Florida, A Great Place To Live

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 11 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #1,138 in People, #23,199 overall

Why live in Florida

Florida is a wonderful state to live in. Florida offers a great tax base, low cost of living, great weather, and an abundance of activities for both the young and old. Later on in this lens I will share more about the topics I listed above.


My family and I have been connected with Central Florida for over 30 years. We have seen a lot of change in that time, most of it for the good. I have been in government for 3 years now, I want to see future changes for this area only be good positive changes.

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Florida Cost Of Living 

Florida has always been viewed as a state to move to since it has a low cost of living. There are several things to keep in mind when moving to Florida.

First, are you looking to a large metropolitan area? If so you will be living in an area of much higher cost of living than if you move into a small rural town.

Florida has three life styles, first is the large flashy metropolitan areas such as Orlando, then second you have the beach communities and third is the small rural areas that stretch from the top of the state to the bottom winding around the large metro areas.

If you are looking at escaping the large metro lifestyle and want to settle down in a a smaller hometown community than you will be looking at cheaper home prices, lower tax base, less crime, less traffic, less polution, and you will still have all of the attractions at your finger tips no matter where you live in Florida.

Here is what the FloridaTax Watch has to say about the cost of living in Florida,

Florida has historically been viewed as a moderate cost of living state compared to the nation as a whole and a lower cost of living state compared to
other large, populous states such as New York and California. Because CPI data since 1995 show roughly the same percent increase for the two
Florida metro areas as for the rest of the U.S., we can conclude with reasonable confidence that Florida remains a moderate cost of living state.
Even the higher cost of living advances in the two Florida metro areas since 2000 do not necessarily imply that Florida is losing its cost of living
advantage. The ability and willingness of businesses and entrepreneurs to increase their production of goods and services in response to higher
prices associated with a robust economy is the key issue here. This ability and willingness is closely tied to state and local mechanisms that either
encourage or impede the flexibility with which resources can be used.
By Stephen O. Morrell, Ph.D., Florida TaxWatch Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Economics and Finance, Andreas School of Business,
Barry University, Miami Shores.
The TaxWatch Center for a Competitive Florida...Resolving issues vital to Florida%u2032s global economic competitiveness.

So before moving to Florida make sure you do your research, as with any state right now as the economy go's up and down there are constant changes taking place here in Florida.

KEY WEST FLORIDA

Florida Taxes 

There are deffinently some tax advantages to living in Florida. Besides having a lower cost of living there are some tax advantages also.
First there is no State Sales Tax, to us when we moved here from the mid-west this was like getting a raise in our pay check.

Second you recieve a $25,000 Homestead Exemption and if you are disabled you can even qualify for a larger homestead andvantage.

Third, the state sales tax in florida is only at 6%while other state's have higher state sales tax.
This link "State Sales Tax" shows a good comparison.

Here is a great article about the tax situation in Florida. This is a new release and should answer any ones questions about taxes in Florida, as you can see Florida is 4th from the bottom in State and Local Tax Burdens.



Florida's Great Weather 

Florida is not called the sunshine state for no reason. The weather in Florida is fantastic. We moved to Florida from the upper mid-west, everybody said we were nuts, the common phrase is Florida gets hurricanes and hot humid weather. Yes Florida gets hurricanes and the media really blows up the stories about the devastation that hurricanes cause.


Have you ever lived through a tornadoe? First with hurricanes you know days if not weeks out when and where the hurricane is going to hit. Tornadoes you get 1 or 2 minuetes if that. The year before we moved to Florida our home town get ravished by a tornado, we had no warning, no sirens, nothing. The tornado went between our home and our neighbors house. We spent days cleaning up and we were with out electricity for 5 days. There was no world or national news reporting about it, no weather channel tv stars reporting about the winds or the intensity of the storm, nothing.
I would much rather live through a hurricane any day of the week before going through another tornado.

Heat and humidity - Yes we have both, but so does most of the nation. We just may have it a tad bit longer. Right now my sister in northern Minnesota is getting frost and we have tempatures in the 80's.
I will take 80's in September over frost.



And the big reason for living here is, drum roll please. NO SNOW

Key West Beach Pictures, Images and Photos

I will take going to the beach in the dead of winter while you are digging out your car from the snow bank

Florida State Symbols 

We will start with the Florida State Flag. Florida's official flag was adopted in 1900. Florida's flag has a red cross of St. Andrew on a white field; in the center is the state seal, which depicts a Native American (Seminole) woman scattering flowers, the sun with many rays, palm trees, a sailing steamboat, the land and the water.



