Posted on 03/10/2006 6:24:51 AM PST by Hatteras
The FL Gulf coast is pretty conservative too, and some areas around here are overwhelmingly conservative. I have never, ever regretted the move from NC to FL.
Hey NN,
How's it going...only 3 more months till hurricane season, LOL...know you can't wait.
Heh heh...we live on the North side of the Alafia, near Bloomingdale...it's nicer here than down by Gib'ton.
Weather? Sunny to partly cloudy, high of 81 today, low of 65 tonight...not bad for March...got about another month or so before the thunderstorms start...LIGHTNING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, BABY!!!
Ah, yes...hurricane season...after Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma, we're pretty much jaded as far as hurricanes go...we have the obligatory bottled water and canned goods ready to go, though. BRING IT ON!!!
Well, I have just sold my house in Lakeland (next county over) and left for Kentucky. Lived in Central FL since 1965. Went to college at USF in 1970 (ugh, I can't believe that!)
Housing values in Tampa right now are very high, causing movement further out. An old college friend of mine is a realtor and property manager there. Sharp cookie and very honest. If you decide to go, private mail me and I will give you her contact info.
Ah, personally IMO the congestion is way past out of control and property taxes in Hillsborough County are beyond the pale. Homeowners insurance is a total nightmare and in the process of getting significantly worse. Although I like Tampa as a city, and it is much preferable to Orlando.
That said, many of my friends thought I was nuts to leave. The growth is very good for you in a business sense. Ponder these points:
1-Where are you coming from in NC? How urban and crowded is it?
2-How much congestion and piss poor roads can you tolerate?
3-Is it a business oportunity that will require a permanent move? Over 5 years, for example?
4-Can you afford to keep your property in NC as a fall back if you don't like it there?
5-Can you pursue this opportunity on a sort of contingency basis? I mean lease a house or apartment and see how things go for a year and be able to back out or go back?
Read the thread, both pro and con. Most pro, all an honest assessment of the Bay area. My AO is Oldsmar, between Clearwater, and Tampa. Great place at the top of the bay. Come check out Jack Willies, the grouper is great.
I've lived in St. Pete, S. Tampa, Passe a Grill, and like it better than Ft. Lauderdale where I grew up. Ya got to check out Clewiston. It's a cool place, U.S. Sugar, and a large Seminole reservation. It's also a lot of fun if ya like alligators, rattlesnakes, and bobcats.
8^)
5.56mm
"I moved from Northern Virginia, and I love it."
Since you have recent experience of both places, where is the traffic the worst--NV or Tampa?
Except for the taxes I might agree with you.
NOVA has worse traffic by far...
If you are in the mountains, and like being there, I don't think you'll take to all that swampy, skeetery, steamy landscape.
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