part, and since you are now retired, you are free to move elsewhere.

[Taltarzac725]

When people find out where I’m from, I usually get asked what it’s like. I will try to stay non political but here’s a short list of why I fled.
Crime, winter, corruption, crime, taxes, infrastructure, crime….
This defines Illinois, more specifically Sh*tcago, I mean Chiraq, um I mean Chicago
As many in Chicago say, come for the food , stay because your dead. Sad it’s become that way.

I lived near O'Hare Airport which seemed quite save and still does. The planes would go over at a certain time each day.

[TommyT]

I never lived up north and had everything you listed. Southern born and raised.

Amen !!!!

Southern born to the bone !!!! :coolsmiley:

[PugMom]

������������

[PugMom]

������������

sorry, this is an error post that i cannot delete. please disregard

[CPD050]

I lived near O'Hare Airport which seemed quite save and still does. The planes would go over at a certain time each day.

Unfortunately not anymore. Robberies, car jackings, thefts and some shootings. Park Ridge, Norridge, Rosemont have all now been hit with quite a few. The only way to have a chance at lower crime is to move out of Crook County.

[Taltarzac725]

Unfortunately not anymore. Robberies, car jackings, thefts and some shootings. Park Ridge, Norridge, Rosemont have all now been hit with quite a few. The only way to have a chance at lower crime is to move out of Crook County.

We were in DuPage County. Itasca to be exact. I spent three months helping care for my uncle before he went into a nursing home in Itasca. This was in late Summer to early December of 1994.

It probably is a lot different. Family had been in Itasca for a few generations.

[mickey100]

I am a “Native New Yorker” and wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of New York and Florida. I am sure you enjoy the “No Income Tax” and “Low Property Taxes” in Florida compared to New York! Sounds like you’re one of those northerners that we like to tell, “Welcome to Florida but please don’t bring your voting mentality with you”! Luckily we still live in a “Free Country” (for the time being), you are “Free” to move back to New York. We wouldn’t want you to live, feeling embarrassed every day !

Sounds like you are pretty snarky when someone has a different opinion than you. How original, "if you don't like it you can leave mentality".. snooze

[mickey100]

Bingo. My parents live in southeastern Florida, so I'd still need to visit the state even if I didn't live in it. But for living in it - if the Villages wasn't here, we would've retired to a different state entirely.

Same here. The Villages, and our friends and activities here, make Florida tolerable.

[mickey100]

I wouldn't pay income tax even if I lived in New York - since - I'm retired. And yes - we are free to bring our mentality down here to Florida. If you don't like it, you are free to pack up and go to a state where the mentality is not allowed.

Love this! unfortunately, I think that mentality not allowed state is Florida..:sad:

[mickey100]

Still own our north homes, love SNOW, fall colors, the multi lakes one can swim, kayak, waterski, and party on the sandbar. Not sure why one would be concerned about the home state of others

Agree.

[justjim]

Proud and not embarrassed of growing up in a small coal mining town in Illinois. I can remember going to the “company store”. We were poor but didn’t know it! Yes, Florida is a good place to retire. Illinois was a good to place to get an education and to work. We have family who settled in Florida in the 60’s and family who have lived all their lives in Illinois. Love them all. I’m not a Southerner or a Northerner, I’m an American. Fore!

[Michael G.]

Things change, the state you were born and raised in may not be the same state you retired in. Politics may play a big part, and since you are now retired, you are free to move elsewhere.

Also I might add
Remember that same state you moved out of, spent your whole life there, made a good living there for 50-60-70 years didn't kill you regardless of the weather or high taxes etc. etc. :thumbup:

[Battlebasset]

Born in MO, but college in IL, and after a stint in Germany (Army) moved back to IL, then OH, then NJ for the past 15 years until I came to the Villages.

So really from all over. I knew NJ had a bad reputation when I moved there, but my old boss took over my company's operations, so I took a flyer because I liked him. My salary did increase, as well as my title. But it needed to. Property taxes so high I had a $30,000 tax free subsidy for my 1st three years. State taxes were oppressive as well. And that got us nothing, we paid for trash, and FD was volunteer and constantly asking for donations. I had a septic system even though I was 1/4 mile from the treatment plant. Not enough capacity, and it was going to all the multifamily apartments the state was requiring my township to build in the name of "equity".

Schools were good, but no better than Ohio for half the property tax. When Covid hit, our state was the trifecta of NY, NJ, and PA that wanted to lock everything down, and, of course, sent infected people into nursing homes, resulting in 1,000s of deaths that shouldn't have happened.

We took advantage of the spike in home prices to sell our place (which never reached the price we paid in 2005) to get out and move into our place here.

So why do I dis NJ? Because it is a poorly run mess.

[manaboutown]

Also I might add
Remember that same state you moved out of, spent you whole life there, made a good living there for 50-60-70 years didn't kill you regardless of the weather or high taxes etc. etc. :thumbup:

The increasing crime in Albuquerque, NM has almost killed two of my employees as well as cost my insurance companies and me many thousands of dollars in property damage and thefts. Also the ever worsening public school system (APS) from which only about 2/3 graduate (not that graduating means they can read, write and do basic math) is a tragedy. Competent repair people are hard to find. Repairs to vehicles, heating systems in homes, roofs, and so on are frequently not done correctly. I had a Mercedes under warranty needing rear wheel bearing replacements. The work was not done correctly at the Mercedes dealer in ABQ. When I got to CA the dealer there had to redo the work, again under warranty, which very rarely is necessary. Had a furnace exhaust duct installed upside down resulting in CO problems, have experienced several auto burglaries in my driveway in a good neighborhood. Some people I know have been carjacked, one couple in their own driveway in a very exclusive neighborhood. The city bus service is now free to so no neighborhood is safe. Criminals get a free ride to and from. Homeless are vanned to intersections all over the city where they beg from medians at stoplights on major streets. The Covid lockdowns were severe and long and many small businesses went under. It feels like a third world country. It is no longer safe anywhere there which is a tragedy as the area is beautiful and the four seasons mild.