In 1985, an official rendition of the seal was authorized, to precisely depict the seal and provide an official version of it, and correct many additional inaccuracies, and it was presented to then Governor Bob Graham and the Florida Legislature by Florida Secretary of State George Firestone. This is the current state seal.



The State Bird is the Florida Mocking Bird. The Mockingbird is about 10" tall or just about the same height as an American Robin. It is medium Grey on the back and wings. The breast is very light Grey, almost White. Most outstanding characteristic is the White wing bars displayed when flying. It eats insects, small animals, and fruit.



The State Flower is the Orange Blossom. The orange blossom was adopted by a Concurrent Resolution of the Florida state legislature on May 5, 1909



The State Marine Mammal is the Manatee. Manatees are aquatic mammals that are called sea cows.



The State Insect is the Zebra Longwing Butterfly. he Zebra Longwing butterfly is a small, bad-tasting butterfly whose wing camouflage makes it hard to catch. Its yellow stripes make it hard to tell if the butterfly is coming or going. This flying insect lives in tropical areas of southern North America, the West Indies, Central America, and northern South America.

FLORIDA KEYS

What is life without Golf 

Florida offers everything a golfer could want

Throughout Florida there are more than 1,467 courses available catering to every level of player. For 12 months of the year, the golfing enthusiast will find the golf courses in Florida open and challenging. And from May through October our golf courses are never crowded, you can pick your tee time and be assured of a leisurely round.
Although there are top golf courses to be found throughout the state, the areas of Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami are making the largest impact on the state's golf industry.

Florida golf vacation can be enjoyed regardless of what destination you choose. From Jacksonville to Miami and Tampa to Orlando there are countless top rated golf resorts, clubs, and courses for you to choose from. These destinations, coupled with fantastic vacation rental homes make the Sunshine State a great place to stay and play.

Go to the links below for some excellent links to Florida Golf.

Florida Golf Vacations 

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Florida Golf Course

Golfing in Florida 

Golf Florida
When people think of Florida one of the top things most people think about is 'Golf'. Florida has some of the best golf courses in the world. I have golfed in many states but when it comes down to it Florida is my first choice. Florida has over 1,460 golf courses within its shorelines.

Links For Florida Golf 

Golf

Florida Golf Courses
A complete directory of the public and private golf courses in Florida organized by city.
Golf Courses in Florida
The website for Golf Courses in North America
Talk about golf!!!! Florida offers everything a golfer could want!! Every type of terrain or level of golf is available. Take the family to the Orlando attractions and enjoy that area's courses. Throughout the state you find a golf heaven!!! Not to
Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village Has It All
NORTHEAST FLORIDA ST. AUGUSTINE / ST JOHNS COUNTY From Winter
2008 Florida Golf Magazine ©Copyright 2007, All Rights
Reserved. The 17th Green at Slammer
& Squire at World Golf Village Renaissance Resort at World
Golf Village is the perfect golf resort and more...much more! &nbs
Florida Golf Courses, Golf Course Communities, Country Clubs, Resorts, Golf Schools, Vacation Packages and Golf Discounts
Florida Golf provides information on golf courses, golf course communities, course management, country clubs, memberships, golf schools, resorts, hole-by-hole tours and photos, course statistics, pro shops, rules, vacation packages, hotels, discounts and links to other Florida golf information.

Florida Beaches & Coasts 

The Florida Beaches are among the finest in the world, with some 1200 miles of coastline, beaches are plentiful. Every year, several Florida beaches routinely receive awards by various rating organizations.The waters along Florida beaches are generally warm compared to the the rest of the US. Surf tends to be higher on the Atlantic coast with relatively little surf on the Gulf coast. Surf temperature is also warmer on the Gulf coast throughout the year.

Top 10 Florida Beaches as rated by the Travel Channel;

1. South Beach, Miami
2. Siesta Key Beach
3. Palm Beach
4. Lovers Key Beach
5. Clearwater Beach
6. Smathers Beach, Key West
7. Sanspur Beach, Bahia Honda State Park
8. Panama City Beach
9. Sanibel Island
10. Daytona Beach
If life is a beach, then this is where to live it! Here you'll find Florida's finest pristine white sand beaches and those left the way nature made them along some of the most interesting coastline in America.

Florida can no longer cover up the naked truth. Nude and clothing-optional resorts are taking off especially in Pasco county. Certainly Florida's mild temperatures creates the perfect climate for optional clothing opportunities, even if Florida Law casts an uneven shadow on the conduct.

