Is Florida a place for children to grow up?

[Anonymous]

It's not habitable for anyone. Homophobic, racist, poor health care, anti science, corrupt. Why would you even consider it.

[Anonymous]

I think you are making broad assumptions based on your opinions, not facts. Sure there are service industry jobs for those who want them, but there are also many other professional and well paying jobs too. Sure there are weak school districts but there are also many Florida schools that rank among the best in the country.

There are reasons that many people might hesitate to raise their children in Florida but to make a blanket statement that it is not a good place for children to grow up reflects a very closed and limited mind. It also serves no valuable purpose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are making broad assumptions based on your opinions, not facts. Sure there are service industry jobs for those who want them, but there are also many other professional and well paying jobs too. Sure there are weak school districts but there are also many Florida schools that rank among the best in the country.

There are reasons that many people might hesitate to raise their children in Florida but to make a blanket statement that it is not a good place for children to grow up reflects a very closed and limited mind. It also serves no valuable purpose.

+1 Exactly. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Well, I just am offering my perspective to those of you with school-aged children. It's not just about how much house you can afford here compared to the DMV, or whether the schools compare to the DMV schools.

Your children are going to grow up into adults. And they will probably miss out on having a strong community in a more normal city and state.

California has more normal cities than Florida.

If you moved your children to Florida during the pandemic, and you're basing your decision on that, and you're basing your choices on how much square footage you get in a house in Florida compared to the DMV, I'd warn against those reasons. I would think about the future when you children are grown, what kind of lives they will have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

The schools in Florida might be fine.

I'm referring to what happens after college graduation.

There are a lot of young adults who can no longer afford to live here because the jobs are primarily in hospitality and healthcare, low paying jobs.

I don't hate Florida's governor. This is a political thread.

Florida is a state that attracts people because of the weather and the beaches and Disney World and Universal Studios and sometimes because of aerospace.

In your title you asked is Florida a place for children to grow up. Once you're old enough to get a full time job you are usually no longer considered a child and you have already grown up.

That might be true. The young adults and college graduates here don't seem to want to relocate anywhere else. They are angry because they're getting priced out of the housing market where they grew up. Where are they supposed to go next? Most of them hate the idea of living somewhere with four seasons. They've never experienced that. The main industries here are hospitality and healthcare. And it doesn't hurt to be bilingual and to speak fluent Spanish as well as fluent English.

This is true across the country. Kids growing up in Fairfax even with their gov't job cannot afford to buy their parents house. Kids growing up in San Jose that are going into tech can't afford to buy their parents house. What do you think all the conversations about parents paying for college and giving down payments are about? Kids are moving in with their parents after graduation in order to save money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

The schools in Florida might be fine.

I'm referring to what happens after college graduation.

There are a lot of young adults who can no longer afford to live here because the jobs are primarily in hospitality and healthcare, low paying jobs.

I don't hate Florida's governor. This is a political thread.

Florida is a state that attracts people because of the weather and the beaches and Disney World and Universal Studios and sometimes because of aerospace.

In your title you asked is Florida a place for children to grow up. Once you're old enough to get a full time job you are usually no longer considered a child and you have already grown up.

Exactly. Op is delusional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

The schools in Florida might be fine.

I'm referring to what happens after college graduation.

There are a lot of young adults who can no longer afford to live here because the jobs are primarily in hospitality and healthcare, low paying jobs.

I don't hate Florida's governor. This is a political thread.

Florida is a state that attracts people because of the weather and the beaches and Disney World and Universal Studios and sometimes because of aerospace.

In your title you asked is Florida a place for children to grow up. Once you're old enough to get a full time job you are usually no longer considered a child and you have already grown up.

That might be true. The young adults and college graduates here don't seem to want to relocate anywhere else. They are angry because they're getting priced out of the housing market where they grew up. Where are they supposed to go next? Most of them hate the idea of living somewhere with four seasons. They've never experienced that. The main industries here are hospitality and healthcare. And it doesn't hurt to be bilingual and to speak fluent Spanish as well as fluent English.