[Michael 61]

Still fairly new to Florida - and love it here! There are a few things I miss about my home in Colorado (view of Pike’s Peak from my deck, a good breakfast burrito from a nearby taco truck, day’s drive to Santa Fe, Aspen, Rocky Mt National Park), but there is som much here that I appreciate that I did t have in Colorado (year round warm weather, able to wear shorts most of the year, two hours to either Atlantic or Gulf beaches, close to good, fresh seafood, able to drive to a port to catch a cruise, living is a very clean, safe and beautiful development with people who mostly share my values). At this point in my life, I feel I made the right decision moving to Florida, and I can easily get back to Colorado a few times a year to get my Breakfast Burrito fix 😀.

[Flyers999]

From Philadelphia, lived in New Jersey for 15 years before we moved to TV. Real estate taxes prevented us from retiring in NJ. We couldn't afford a house the size we have here in a good neighborhood there, but we probably would have moved here anyway. Haven't been back in a while so I'm not sure what's going on there. Prefer to think of the great life we have here.

[npwalters]

How often have you heard of a person retiring and then moving "up north". That tells the story.

[DAVES]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I do wonder why post this. My view you can be happy or miserable anywhere. An ex-New Yorker. Truth, I miss the trees changing color in the fall. I miss quality tomatoes.
I miss antiquing. I miss riding my bike down the boardwalk in the snow. I even miss the snow. I don't miss the 6% state tax or the 3% city tax, or the real estate tax roughly double to what I pay here on a far larger home. Oh and I was ten years younger before I moved here. Where did those ten years go?

Some people will complain about anything.

Oh and hot cocoa. I used to take a thermos on my bike going sown the boardwalk in the snow.

[JMintzer]

Love this! unfortunately, I think that mentality not allowed state is Florida..:sad:

What? You don't find it "snarky"?

Is that because they agree with you?

[JMintzer]

My primary residence is in Montgomery County, MD...

It used to be one of the best places in the country to live. Low crime, great schools...

But time are a changin'... Crime is on the rise, schools are getting worse, property taxes are set to go up by 10% next year...

It's is now listed as one of the worst places to retire in the US...

Sooo, in another year, 18 months max, we'll be in TV pretty much full time.

We may keep a small condo up here, but in VA, where 2 of my 3 daughters live...

Will I miss it? Probably. I'll miss the easy access to the museums and theaters in DC (but, we've now go downtown less frequently due to the significant rise in crime there), some of our favorite restaurants, but we'll adapt...

[gettingby]

Moved here from Orlando, don’t miss it at all. When I have to go back I get PTSD. Traffic, crime, crappy place to retire. We got to “port” over our property tax rate. In other words our property tax is 1/2 what overs are because we’re Florida residents for 50 years. Question, what is this snow people talk about?

[HoosierPa]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I made my living “down south of The Villages” in SE Florida. Boca Raton to be exact where the people are very rude and pretentious. Love this part of Florida but not that area.

[TeresaE]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I don’t disparage my home state for what it was. California was a great place to grow up. I disparage my home state for what it has become.

[Bridget Staunton]

I lived & worked in IL all my life and I was happy, love Chicago & suburbs. However times have changed and the city now is dangerous, not the city my father in-law worked as a policeman. I was born & schooled in Ireland & I love my hometown growing up with lots of love from my parents to 9 children. I am thankful to God for my wonderful life yet I am sorry for the mistakes I made

[oldtimes]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

How is this any of your business? I hated living up north and couldn't wait to move to Florida. I don't miss it at all and have no desire to go back. This said it all and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

[NotGolfer]

Born/raised in a small MN town that thrived til the 80's when much of the industry was outsourced or absorbed by other industry. That said, we moved from MN to WI where we stayed til retirement. Again, another small town that I didn't appreciate til we moved here. Don't get me wrong---it was a great move on our part. Many factors were involved with the move and relocation. Weather being one, our links were being dispersed there, kids involved with their own lives and also dispersed. People moving, retiring, passing away---LIFE changes. We didn't have much of anything holding us anymore truth be told. I do miss elements of the upper midwest. Spring is my most favorite memory but even that seems to be disappearing as they still had cold and lots of snow up into this month (May). Summers are sweet---some of them not much different than here with heat/humidity BUT they get repreaves from that from time to time. Fall can be lovely too but the last Fall we were there was very wet and chilly. So one never can call it. There are other elements that aren't great---ie. taxes are becoming prohibitive and other cost of living too. BUT that seems to be all over anymore. Real estate is crazy----but the same here! Young couples struggle to make a living never mind being able to purchase a home that's affordable. "IF" we could do a re-wind....I think I'd do everything the same as we've done it. Being here is a blessing!!
ALL that aside----the social media sites from both places, here vs there are the same. People complaining about dogs, driving, health-care---nothing changes with that stuff.

[Joe C.]

I lived in R.I. for 59 years. Do I miss it? NO. I do miss the good restaurants, which I don't think any around here could compare to them. I don't miss the traffic on 95 every day, the traffic (Bald Hill Rd. or Mineral Spring Ave.), traffic lights, the innumerable pot holes, high taxes, and ridiculous politics. By now, the highest point geographically in Rhode Island is the state landfill.

I retired from R.I. and moved to Vermont. ..... Absolutely a beautiful state!! The seasons are refreshing. I miss playing with the ATV, motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, using the Kubota tractor, backhoe, bucket and snowblower on it. But more than half of their state budget is welfare. And in the eleven years that I lived there, my taxes quadrupled. I couldn't stay there because the taxes cut into my travel budget and their politics are too liberal for me.

Florida is far from perfect. Weather too humid most of the year, but taxes are much more favorable. Traffic sucks around the villages ..... but not all the time. Politics make me smile more than frown. There may be better places to live, but I haven't found them yet.:gc:

[toeser]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I don't diss the state that was, I diss the state that is.

I came from a state and city that used to be one of the best in the U.S. Extremely high educational standards, relative safety, a thriving downtown, etc. etc.

