karenkaren1

lol yet another wishy washy non-response. Did you look up yet where most people who are abandoning your state are moving to and why? Did you do any research on Florida's booming economy since the pandemic? You may surprise yourself and learn something you didn't know rather than speak on a subject entirely (mis)guided by your own political opinion.

karenkaren1

Florida gets a bad rep for schools and a lot of it deservedly so, but it is also one of the most generous states re regarding college scholarships. The Bright Futures Scholarship in Florida will pay for either 75% or 100% (depending on GPA and SAT scores) of all in state public college tuition.

chawkins99

I can't really help much with the areas you're looking at. We have lived in the panhandle for nearly 10 years having spent the previous 10 years in Alabama. We love it and have no plans to move out of Florida.

It always amazes me the amount of vitriol toward Florida, often from people who have never visited, let alone lived in Florida.

Yes. It gets really humid in the summer, but that's why we have air conditioning. We have dodged several hurricanes and seen the aftermath of them but they are rare and if you plan well, shouldn't be a big issue unless you get a direct hit. We currently live in Panama City that was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 (before we moved here). There are still clear signs of the damage but on the whole, the community pulled together and rebuilt. S#!t happens wherever you choose to call home.

As the 3rd most populous state in the country, 22+ million seem to agree with me...

karenkaren1

totally agree re the vitriol . The phrase "they hate us because they aint us" comes to mind. I especially couldn't think of a better place to have been during the pandemic. I'll be exploring your neck of the woods this summer for the first time when one of my kids starts at FSU (with 2x scholarships , thank you Florida!).

Pulaski

You could point to hurricane Hugo in 1989, and a nasty icestorm in 2002, but my bailiwick is largely immune to natural disasters. ... The only "tornadoes" I know of within about 50 miles of Pulaski Manor, in the past 20 years, in one case removed some branches from a few trees on a farm, and in another case removed some gutters from a grocery before crossing the parking lot and drifting into a field. It is not hilly enough here for landslides or avalanches, and not flat enough for flooding - we have had post-hurricane tropical storms dump 10"-12" of rain on us overnight, and had nothing more than overflowing drainage ditches (not even close to our home) during the storm, and a few puddles left behind.

PetrifiedExPat

NC is not as under threat as FL. Politics aside, it really is in trouble over the next 5-50 years. Of course, anything climate related is largely ignored, particularly by the poorly educated (see above).

karenkaren1

omg the irony lol. firstly its a little rude to call the previous poster poorly educated, secondly you are the one who has repeatedly been incorrect. You are funny. Florida is doing pretty ok.... you can stop worrying, petrified by name and petrified by nature lol

robtuck

As a regular visitor and neighbour of Florida, I don't think you should be too quick to dismiss the impact of two things that should indeed be considered when making a permanent move to the State.

First, there is clear evidence that the impact of weather on Florida is increasing in volume of events and intensity. You can indeed be lucky and avoid damage, but I presume the residents around Fort Myers are still trying to recover - take a peak at somewhere like Biloxi to see how devastating a bad Hurricane can be on an area for years to come. There are still many blocks empty by the beach some 18 years after Katrina.

Second, and a multiplier of the first, is the fact developments have encroached on the areas most likely to receive direct impact from said weather, to keep up with the population increases. That means the human impact will continue to increase for each event as well.

That is not to say someone shouldn't make an informed decision, but Florida is certainly somewhere to consider properly, not just jump because it's nice and hot. I chose a location that had much of the good weather benefit and less of the severe type, a few hours North. In only the 7 years I have been here there have been three major Tornado's within 30 miles, one of which hit my house directly while we were in it, taking two external walls of siding off. It's an area that was described more like Pulaski does for NC before that. Human's are pretty arrogant in choosing where to live at times, and where to develop (I give you the South West trying to scrape enough water out of a single river and being in a near state of drought these days).

Derrygal

Yes - parts of Florida will be underwater within the next 50 years (or sooner). Climate change is not only ignored by the poorly educated, but also by many people in the Republican party. It's really sad. If we don't act now our children and grand-children will have to deal with it.

karenkaren1

I was referring to his/her/they previous incorrect comments regarding economic growth and popularity of Florida. I have never disputed climate change or weather so maybe you have me confused with another poster?! I have said multiple times that Florida has its problems.

karenkaren1

oh dear lord...another one making this thread political and divisive. smh

karenkaren1

you probably don't even see how comical this sentence is. made me smile tho...

Derrygal

There's nothing funny about climate change.

karenkaren1

agreed. the comedy was the "poorly educated people plus republicans" part

robtuck

I was not making any suggestion about any individual other than the original poster, who should consider the impact on a State they may choose to live in. As I said, i visit regularly and quite like Florida, I can see why people would be drawn to it - I can also see why others wouldn't come within a hundred miles, especially to live. Horses for courses.