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usaf-vet

(7,710 posts)
1. I visited Florida once in the mid-1960s on holiday leave from the USAF. That was enough for me even then.
Sun Oct 5, 2025, 12:35 PM
Sunday

JoetheShow

(138 posts)
2. I lived in Pensacola for about a year. It was great.
Sun Oct 5, 2025, 12:45 PM
Sunday

The city itself was nice and we were close to New Orleans and Alabama. My folks came down to visit from Kansas since they had never been to Florida. They traveled down and around the Keys and back up. Their car was covered in these huge, black, mosquito like bugs. I decided then and there that I never wanted to live in the Keys no matter how great it looked on TV.

carpetbagger

(5,380 posts)
11. Those are lovebugs.
Tue Oct 7, 2025, 01:54 PM
5 hrs ago

They're a type of fly. They come out in April/May and again (smaller) in September. They don't bite, although they're a bit acidic and will eat the paint if you don't clean the splats off, but that takes quite a bit of splat over time. Sadly, like other insects, the numbers are not what they were 40 years ago.

JoetheShow

(138 posts)
12. Thanks. This was in the mid 70's when I went to Naval school in Pensacola.
Tue Oct 7, 2025, 05:29 PM
1 hr ago

Once you said it I vaguely remembered. I really liked Pensacola but that was before the crazies took over the state government. I wouldn't want to live there now because of the crazies, climate change, cost of living and insurance premiums.

I know there's a lot of overlap in that list but those are the flashing neon signs any one of which says "Stay Away".

3. I met my husband in the Florida Keys in 1974
Sun Oct 5, 2025, 01:37 PM
Sunday

The mosquitos (the state bird) drove us out of there.
There was no consumer protection in Florida & Desantis has made it worse.
The weather is horrible & getting worse.
If we never go back to Florida it will be too soon for us.

mitch96

(15,517 posts)
4. It's kinda obvious to this Floridian that the narrator/creator does not know much about Florida. He paints a picture
Sun Oct 5, 2025, 02:35 PM
Sunday

Of perpetual gloom and doom prolly picked from other gloom and doom Florida hate vid's..
Yes dear reader we do talk about these things. Yes there is bad thing about Florida and yes there are good things about Florida. The good things were not mentioned. I would love to move to a liberal state but alas I could not afford it.. For the retired, living is inexpensive in my neck of the woods.
Make your choice, pick your poison....
After 47 years here I think I'll "stick it out"
m

IbogaProject

(5,115 posts)
7. I had a great summer at the University of Florida in Ganesville
Mon Oct 6, 2025, 12:28 AM
Yesterday

Back in the summer of 1985, it was hot and sometimes humid but after a short daily rain it often got comfortable.

mitch96

(15,517 posts)
8. And I had a great time as a kid playing in snow drifts, ice skating and skiing. Coming home to hot chocolate was great.
Mon Oct 6, 2025, 04:14 PM
Yesterday

And now as a mid 70's geezer I don't care for the cold. Even Florida when it gets "cold" gets to me..
Warm and financially secure is where I'm at today...
m

sinkingfeeling

(56,501 posts)
6. I moved to south Florida in 1977. My parents, sister, and BIL lived there. I lasted
Sun Oct 5, 2025, 10:51 PM
Sunday

14 months. I was eaten alive by bugs, my white Corvette was covered in mildew, and I had to.put my son in private school. I told my employer to get me transferred out of the state and thankfully they did.

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