[PugMom]

beware of news articles these days, almost everything has an agenda

[Rodneysblue]

Originally Posted by justjim

While waiting for a doctor appointment (I was a bit early) I picked up a magazine I believe was called “retirement”life”. The Article was called “8 shocking reasons retirees are fleeing Florida”. Briefly as I remember:
1. Insurance too expensive. Florida homeowners is well above the national average.
2. Rise in HOA fees.
3. Unavailable affordable housing for retirees.
4. Overdevelopment and loss of small-town appeal.
5. Higher Utility bills.
6 . Extreme weather conditions
7. Groceries cost above national averages.
8. Quality and lack of adequate
Healthcare.

According to this article a subtle yet significant shift is changing peoples minds regarding the Sunshine State as a destination for the ultimate retirement paradise it once was. I found the article interesting “opinion” more than factual with no empirical data to backup the opinions. Florida continues to grow in population each year as shown by the data I’ve seen. It’s certainly true (growth) with regard to The Villages. Maybe Florida isn’t paradise but the fact is it probably never was.

We have been in TV going on 18 years and can identify with overdevelopment, higher insurance costs and the loss of small-town appeal. Yes, groceries are more costly but isn’t that true elsewhere? - its called inflation! Finally, there are healthcare issues here but the shortage of Doctors, Nurses and health facilities are not just a Florida issue it’s nationwide. Fore!

Probably written by the "Luffa" author

[Maker]

I think the most serious problem for high tax states is that the majority of people leaving are the higher earning residents, with significant savings. They paid the majority of taxes for those states and are fed up with that cost and the politics driving up the cost of living there. They flee to Florida, taking their wealth with them.
The majority of their replacements moving into those states are illegals who are a huge financial drain on the state and cities because they consume public funds. Rarely do we ever hear about wealthy people moving into these states. Financially, those states are hurting badly, and time is only making it worse.

[rsmurano]

Florida is relatively cheap compared to other states this big: California and NY for example.
If you can’t afford it, move! I tell my kids the same thing.
Most people here don’t realize what people are spending in other states. 8 years ago, I met a lady that lived in Connecticut and had a decent nice house (my house in the south at that time was 2x bigger, had more land, custom, and I was paying $4,000), and they were paying $30,000 in property taxes.
How is your social security taxed here? There is no income tax here.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by justjim

While waiting for a doctor appointment (I was a bit early) I picked up a magazine I believe was called “retirement”life”. The Article was called “8 shocking reasons retirees are fleeing Florida”. Briefly as I remember:
1. Insurance too expensive. Florida homeowners is well above the national average.
2. Rise in HOA fees.
3. Unavailable affordable housing for retirees.
4. Overdevelopment and loss of small-town appeal.
5. Higher Utility bills.
6 . Extreme weather conditions
7. Groceries cost above national averages.
8. Quality and lack of adequate
Healthcare.

According to this article a subtle yet significant shift is changing peoples minds regarding the Sunshine State as a destination for the ultimate retirement paradise it once was. I found the article interesting “opinion” more than factual with no empirical data to backup the opinions. Florida continues to grow in population each year as shown by the data I’ve seen. It’s certainly true (growth) with regard to The Villages. Maybe Florida isn’t paradise but the fact is it probably never was.

We have been in TV going on 18 years and can identify with overdevelopment, higher insurance costs and the loss of small-town appeal. Yes, groceries are more costly but isn’t that true elsewhere? - its called inflation! Finally, there are healthcare issues here but the shortage of Doctors, Nurses and health facilities are not just a Florida issue it’s nationwide. Fore!

The poor quality of the school system (The Villages may be an exception) drags down Florida's quality of life. Right now there are 8,000 unfilled teacher vacancies throughout the state. Several thousand substitutes are needed and the school year starts in 2 weeks. 33% of all Florida homes are owned by hedge funds and other corporations.

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The poor quality of the school system (The Villages may be an exception) drags down Florida's quality of life. Right now there are 8,000 unfilled teacher vacancies throughout the state. Several thousand substitutes are needed and the school year starts in 2 weeks. 33% of all Florida homes are owned by hedge funds and other corporations.

Why is it that I see your name on a post and I'm instantly suspicious of its content?

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The poor quality of the school system (The Villages may be an exception) drags down Florida's quality of life. Right now there are 8,000 unfilled teacher vacancies throughout the state. Several thousand substitutes are needed and the school year starts in 2 weeks. 33% of all Florida homes are owned by hedge funds and other corporations.

You might need a new source for news.
UM - in May 2024
“ Today, U.S. News & World Report announced that Florida is again ranked #1 in the nation for education. The publication’s Best State ranking is based on a combination of strong performances in higher education and K-12 metrics.”

Florida Ranked #1 in Education for Second Year in a Row

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

33% of all Florida homes are owned by hedge funds and other corporations.

From the Urban Institute. You really need a better source of information (or just stop making stuff up). My home is owned by a corporation, the officers of the institution are my wife and I.

“As of June 2022, we estimate that large institutional investors own
roughly 574,000 single-family homes. We have defined an institutional investor as an entity that owns at least 100 single-family homes. To put this in perspective, there are 15.1 million one-unit rental properties nationwide. This would suggest that the total institutional ownership share is 3.8 percent;

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/...Properties.pdf

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

You forgot to factor in heating expenses!

Yeah, in Florida you get both along with constant bug control, termite contracts and on and on. The bills in our northern home are lower than Florida and groceries and great medical care are expensive and hard to come by in that order.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

You might need a new source for news.
UM - in May 2024
“ Today, U.S. News & World Report announced that Florida is again ranked #1 in the nation for education. The publication’s Best State ranking is based on a combination of strong performances in higher education and K-12 metrics.”

Florida Ranked #1 in Education for Second Year in a Row

That makes me laugh, I'd like to see the criteria and who funded that study for Florida.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by rsmurano

Florida is relatively cheap compared to other states this big: California and NY for example.
If you can’t afford it, move! I tell my kids the same thing.
Most people here don’t realize what people are spending in other states. 8 years ago, I met a lady that lived in Connecticut and had a decent nice house (my house in the south at that time was 2x bigger, had more land, custom, and I was paying $4,000), and they were paying $30,000 in property taxes.
How is your social security taxed here? There is no income tax here.

One can't just pick the worst numbers states, include all the states in your comment and include fees and other than tax expenses.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Aces4

That makes me laugh, I'd like to see the criteria and who funded that study for Florida.

That ultra conservative magazine, US News and World Report

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-sta...on-and-economy

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

You might need a new source for news.
UM - in May 2024
“ Today, U.S. News & World Report announced that Florida is again ranked #1 in the nation for education. The publication’s Best State ranking is based on a combination of strong performances in higher education and K-12 metrics.”

Florida Ranked #1 in Education for Second Year in a Row

Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

According to the article, number one for Higher Education but not nearly as good for K-12.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith

Why is it that I see your name on a post and I'm instantly suspicious of its content?

Because you've learned from experience? I'm pretty sure he doesn't really believe half the stuff he posts. He just likes to see everyone's reaction.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Articles, somebody has to type some words about something, on a rotating schedule of topics. . .

How was that Olympic ceremony?

Whether one wants to accept information contrary to their own experience is their business.

However, the article is right on for Florida. Someone did their homework for this article. On the other hand, if a profile was developed for all states in the union, one may find some of the same issues.

Bottom line, we all get to pick and choose but our experience personally is many friends have departed Florida. Some have stayed. I think part of the problem is the structured lifestyle gets so stale after while no matter how many things one joins.