That is all gone. I don't even recognize it anymore. High crime, boarded up businesses, horrible school results, etc. The change in the last 20 years has been stunning.

[Bilyclub]

Unfortunately not anymore. Robberies, car jackings, thefts and some shootings. Park Ridge, Norridge, Rosemont have all now been hit with quite a few. The only way to have a chance at lower crime is to move out of Crook County.

Must have been rough working at ORD.

[mikeycereal]

Diss 'em, don't miss 'em. :wave:

Lived in Vegas and the hot summer night air was stifling. Can't roll car windows down while driving because it's like a hot blow dryer on you. Here at least you get a breeze and some rain which is 10x better. I'll gladly take a little humidity. Good for the skin.

[airstreamingypsy]

In a venue full of weird posts, this one takes the cake. I only grew up in one place, Manhattan.. NYC. I feel sorry for everyone who didn't grow up in NYC, because it was a magical place. Theater, museums, zoos, ballet...the best pizza, bagels and cheesecake.. it has everything. I see many NY Yankees hats in TV, and smile, New Yorkers have a camaraderie that I don't see from other places except maybe Chicago. I can't speak for everyone, but I see people who didn't grow up in NY being ugly about NY, but not people from there. We know what a magical place it was to grow up.

[mikeycereal]

Growing up in Hawaii in the 60's - 90s, that was a magical place. Kinda lost some of it's luster over the last 15 years with all the construction. But I do enjoy older movies showing some classic New York like The Warriors; that all looks magical in it's own way but I don't feel sorry for myself for not living there in comparison to the 50th state. :icon_wink:

[Wondering]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.
Thanks for the reminder! I'm from upstate NY and miss it, even seeing snow and especially the change of seasons. I'm only in Florida because financially it is better in retirement.

[Richpetty42]

I agree with you, I miss my Rochester, NY weather round’ this time of year when it’s still in 50s and you can do yard work, go for walks or hang out on the porch without sweating your pants off. I always thought it was much easier to layer up and turn the thermostat up to get warm but living in a place where it’s so humid and hot where I find it’s harder to cool off. Plus the season changes you know what to expect when the temperature than living in a semi tropical environment.
Go ROC !

I miss Connecticut, Boston, and New York. All three were my stomping grounds to one extent or another. I don't think I'll ever stop missing up north. I'm not a summer person, never was. I'm not a heat+humidity kinda gal, never was. I am not fond of palm trees, I think they're silly looking.

On the other hand, I'm also not a February in Connecticut kinda gal either. Extremes bother me in all things, from weather to politics. But given only two choices: a couple of months with a couple feet of snow and a nor'easter OR 6 months of heat and humidity - I'd rather crank up the heat and shovel my way to the snow plow in the garage.

[Villages Kahuna]

But it’s so easy to criticize and leave Illinois. Unfortunately, even with continuous increases in taxes, Illinois is headed for bankruptcy. Their pension obligations are so great and growing, that there’s no way Illinois can continue to meet its obligations.

[CHoppy]

What is the value of their homes if they are paying $20K? What are state and local sale taxes. Every state gets their needed money from you one way or another.

[Marmaduke]

Bingo.

Growing up, even living there as an adult, Minnesota was wonderful. Our nearest "neighbor" lived two miles away. I was always an outdoor type and living in proximity to the Superior National Forest in northern MN was something no red-blooded Minnesota lad could NOT appreciate. Hunting, fishing, trapping, skiing--we had it all in abundance. To the north of us stretched 50 miles of land unbroken except for one road and a couple of small rivers. School was a one-room schoolhouse which served the children through grade six, followed by grades 7-12 in a smallish school in a small town 20 miles away. To give it some perspective, our school district was larger than the entire state of New Hampshire.

Of course time has a way of glossing over some of the drudgery. We heated with wood, so it was the task of my three brothers and myself to make sure the woodpile and wood box in the basement were full--and when winter mornings could plunge as low as 40 below zero (often colder) we burned a LOT of wood. We burned birch wood almost exclusively; wood that once harvested was cut into 18" blocks, split, piled and dried for at least one year. Summers were not all play: we grew most of our own food which meant that a relatively brief Minnesota summer was filled with gardening chores, and filling the potato bin in the basement with enough potatoes to feed a family of seven for an entire year meant a growing season that was labor-intensive to say the least. Fall, we harvested wild blueberries, raspberries and cranberries which Mom turned into wonderful jams and sauces. November meant deer-hunting season and sausage-making: we always had plenty of venison on hand, and after buying a pig from a neighbor we'd combine the meat from both and turn it into about 200 lbs. of sausage, which we'd smoke along with a couple of hams and some bacon. Nothing went to waste: mom would boil the pig's head (often along with a steer's head) and turn it into loaves of wonderful headcheese. Of course, there were the mosquitoes, cars that didn't start in the winter, shoveling a 200 yard driveway by hand, things like that. But overall, GREAT memories. Minnesota was great when I was young.

But things change. The Minnesota I remember was undoubtedly nowhere near as wonderful as I remember it. In truth I could have lived the same life in a number of northern states and had the same experiences. But whatever it WAS, there is unfortunately no denying what it has BECOME. There are reasons that people are fleeing that state like deranged lemmings. My wife and I were only two out of many tens of thousands to do so.
Minnesota, you're post was an absolute awesome portrayal of true American grit!

I loved the part about your Mom too!
What a pioneer she was, as she raised you and your siblings. You should really capture your life history for your family and others to read. That was fantastic!

You really zeroed in on the OP's topic by showing your Minnesota roots. Your family's True American Grit, spirit, strength, fortitude, perseverence and self-relience are qualities lost on the train wreck currently taking up space in your former state.

YOU did a beautiful job clarifing that the once pristine and Great State of Minnesota SADLY morphed into a wasteland.

Hey, you deserve every day of sun and fun that Florida offers and thank you for the last line of your post that tied it all together!

[mtlee024]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I have lived in FL for almost 60 years, had a great quality career, great health care and we have great schools. I graduared with a BS from one. I know many people who can say the same thing I said about the South. Never have I heard FL called the honeymoon state, Must be somthing people from the north make up. I always thought of FL as the vacation state.

