Quote from Maverick74:
I lived in FL for three years. Southeast FL is hideous. People want to own there for the homestead and bankruptcy protection. Also rich north easters like to live there 6 months and one day to claim state residency over say NY. Saves them about 12% in state income taxes. But most people I know who lived there abhorred the place. A mix of retirees who sit at green lights for 3 minutes before realizing it's green, drug runners from latin america, gang shootings and of course, the elusive conman on the run from wherever he is running from. From an economic perspective, there is no real industry there outside tourism to drive real sustainable job growth. It's really lacking any kind authentic community if you are not Cuban. I went to college down there and it was night and day the behavior of kids who grew up in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca, West Palm vs say Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, etc. It's just really hard to want to live around that. The vibe just isn't there. So sure, prices got really really cheap and they are rebounding nicely. But for those lifting offers at today's prices, I would be careful. I think an investor would do better on the gulf side if they are looking for more long term stability.
