This is not Flipper ville anymore.

[_Sheffjs_]

Sarasota, Manatee to Zepherhills (and I’m sure beyond, your story here) what has happened to you.  My earliest memories of Florida are visiting my cousins in Sarasota and riding bicycles on Constitution blvd in 1968. My uncle Bob who is in his early 80s now was born in St. Pete and has been here all his life, Bob had a new Thunderbird on that trip, I remember that car big time as it was a space ship to me at seven years of age. This space ship had a shifter that when moved to park moved the steering wheel to the left, the speedometer was not a analog needle moreover fluid like a mercury thermometer that told you how fast you were going. This car had a center console on the floor and on the ceiling with buttons and gizmos everywhere, ribbed light blue/gray seats, Apollo 7. It had me!  Pappy you have an old T Bird yes?  Anyway, batteries to power turbines to speed, Apollo 7 ready 10, 9............  where was I going with this?  O right,  I loaded up my car in the early eighties and moved to Flipper land. And it was great! Young punk moved into a section of Uncle Bobs 8000 square foot house, six acres on the bay just north of Blackburn Point with my Cousin Todd. The hose was built in 49 and had maid’s quarters on the second floor at one end looking at the bay made into an apartment.  I remember traffic then was nothing and it was amazing leaving a congested area 30 miles outside of Chicago and live the beach life as a young man. Fast forward, my position with the City of Sarasota has a solid on/off season. In season I go to work at 1p ish and leave for home at 11 or 12p and in the off season 6am to 2ish 3sh, lucky to miss traffic, so I thought!  Wile riding Bikes the past few years we try to pick the country routes and lately once again like popcorn the most tucked away areas are being invaded with new houses and businesses follow. What doesn’t follow are the roads to accommodate this mess. I leave for work now at 5:45 am and although traffic somewhat flows at this time it is still a Indy 500 and one has to be fully awake to safely tackle. Now route 56, I guess that is near you Vance? Leaves I-75 and travels East to a dead end currently, is going to connect with 301 just south of “ShefferHills” gosh, the off season drive from Palm-ghetto to the cottage is 64 miles, used to take an hour when we first bought this place, not no mo!  Bro! We are enjoying the three day rainy weekend at the cottage however on the way up the largest parking lot in the area, I-75 had many spots of 25mph maybe 40mph and about 4-5 Times dead stop, with eyes open I noted no dead cars no crashes on either side so no cause saving the volume. So tell me please, what on earth makes the continuous flow of new comers visit and say, wow let’s live here?  Flipper ville no more.  

[sixlow]

These towns they are a changing. Nice story, just think what it is like 30 miles outside of Chicago right now. 

[Grumpy]

It has happened every where, The little town I grew up out side of, Wentzville, Mo was 2100 population up until we left there in 1970. No traffic, nice and laid back. went there last year and the population is 97,000 and grid lock has set in. No longer a quiet country town. I used to drive to St  Louis for work, 46 miles one way. Was a 45 min drive then. Talked to some friends the other day, the same drive now is average 2 hrs. Makes me glad we left there. Just too many people and roads that are still stuck in 30 years ago.

[Steel cowboy]

Jerry, and all other, My reason why I came and stayed here with my family was a way of thinking called "vacation mode".  When we visited my parents, sister and brother we were on vacation and everything looked greener, cleaner and all round nicer than New York. There were no bills to pay, no worries just relax and enjoy the 3 beautiful days before going back. You get fooled into thinking this could be your life if you stay here. I've visited my 2 nieces recently in Indiana and Stone Mountain and that old feeling came back, beautiful area's, but I remembered this time that I was on "vacation mode".
As I get closer to retirement I've thought about the increasing people and traffic and thought of North Carolina or Tennessee as a way to get back to peace and quiet in the future

[John Schmidt]

I moved here a little over 51 yrs. ago in the 60's. No Disney or Mickey the Rat, no Universal, no Sea World, I-4 was 2-lane each side and just completed. I could go from one corner of the Orlando metro area to the opposite corner in under 30 minutes on a busy day. If you drove south on 441 toward Kissimmee(then referred to as Cowsimmee), there was a definite break in population once you hit the t'pike underpass....few bldgs., no housing developments, etc., just pasture land. A few miles down the road you passed a couple quaint little spots known as Gatorland and the Tupperware headquarters. The main entertainment centers were Bush Gardens in Tampa(w/free entry), and Cypress Gardens down by Winter Haven. Orlando was still a rather quiet place, if someone got shot it was most likely self-inflicted while cleaning your gun. It was a nice place to live and the space coast was still jumping....oh baby, was it jumping, especially afterhours. Another story for another time. 

