For those considering a move
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7/13/2006
Yes, housing has become extremely high and salaries overall have not increased. Look, if you are selling a home up east and you plan on coming down here with money, then come on down. Crime is getting bad here, we have already had 31 murders in the first 6 months of the year, there were only 29 or 30 all of last year. I think prices are getting higher, but the poor remain poor and its creating a lot of despait. The homeless population seems to be growing at a really high rate. Makes me think of L.A., you actually have to step over people downtown. Yes they are changing a lot of things downtown, but there are so many homeless people sleeping directly in front of high rise, EXPENSIVE condos. Just like major cities, but um, this is NOT a major city. It wants to be, but its not happening. There are things to do, but it can get real dry, and it is overated. Its not L.A. or New York, so if that is what you are looking for, forget it. But the prices are heading in that direction. They are converting crappy apartments into Condos fast, selling them for over $200,000. Maybe you want to buy 600 sq. ft. apartments for $200,000 in an area full of crime. Property crime is high and violent crime is on the increase. Yes, areas like Metro West are nice, but within walking distance to crime ridden areas. People are getting killed, not just in the "hood", but right outside of their so-called luxury apartments, and this must be car jacking capital of the world, behind Miami of course. Check the stats. So if you are rich, make a six figure salary and can afford to live in Windermere, or far out areas like Oakland, far south Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips area, or North suburbs of Lake Mary, Heathrow, then come on down. You will still have crime, long commutes and not so great schools. But at least you will be warm. If you are a hard working person, who is more middle income. Go to Texas, you will get more for your money, no state tax like Florida and the crime is about the same in some places, better. And its still warm. That is where I am going. If you teach, definitely go somewhere else. You won't make enough to live here. And if I miss-spelled something, cut me some slack, its not like anybody spell checks this stuff before sending. Let me know if you have any specific questions, I have lived here from over 10 years. I have also lived in the Tampa area, Tallahassee.
Mica | Winter Garden, FL