Florida beaches are a dime a dozen, if you are looking for good surfing waves then head to the east coast or the keys. For more of a relaxing beach experience with absolute gorgeous sunsets then the beaches on the west coast is for you.
Please check out the links below for more information on Florida beaches.

Links for Florida Beaches 

FlFloridaPlay in Sarasota | Things to Do | Beaches | Official Site of Sarasota and Her Islands - Official source of Sarasota travel information ? Sarasota and Her Islands
Play in Sarasota | Things to Do | Beaches | Official Site of Sarasota and Her Islands | Find Outdoor Activities in the Sarasota Area, and view our Sarasota Outdoor, Fishing & Water Recreation Activities Business Listings.
Florida Vacations
Florida Beaches Guide - Florida Vacations. Information on Florida Vacations, Florida Beach Vacations & Florida Beaches including the Best Beaches in Florida
Beach Hunter
Florida Beaches: photos, video clips, and personal reviews of the best Gulf Beaches and Atlantic Beaches, by Florida beach expert and travel author, David McRee. Information on beach hazards like sharks, jellyfish, stingrays, red tide, lightning, water currents, etc.
St Pete Beaches
St. Pete/Clearwater is where you want to be! Close to everything, yet miles away. A beautiful peninsula located on Florida's West coast, the area is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and by Tampa Bay to the east.
Florida Beaches Vacation Information - Photos, Videos, Articles And Listings | | Florida Vacation, Tourism, Travel & Entertainment Information, VISIT FLORIDA
Plan your Florida beach vacation on VISIT FLORIDA. Read articles, watch Florida travel videos and find beach-front hotels and activities. We have a wealth of information on Florida's best beaches.
Destination 360
As the only state with two coasts, the Florida beaches are a dime a dozen. A beach in Florida can be a bit of heaven. Many who visit Florida and Miami Beach travel to enjoy the azure surf and palm beaches that are like nowhere else on earth. From America's #1 Best Beach to a nude beach favorite of supermodels, the top beaches in Florida have it all.

Jimmy Buffett

If in central Florida you need to stop by the
"Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Resturant"
for a wonderful time.

Florida Space Shuttle

LETS SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY 

WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER DO, SPEND TIME SHOVELING SNOW OR LAYING ON A BEACH IN FLORIDA

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SHOVEL SNOW

AndreaSchmitz says:

Hands down, it is to shovel snow... moving about outdoors with fresh, crisp air...nothing like it! Feel vibrant, alive, notice the air in your lungs, beats vegetating on a beach any day!

Posted December 18, 2009

Spasoje The Serbian says:

u dont need mountains, or snow, or any other crap associated with other places, man, I prefer to showel snow, that sit on the beach, hahahahaha lol. you got everything right. Why not move to florida?

Posted November 19, 2009

LAYING ON A BEACH IN FLORIDA

Cherrybomb2009 says:

I'm sooooo sick of snow. I definitely would like to do more than just visit Florida- I'd like to move down there permanently!

Posted August 19, 2009

Cherrybomb2009 says:

I am sooooooo sick of snow. I definitely would like to just move down to Florida instead of just visit!

Posted August 19, 2009

Damone says:

I live in South Georgia on the Border or state line with Florida. I love Jacksonville and Ponte Verde area. This is a great lens. Florida is a very relaxing place to visit. I feel very calm when I return to Georgia

Posted July 02, 2009

njones16 says:

I love warm weather and water! Forget the snow.

Posted May 18, 2009

Travel_Bee says:

so so definitely the beach!! I can't imagine anyone choosing the snow!! I love the sun, the beaches... My baby niece lives in Sarasota, FL - I visit her A LOT!! :-)

Posted May 12, 2009

Jack2205 says:

Florida is my favorite state. I love tropical places. I do not like cold weather or snow.

Posted January 31, 2009

PattB says:

I'll take lying on the beach any day. Winter is for other people! (Except maybe short stints for ski trips, which I love too...)

Posted December 12, 2008

Vacation-In-My-Head says:

I absolutely agree with you. I would rather be on the beach or river instead of shoveling snow. I love living in Florida.

Posted November 29, 2008

bwcabound says:

Shovel snow or sipping a cocktail on a sunny beach. I think I would rather be on the beach.

