Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4405991)

... What areas are good to bring a family to-I guessed Orlando was a tourist spot-where do the hurricanes hit! I other words what are the good areas that weren't shown on Top Gear!:blink:

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4406166)

Well visiting as we are moving to Brisbane in September-still I did grow up in California but I am British BUT my sister is American-I am quite international really-I would like to stay in Florida one day or maybe buy property or both-I would like to have a neutral country instead of the ongoing "war" between England v Australia-I am rather tired of it-plus I would like to give my art some chance (painter/installation artist)-but at least I feel I could come over and stay for maybe 3 months but I wanted to stay longer I would need permission to stay-I could apply to stay because of a sibling but I think that could take 10 years? what areas do u recommend-Fort Lauderdale? as for hurricanes didn't one hit just recently? where was that? I think it was Tampa?;)

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 4406296)

for a visit, well any tourist trap....but to live, it boils down to how much you earn and how good your medical insurance is, that'll determine where you can afford to live, and the cost of living would depend on how much property tax is and how much insurance is.

Originally Posted by TouristTrap (Post 4406627)

Tampa hasn't had a hurricane in 80 odd years touch wood!

South Beach, Miami is where the artists hang out. That's where you'd want to hang out I'm sure. The rest of the state is pretty conservative although there are a lot of 'traveler's I think they're called in the UK, who live in the National Park up the road, who smoke pot and try to convert you to Christianity :D



Hurricanes can hit anywhere at anytime, just the luck of the draw I guess.

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4405991)

No I dont live "here" thats why I am asking people about it who actually do-I dont know if I would even visit Florida but I am interested in the state and the US as a whole-I just want to know if Top Gears interpretation is accurate-What I can sense is it was set up in areas purposely chosen to create drama-I wouldn't want to live in a place that I felt threatened in-this is where Australia and England could win or is this wrong? What areas are good to bring a family to-I guessed Orlando was a tourist spot-where do the hurricanes hit! I other words what are the good areas that weren't shown on Top Gear!:blink:

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 4406296)

for a visit, well any tourist trap....but to live, it boils down to how much you earn and how good your medical insurance is, that'll determine where you can afford to live, and the cost of living would depend on how much property tax is and how much insurance is.

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4407571)

Is property tax the same as stamp duty? How expensive is it say for property $200,000 range-medical insurance is expensive maybe as much as the council tax? Is it around $50 per week? (family of 4)

Originally Posted by Ray (Post 4407587)

Property tax is the same as what uses to be called rates in the UK ..but nowadays no idea ..you pay it every year
for a $200k house it can vary between $1500 and $5000 per year..
again depend on area ...

Medical Insurance can vary wildly mid range and your youngish $500 a month ..

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4407619)

Would u pay property tax if u rented the house out? England NO but Australia u do!

Originally Posted by Ray (Post 4407636)

Of course ......and you must do in the UK .all property is taxed yearly everywhere ...

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4407646)

No u dont in England-when we were renting a short time ago WE had to pay the council tax (rates) NOT the owner!!!:ohmy:

Originally Posted by Ray (Post 4407658)

DuH!!! Well then you paid it ....JeeZ ..Some landlord include it in the rent ..some don't....
Confusion reigns ....

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4407676)

Thats interesting what is the average 3 bedroom house rent there-I know it would depends on the area but lets say an average/niceish area?

Originally Posted by Both Worlds (Post 4400258)

Saw the Top Gear show on Sunday-I am really worried now about Florida-Is it really that bad? It looks violent-did anyone see the show-its on again today on BBC2 at 7 PM I think:unsure: