Printable View
This one's easy, never move on someone else's perceptions and never ever move somewhere you haven't spent time in. It's just a recipe for disaster. Spend at least a month or so if you possibly can. I read alot about different places and go with an open mind but my take on things is hardly ever the same as what other people think.
i agree with the hunks there. i moved to phoenix after only spending a couple of weeks, and after abotu 6 months i hated it. never lived in florida before i moved here, but so far its been great.
I have a question for all you Floridians...what about health care? I know a lot of people don't consider that a whole lot as varying from state to state when considering a move...but everything I've heard/read puts FL very near the bottom of the pile as far as health care goes in the U.S. I was considering a move to the west coast specifically to have more available access to the most recent health care options...or even NY. I do love Chicago though...but I have a long time to consider as I'm not likely to re-locate any time soon. So what is the health care situation like in Florida?
Jason, I am unsure what you mean by the quality of health care in Florida. Florida has some of the finest hospitals, cancer treatment, heart transplant, etc in the world. Florida is a very high density retirement state. Medicare pays and the doctors are here. Now there are problems with the rising costs of malpractice insurance and some other issues. Florida is a "Right to Work" state which may sound great. However, it really only means that the employer has the right to fire you without notice or explanation at any time. The only exception is if you happen to have an employment contract. Now the employment base here in Florida makes it difficult for most of the population to afford health insurance. Many companies purposely schedule their employees just a hour or two under the minimium to quality for insurance (if they offer it at all). Therefore healthcare is lacking indeed. However it is not due to the lack of highly qualified professionals -- just a monetary consideration for the common man. Florida law requires that hospitals treat patients in emergency rooms and not turn them away if they can not pay. This is especially true for county hospitals. The lower middle class and below use the county emergencies rooms as the doctors office. It is really saddening.
Now as to the spirit of the thread. The advice given not to take any individual's advice on where to move is excellent. Especially when you don't know the individual. However, Xstr8guy was asking about how "gay friendly" Florida and certain areas was. I mentioned a few of the high density populated sections of the metro-Fort Lauderdale area. I hope that anyone would investigate and visit many areas of a city/town/state prior to just picking up and moving.
Let me point out something a lot of non-Floridians don't know or realize. Just as many people move out of Florida each month as new ones move here. The high transient population coupled with the problems with illegal immigrants and legal ones has the base salaries far below many places in the United States. Many people move to Florida with dreams of riches or at least a decent living. But those $15-20 hour jobs in the North are only $6.50-8.00 in Florida. The humidity is always so high and the temperatures soar. The electric bills soars as they keep lower the temperature on the air conditioning.
Believe me Florida is not the promised law. I have lived here for over 20 years and love it (at times hate it). Until I retired life was a constant struggle due to the aforementioned reasons. If you do plan to move here, I would look for an area with the type of job you enjoy so you can have an income. Don't even think about moving here unless you have at least $10,000 ready cash to survive your first months here.
Hunk you are so right! I moved to CA on someone else perception of it and while I liked it for a few months (the newness factor) it become clear to me that it wasn't for me.
When I came to visit my parents for 4th of July weekend in 99 I fell in love with the area I now live in. And I still love it. There are issues for me... The metro areas are a drive away, this town closes at 11pm, etc. But I wouldn't trade it. We have some friends who came for a visit a couple of years ago and they loved it as well. Now, they are looking for a house here. But that was after a few visits for them to know they want to be here, some extensive research about the area and so on.
Jason, as for health care we do have some of the best hospitals and health facilities. When I had gotten sick myself, the doctors and facilities I used we comprabable/on par with facilities in NY. Many of the published stastics I've read do portray a less than favorable scenario. However, a lot of that information is based on salaries. And as studpuppy has pointed out, the base pay is $6-$8 per hour. And that is strongly factored into much of the research.
Gary-Alan
Everyone... I thank you so much for all of the advice. We are definately going to travel to FL and check it out.
Now, I need to get back to work so I can afford to quit the day job in 6 months!
lemme know when you come to tampa, we'll take good care fo you :)Quote:
Originally posted by Xstr8guy
Everyone... I thank you so much for all of the advice. We are definately going to travel to FL and check it out.
Now, I need to get back to work so I can afford to quit the day job in 6 months!
Thanks for the offer Dawgy! Will do!
for what it's worth, I've been to Key West a few times an have had a blast. I would be living there now if I could make a living there. You have to find a way to get the torists to let go of their money and give it to you.:specs: