We retired here 20 years ago and we are too old to move. The cost of living has risen dramatically, as most already know, however the biggest factors here in Florida are property insurance, car insurance, property taxes, medical, and now utilities are on a steep rise. If we have to move we've often thought of moving to another country not only because of the costs but also the state's and our country's politics. An additional concern is that the state is becoming overcrowded. It seems that the powers that be have no regard for our natural environment and want to pave over the entire state. Here on the west coast it looks like there is a concerted effort to make it mirror the congestion of the east coast. Basically, I don't belong here anymore but there is nowhere to go.
Of course, this is in direct opposition to the utter bilge DeStupid frequently spouts about how hordes of people are relocating each day to FloriDumb, fleeing from Evil Blue States--and Mamdani's landslide win in NYC will send the governor into overdrive.
I moved here in 1989 for grad school and remained after graduation, having no clue how awful this state would become, beginning with Jeb Bush. It's far too late for me to move now, but I certainly would if that were an option.
If I didn't already own my home, I believe I would have left Florida (and possibly the country) a long while ago. It's dreadfully expensive to live here now. The reasons I'm doing ok is I bought my home before inflation went out of control so my interest rate is good (and why I'm not budging currently), I have a good job that I enjoy most days, and I live alone. If I was still taking care of my mother or was a single parent again, I don't think I could do it financially.
As a teacher who moved from GA 3 years ago, I can confidently say that I’m making less here than when I was paying income tax. I have no savings, I’m living paycheck to paycheck, and, even as a part of my union, I feel like I’m being squeezed dry of every (not long for this world) penny to my name; rent is too high, insurance is almost unaffordable, and everything else is out of reach.
Having worked together at the Dayton Daily News back in the day (I was head of marketing) I just wanted to reconnect and tell you how much Dave and I enjoy reading your Tropic Press. It's been a breath of fresh air for us as we've navigated our way through the state, and area. We are snowbirds and have been coming to Naples since 2021. Not sure how much longer that will be the case but for now we are still enjoying the new friends we've made, the many small mom and pop restaurants we like to frequent, enjoying the Gulf of Mexico, and the many small pockets of unique experiences that the area has to offer. Keep up your good work!
Oh, very cool to hear from you. Hope you and Dave are doing well. Florida has a lot of issues. But it's worth fighting for. Glad you enjoy your stays here. As the people of my village (Miami) like to say: WTF (Welcome To Florida).😀
I'm leaving in January and can't wait. I'll live in a nicer place and my rent will be over 1k less per month, with additional big savings on health and auto insurance. Plus I can leave this fascist incubator and all the uncivilized magats who make everyday life intolerable now
Hubby and I have lived here in South Florida for 35 years now. He retired early and we decided to make this our home. He have a nice but aging paid off home in a good neighborhood, but holy cow have things gotten expensive for folks like us who live on a fixed income. Our property taxes are over $7,200 this year, homeowners and auto insurance have gone sky high, we've all the usually inflationary issues everyone is enduring. Honestly, if we didn't own our home [with a $47,000 new roof [tile, required by the POA/HOA], an $8,000 new HVAC we just had to install because the 5 year old "new company in Florida!" branded one kept dying and parts are impossible to get. We'd foolishly trusted our long time AC company who recommended it... big mistake!! Oh yeah, thats another Florida problem, getting affordable, reliable service providers and contractors, repair and installation people who actually know and stand by their products. So many fly by nighters and hustlers ! Need I mention hurricanes? We lucked out this year, but have no faith next year won't be awful. And then there's there's the arrival of snow birds, clogging the roads, restaurants [not that we can afford to eat out often] and doctor's offices, buying new homes that pave over our paradise. Yes, we'd leave if we could sell our home for a decent price. I'd like to move to Europe, maybe France or Portugal, where I've often visited. Nice places, civilized, imperfect, but I'd really like to get out from under Trumpian and DeSatan policies and influences.
Dayton, OH native here (Centerville) who remembers my family getting the Dayton Journal Herald in the a.m. and the Dayton Daily News every p.m., and the KO Times during the week. Moved to FL in 2013, had a few really good years before overdevelopment, hurricanes, and high prices started. I'm in for the long haul, but it is hard with prices escalating.
