I'm a SMIB transplanted to FLorida
10 years ago............I love it here,
I'm north 1/2 hour of Tampa/St. Pete
area...........I lived in Orlando, it sucked
very badly, the people aren't that great,
and the traffic is horrible........and there
is no freakin' breeze, it's hot as hell in
the middle of the state, and no beach.....
why move to FL if you don't take advantage
of the coastline?.........It's very coporate
over in Orland too, if that's your bag.....
I chose the St. Pete area, lots of jobs,
beach, Busch Gardens Amusement park,
Great Tampa club area (Ybor City).......
There is so much to do in this area.....
Not really a college town like Gainsville,
if looking for a decent school.......
The West Coast of Florida is more laid
back than say the East Coast, IMO........
More government type jobs on the East
Coast with NASA being in the middle of
that coast.......the waves are bigger on
the east coast, the water is shallow on
the Gulf Side, you can walk out hundreds
of yards some places and only be knee-deep.....
I don't like Miami either, too crowded and
full of snotty rich folks.......if you like the
Latin flavor, this is your paradise tho.....
.........there are many places that only speak
Spanish, really........everyone there tailgates......
Miami is built for preppy type people.......status,
looks, car you drive, and bank account are very
important there........
The Florida Keys are gorgeous, I would recommend
a vacation there to anyone that enjoys an Island
paradise type setting..........
Jacksonville is decent, I just think it's a little
boring compared to St. Pete/Tampa area.......
There are lots of parks, even dog parks, bike/rollerblade
paved trails that go for miles and miles.......
.........and if you can move to any of the St. Pete
beaches, there are a long string of them.........you
can walk two blocks to the beach every day........
.........the West Coast has all the beautiful sunsets,
crowds will clap......I find that funny.......and DON"T
feed the Seagulls.........
Haven't made it the panhandle yet.........Panama
City area.......it's more rural up there, counting
on Spring Breakers to feed the economy........it's
cheap tho......
IF you are a young guy, single, and want to meet
lots of girls, Hyde Park area of Tampa is a meat
market...........the girls are nice down here, not
too many heffers.........bikini's all over the place.......
Downtown Tampa is great place for singles.......
And believe it or not, it feels cooler here than in
MD in August.........So. MD in August is such a
sauna.......it only gets cold for 2 weeks here most
years.........
Florida, no state tax, no local tax, and the housing
is almost 2/3's the cost of St. Mary's housing.........
I hope that clues you in a bit.......