Today is much different. When I retired a little over 14 yrs. ago, my office was across the highway and up a block from the Universal main entrance. The most direct route from my house was 17 miles and Google Maps shows it as a 29 minute trip. That's only possible by helicopter, it took me anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes depending on the route taken. I know of numerous back streets to take and if I left work at 4:30pm I could usually make it home by 5:15-5:20. If I left home for work after 7:00am, I was late. Now, if you drive south on 441 toward Kissimmee, there is no break. It's solid congestion all the way. The same goes for driving to Apopka north of Orlando on 441, it's almost solid all the way. There is no longer a definite break between towns. Going west you get the same effect...you never leave Orlando before entering Winter Garden and on toward Clermont.

I wonder how populated it is in Montana!

[Pappy!]

Being a 5th generation Florida boy I can tell volumes about how things have changed.
As far as your neck of the woods go though I can tell you that back in the heyday of musclecars I would go see my Mom out on Anna Maria Is. from college, in Daytona, with my '68 Z/28 and we picked up street races both on N. Tamiami Tr. in downtown Sarasota and on Bayfront in front of Marina Jacks on Saturday nights. Yes, even with the slight curve to that road! The most memorable being running against a 340 Challenger who literally exploded his transmission all over the street in front of Marina Jacks. That would be impossible today with all the traffic.
A bit later, I used to fly into Anna Maria Is. and land on the grass strip there, behind the Fire Station, and have lunch with Mom. The strip was legislated out and houses cover it now.
I remember Naples when it had only a few stoplights in it and you could see open land all over around the waterfront there. We used to fly into Sanibel once in a while and you hardly ever saw anyone on the beach there.
New Smyrna (we used to fly in there as well once in a while) used to be nothing but open land on the ocean. A couple of old wooden hotels and the one main street there. There was an old wooden restaurant on the East side of the airport that had the best fried Black Mullet. The restaurant is still there, added onto, and nothing like it was.
Was born and raised in the keys and lived in Islamorada. My parents moved there after the Airforce released Pan American back to civilian duty after WWII. They lived a difficult life on a sailboat at first. My sister was almost born on that boat in 1946. I Had a boat with a 1954 5 1/2 on it (6 years old) before I had a bicycle and could go anywhere and tie up to anyone's dock to walk up to a friend's house. Back then the community looked out for kids.  The keys make me sick with what has happened down there.
I live just North of Mt. Dora. MT. Dora is named after my great great Grandmother, Dora Drawdy. My good friend's Dad used to squirrel hunt in what is now the small park located in downtown Mt.Dora. An Uncle was a simple cobbler there and everyone knew each other. Family reunions are getting smaller and smaller.
Where I live now, Orlando is steadily moving in to. Road extensions and widening are the norm and developments are springing up everywhere. Lesa and I are updating the house just in case it gets to the point we want to move to a quieter locale.
Small pockets of old Florida still exist inland but mainly to the North these days and more Old Florida still exists around the Big Bend area. Shhhh.....don't tell anyone!
And yes, Jerry, I do own a '57 TBird!

[flsix]

It's been 41 years for us. Just had to leave the Upstate New York weather behind. Lake effect snow and I don't see eye to eye. The Ft. Myers area was isolated from the town of Bonita Springs to the south by 15 miles of scrub and pasture. US 41 was the major road north to south, I 75 wasn't there yet.
We would race behind the Ft. Myers airport on a road that dead ended into a dirt road and pasture area. It's now businesses as far as the eye can see.

Now 41 and 75 have no breaks in population from N. Ft. Myers all the way to E. Naples.

I'm glad I work in the more rural areas to the east of all that.

When that long sought after retirement time does come around we will be looking for a quieter location. It may still be in Fl. As Pappy said, Ocala to the north is looking better all the time.

Until then, I'll enjoy the rain this weekend because it has knocked the fire threat to zero.

[Bronxboy]

Well on average u have close to 1K people moving to FL per day. I guess there are at least half that much moving out or going to prison.