We retired here 20 years ago and we are too old to move. The cost of living has risen dramatically, as most already know, however the biggest factors here in Florida are property insurance, car insurance, property taxes, medical, and now utilities are on a steep rise. If we have to move we've often thought of moving to another country not only because of the costs but also the state's and our country's politics. An additional concern is that the state is becoming overcrowded. It seems that the powers that be have no regard for our natural environment and want to pave over the entire state. Here on the west coast it looks like there is a concerted effort to make it mirror the congestion of the east coast. Basically, I don't belong here anymore but there is nowhere to go.
Of course, this is in direct opposition to the utter bilge DeStupid frequently spouts about how hordes of people are relocating each day to FloriDumb, fleeing from Evil Blue States--and Mamdani's landslide win in NYC will send the governor into overdrive.
I moved here in 1989 for grad school and remained after graduation, having no clue how awful this state would become, beginning with Jeb Bush. It's far too late for me to move now, but I certainly would if that were an option.
If I didn't already own my home, I believe I would have left Florida (and possibly the country) a long while ago. It's dreadfully expensive to live here now. The reasons I'm doing ok is I bought my home before inflation went out of control so my interest rate is good (and why I'm not budging currently), I have a good job that I enjoy most days, and I live alone. If I was still taking care of my mother or was a single parent again, I don't think I could do it financially.
As a teacher who moved from GA 3 years ago, I can confidently say that I’m making less here than when I was paying income tax. I have no savings, I’m living paycheck to paycheck, and, even as a part of my union, I feel like I’m being squeezed dry of every (not long for this world) penny to my name; rent is too high, insurance is almost unaffordable, and everything else is out of reach.
Hi Jeff,
Having worked together at the Dayton Daily News back in the day (I was head of marketing) I just wanted to reconnect and tell you how much Dave and I enjoy reading your Tropic Press. It's been a breath of fresh air for us as we've navigated our way through the state, and area. We are snowbirds and have been coming to Naples since 2021. Not sure how much longer that will be the case but for now we are still enjoying the new friends we've made, the many small mom and pop restaurants we like to frequent, enjoying the Gulf of Mexico, and the many small pockets of unique experiences that the area has to offer. Keep up your good work!
Kelly and David Mikesell
Oh, very cool to hear from you. Hope you and Dave are doing well. Florida has a lot of issues. But it's worth fighting for. Glad you enjoy your stays here. As the people of my village (Miami) like to say: WTF (Welcome To Florida).😀
I'm leaving in January and can't wait. I'll live in a nicer place and my rent will be over 1k less per month, with additional big savings on health and auto insurance. Plus I can leave this fascist incubator and all the uncivilized magats who make everyday life intolerable now
Hubby and I have lived here in South Florida for 35 years now. He retired early and we decided to make this our home. He have a nice but aging paid off home in a good neighborhood, but holy cow have things gotten expensive for folks like us who live on a fixed income. Our property taxes are over $7,200 this year, homeowners and auto insurance have gone sky high, we've all the usually inflationary issues everyone is enduring. Honestly, if we didn't own our home [with a $47,000 new roof [tile, required by the POA/HOA], an $8,000 new HVAC we just had to install because the 5 year old "new company in Florida!" branded one kept dying and parts are impossible to get. We'd foolishly trusted our long time AC company who recommended it... big mistake!! Oh yeah, thats another Florida problem, getting affordable, reliable service providers and contractors, repair and installation people who actually know and stand by their products. So many fly by nighters and hustlers ! Need I mention hurricanes? We lucked out this year, but have no faith next year won't be awful. And then there's there's the arrival of snow birds, clogging the roads, restaurants [not that we can afford to eat out often] and doctor's offices, buying new homes that pave over our paradise. Yes, we'd leave if we could sell our home for a decent price. I'd like to move to Europe, maybe France or Portugal, where I've often visited. Nice places, civilized, imperfect, but I'd really like to get out from under Trumpian and DeSatan policies and influences.
The second the artical mentioned Trump, I knew this was another political finger pointing hack.
Dayton, OH native here (Centerville) who remembers my family getting the Dayton Journal Herald in the a.m. and the Dayton Daily News every p.m., and the KO Times during the week. Moved to FL in 2013, had a few really good years before overdevelopment, hurricanes, and high prices started. I'm in for the long haul, but it is hard with prices escalating.