[firefighter4u]

simple! taxes and weather.

[Dantes]

True 60 years ago. What have they become

[PurePeach]

I miss Connecticut, Boston, and New York. All three were my stomping grounds to one extent or another. I don't think I'll ever stop missing up north. I'm not a summer person, never was. I'm not a heat+humidity kinda gal, never was. I am not fond of palm trees, I think they're silly looking.

On the other hand, I'm also not a February in Connecticut kinda gal either. Extremes bother me in all things, from weather to politics. But given only two choices: a couple of months with a couple feet of snow and a nor'easter OR 6 months of heat and humidity - I'd rather crank up the heat and shovel my way to the snow plow in the garage.

Delta is ready when you are. . . :wave:

[DonnaNi4os]

I’m a Jersey Girl living in a Florida world and loving every minute. I still love my home state for all of the reasons you mentioned and more, including the beautiful beaches, great pizza and bagels, as well as the mountains…but I love where I live now.

[rpalumberi]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

We never wanted to leave our NY home. I liked shoveling snow from our driveway. I ran all year round regardless of the weather (unless frostbite could occur). We left because of the political climate. Although Long Island was better, our votes never counted for Governor because they were held hostage by the NYC voting block. We could not justify spending all the extra money in taxes, oil, etc. to live in a state that operated so contrary to our beliefs. We don't diss NY, we just stay away. We hope freedom remains for the most part in our new FL retirement.

[Tobys Dad]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I have lived in 9 different states. First 18 in Massachusetts. I detest the old, cold, dirty north. Politically they are killing the country. Never leaving Florida. CA, MA, PA, NY, IL, VA, TN, MA, RI, thanks to the Navy. Only state I would consider would be Tennessee. To each their own.

[Lindsyburnsy]

With what is happening with one’s “rights” in Florida, people may be leaving Florida for “what it is becoming”. I think the OP has it a bit backwards. Many of us didn't leave our home state for what it WAS, but for what it has BECOME.

[scooterstang]

Wife bought a house in Panama City while I was at my part time job driving for Napa Auto Parts. I had to scramble to sell 10 classic bikes and a 65 Mustang fastback, but thanks to Craigslist and Facebook(they all sold) Our house in MN sold in 45 minutes, so there was no turning back!! I miss my family and friends but do not miss the winter at all. I have my Yamaha Morphous that I cruise the beach road on or I hop in my 70 Chev Shortbox and go for a ride. Wifes excuse was(I bought the house cause I knew you never would move!). The only thing I don't like is my small garage here 23X23(my garage in MN was a four car attached and a 36X48 polebarn with 2 backyard buddy car hoists). Talk about downsizing!!

[BruceB3333]

Love my home state and the other states I have lived in. In fact, a friend of mine from my home state, living here in The Villages, calls our home state...God's country.

[wamley]

Most of us were born and raised in the State we moved from. We had and may still have many family members still living in that State. Family and jobs are strong anchors keeping most people in a geographical location. We select a location for our retirement that better suits our lifestyles in retirement. The job anchor no longer exisits and the family group has been more widespread as our children meet partners from other areas of the country or job opportunities removes them from the home State. Grandchildren although a wonderful addition to our lives, they too soon start to move into their own lives. They want to be with friends, participating with their sports and than there are the boyfriends and college. Familys today are much more mobile, so we can enjoy their visits as we see so often with the mid winter breaks from HS and colleges. It's easier to bash our origins a little bit. Life is good.

[rsmurano]

Pretty easy: tired of the riots, crime, high taxes, covid mentality, just to name a few reasons for leaving my prior state.

[Battlebasset]

With what is happening with one’s “rights” in Florida, people may be leaving Florida for “what it is becoming”.

What rights are we losing in Florida?

[Fredster]

Even though I grew up in Chicago and lived in Illinois for many decades,
it was not hard to move on, since
Illinois has become a high taxation welfare state, with a legacy of political corruption, crime ridden cities and suburbs, and on top of all that, you had cold winters and hot humid summers to deal with.

IMHO no longer “Land of Lincoln”

“Lincoln himself once said, “The worst thing you can do for those you love is the things they could and should do for themselves.” He fiercely believed in self-sufficiency, and in the maturity and character that struggles and hardships can bring.“

[Escape Artist]

Love this! unfortunately, I think that mentality not allowed state is Florida..:sad:

It sounds like a few people here are afflicted with cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias. Praying for you!

[Mpphred]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

Ironic. So lets dis Florida instead!!

[Worldseries27]

so many of us have found our way to florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to tv in florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to florida.
think more of it like a divorce

[Aloha1]

Sounds like you are pretty snarky when someone has a different opinion than you. How original, "if you don't like it you can leave mentality".. snooze

Seemed like a legit answer to your post.

[Worldseries27]

ironic. So lets dis florida instead!!
welcome aboard

[shut the front door]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

Why does it matter to you if someone doesn't like the state they moved from? And better yet, who are you to try and control what anyone says?

[LuvNH]

Why does it matter to you if someone doesn't like the state they moved from? And better yet, who are you to try and control what anyone says?

What a very peculiar reaction to my question. Take a deep breath and relax.

[oldtimes]

What a very peculiar reaction to my question. Take a deep breath and relax.

Not peculiar at all. Your post was very preachy and based on your own opinion. Obviously not all of us agree.

[patrickj]

I agree with the statement we left for what our state has become not it was in the past. I am not embarrassed about anything in Florida. The state we left is in a shambles, and nothing is being done to correct the situation.

[JMintzer]

In a venue full of weird posts, this one takes the cake. I only grew up in one place, Manhattan.. NYC. I feel sorry for everyone who didn't grow up in NYC, because it was a magical place. Theater, museums, zoos, ballet...the best pizza, bagels and cheesecake.. it has everything. I see many NY Yankees hats in TV, and smile, New Yorkers have a camaraderie that I don't see from other places except maybe Chicago. I can't speak for everyone, but I see people who didn't grow up in NY being ugly about NY, but not people from there. We know what a magical place it was to grow up.