This is true across the country. Kids growing up in Fairfax even with their gov't job cannot afford to buy their parents house. Kids growing up in San Jose that are going into tech can't afford to buy their parents house. What do you think all the conversations about parents paying for college and giving down payments are about? Kids are moving in with their parents after graduation in order to save money.

The difference is the jobs in Florida are low paying jobs, even for those with college degrees. A lot of people move to Florida because they vacationed here, and they think it's wonderful. Those are mistakes that can be easily fixed, but more difficult when you have school age children with you.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the Tampa Bay area and there are lots of tech places, and healthcare also, where a college grad can get a good paying job.

There are also opportunities for tradespeople. With the building boom here, a skilled tradesperson like an electrician or hvac can do well. Welding does well also, particularly maritime welding.

Housing has gotten expensive!!! That's nationally though.

I have young adult dc both here in FL and in two other northern states. All are doing well, working hard and making their way in expensive times. I also have a school aged dc and I feel like they are having a happy, safe (as possible) childhood. My older dc who grew up 'up north' also had happy safe childhoods. Being in Florida or elsewhere, isn't so much the issue as their family life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, schools, are terrible

Look, you couldn’t pay me to live in Florida, but this is such a stupid response. There are more than 20 million people living in that vast state, and like every other jurisdiction in the United States of America some schools are good and some schools aren’t. You can’t generalize like that. You idiot.

[Anonymous]

We moved here 5 years ago to be near two sets of aging parents. I fought it like crazy and dinged multiple attempts prior because the area my husband was trying to go to had terrible school options. Then we found Orlando’s school district that had highly rated elementary, middle and high schools all in one area. My kid is starting high school in the fall and the schools have been just fine. The Don’t Say Gay bill, though, did have an effect. Pride Club at her middle school virtually shut down. That’s a serious problem but academically speaking it’s been good. The benefit, though, is my kid is growing up to be an activist knowing when to be an ally and she’s seeing firsthand the marginalization that happens. She’s not growing up in a liberal echo chamber so she’s going to be prepared as an adult. Just looking for the silver lining…. I hate DeSantis but he’s going to be out soon and we can regroup.

[Anonymous]

Floridian here.

Families are moving to Florida from all over the world and all over the US. This is a state where you can come here with nothing and not know the language and own your own home within 10-15 years. I'm talking a 1800 square foot home with AC. You can't do that in DCUM land.

Big business is moving out of NYC into the Miami area.

There is tons of opportunities for Floridians outside or tourism.

My friend just graduated from UF and is starting a 3 year Physical Therapist training program at FAMU in August.

College and Community College is free under Bright Futures.

Other than a short 6-8 week period our schools were open during Covid.

[Anonymous]

A relative moved from NE to Florida during covid enticed by the open schools. She moved back last year because the schools were not acceptable, Politically she is probably fine with FL.

[Anonymous]

Not if they’re shot dead by stray gunfire before they can grow up. Let me guess, the answer is for everyone to carry more guns?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/06/florida-shooting-courtney-campbell-causeway-tampa/70386396007/

[Anonymous]

Florida is a wonderful state for kids who are into outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, boating, fishing, or any water sports. Surprisingly--in light of the heat & humidity--high school football is hugely popular in Florida.

When in Florida, I enjoy driving along side of continuous beach & ocean views.

Lots of interesting people from all around the world and from all walks of life (except in the very upscale areas like Naples).

Florida has several different regions. Jax area is very different than anywhere in South Florida. The Florida panhandle area is quite different than South Beach/Miami/ Fort Lauderdale. The Florida Keys are a different world.

One aspect that I like about Florida is that there is no one dominant city (unlike Georgia with Atlanta). Jax, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Pensacola as well as Key West all have their own vibe and culture. Ocala is horse country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not if they’re shot dead by stray gunfire before they can grow up. Let me guess, the answer is for everyone to carry more guns?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/06/florida-shooting-courtney-campbell-causeway-tampa/70386396007/

You are very confused if you think death by stray gunfire is a bigger problem in Florida than it is in, oh, let's say DC? Or many other states and cities.