Hello from the Sunshine State!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Florida. When DeSantis was first elected governor - it was a REALLY close election over Andrew Gillum. Now, re election was different -Charlie Crist didn't even try IMO

Yes, a lot has changed since 2018. I really thought (and hoped) Gillum would win that election. Events since then have shown he wasn't the greatest candidate despite appearing to be so then, but then same is true for DeSantis for many of us. Crist was a weak candidate, not too many strong Dems coming out of the woodwork in Florida unfortunately. I'm not sure what to be more afraid of, that DeSantis actually makes a successful run at the presidency or who would replace him if he does, or the third fear is of course that he continues to be governor.

There is so much to like about living in Florida but current political trends are not one of them.

I have seen a lot of incompetency but FDP (Florida Democratic Party) really shines in that realm...and as much as I detest the GOP, FL Republican Party really has their sh*t together. And it shows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Florida. When DeSantis was first elected governor - it was a REALLY close election over Andrew Gillum. Now, re election was different -Charlie Crist didn't even try IMO

Yes, a lot has changed since 2018. I really thought (and hoped) Gillum would win that election. Events since then have shown he wasn't the greatest candidate despite appearing to be so then, but then same is true for DeSantis for many of us. Crist was a weak candidate, not too many strong Dems coming out of the woodwork in Florida unfortunately. I'm not sure what to be more afraid of, that DeSantis actually makes a successful run at the presidency or who would replace him if he does, or the third fear is of course that he continues to be governor.

There is so much to like about living in Florida but current political trends are not one of them.

I have seen a lot of incompetency but FDP (Florida Democratic Party) really shines in that realm...and as much as I detest the GOP, FL Republican Party really has their sh*t together. And it shows.

Florida Democrats have a new leader, Nikki Fried, who is young and energetic. Her first elections since becoming head of the party went very well. It's too soon to say if it's a new dawn for Florida Dems but it's not too soon to say that at least there's a possibility. We also have Maxwell Frost in Congress now, and he's young and exciting. It's not all over yet. DeSantis has really overplayed his pudding-smeared hand, too, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Libs hate Florida because people are happy.

No they are brain dead criminals from other states

Florida takes any creep

Dr I know raped five women plea deal in OhIo terrible state as well moved to Florida Attorney now volunteers at a college …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Libs hate Florida because people are happy.

+1.

Libs love FL and are committed to change. Moving here is a great opportunity to make the world a better place for our grandkids. Not to mention the beautiful weather and the tax breaks. My many liberal friends don’t come from a place of hate. Your comment is the direct opposite of what is going on.
We love it here. We are living an active healthy lifestyle and love the beaches and the restaurants and have met some fabulous people.

Is there really much of a tax break now? I understand there is no income tax, but the property tax, insurance, gas tax, etc makes up the difference, does it? I was in Florida this weekend and had to refuel my rental. The gas was $5.69 for regular. Yikes. How much is the sales and hospitality tax, such for eating out? Does Florida have a homestead exemption to save on the property tax? I am imagine that would help to reduce the high property tax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Libs hate Florida because people are happy.

+1.

Libs love FL and are committed to change. Moving here is a great opportunity to make the world a better place for our grandkids. Not to mention the beautiful weather and the tax breaks. My many liberal friends don’t come from a place of hate. Your comment is the direct opposite of what is going on.
We love it here. We are living an active healthy lifestyle and love the beaches and the restaurants and have met some fabulous people.

Is there really much of a tax break now? I understand there is no income tax, but the property tax, insurance, gas tax, etc makes up the difference, does it? I was in Florida this weekend and had to refuel my rental. The gas was $5.69 for regular. Yikes. How much is the sales and hospitality tax, such for eating out? Does Florida have a homestead exemption to save on the property tax? I am imagine that would help to reduce the high property tax.

I live in a very popular and populated area near the gulf coast and gas is hovering right around 3.49 and has been for a month or two. A Google Maps search for gas prices shows it's cheaper over in the Miami area, around $3.25, and more expensive in Key West, around $3.80. Florida gas prices are definitely more expensive than Georgia and SC but as soon as you hit Virginia prices go back up to Florida levels.

Homeowners insurance is a big issue right now and premiums are going up. Yes Florida has the homestead exemption, in fact that is pretty well known among people like OJ Simpson who moved here from California just to prevent his home from being taken in a civil suit, it's probably why Trump moved his residency to Florida too.

I don't find taxes overall to be any higher than the DC area and in many ways are lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Libs hate Florida because people are happy.

+1.

Libs love FL and are committed to change. Moving here is a great opportunity to make the world a better place for our grandkids. Not to mention the beautiful weather and the tax breaks. My many liberal friends don’t come from a place of hate. Your comment is the direct opposite of what is going on.
We love it here. We are living an active healthy lifestyle and love the beaches and the restaurants and have met some fabulous people.

