Saw this on the news tonight but I couldn't find the story on their website. Here's some highlights from 2007. I'm sure it was more of the same.

hm... more homoeroticism... very disturbing...

I could tell from the title this was going to be bad....

Tommy, you like SO FL? The wife and I would love to get away from the COLD and expense of the North East. It's beautiful but, the cold gets old. Income tax, state tax, sales tax of 6% and the yearly property tax on our 1200sq ft condo is $3500/year. Highest taxed state in the union:

http://www.vermontguardian.com/local/042007/TaxFoundation.shtml

We're looking at the Carolinas, Virginia, and possibly Florida.

I was Boston born and bred. Came here in 1978 when there were no jobs to be found in the NE. I was going to stay for 5 years and that was over 30 years ago. I think you might find mid to north Florida more to your liking. Summers down here suck but it's hot everywhere. It's hot and humid here from May to October. In the 90s with 90 percent humidity. A/C is a must just like a heater up nawth. As a whi-boy I'm a minority here as it is 65% hispanic. People are nice over-all and the ethnic blends are really very enjoyable. It has a taste of the islands here too. (Caribbean Islands)

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I grew up on the east coast. The heat with humidity was one reason I left.

I much prefer 90s and 13 percent.

Tommy's posts never cease to amaze me....

Matthew

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South FL is nice... but they can't drive worth shit.

My brother lives in Sebring and it's really nice there. Real estate is CHEAP there now. It's amazing what $150k will buy there.

If you are out to avoid taxes, avoid VA. I lived there back in the mid-90s and they tax everything... they have sales tax, income tax, personal property tax... avoid it. The state is about communist if you want my take. They are the only state that still bans radar detectors!!!

FL only has a sales tax, no income tax. Otherwise, you are dealing with local and county property taxes.

Now... driving... FL drivers SUCK. They are THE WORST. This is for a number of reasons:

1. No drivers education. At 15, the kid gets a permit that allows him/her to drive with an adult over 18. IIRC, it also allows for motorcycle riding.
2. They get a license at 16. I don't know if FL has instituted any Cinderella laws, but I haven't heard, either.
3. NO INSPECTIONS. None. Nada. Zilch. They stopped the practice 25+ years ago. There were some emissions tests in the Metro Dade/Lauderdale areas, but those were stopped a few years back.

What does this all mean? Foreign nationals move in and get a car and license without any training. Teens learn bad habits from their "teachers." Cars are not safe - tail lights out, brake lights out... you name it... the driving style is more free-form than even NYC driving. Shoulders are not off limits. Left lane bandits... speeding like crazy... it's anarchy on the freeways. This one thing would keep me from moving to SOFL.

I agree with Tommy for saying Orlando or central FL would be better. Then again, which your career choice, you might find more work in Miami. I know you would find work in the Carolinas. I would also check Jacksonville. I like that city. It also has 4 seasons, if you get homesick for seasons.

Have you considered the GA coast?

It's not as nice as FL, but not all bad.