We came down here to visit friends and family over the years. Every time we came down, my wife would go out with my friends wife and look at model homes. On one trip she seen a house that she fell in love with.

So she dragged me over to see it, and when I seen what we could have for $150K, the wheels started turning. This was in 1993 and I was thinking about selling my business in NY, and this just motivated me more. Just think, Boating and Ridding all year round.

I was only 34 when I got here and Half Assed retirement was in progress. I was bored after 1 week, which by the way was the Hottest July in recorded History for FL. I didn't leave the Town home we rented while our Home was being built, I think I stayed in my underwear and T-Shirt the entire time.

When the weather broke and temps dropped to the High 90's I ventured out to the community pool. I sat there for maybe 3 min before getting bitten by a group of Yankee Hatting Red Ant's   Well long story short, we got accustomed to the Tropical climate only after being here a mere 20 yrs  

I really never felt that traffic was an issue here. Living in NYC kind of makes these roads all seen empty. Well it's raining and we dont have much to do but Bitch I guess. I look at it this way 4 months of misrible heat and rain, and 8 months of Ridding weather, What the hell were we talking about, oh yeah traffic  

[TJ]

My eyes , my eyes , you in your underware and t-shirt … your poor wife nick... 
It sure has changed in the last 50 yrs.. not for the best either.. When I moved here 441 was cow pasture ,on the east coast. Part paved part dirt going south from Boynton Bch.
You could stop in the middle of US 1  and talk to your friends. I-95  wasn't here yet. The good old days...

[DD]

Thanks everyone for the GREAT information about FL. 
Fred is a "cracker" and has told me many stories about going places in the state and how much it's changed. 
Our 1st duty station was in JAX and I remember going to WPB and 95 wasn't finished at a certain point so onto Rt. 1.
We moved permit to NSB in 1993 and yes Pappy it has changed and continues.  I have heard we have many that make the commute from Kissimmee/Orlando area.  We live in a old nieghborhood, but now we're the "old ones".  I'm happy to say we know most of them and everyone will wave and say Hi.

Thanks again for bringing up the topic.   

[Tundra]

Agreed...Not what it used to be. It takes me nearly one hour to travel 8.5 miles home from work in rush hour. I just stay late, I get more done and keep the blood pressure down and still get home close to the same time.
  We have decided to look further North and escape Pinellas County which is a Peninsula, located in a State which is also a Peninsula and has hurricanes (not smart) Were exploring Alachua and found some places we like more in Marianna. I prefer the woods and some hills and lakes over the beaches. We have not done the beaches in 17 years except for motorcycle eats. I have never been to any Disney parks and never will, not for us and will never travel on I4 towards or near Orlando ever again. So then why stay here? Three homes on our street have sold in the last several months within one week under contract at mind blowing prices. I can buy much more home and property for far less in Marianna in a better environment and put money in the bank. Mariana homes have basements too! Got to do it while we still have our health to enjoy the decision. Real nice motorcycle riding and fresh water boating to enjoy nearby is the icing on the cake.

[_Sheffjs_]

Reading the above I see an escape theme, and Sherry and I took many trips looking for the next escape long ago. We traveled within a set parameters, Colorado came very close with us almost picking up five acres in Buena Vista, but we came to the conclusion that Colorado is a great place to visit but not live and yes Eddie you have to try and put your mind out of the vacation mode when looking unless it is for full retirement. I plan on working part time as I will have to or will go stir crazy. Texas, na and then many say NC, we really like it and obviously many are on that same thought but again so many thinking there keeps me away. While traveling in 07 we stoped to visit some life long friends of my parents in a town called Mountain Home in Arkansas, never would have thunk! Fell in love. Not to wintery and seeing most say Arkansas! Why Arkansas we are comfortable it will not find the same fate as I don’t want to go looking again because of growth.  Before we left we found 6.5 acres of rolly hills and a natural spring and bought it outright. I look at northern Florida as well but I want to get to a point where I am not keeping an eye on invest number 97 anymore!    Who knows maybe we are right and it will work out for us when the time comes.  But Florida, my have you changed.   Pictures show some younger people!

http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/EBeybuzzard/slideshow/Ark

[Pappy!]