Posted September 18, 2008

 

DISNEY WORLD FIREWORKS

Disney World in Central Florida 

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Florida Beaches from Photobucket 

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Florida Key's 

The Florida Keys can be considered the American Caribbean and features all the same amenities as other island destinations such as world class sport fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, boating, sailing, kayaking and eco-tours. Each island destinations has some special features. The islands of the Florida Keys run south west from the city of Miami, FL. The first island you will encounter is Key Largo. The Florida Keys span some 110 miles and are connected by bridges and causeways.



The islands lie along the Florida Straits, dividing the Atlantic Ocean to the east from the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and defining one edge of Florida Bay. At the nearest point, the southern tip of Key West is just 94 miles (151 km) from Cuba.

The climate is tropical. and the Keys are the only frost-free place in Florida. There are two main "seasons": hot, wet, and humid from about June through October, and somewhat drier and cooler weather from November through May. Many plants grow slowly or go dormant in the dry season. Some native trees are deciduous, and drop their leaves in the winter or with spring winds.

The Keys have distinctive plant and animals species, some found nowhere else in America, as the Keys define the northern extent of their ranges. The climate also allows many imported plants to thrive. Nearly any houseplant known to commerce, and most landscape plants of the South, can thrive in the Keys climate. Some exotic species which arrived as landscape plants now invade and threaten natural areas.

Yatching in Florida 

Yachting in Florida
To go yachting you need water and what better state in the USA than Florida. With Florida surrounded by water with the gulf on one side of the state and the Atlantic on the east side of the state, and with perfect weather except a passing hurricane what more would a yacht owner dream of.

Disney World 

Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world, containing four theme parks, two water parks, twenty-three themed hotels, and numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues. Owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment of The Walt Disney Company, it is located southwest of Orlando, Florida.



Disney World Resort
There are 32 resorts and hotels located on the Walt Disney World property. Of the 32, 22 are Disney owned and operated resorts. The Disney resorts are classified into five categories: Deluxe (priced from $205-$805), Moderate (priced from $139-$199), Value (priced from $79-$127), Disney Vacation Club (priced from $269-$1,790), and Campground (priced from $39-$319).
Guests arriving at Orlando International Airport can be transported to their Disney resort from the airport using Disney's Magical Express service, and have their bags picked up and transported for them through a contract with BAGS Incorporated. Guests board custom motor coaches, watch a video about the Walt Disney World Resort, and their luggage is later delivered directly to their rooms.



Disney's property includes five golf courses. The four 18-hole golf courses are the Magnolia, the Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge. There is also a nine-hole walking course called Oak Trail, designed for young golfers. Additionally, there are two themed miniature golf complexes, each with two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.

Links For Walt Disney World 

Walt Disney
Welcome to Walt Disney World. Come and enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. Plan your family vacation and create memories for a lifetime.
Walt Disney World Orlando and Universal Studios Visitors Guide and Tips
Get the low-down on all you need to know when visiting Disney World and Universal Orlando. Top tips on where to go, where to eat and where to stay.
Walt Disney World Resorts | Walt Disney World Hotels
Walt Disney World Resorts :: Disney resort hotels for every taste and budget at Walt Disney World.
Florida Golf Courses | Orlando Golf Courses | Walt Disney World Resort
Play golf the way it is meant to be ? on lush green fairways and tournament-ready surfaces. Get in the game and explore our award-winning Florida golf courses now!
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort - Orlando Hotels, Florida
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel at Walt Disney World is the ultimate Orlando hotel experience. Your Florida vacation is complete with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.

Florida College Football 

Sports in Floria is huge. So many people from different parts of the country live in Florida routing for there own home state teams. But when it comes to college football, no matter where they are from you have two florida teams that everybody loves



OR





Some Pictures of Florida Football Fans





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Great American Cooter Festival 

Great American Cooter Festival
The last full week of October in Inverness Florida you will find Sunny Cooter along with all his friends, visiting various restaurants in the city for the Miss Cooter and Cooter Idol competitions. The final winners are decided on Friday and Saturday, during the Cooter Blast and Cooter Festival. And on Sunday, Cooterween (a Halloween spook-tacular) rounds out the activities with one of the biggest outdoor costume parties in this neck of the woods.

Florida Gator Football 

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Florida State Seminoles News 

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2009 NFL SuperBowl 

In 2009, the road to NFL greatness leads to beautiful Tampa Bay and Super Bowl XLIII.

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Site: Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, Florida



Date: February 1, 2009
Game time: 6:00 p.m. EST
Stadium Capacity: 72,500
Television: NBC
Radio: CBS Radio/Westwood One (English and Spanish)

NFL NEWS 

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