You feel sorry for anyone who didn't grow up in NYC, but you're surprised at those who are "being ugly about NYC"...

Hmmm... There just might be a "cause & effect" thingy going on there...

[coleprice]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I moved from California, which still has many beautiful places. But the poverty and lawlessness that naturally follows socialism has made many parts of it (including ALL of the big cities) a dangerous Third World state. This is why I and many of my (wealthy) friends have left California. Check out the videos and article at the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVsxOMUzeJk&feature=youtu.be

California Loses 300,355 Taxpayers and $12 Billion In Gross Income to Other States Since 2017 | California Globe (https://californiaglobe.com/articles/california-loses-300355-taxpayers-and-12-billion-in-gross-income-to-other-states-since-2017/)

[coleprice]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

Watch the video at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVsxOMUzeJk

[Sage327]

I think the OP has it a bit backwards. Many of us didn't leave our home state for what it WAS, but for what it has BECOME.

I left my home state of NY for what it has become. I was born and raised in the heart of NYC, lived in a wonderful, safe, close knit neighborhood, had a good job, access to museums and theater. I won’t go back even to visit because it is no longer safe to walk the streets or ride the subways. The politicians with their bail reform finally did NYC in.

[Battlebasset]

In a venue full of weird posts, this one takes the cake. I only grew up in one place, Manhattan.. NYC. I feel sorry for everyone who didn't grow up in NYC, because it was a magical place. Theater, museums, zoos, ballet...the best pizza, bagels and cheesecake.. it has everything. I see many NY Yankees hats in TV, and smile, New Yorkers have a camaraderie that I don't see from other places except maybe Chicago. I can't speak for everyone, but I see people who didn't grow up in NY being ugly about NY, but not people from there. We know what a magical place it was to grow up.

Quick question - When were your growing up years in NYC? If they were the 50s/60s then I would tend to agree. 70s/80s? Then I'm scratching my head.

[LuvNH]

I left my home state of NY for what it has become. I was born and raised in the heart of NYC, lived in a wonderful, safe, close knit neighborhood, had a good job, access to museums and theater. I won’t go back even to visit because it is no longer safe to walk the streets or ride the subways. The politicians with their bail reform finally did NYC in.

Thank you for this post.

[Cobullymom]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.
Because it really stinks now, would never move back and feel sorry for the people stuck there that want to leave, a very happy day in my life when we loaded the truck and moved 34 years ago..buh bye NY

[airstreamingypsy]

You feel sorry for anyone who didn't grow up in NYC, but you're surprised at those who are "being ugly about NYC"...

Hmmm... There just might be a "cause & effect" thingy going on there...

I never said I was "surprised" by anything.

[airstreamingypsy]

Quick question - When were your growing up years in NYC? If they were the 50s/60s then I would tend to agree. 70s/80s? Then I'm scratching my head.

50s and 60s.

[JMintzer]

I never said I was "surprised" by anything.

"Surprised" is what you gleaned from my post?

Is "complaining about" a better descriptor?

[Battlebasset]

50s and 60s.

I'm sure it was a magical time back then. Lots of people from lots of different places, and you are right about the food.

Didn't grow up there, but moved to NJ around 2005. Made a number of trips into NYC. Would visit with friends, and we would start walking in Times Square all the way down to the financial district, hitting bars and pizza places as we went.

Fast forward to 2019. The homeless, their "leavings", and the stench of pot. Saw my first body bag pulled out of the Times Square subway leaving work one night. Homeless woman pushed another woman into the path of the train. New Yorkers pulling their cell phone out to video it. No shame or respect.

Beginning of 2020 was the last time I was there. Sad what it has become, and I doubt I will ever go back.

[manaboutown]

"You can't go back." as they say. This thread got me curious so I checked on my former junior high, now a mid school, in Albuquerque. It is a public school in what used to be a good area, near the UNM campus and its medical and law schools. Many of my classmates went on to become engineers, scientists, successful business people, college professors, attorneys and physicians. Today only 21% of the students at that school are proficient in math and 27% proficient in reading. That saddens me...as does this, the direction the state has taken. It is circling the drain...IMHO.

It's official: The 'catch and release system' has failed | My Turn | taosnews.com (https://www.taosnews.com/opinion/my-turn/its-official-the-catch-and-release-system-has-failed/article_ad7a2f32-45b2-5383-8749-ae388a02abd2.html)

NM cleaning record of marijuana convictions - Google Search (https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=NM+cleaning+record+of+marijuana+convictions&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8)

[Dusty_Star]

What a very peculiar reaction to my question. Take a deep breath and relax.

Your post was not 'a question' it was a lecture on how we should think & speak.

[Larchap49]

We lived in NY and when we go back to visit, I feel proud, not embarrassed like I do in Florida. But no place is perfect. I like to think the lifestyle choices in The Villages offset the negative aspects of the State of Florida.

I am guessing you are talking about the beautiful country of upstate not the embarrassing slum pig sty crime ridden city.

[Chi-Town]

Grew up in Chicago and rhe northwest suburbs. Would still live there if I didn't get sick of the long winters. The Villages made the move easier though and very happy here . But Chicago is still tuggin' my sleeve.

[SusanStCatherine]

I moved from Maryland which wasn't too bad a place except for the politics. Heavily gerrymandered. Look up Sarbane's Mayland's 3rd Congressional district (his father a long term senator). All four of my Marland representatives lived in the adjacent county (with very different demographics) due to gerrymandering. Our county had 40% and their 60% so nobody from our county could ever win. No voter ID. Non-US citizens can vote in municipal elections. I saw someone's ballot get rejected and the poll worker told the voter he couldn't vote for two people for president. Poll worker had sample ballots on who to vote for.
My representative blocked me on Facebook when I simply posted facts on a candidate. When I told her my health care premiums were no longer affordable to me due to the ACA, she emailed me a copy of a New York Times editorial. Weather is pretty cold January - April with high humidity that makes you feel even colder. Enough ice and snow storms to challenge drivers. The main thing I miss is the very high quality water supply.