I remember listening to stories told by Uncle Dusty of Dusty and Dad (who was born in Minneola)  riding motorcycles down to Miami on Hwy. 27.......... when 27 was a dirt road!
If my Dad were still alive he would be 106 years old this year.

One of them had a Harley and the other had an Indian.

[Mapper]

I remember the early 80's when Panama City Beach still mostly beach houses... by the time I graduated high school in mid-90's it was totally different.  Destin held out a little longer but neither look like they did when I was a kid.

[_Sheffjs_]

I figured we would have a non Florida pipe in sooner or later, one of the slightly younger Valksters to grad in the 90s  and Pappy to remember the curve on the bay, I’m impressed.  Good stories for a rainy day, and it looks like time will tell on who finds their way out first. 

[Farside]

Agreed...Not what it used to be. It takes me nearly one hour to travel 8.5 miles home from work in rush hour. I just stay late, I get more done and keep the blood pressure down and still get home close to the same time.
  We have decided to look further North and escape Pinellas County which is a Peninsula, located in a State which is also a Peninsula and has hurricanes (not smart) Were exploring Alachua and found some places we like more in Marianna. I prefer the woods and some hills and lakes over the beaches. We have not done the beaches in 17 years except for motorcycle eats. I have never been to any Disney parks and never will, not for us and will never travel on I4 towards or near Orlando ever again. So then why stay here? Three homes on our street have sold in the last several months within one week under contract at mind blowing prices. I can buy much more home and property for far less in Marianna in a better environment and put money in the bank. Mariana homes have basements too! Got to do it while we still have our health to enjoy the decision. Real nice motorcycle riding and fresh water boating to enjoy nearby is the icing on the cake.

  IMHO anything west of I-75 at I-10 west towards Pensacola is nice. I think those up this way will agree. Born and raised in Tallahassee the surrounding area is still not too busy, except the beaches during Spring and summer. I avoid those areas during the peak season anyway. Great riding the areas of North FL, S. GA and S. AL. There are a few riders up this way. Good Luck and let me know. 

[Thunderbolt]

The Gainesville Fl. city limits sign used to read just under 50,000, it is now 131,000.  We are 22 miles North of the Swamp.  I was born in the old Alachua General Hospital in 1947, it was torn down quite a few years ago.  My Mom was from Missouri and we moved there when I was 1 year old and moved back in 1959 and I started school in Lake Butler.  There is to this day still only one Elementary school which used to be the school that the black children attended.  There is also only one Middle school and one High School in Union County.  People from adjoining counties drive their children to our county for their education because of the A+ rating that our schools continue to maintain.  We have 3 grandchildren attending the same schools that I attended and our children attended.
When I was a kid in high school we didn't lock our doors at night.  As a matter of fact we didn't have an air conditioner until just before we got married.  I worked for Western Electric when we were married and they required that I have a telephone.  I applied for one and it took two years for us to finally get a two party line.  My Dad and Mom were the eighth party on an eight party line at the time.  That is another story.

[Tundra]

Ahhh, the well kept secret no one speaks of...Worthington Springs

Because those that know, don't want it destroyed

[Jims99]

Sad what’s been happening to our beautiful small city’s. I grew up in south Florida and remember cows and horses in the area. I don’t think they even know what they are anymore. LOL. My wife and kids moved up here to Ormond Beach 17 years ago because it was like where I grew up way back when. It to has gone nuts. Thought this would be our forever home, wrong, can’t wait to get out of here. Looking for a small city that doesn’t want to grow. 20 acres where I can build my 10 car garage and a nice barn for the wife and no neighbors to bitch when I want to target practice. I don’t want to leave Florida, being a native, I hate cold weather. Someday I will come across the perfect area, and have a big party. LOL.
Hope y’all have a wonderful rainy weekend.

[Pappy!]

Jim....we will be invited.........right?   

