[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

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]

Originally Posted by mickey100

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]

Originally Posted by Eagle06

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]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Hardlyworking

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

Amen !!!!

Southern born to the bone !!!!

[PugMom]

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[PugMom]

Originally Posted by PugMom

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[CPD050]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

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.