[manaboutown]

I moved from Maryland which wasn't too bad a place except for the politics. Heavily gerrymandered. Look up Sarbane's Mayland's 3rd Congressional district (his father a long term senator). All four of my Marland representatives lived in the adjacent county (with very different demographics) due to gerrymandering. Our county had 40% and their 60% so nobody from our county could ever win. No voter ID. Non-US citizens can vote in municipal elections. I saw someone's ballot get rejected and the poll worker told the voter he couldn't vote for two people for president. Poll worker had sample ballots on who to vote for.
My representative blocked me on Facebook when I simply posted facts on a candidate. When I told her my health care premiums were no longer affordable to me due to the ACA, she emailed me a copy of a New York Times editorial. Weather is pretty cold January - April with high humidity that makes you feel even colder. Enough ice and snow storms to challenge drivers. The main thing I miss is the very high quality water supply.

My mother's family has lived in Maryland, mostly in the Baltimore area, since at least the 1890s. My mother, born in 1905 and a graduate of Goucher College, now part of Hopkins, taught school on the Eastern Shore before she married my father. Since the 1950s most family members have lived in Baltimore County as Baltimore City is a dangerous and highly taxed place to reside. My daughter lives in Cockeysville. I served in the Maryland Army National guard out of the Fifth Regiment Army back in the day. What has happened to the beautiful state of Maryland is tragic.

"EDUCATION REFORMER SAYS THAT BALTIMORE SCHOOLS ARE FAILING STUDENTS: In the Baltimore City Public Schools, the four-year high school graduation rate is 69%, the lowest in the state. In addition to the low district-wide proficiency, 23 schools reported zero students proficient in math.Mar 17, 2023"

From: Baltimore’s failing school system is making school choice the only hope for students, education activist says | Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/baltimores-failing-school-system-making-school-choice-only-hope-students-education-activist-says#:~:text=EDUCATION%20REFORMER%20SAYS%20THAT%20 BALTIMORE%20SCHOOLS%20ARE%20FAILING%20STUDENTS:&text=In%20the%20Baltimore%20City%20Public,zero%20s tudents%20proficient%20in%20math).

[Sage327]

50s and 60s.

I also grew up in Manhattan in the 50’s and 60’s. Where in Manhattan did you live? Its hard to explain how great it was living there because most people have a different view of NY. I wouldn’t live there now because of the high crime rate and it breaks my heart to see what Mayor Adams and Hochul did to a once great city.

[Laker14]

No. At least not in our younger years. But I had three brothers and there was always an ample supply of shovels around.

I recall once, about age 13 or so, when I asked dad why my brother and I had to saw up all the wood with a two-man saw when the big yellow Pioneer chainsaw, that I very well knew how to run, sat in the garage. His reply? "Because tired kids don't get into trouble". Sort of the same philosophy, I guess, with the driveway.

Now That is a parenting gem... Works with dogs as well, BTW. :BigApplause:

[Laker14]

Spent my working years in Upstate NY...I return for May-October. I love upstate NY, and I enjoy NYC in very small doses.

I only dis the weather in winter, and to be more precise, the LENGTH of winter. I can do January, (although I prefer it here in TV), but dang, March...still sucks.....April....still sucks.....May....still kinda sucks a lot of the time....

[SusanStCatherine]

My mother's family has lived in Maryland, mostly in the Baltimore area, since at least the 1890s. My mother, born in 1905 and a graduate of Goucher College, now part of Hopkins, taught school on the Eastern Shore before she married my father. Since the 1950s most family members have lived in Baltimore County as Baltimore City is a dangerous and highly taxed place to reside. My daughter lives in Cockeysville. I served in the Maryland Army National guard out of the Fifth Regiment Army back in the day. What has happened to the beautiful state of Maryland is tragic.

"EDUCATION REFORMER SAYS THAT BALTIMORE SCHOOLS ARE FAILING STUDENTS: In the Baltimore City Public Schools, the four-year high school graduation rate is 69%, the lowest in the state. In addition to the low district-wide proficiency, 23 schools reported zero students proficient in math.Mar 17, 2023"

From: Baltimore’s failing school system is making school choice the only hope for students, education activist says | Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/baltimores-failing-school-system-making-school-choice-only-hope-students-education-activist-says#:~:text=EDUCATION%20REFORMER%20SAYS%20THAT%20 BALTIMORE%20SCHOOLS%20ARE%20FAILING%20STUDENTS:&text=In%20the%20Baltimore%20City%20Public,zero%20s tudents%20proficient%20in%20math).

Baltimore has been bad for a very long time. My sister and mother were both separately mugged back in the 1970's. My aunt was mugged and her head bashed in around 1980 in Catonsville in Baltimore County. I was held up at gunpoint in 1982 near Pimlico. I attended nursing school in Baltimore City and one day we could not get home because my friend's car was not where she parked it - it had been stolen. My childhood home in AA county was burglarized twice while I was growing up.

[JMintzer]

Baltimore has been bad for a very long time. My sister and mother were both separately mugged back in the 1970's. My aunt was mugged and her head bashed in around 1980 in Catonsville in Baltimore County. I was held up at gunpoint in 1982 near Pimlico. I attended nursing school in Baltimore City and one day we could not get home because my friend's car was not where she parked it - it had been stolen. My childhood home in AA county was burglarized twice while I was growing up.

Downtown B'more got much better once the Inner Harbor opened in 1980, and then, even better in the 90's once the opened Camden Yards and Raven's Stadium in 92' & '98 respectively...

But, once again, it has sunk into the depths of hell... One of the top 5 most dangerous cities in the US...

[retiredguy123]

My mother's family has lived in Maryland, mostly in the Baltimore area, since at least the 1890s. My mother, born in 1905 and a graduate of Goucher College, now part of Hopkins, taught school on the Eastern Shore before she married my father. Since the 1950s most family members have lived in Baltimore County as Baltimore City is a dangerous and highly taxed place to reside. My daughter lives in Cockeysville. I served in the Maryland Army National guard out of the Fifth Regiment Army back in the day. What has happened to the beautiful state of Maryland is tragic.

