Florida Trip Notes
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:55:28 -0500, lid wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
in Cook
county. RE tax last year was 4K, for a 1200 sq ft house

gfretwell wrote:
we cap tax hikes to
3% for homesteaded residents.

hmm.... I think I'll stay put.
1,500 sq ft, on an acre within the city limits, $850 after Homestead
Exemption. After age 65, that'll drop to zero.
Sales tax is 7%. There was a big push last year to raise sales tax on
cigarettes and eliminate it completely on groceries but in the end, it
didn't quite fly. That idea's not dead yet though.
We have a State Income Tax but compared to Federal, it's not enough to
complain about.
Insurance is another matter. I'm on the MS Coast in the area that took
the brunt of Katrina (no, contrary to the news media coverage, New
Orleans dodged the worst of it). Personally, I feel fortunate to have
insurance at all. But I'm on high ground almost a mile from the beach.
Most of the people I know who lost their homes (includes every home on
the beachfront and at least a block or two inland) aren't able to
rebuild because insurance simply isn't available. And most people
who've been able to keep the insurance they had, are paying twice (at
least) the premium they were before. Some premiums went up by
10X.-20X. It's a huge political issue here presently and some people
think it'll be resolved politically somehow... -shrug- ... frankly, I
don't know. Maybe the extreme cases will eventually be lowered but I
believe high premiums are here to stay.

Insurance prices don't often come down. Wish I knew more about your
area. I'm looking at Florida mostly because I have relatives there
and I'm a bit familiar with it, and like the gulf, which is usually
pretty flat. The Atlantic side is infested with big surf and big
tough guys like Harry, Tom, Wayne, etc. Scary.
I'm sort of a laid back pansy now, like the gulf usually is.

--Vic

Florida Trip Notes
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:55:28 -0500, lid wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
in Cook
county. RE tax last year was 4K, for a 1200 sq ft house
gfretwell wrote:
we cap tax hikes to
3% for homesteaded residents.
hmm.... I think I'll stay put.
1,500 sq ft, on an acre within the city limits, $850 after Homestead
Exemption. After age 65, that'll drop to zero.
Sales tax is 7%. There was a big push last year to raise sales tax on
cigarettes and eliminate it completely on groceries but in the end, it
didn't quite fly. That idea's not dead yet though.
We have a State Income Tax but compared to Federal, it's not enough to
complain about.
Insurance is another matter. I'm on the MS Coast in the area that took
the brunt of Katrina (no, contrary to the news media coverage, New
Orleans dodged the worst of it). Personally, I feel fortunate to have
insurance at all. But I'm on high ground almost a mile from the beach.
Most of the people I know who lost their homes (includes every home on
the beachfront and at least a block or two inland) aren't able to
rebuild because insurance simply isn't available. And most people
who've been able to keep the insurance they had, are paying twice (at
least) the premium they were before. Some premiums went up by
10X.-20X. It's a huge political issue here presently and some people
think it'll be resolved politically somehow... -shrug- ... frankly, I
don't know. Maybe the extreme cases will eventually be lowered but I
believe high premiums are here to stay.

Insurance prices don't often come down. Wish I knew more about your
area. I'm looking at Florida mostly because I have relatives there
and I'm a bit familiar with it, and like the gulf, which is usually
pretty flat. The Atlantic side is infested with big surf and big
tough guys like Harry, Tom, Wayne, etc. Scary.
I'm sort of a laid back pansy now, like the gulf usually is.

--Vic


Ever been fishing in NE Florida? No need to go out into the Atlantic.
Plenty of great fishing in the ICW, and all you need there is a Carolina
Skiff. Redfish, seatrout, flounder, catfish a'plenty, plus if you go
inland in fresh water, bluegills, largemouth bass, et cetera.

Florida Trip Notes
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:11:04 -0400, HK wrote:


Might I suggest you investigate the area from Tallahassee south to the
gulf, via Route 319. The terrain is hilly, a lot different than most of
California, Tallahassee is an interesting small city, there's a big
national forest along the way, and when you get down to Panacea, there's
good boating and fishing.

Thanks. I'll check it out. BTW, where I visited about 40 miles west
of Ocala was a bit hilly too. In fact, it was called Beverly Hills
(-:
I'm not averse to going farther north, and can certainly take all the
"cold" Florida can throw at me. I remember you saying there are
actual seasons north, and the one thing I don't like about Florida
is lack of distinct seasons - at least as I know them.