[Bronxboy]

Reading the above I see an escape theme, and Sherry and I took many trips looking for the next escape long ago. We traveled within a set parameters, Colorado came very close with us almost picking up five acres in Buena Vista, but we came to the conclusion that Colorado is a great place to visit but not live and yes Eddie you have to try and put your mind out of the vacation mode when looking unless it is for full retirement. I plan on working part time as I will have to or will go stir crazy. Texas, na and then many say NC, we really like it and obviously many are on that same thought but again so many thinking there keeps me away. While traveling in 07 we stoped to visit some life long friends of my parents in a town called Mountain Home in Arkansas, never would have thunk! Fell in love. Not to wintery and seeing most say Arkansas! Why Arkansas we are comfortable it will not find the same fate as I don’t want to go looking again because of growth.  Before we left we found 6.5 acres of rolly hills and a natural spring and bought it outright. I look at northern Florida as well but I want to get to a point where I am not keeping an eye on invest number 97 anymore!    Who knows maybe we are right and it will work out for us when the time comes.  But Florida, my have you changed.   Pictures show some younger people!

http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/EBeybuzzard/slideshow/Ark

I hear Banjo's 

[Bronxboy]

When I leave this Swamp it will be NC/Tenn

[_Sheffjs_]

Reading the above I see an escape theme, and Sherry and I took many trips looking for the next escape long ago. We traveled within a set parameters, Colorado came very close with us almost picking up five acres in Buena Vista, but we came to the conclusion that Colorado is a great place to visit but not live and yes Eddie you have to try and put your mind out of the vacation mode when looking unless it is for full retirement. I plan on working part time as I will have to or will go stir crazy. Texas, na and then many say NC, we really like it and obviously many are on that same thought but again so many thinking there keeps me away. While traveling in 07 we stoped to visit some life long friends of my parents in a town called Mountain Home in Arkansas, never would have thunk! Fell in love. Not to wintery and seeing most say Arkansas! Why Arkansas we are comfortable it will not find the same fate as I don’t want to go looking again because of growth.  Before we left we found 6.5 acres of rolly hills and a natural spring and bought it outright. I look at northern Florida as well but I want to get to a point where I am not keeping an eye on invest number 97 anymore!    Who knows maybe we are right and it will work out for us when the time comes.  But Florida, my have you changed.   Pictures show some younger people!

http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/EBeybuzzard/slideshow/Ark

I hear Banjo's 

Yes you do, they are there to keep massive growth out. Including NY - D Nozzles like you!!

[Grumpy]

The Gainesville Fl. city limits sign used to read just under 50,000, it is now 131,000.  We are 22 miles North of the Swamp.  I was born in the old Alachua General Hospital in 1947, it was torn down quite a few years ago.  My Mom was from Missouri and we moved there when I was 1 year old and moved back in 1959 and I started school in Lake Butler.  There is to this day still only one Elementary school which used to be the school that the black children attended.  There is also only one Middle school and one High School in Union County.  People from adjoining counties drive their children to our county for their education because of the A+ rating that our schools continue to maintain.  We have 3 grandchildren attending the same schools that I attended and our children attended.
When I was a kid in high school we didn't lock our doors at night.  As a matter of fact we didn't have an air conditioner until just before we got married.  I worked for Western Electric when we were married and they required that I have a telephone.  I applied for one and it took two years for us to finally get a two party line.  My Dad and Mom were the eighth party on an eight party line at the time.  That is another story.

Cripes, does that bring back memories. we had a party line when I was younger, and any time we got a call you could be sure a few were listening in, you could hear the clicks when they hung up. Showing my age, even remember the number, WE29,  stood for Wentzville exchange #29 how long since we had 4 digit numbers.

[Mapper]

I figured we would have a non Florida pipe in sooner or later, one of the slightly younger Valksters to grad in the 90s  and Pappy to remember the curve on the bay, I’m impressed.  Good stories for a rainy day, and it looks like time will tell on who finds their way out first. 

To be fair, I was an Army brat -- spent much of my childhood in Fort Rucker, AL  (UCLA --- that's Ugliest Corner of Lower Alabama) -- PCB was just a short drive away, and my grandmother lives in Panama City off of Thomas Dr. 

I've been a FL resident since 2000 (lived in Jacksonville and Milton), still rocking the FL tags in VA.

[Valkorado]

Please don't move to Colorado for refuge!  I grew up here, moved on several occasions and always came home because these mountains are in my blood.  There was always a place to get away from everyone, maybe a short hike to total solitude for camping or relaxation.  That's not the case anymore.

When I was a teen, the tourism board had an ad campaign calling Crested Butte, "the great unknown".  I wish that was still the case.  Don't get me started on the bigger cities in the state.  I pretty much avoid 'em, whether on two wheels or four.

