North Port, FL
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1/17/2010
I have been a resident of North Port Florida on and off since 1989. 6 other family members also live and own houses in North Port, FL. There are no jobs here at all and over 90% of the residents commute out of North Port for employment. Although the unemployment rate stated is 11% that figure is grosly underestimated. The true unemployment rate is more like 30%, when you count self employed. Most of the residents owned small service type businesses that have long gone under and did not qualify for a claim to be counted in the statistics for unemployment. The city is very expensive to live in and the cost of living you have stated is again grosly under what true costs of living are in this community. Taxes rose over 500% in 2006 forcing out most of the longtime residents. (they added a cobblestone street!!!!????) Add this to the ridiculous rise in insurance after hurricane Katrina and most were forced completely out. Now 2010, the vacancy rate of homes is staggering. One of my sisters and myself were both laid off and are in process of losing our homes to foreclosure- as are most people I know. Nobody here has neighbors anymore. They have packed up in the night and left. The home prices in my opinion are low, but still unworth any value with the exclusion of retirees. This state will rob you while you dont know its happening. Food costs are also higher than most other states, as is gas. DON'T EVER THINK YOU COULD RAISE KIDS HERE AND SEEK EMPLOYMENT- IT WON'T HAPPEN. The pay rate has always been stuck in the 1970's here and it is not uncommon for people to make 18K a year with a 4 year degree. We are all leaving as soon as we can.. run, run far away. The city managers are a mess and won't allow business's in without loads of redtape, they ruined the Lexus/Mercedes plant concept that would have employed 1000's. They make any business jump threw hoops and most companies bail at the restrictions. North Port could have been a nice town and was growing nicely until the city bit the hand that fead them- THE PEOPLE/RESIDENTS/BUSINESS
Vinny | North Port, FL