--Vic

Florida Trip Notes
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:11:04 -0400, HK wrote:


Might I suggest you investigate the area from Tallahassee south to the
gulf, via Route 319. The terrain is hilly, a lot different than most of
California, Tallahassee is an interesting small city, there's a big
national forest along the way, and when you get down to Panacea, there's
good boating and fishing.

Thanks. I'll check it out. BTW, where I visited about 40 miles west
of Ocala was a bit hilly too. In fact, it was called Beverly Hills
(-:
I'm not averse to going farther north, and can certainly take all the
"cold" Florida can throw at me. I remember you saying there are
actual seasons north, and the one thing I don't like about Florida
is lack of distinct seasons - at least as I know them.

--Vic


Much nicer flora in North Florida, too.

Florida Trip Notes
 

HK wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:55:28 -0500, lid wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
in Cook
county. RE tax last year was 4K, for a 1200 sq ft house
gfretwell wrote:
we cap tax hikes to
3% for homesteaded residents.
hmm.... I think I'll stay put.
1,500 sq ft, on an acre within the city limits, $850 after Homestead
Exemption. After age 65, that'll drop to zero.
Sales tax is 7%. There was a big push last year to raise sales tax on
cigarettes and eliminate it completely on groceries but in the end, it
didn't quite fly. That idea's not dead yet though.
We have a State Income Tax but compared to Federal, it's not enough to
complain about.
Insurance is another matter. I'm on the MS Coast in the area that took
the brunt of Katrina (no, contrary to the news media coverage, New
Orleans dodged the worst of it). Personally, I feel fortunate to have
insurance at all. But I'm on high ground almost a mile from the beach.
Most of the people I know who lost their homes (includes every home on
the beachfront and at least a block or two inland) aren't able to
rebuild because insurance simply isn't available. And most people
who've been able to keep the insurance they had, are paying twice (at
least) the premium they were before. Some premiums went up by
10X.-20X. It's a huge political issue here presently and some people
think it'll be resolved politically somehow... -shrug- ... frankly, I
don't know. Maybe the extreme cases will eventually be lowered but I
believe high premiums are here to stay.

Insurance prices don't often come down. Wish I knew more about your
area. I'm looking at Florida mostly because I have relatives there
and I'm a bit familiar with it, and like the gulf, which is usually
pretty flat. The Atlantic side is infested with big surf and big
tough guys like Harry, Tom, Wayne, etc. Scary.
I'm sort of a laid back pansy now, like the gulf usually is.

--Vic


Ever been fishing in NE Florida? No need to go out into the Atlantic.
Plenty of great fishing in the ICW, and all you need there is a Carolina
Skiff. Redfish, seatrout, flounder, catfish a'plenty, plus if you go
inland in fresh water, bluegills, largemouth bass, et cetera.

Harry,
Didn't you do most of your fishing in the backwater? I wouldn't think
your 17' jon boat would be a good bluewater boat.

Florida Trip Notes
 

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
HK wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:55:28 -0500, lid wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
in Cook
county. RE tax last year was 4K, for a 1200 sq ft house
gfretwell wrote:
we cap tax hikes to
3% for homesteaded residents.
hmm.... I think I'll stay put.
1,500 sq ft, on an acre within the city limits, $850 after Homestead
Exemption. After age 65, that'll drop to zero.
Sales tax is 7%. There was a big push last year to raise sales tax on
cigarettes and eliminate it completely on groceries but in the end, it
didn't quite fly. That idea's not dead yet though.
We have a State Income Tax but compared to Federal, it's not enough to
complain about.
Insurance is another matter. I'm on the MS Coast in the area that took
the brunt of Katrina (no, contrary to the news media coverage, New
Orleans dodged the worst of it). Personally, I feel fortunate to have
insurance at all. But I'm on high ground almost a mile from the beach.
Most of the people I know who lost their homes (includes every home on
the beachfront and at least a block or two inland) aren't able to
rebuild because insurance simply isn't available. And most people
who've been able to keep the insurance they had, are paying twice (at
least) the premium they were before. Some premiums went up by
10X.-20X. It's a huge political issue here presently and some people
think it'll be resolved politically somehow... -shrug- ... frankly, I
don't know. Maybe the extreme cases will eventually be lowered but I
believe high premiums are here to stay.