[_Sheffjs_]

Please don't move to Colorado for refuge!  I grew up here, moved on several occasions and always came home because these mountains are in my blood.  There was always a place to get away from everyone, maybe a short hike to total solitude for camping or relaxation.  That's not the case anymore.

When I was a teen, the tourism board had an ad campaign calling Crested Butte, "the great unknown".  I wish that was still the case.  Don't get me started on the bigger cities in the state.  I pretty much avoid 'em, whether on two wheels or four.

Yep the ride through Montrose last June was hot (Florida saying that) and the traffic was unreal! Not the area I visited in the early 90's 

[Jims99]

Jim....we will be invited.........right?  

of course. It will be a big city haters party. ( I may need more than 20 acres. LOL )

[Farside]

To be fair, I was an Army brat -- spent much of my childhood in Fort Rucker, AL  (UCLA --- that's Ugliest Corner of Lower Alabama) -- PCB was just a short drive away, and my grandmother lives in Panama City off of Thomas Dr. 

I've been a FL resident since 2000 (lived in Jacksonville and Milton), still rocking the FL tags in VA.

Mapper, yes LA ....lots of peanut or cottom fields but not the traffic for sure. I know Rucker well, been in & working the area for 35+ yrs now. Cities like Dothan & Enterprise have really grown in the last 15-20 yrs. (I actually will be in PC later today on the East end of Thomas Dr. by the State Park; family condo.) All the tri-state area of N. FL, S. GA and S. AL is some nice ridding. Great place to retire if one wants to invistagate and slow down in their later years. Great folks for the most part too. Nice back rode rides to get to most anywhere staying off the Hway slabs of course. 
If you get over my way on the bike and want to meet up let me know. There are 1/2 doz or so Valk brothers in the area that like to get out and ride. I'm in Milton which you mention you lived once. Feel free to reach out if interested. 850-748-5154 

[Mapper]

To be fair, I was an Army brat -- spent much of my childhood in Fort Rucker, AL  (UCLA --- that's Ugliest Corner of Lower Alabama) -- PCB was just a short drive away, and my grandmother lives in Panama City off of Thomas Dr. 

I've been a FL resident since 2000 (lived in Jacksonville and Milton), still rocking the FL tags in VA.

Mapper, yes LA ....lots of peanut or cottom fields but not the traffic for sure. I know Rucker well, been in & working the area for 35+ yrs now. Cities like Dothan & Enterprise have really grown in the last 15-20 yrs. (I actually will be in PC later today on the East end of Thomas Dr. by the State Park; family condo.) All the tri-state area of N. FL, S. GA and S. AL is some nice ridding. Great place to retire if one wants to invistagate and slow down in their later years. Great folks for the most part too. Nice back rode rides to get to most anywhere staying off the Hway slabs of course. 
If you get over my way on the bike and want to meet up let me know. There are 1/2 doz or so Valk brothers in the area that like to get out and ride. I'm in Milton which you mention you lived once. Feel free to reach out if interested. 850-748-5154 

Milton... used to live in Eagle Crest near Whiting.  Favorite thing to do was take a Jon boat up the Blackwater River -- much better than the beaches and more my kind of people!

My Dad still lives in Daleville... recently retired his second time out of Cairns as an instructor pilot.  True thing about the nice riding through countryside and rolling (small) hills.

I see you're signed up for InZane -- I'm really looking forward to meeting a bunch of the great guys/gals I've seen on this forum over the years.  I'm at 850-287-3954 -- I won't get to InZane until Tuesday because my oldest son is graduating on Monday (Young_Valk, also coming along with my Dad).

[Tropic traveler]

I guess I'm the weirdo {surprise!} as I long for warmer winters in the south. If it wasn't for Kim I would already be somewhere south of Hwy 70. As a Florida native from the southern half of the state, which is defined as the area south of Hwy 50, I have a different perspective of cold weather.
Still wondering where all this "heat" is ya'll speak of. 

[TJ]

I guess I'm the weirdo {surprise!} as I long for warmer winters in the south. If it wasn't for Kim I would already be somewhere south of Hwy 70. As a Florida native from the southern half of the state, which is defined as the area south of Hwy 50, I have a different perspective of cold weather.
Still wondering where all this "heat" is ya'll speak of. 

    anything north of I-4 you might as well live in Ga...  Love south of I-4 even if I have to be in the country … ( according to Debbie )