u/MoparMan59L

Disclaimer: These aren't the only areas with vibrant Italian-American culture just the ones I thought of immediately.

I'm part Italian from Michigan. While Michigan no doubt has a stronger Italian influence (Detroit style Pizza, Mike Modano), it never seemed to be that strong of a culture here. Polish a bit (I'm part Polish and Indian, with a Polish surname), but most Italians just consider themselves white American and don't make a big deal of it. People really don't brag about being Italian. I don't see a ton of Italian flags. But when I've visited places like NYC, New Jersey, Boston, Philly and Chicago, being Italian in those areas is a big deal. People really love and embrace their Italian Heritage. When I visited those areas, despite my polish surname. I often get mistaken for being full Italian (or Hispanic) likely due to my Italian-Indian mix. But people thought it was cool that I was Italian and it was a big deal to them.

Of course, we see similar things on tv shows such as The Sopranos and movies like Goodfellas or A Bronx Tale.

I'm in Florida right now. I've been here for a long time. A lot of Italian-Americans here. But kind of like Michigan, no one seems to make a big deal of it. Most even with Italian surnames, just consider themselves white American. I've spent time in Georgia and it was largely the samething. They really didn't see themselves as Italian-American. Just White American with some Italian ancestry.

This isn't meant to be a hate or a criticism. I love my Italian-American heritage. I just find it fascinating that in some areas people tend to embrace their ancestry more as where others people don't care as much. If anything, I wonder why Italian-Americans in other areas don't embrace it as much?

I'm a System Admin at a small MSP with two years experience. Prior had two years in help desk and a few years ago I worked at a PC repair place for about a year (until it went out of business). I also have my B.S. in Infotech that I graduated back in 2022.

Anyway, my MSP is hounded me to get certs and get them ASAP. They sadly don't pay for them nor reimburse, so the cost is on me. The other reason for wanting to get certs is to try and get hired somewhere else. Since it seems recruiters really want certs now regardless of experience (they also want experience and a degree). Everytime I do get an interview, I get asked about certs and usually get TBNT for not having any despite a degree and experience.

Then I'm also worried about layoffs at my current job. They seem to be auditing everyone right now for certs, degrees and other things.

I've done some of the free practice tests for A+ and it's basically stuff I do everyday or have done in the past. Most of it seems help desk level. Do you think it's wise to try and take it? Or should I try Messier's course first and then take it?

The only ask because my employer is really hounded me to get at least one cert and I put off doing it due to low pay (I make under $70k) and the fact that they don't pay for it.

Is it wise to try the A+ now, hopefully pass both and then that buys me time to study for Net+?

My only worry is I know both Cores are expensive that even with Messier's vouchers, it still going to be close to $500 for both.

Curious, regarding housing, utilities, grocery, etc.

Curious, regarding housing, utilities, grocery, etc.

I live on the outskirts of a very sprawly suburb of a very sprawly metro area in Florida (aka Tampa Bay). I only Uber part time. I have a full time remote job and I am doing this to save up extra money to move. I have a late model Hyundai Elantra that gets good MPG.

Do you think its worth it to commute to the main city to drive or is it better to stay in the suburbs? The last few weeks, I went to the main city and when I do after expenses I average $16 to $20 an hour. Not great money but better than nothing especially for part time.

Yesterday, on my day off I decided to experiment in my suburb and tried to stay around there. I only averaged $10 an hour. I can experiment a little since I don't need to rely on this full time. I've only been doing this for a little over a month and still trying to find my spots.

The commute to both Tampa and St. Pete is about 50 minutes or so early in the morning (I typically drive 5am to 10am or so). It's also a wide metro, so I've thought about experimenting with other parts of it.

When I first moved to Spring Hill about 7 years ago, it was because I got priced out of Tampa. 7 years ago still doesn't seem that long ago (Pandemic screwed up the timeline), but back then it seemed Spring Hill was still kind of this small out of the way town. A town that was mostly old people and retirees.

Since the Pandemic both Spring Hill and Brooksville have really grown. New subdivisions and gated communities everywhere. We actually have a rush hour in Spring Hill and school traffic is a nightmare (sucks getting caught in it).

I've noticed the demographics of people moving here have changed a lot. A few years ago, it was more people like me that got priced out of Tampa. Last 3 or 4 years it's been mostly out of staters from NYC, Long Island, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Denver, LA and a few other places.

All of them seem to have the same story. They sold their home in those cities and brought a house here for cash. Lots of younger families too. Often late 30 to early 40 somethings with young kids. Many times the parents are remote workers.

I've asked a few of my new neighbors what made them choose Spring Hill over Tampa or St. Pete. They said they thought it was a pretty town. Which is kind of crazy to me. Not that Spring Hill or Brooksville are ugly. Just I never thought of either as picturesque or pretty towns. Even more baffling to me, so many people I have meet over the last 3 to 4 years, have told me that Spring Hill and Brooksville are the best places they have ever lived. Even coming from places such as Boston, NYC, DC, Denver, etc. I'm stunned!

I even know of one couple that recently moved here from Washington DC. Sold their house in DC, brought a house here for cash and never even saw it in person until the day they moved in. They too insist that this is the best place they have ever lived.

I guess I find it surprising how many people are choosing up here over Tampa or St. Pete or Clearwater. The houses really aren't any bigger. Cheaper sure. But if you are selling your house up north for $700 to $800K, I'm sure you could get a house closer to Tampa still for $400K. Unless they really just like having an extra $50K in their pocket?

Is Hernando now a national market?