Insurance prices don't often come down. Wish I knew more about your
area. I'm looking at Florida mostly because I have relatives there
and I'm a bit familiar with it, and like the gulf, which is usually
pretty flat. The Atlantic side is infested with big surf and big
tough guys like Harry, Tom, Wayne, etc. Scary.
I'm sort of a laid back pansy now, like the gulf usually is.

--Vic


Ever been fishing in NE Florida? No need to go out into the Atlantic.
Plenty of great fishing in the ICW, and all you need there is a
Carolina Skiff. Redfish, seatrout, flounder, catfish a'plenty, plus if
you go inland in fresh water, bluegills, largemouth bass, et cetera.

Harry,
Didn't you do most of your fishing in the backwater? I wouldn't think
your 17' jon boat would be a good bluewater boat.



Sorry, S.F.B., never owned a jon boat.

Florida Trip Notes
 

Vic Smith wrote:
like the gulf, which is usually pretty flat.

Don't count on that. When the wind blows, the waves kick up just like
big water anywhere else. I don't know how many people die around here
every year due to misjudging the weather, but it happens on a fairly
regular basis. Bring a serious open water boat unless you're planning
on staying in the rivers and bayous.

Rick

Florida Trip Notes
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:32:02 -0400, HK wrote:



Ever been fishing in NE Florida? No need to go out into the Atlantic.
Plenty of great fishing in the ICW, and all you need there is a Carolina
Skiff. Redfish, seatrout, flounder, catfish a'plenty, plus if you go
inland in fresh water, bluegills, largemouth bass, et cetera.

Hutchinson Island surf, and the IC bridges around there. Went shore
fishing at one or two of the inlets, Sebastian was one I think.
I always had a bunch of kids, and after the obligatory couple day
visit with my dad shot over to the Clearwater of St. Pete, where
I didn't have to worry about the kids being swept out to sea.
But I take your point. My dad - who was a maniac fisherman - swears
by east coast fishing and always gripes about moving from Hutchinson
to the gulf side.
Personally, the wind and surf on the east side got tiresome quicker
for me than the heat on the west side.
The "pace" and crowds seem less on the west side too.
And the IC on east side seemed much more crowded and narrow, but maybe
that's a product of my limited experience there and/or faulty
recollection.

--Vic

Florida Trip Notes
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:32:02 -0400, HK wrote:


Ever been fishing in NE Florida? No need to go out into the Atlantic.
Plenty of great fishing in the ICW, and all you need there is a Carolina
Skiff. Redfish, seatrout, flounder, catfish a'plenty, plus if you go
inland in fresh water, bluegills, largemouth bass, et cetera.

Hutchinson Island surf, and the IC bridges around there. Went shore
fishing at one or two of the inlets, Sebastian was one I think.
I always had a bunch of kids, and after the obligatory couple day
visit with my dad shot over to the Clearwater of St. Pete, where
I didn't have to worry about the kids being swept out to sea.
But I take your point. My dad - who was a maniac fisherman - swears
by east coast fishing and always gripes about moving from Hutchinson
to the gulf side.
Personally, the wind and surf on the east side got tiresome quicker
for me than the heat on the west side.
The "pace" and crowds seem less on the west side too.
And the IC on east side seemed much more crowded and narrow, but maybe
that's a product of my limited experience there and/or faulty
recollection.

--Vic


The ICW fishing in NE Florida is not crowded. There are kazillions of
spots. We used to live almost directly across the ICW from the St.
Augustine seaplane basin, and I'd usually motor over there at least once
a week to catch reds and flounder and amazingly, the occasional tarpon.

There are dozens and dozens of creeks off the ICW, plus the ICW itself.

Never very many boats in one spot.

Florida Trip Notes
 

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:57:53 -0500, lid wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
like the gulf, which is usually pretty flat.

Don't count on that. When the wind blows, the waves kick up just like
big water anywhere else. I don't know how many people die around here
every year due to misjudging the weather, but it happens on a fairly
regular basis. Bring a serious open water boat unless you're planning
on staying in the rivers and bayous.

Yeah, I've spent some time on both, and it is relative. You don't
take chances. But in my limited experience you'll find the gulf more
often less bumpy than the Atlantic.

--Vic