Don't bother moving here if you can't speak spanis
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3/23/2013
I don't even know where to begin. Orlando is truly a nightmare. The schools are horrible and way behind as far as coursework goes, compared to northern schools. I have a child that graduated with a 4.0 GPA who could not pass a test given to incoming freshmen at a Tennessee high school. Yes, there is the Bright Futures scholarship, but it is only good for Florida Colleges... I would be surprised if a graduate from a Florida University could pass a high school equivalency test. You cannot even imagine! The schools are not safe either. Not a day goes by that fights are not reported at the middle and high schools on the news. I know for a fact that there were over 100 fights in which kids were seriously harmed at my daughter's high school during her senior year. (most racially motivated-two of her friends were driving in a truck, all the passenger heard was "whitey don't belong here" and some pops, the driver was able to pull into a 7-11 and stop the truck, but did die then. A teenager shot and killed for not being hispanic) As far as trying to reason with other parents, it is a joke as these supposed "parents" are purchasing alcohol for the kids, getting the kids tattoos, fighting, cussing and leading the way by example. The high school yearbook omitted the section for the cheerleaders and instead had a new section called body-art. Yes, for the students to show off tattoos and piercings! 90% of the grocery stores, discount chains (walmart, etc) and mall shops hire only "bi-lingual" people. Problem being is that these people do not speak English well at all, if at all, so any questions you have.. well you will not receive any answers. There is absolutely no work ethic down here. The small working population (as most are illegal immigrants, welfare recipients, teenage mothers, or have some imaginary disability so as not to actually work) do not care about their jobs, only a paycheck. They try to say it is because Florida is so "laid back". No, Floridians are LAZY and simply do not care. The crime rate is so high it is insane! Although I will state that most crimes are committed by illegals because they know they will simply be deported and they'll return on the next bus, so they have no consequences to face when committing crimes. The only ting worthwhile down here is the weather, but after dealing with everything else, you'll want to run back home ASAP. Oh and good luck finding a doctor or dentist that will see you without at least a 3 hour wait.. they consider that normal. Driving has been mentioned and poses an interesting situation in itself. Road Rage seems to be the norm. Oh and (as I wasn't in the habit of doing so) make sure that when driving your car doors are locked at all times! Con-artists are everywhere! They are homeless, out of gas, were mugged, are out of diapers.. all are veterans (yet none seem to remember what unit they were in) etc... of course none of this is true (heck, I've gotten to know some of the "regulars" now and had the same people try different stories) They will stand at stoplights and peck on your window while you are stopped, or accost you when you park in a parking lot at a store, come up while you are pumping gas.. it is crazy too. All I can say is that the weather is not worth it at all! The sad thing is, these people that have lived here all/most of their lives think this is a normal way of life too... BEWARE!
Lisa | Kissimmee, FL