"EDUCATION REFORMER SAYS THAT BALTIMORE SCHOOLS ARE FAILING STUDENTS: In the Baltimore City Public Schools, the four-year high school graduation rate is 69%, the lowest in the state. In addition to the low district-wide proficiency, 23 schools reported zero students proficient in math.Mar 17, 2023"

From: Baltimore’s failing school system is making school choice the only hope for students, education activist says | Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/baltimores-failing-school-system-making-school-choice-only-hope-students-education-activist-says#:~:text=EDUCATION%20REFORMER%20SAYS%20THAT%20 BALTIMORE%20SCHOOLS%20ARE%20FAILING%20STUDENTS:&text=In%20the%20Baltimore%20City%20Public,zero%20s tudents%20proficient%20in%20math).
I grew up in Baltimore and went to the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute "all boys" public high school. They actually taught engineering stuff (surveying, drafting, foundry, etc.) and it prepared me to go to the University of Maryland School of Engineering. I got a mechanical engineering degree and became rich and famous. Both were good schools at that time.

[manaboutown]

I grew up in Baltimore and went to the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute "all boys" public high school. They actually taught engineering stuff (surveying, drafting, foundry, etc.) and it prepared me to go to the University of Maryland School of Engineering. I got a mechanical engineering degree and became rich and famous. Both were good schools at that time.

Just prior to WWII one of my uncles attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He then went into the US Army Air Corps. After the war he went on to graduate at the top of his class at Georgia Tech, majoring in civil engineering. A cousin also was a student there and afterwards graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Cornell. Both enjoyed highly successful careers. Must have been a wonderful school in those days!

[manaboutown]

Baltimore has been bad for a very long time. My sister and mother were both separately mugged back in the 1970's. My aunt was mugged and her head bashed in around 1980 in Catonsville in Baltimore County. I was held up at gunpoint in 1982 near Pimlico. I attended nursing school in Baltimore City and one day we could not get home because my friend's car was not where she parked it - it had been stolen. My childhood home in AA county was burglarized twice while I was growing up.

I am so sorry to hear of all that occurring. Baltimore did not feel too dangerous when I first moved to the Baltimore/Washington area in 1964. By 1970 when I moved to Rochester, NY it had become dangerous. DC was dangerous, too. One of my fellow GULC students had a narc shot and killed on his Capitol Hill home's doorstep in 1968.

[Bilyclub]

Grew up in Chicago and rhe northwest suburbs. Would still live there if I didn't get sick of the long winters. The Villages made the move easier though and very happy here . But Chicago is still tuggin' my sleeve.

The only thing Illinois and Chicago is tugging at is your wallet and car, nowadays.

[Catfishjeff]

I lived in California twice - growing up ages 6 thru 21 and almost forty years before retirement. Geographically it’s the best. Normally it’s the best weather in the country. But due to politics it’s turned into a nightmare and not the right place to retire and grow old. I just got back from a week in CA and enjoyed the beautiful green hills and mountains and especially visiting the great wineries in Paso Robles.

[Chi-Town]

The only thing Illinois and Chicago is tugging at is your wallet and car, nowadays.

The thread's title is "why do you diss your former state". Is Illinois your former state? Just curious.

[Bilyclub]

The thread's title is "why do you diss your former state". Is Illinois your former state? Just curious.

Born, raised, schooled (not CPS), lived, worked, in the city, until we came here.

[Chi-Town]

Born, raised, schooled (not CPS), lived, worked, in the city, until we came here.

Good to know: you've got street cred for sure. It is sad that there appears to be a turn for the worse. Hopefully, things will turn around.

[Number 10 GI]

I have nothing bad to say about Tennessee or Iowa where I was born and raised. Went in the Army at 18 yrs old, spent almost 21 years in the military moving all over the place. Retired at Ft. Campbell, KY. Lived 34 years in Tennessee before the wife decided we needed to move to Florida.
Tennessee is a beautiful state with mild winters, reasonable taxes and real estate costs. Great place to retire as there is no state income tax. The Smoky Mountain area is very scenic. The only things about Iowa I don't like are the winters and taxes.

[mickey100]

I am guessing you are talking about the beautiful country of upstate not the embarrassing slum pig sty crime ridden city.

That is true. Was never a fan of NYC, although I've only been there a couple of times. We always felt that NYC was not representative of the state as a whole.

[Sabella]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. I Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

I moved here from New York City need I say more? Look at what those people in charge have done to New York State and New York City over the past 20 years or so it went from the most beautiful, vibrant city in the in the world to a giant filthy garbage dump that has no use for law and order anymore. Ps if you live there good luck paying EXCESSIVE taxes so tax money can be spent on government handouts and foolish spending while severely cutting back promised retirement benefits to retired seniors because the city is broke .

[Whitley]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

Why do you assume we would not have the quality careers we had up North? We may have done better down in Florida. I was paying 42K a year in property tax, and close to 50% of my income. You really come across in a negative light.

[Whitley]

I miss Connecticut, Boston, and New York. All three were my stomping grounds to one extent or another. I don't think I'll ever stop missing up north. I'm not a summer person, never was. I'm not a heat+humidity kinda gal, never was. I am not fond of palm trees, I think they're silly looking.

On the other hand, I'm also not a February in Connecticut kinda gal either. Extremes bother me in all things, from weather to politics. But given only two choices: a couple of months with a couple feet of snow and a nor'easter OR 6 months of heat and humidity - I'd rather crank up the heat and shovel my way to the snow plow in the garage.

I just want to be sure I understand; you, Ms OBB, :thumbup: are saying that you are not at the extreme end of a political view?

[Whitley]

We lived in NY and when we go back to visit, I feel proud, not embarrassed like I do in Florida. But no place is perfect. I like to think the lifestyle choices in The Villages offset the negative aspects of the State of Florida.

If you are embarrassed to live in Florida, why do you?

[Whitley]

I get tired of the people who constantly say FL doesn't have as good (insert subject here) as (insert home town/state here)...

Yes that is annoying. I wonder why so many from Northern States are so, less than pleasant. Not that I am speaking of anyone specifically. I mean, just read some of the posts. All warm and fuzzy people for sure. Salt of the Earth. I read somewhere that a couple residents would not want to be in Florida, except yada yada yada (Of course they could be fibbing to us and themselves.). Could it be our Northern States are improving their manners and dispositions by sending their, less than agreeable residents down to us?

[Whitley]

Amen !!!!

Southern born to the bone !!!! :coolsmiley:

As a native born NY'er, I can definitely say many of us do not like those types either. The ones who say "I would never live in Florida, but my goldfish's vet lives here". Such arrogance and entitlement.

[manaboutown]

For those who do not like Florida but shy away from long, cold, snowy and icy winters there's always Northern CA. "There'''s Poop Everywhere": San Francisco'''s Office District Not Only A Ghost Town, It'''s Also Covered In Sh*t | ZeroHedge (https://www.zerohedge.com/political/theres-poop-everywhere-san-franciscos-office-district-not-only-ghost-town-its-also)

San Fran Mayor London Breed, city leaders booed out of drug-infested UN Plaza (https://nypost.com/2023/05/24/san-fran-mayor-london-breed-city-leaders-booed-out-of-drug-infested-un-plaza/)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Anyone who has a problem with people saying "they don't have [insert thing here] as good in Florida as they did [insert somewhere else]" should either a) get over it, or b) improve Florida so that they DO have it as good as they do [insert somewhere else].

Florida, in general, just isn't able to "do" pizza like they can do it in New England, New York, or even in Chicago. Florida, in general, isn't able to "do" northern shellfish like they "do" up north. Florida, in general, doesn't "do" poutine like they do in Canada. Florida, in general, doesn't do middle-eastern food like they do in the middle-east. Florida doesn't "do" education as well as they "do" in some other states. It doesn't "do" equitable distribution of tax dollars as well as they "do" it in other states. There are a lot of things Florida doesn't "do" as well as they do in other places. Of course - Missouri doesn't "do" beaches like Florida does. No one does "tacky pink flamingo decor" as well as the the Florida Keys do.

If you have a problem with that, then you need to improve whatever it is that they do better somewhere else. Or, stop complaining that Florida doesn't do things as well as other areas with various subjects.

[JMintzer]

Anyone who has a problem with people saying "they don't have [insert thing here] as good in Florida as they did [insert somewhere else]" should either a) get over it, or b) improve Florida so that they DO have it as good as they do [insert somewhere else].

Why should they have to "b) improve Florida so that they DO have it as good as they do [insert somewhere else]"?

They are not the one's complaining that FL is lacking those things...

Or did I read your post incorrectly?

[PersonOfInterest]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

How I feel about the place I left to come to the Villages does not matter. What I tell others about the place I left is irrelevant. I am here in the Villages and happy I'm here. That's what matters.

[Pairadocs]

So many of us have found our way to Florida in our retirement years. The majority of us came from "up north", up north is where we made our living, went to school, made lifelong friends, met our spouse, married and bought a home. We then sold up everything and moved to TV in Florida to live out our retirement years.

I see no reason to diss your home state just because you moved here. Yes, northern winters can be brutal, but many of us continue to go back to family for holidays and have a great time.

We seem to forget that if we had been born in Florida sixty plus years ago we would never have had the quality careers we had "up north", we would never have made the money we made, never have had the opportunity to go to great schools or have great health care. Because sixty plus years ago Florida was known as the honeymoon state or for the nearly dead.

So before you start dissing your home state why don't you stop and think about how fortunate you were to be raised in a state with opportunities available to you and then been able to sell up and move to Florida.

My "former" state was Florida, and I definitely NEVER "diss" it, I did live in Illinois (and several others during my career, and am guilty of "dissing" the others. Illinois never met a tax it didn't like, including state income tax. Same for several of the others. No I never have "dissed" Florida, but when I spent a few years away, I sure did MISS it, that's for sure. One thing that others might find interesting if they are from much colder states and if they happen to be Christian. During my years out of Florida Christmas was never the same. It was really difficult to think of the birth of Christ in a location with snow, giant deciduous trees, freezing temperatures, every possible opposite of the actual event...but, we managed knowing sand and palm trees were not the focus of that night, but the sight of a manager, set in a location that looked more like a ski resort than Bethlehem was just very "different", but obviously folks celebrate around the world regardless of any relationship to the actual climate location of the event !

[Bilyclub]

My "former" state was Florida, and I definitely NEVER "diss" it, I did live in Illinois (and several others during my career, and am guilty of "dissing" the others. Illinois never met a tax it didn't like, including state income tax. Same for several of the others. No I never have "dissed" Florida, but when I spent a few years away, I sure did MISS it, that's for sure. One thing that others might find interesting if they are from much colder states and if they happen to be Christian. During my years out of Florida Christmas was never the same. It was really difficult to think of the birth of Christ in a location with snow, giant deciduous trees, freezing temperatures, every possible opposite of the actual event...but, we managed knowing sand and palm trees were not the focus of that night, but the sight of a manager, set in a location that looked more like a ski resort than Bethlehem was just very "different", but obviously folks celebrate around the world regardless of any relationship to the actual climate location of the event !

Snow and cold goes perfectly with the whole Santa North Pole thing.

[manaboutown]

This is happening right on Union Square, in San Francisco, not ever my home town which was in the OC, but I used to stay in the St. Francis. What a tragedy!

The owner of two major San Francisco hotels STOPS making payments on its $725 million loan | Daily Mail Online (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12165817/The-owner-San-Franciscos-two-largest-hotels-STOPS-making-payments-725-million-loan.html)

[Flyers999]

Because of the proliferation of AirBnbs, the hotel industry in general is having a setback.

[JMintzer]

Because of the proliferation of AirBnbs, the hotel industry in general is having a setback.

I don't think that's the reason S.F. hotels are failing...