Another legislative attempt to move the capital from TLH to Orlando

[scott1088]

As someone who was born and raised in the panhandle and now lives just outside Orlando, and has an office near the attractions, I am counting the days until my daughter graduates high school and heads off to college. The wife and I are already planning our exit strategy. We are either moving back to Tallahassee area or getting the hell out of Florida. Lately the latter has been trending strong. Orlando is a mess and is getting worse every single year.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I know this comparison is totally off base for a number of geographic and economic reasons but whenever I visit Raleigh, I feel like I'm looking at something similar to what Tally could have been. (I get that FSU/FAMU/TCC aren't even close to being UNC/Duke/NCST)

You still have a TON of green space, areas that very much have a small town feel, yet a burgeoning economy, lots of highly educated folks coming in and then making it home, and a vibrant startup and small business sector that keeps it from looking like suburban Phoenix full of obnoxious chains. Sure it's got awful traffic, I never said their local gov't did everything right. But they took what they are and did something pretty good with it.

There's a reason nearly every one of my friends growing up has left Tally, inspite of our love of the city and FSU. There just weren't enough high paying jobs to keep us around. That's not maintaining a small town feel, that's suffocating.

 

[FloridaCracker]

Fair that folks who want to live in a small/quaint town ought to be able to do so, but sometimes that'll involve them moving to one rather than demanding their current burgh limit its own growth. That point is even more so the case when you're talking about a town that's a state capital and home to 3 large colleges/universities.

Tally just isn't set up to be someone's small town, that folks have tried to keep it that way is part why it struggles to be neither a small town nor a viable metro. The identity crisis has to end.

As for being a Florida Cracker, I thought that name applies to folks who were original Florida settlers/pioneers (and their subsequent descendants), not 2nd generation Floridians. You might be appropriating someone else's legacy to validate your position. Frankly I don't really care, go for it, just thought it might be something for you to research.

The name originated among the early settlers and pioneers, though the true etymology is unknown. Some claim the origin to be in the cracking sound from the whips used by the early cattlemen, or the whips used to drive the wagon teams bringing the settlers to Florida. Others say it was derived from entrenced Spanish speaking Floridians referring to English speakers as “cuáqueros” (Quakers), the faith attributed by them to all non catholic believers.

I claim the designation through my maternal line, which has continuous roots in Florida preceding the War between the States. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who has lived here the majority of his life and loves the state for our unique beauty, and not because we don’t have a state income tax, is welcome to claim it.

 

[Oclawaha]

The name originated among the early settlers and pioneers, though the true etymology is unknown. Some claim the origin to be in the cracking sound from the whips used by the early cattlemen, or the whips used to drive the wagon teams bringing the settlers to Florida. Others say it was derived from entrenced Spanish speaking Floridians referring to English speakers as “cuáqueros” (Quakers), the faith attributed by them to all non catholic believers.

I claim the designation through my maternal line, which has continuous roots in Florida preceding the War between the States. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who has lived here the majority of his life and loves the state for our unique beauty, and not because we don’t have a state income tax, is welcome to claim it.

I agree. My dads line is from Tampa area starting with his great grandfather. Crackers to the core.
They were a rough bunch. Or so I’ve been told. Tough place to scratch out a living.

 

[squiffynole]

Well, I've spent the last 40+ years working in Florida's public and private sectors in the areas of environmental protection and comprehensive planning and now work on my own providing expert testimony in legal proceedings across the state and can say my life's work in a failure.

 

[Oclawaha]

Beats the hell out of digging ditches.

 

[FloridaCracker]

I agree. My dads line is from Tampa area starting with his great grandfather. Crackers to the core.
They were a rough bunch. Or so I’ve been told. Tough place to scratch out a living.

My family has been in Tampa for a long time, too. It was definitely a rough and tumble place up to the early 60s. Lots of great stories passed down through the years. A lot of that old flavor is kind of lost in the modern city, where it’s unusual to find someone over the age of 20 who was even born in the area.

 

[Jeffersoncountynole]

My family has been in Tampa for a long time, too. It was definitely a rough and tumble place up to the early 60s. Lots of great stories passed down through the years. A lot of that old flavor is kind of lost in the modern city, where it’s unusual to find someone over the age of 20 who was even born in the area.

 

[Jeffersoncountynole]

Fifth generation Floridian born and raised in Tallahassee. Last time I was in Tampa I was told I had a wonderful "western" accent. Hopefully I won't live to see the entire state turned into New York South.

 

[Seminolejon78]

Florida definitely has its challenges. My wife and I have had lots of conversations about relocating to the Carolinas or North Georgia. But all our kids and grandkids are in Florida , so I doubt we’ll leave.

 

[speechteach]

I wonder if this debate comes up in other states? Like in Nevada, the bulk of the state population is in the Las Vegas area but the capital is far away in Carson City on the other side of the state. Alaska's is Juneau which is nowhere near Anchorage or Fairbanks. Sacramento is not that far from San Fran, but far from heavier population base of LA-San Diego.

My understanding was the original point of making those smaller, far removed cities the state capitals was because they would be far enough away from economic centers that it would weaken the influence of those with monetary power.

 

[Seminolejon78]

My understanding was the original point of making those smaller, far removed cities the state capitals was because they would be far enough away from economic centers that it would weaken the influence of those with monetary power.

That’s really worked well...

 

[LLOYD72]

We've been coming to Tallahassee more the past couple of years. We've given up on trying to fly from Denver to Tallahassee and have been flying to J'Ville and driving over. The hotel situation - depending on when you travel is also bleak. We're coming down the end of March and have booked our flights - direct through J'Ville and our accommodations through VRBO. For a capital city, Tally is a tough place to travel to. Hopefully that can get straightened out

 

[Dr. Nole]

Florida definitely has its challenges. My wife and I have had lots of conversations about relocating to the Carolinas or North Georgia. But all our kids and grandkids are in Florida , so I doubt we’ll leave.

I think about that too. I am still working and like to boat/fish so we like SW Florida...I do wonder though what would make me say it's time to leave Florida?

 

[VirginiaNole]

Wow, I am trying to figure out a way/when/where to come back. You guys are talking about leaving? What gives?