Is there really much of a tax break now? I understand there is no income tax, but the property tax, insurance, gas tax, etc makes up the difference, does it? I was in Florida this weekend and had to refuel my rental. The gas was $5.69 for regular. Yikes. How much is the sales and hospitality tax, such for eating out? Does Florida have a homestead exemption to save on the property tax? I am imagine that would help to reduce the high property tax.

Not if you’re coming from a state with high income taxes. Many blue states have high income taxes paying for public pensions. It’s a fallacy that every state makes up for it one way or another.

Google tax burden by state. Some states truly have a lower tax burden when looking at all taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Libs hate Florida because people are happy.

+1.

Libs love FL and are committed to change. Moving here is a great opportunity to make the world a better place for our grandkids. Not to mention the beautiful weather and the tax breaks. My many liberal friends don’t come from a place of hate. Your comment is the direct opposite of what is going on.
We love it here. We are living an active healthy lifestyle and love the beaches and the restaurants and have met some fabulous people.

Is there really much of a tax break now? I understand there is no income tax, but the property tax, insurance, gas tax, etc makes up the difference, does it? I was in Florida this weekend and had to refuel my rental. The gas was $5.69 for regular. Yikes. How much is the sales and hospitality tax, such for eating out? Does Florida have a homestead exemption to save on the property tax? I am imagine that would help to reduce the high property tax.

I’m paying around 30k in state income taxes plus 20k in property taxes in a HCOL location. Homeowners is around 9k. This totals 59k

I doubt if I moved to Florida and bought a $1.5 million dollar house I’d have $59k in property tax and insurance costs. My guess is 30k. Almost half.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Libs hate Florida because people are happy.

+1.

Libs love FL and are committed to change. Moving here is a great opportunity to make the world a better place for our grandkids. Not to mention the beautiful weather and the tax breaks. My many liberal friends don’t come from a place of hate. Your comment is the direct opposite of what is going on.
We love it here. We are living an active healthy lifestyle and love the beaches and the restaurants and have met some fabulous people.

Is there really much of a tax break now? I understand there is no income tax, but the property tax, insurance, gas tax, etc makes up the difference, does it? I was in Florida this weekend and had to refuel my rental. The gas was $5.69 for regular. Yikes. How much is the sales and hospitality tax, such for eating out? Does Florida have a homestead exemption to save on the property tax? I am imagine that would help to reduce the high property tax.

Yes, there is a tax break. No income tax (which made a huge difference in my 70K salary) and the homestead exemption. Where were you paying 5.69 for gas? I just paid 3.39 this morning.

Car insurance is more though! I have not had the experience of rising homeowners insurance, perhaps because of where I live and age of my home. I do understand others are having rising rates though. But my electricity rate is low compared to where I came from. I'd like to get solar at some point.

[Anonymous]

Are most of you posters beyond childbearing years? No women are concerned about the 6 week abortion ban? Are you all just confident that you would be able to drive/fly out of state easily and with no complications to get an abortion in another state if there were a need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in the Orlando area. And who else is amazed by the number of Florida topics brought up in a DC based forum. (I found my way here from a nanny post.)

I’m in Orlando too (Lake Nona, the land of the quashed Disney project!) and it’s mind boggling. The discrepancy between we hate you and all things Florida, then head over to the Travel forum….

I’m a liberal in Florida and I’m staying.

[Anonymous]

New Smyrna Beach here. I am so excited there is an actual Florida forum now - although I am sure it will be eventually filled with disinformation and generalizations. I am a liberal Living in a blue collar town but I love it anyway.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, OP. Hope you can escape soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Smyrna Beach here. I am so excited there is an actual Florida forum now - although I am sure it will be eventually filled with disinformation and generalizations. I am a liberal Living in a blue collar town but I love it anyway.

I'm a DC area transplant to FL and I'm pretty excited too! I'm sure there will be disinformation and generalizations but then, find a forum on DCUM that doesn't have that issue! I look at this as an opportunity to tell those who are generalizing and stereotyping Florida and it's residents what the truth is. None of us think Florida is perfect but the disinformation is mind boggling, especially considering that DCUM is supposedly filled with intelligent, educated people. I guess not 100% though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are most of you posters beyond childbearing years? No women are concerned about the 6 week abortion ban? Are you all just confident that you would be able to drive/fly out of state easily and with no complications to get an abortion in another state if there were a need?

I am confident that I would be able to do so, yes. I have reliable transportation and the means to purchase a plane ticket if needed, as well as a rental car on the other end. I also have a job where I have PTO and could take a few days off on short notice. And I could pay the medical costs.

Honestly, this is the case for 99% of people on DCUM. Those who are going to be most impacted by an abortion ban arent spending their days on a random internet message board discussing moving to Florida.

[Anonymous]

I'm not of childbearing age anymore. We bought a condo for our retirement home on the gulf side. I was nervous how it would be when we were there for spring break in our association. It was great. Everyone I met was fantastic.
We'll do what we can turn the state blue...