He said at some point large sections of the better off population left due to high rates of cancer from being so close to the chemical plant. 

I suppose it could be that homeowners who have solar take better care of their homes in general or are more analytical as others here have mentioned (interesting theory), but I suspect the power plant producing hundreds of dollars worth of electricity each month is actually the biggest selling factor, which is why we now know that homes with solar consistently sell for a 4% premium.

There is a petrochemical refinery and fertilizer plant here. 

Eventually he'll suffer a terrible fate: he'll have to get a job. 

I would say I'm hanging in there and "suffer" with it.

I didn't plant the tree, it may have been done by the developer.

Melaleuca should not have been planted in a small yard.

No shelves, TVs, plant hangers in the ceiling, etc.

I suspect that this is something that people often do, and typically suffer few if any negative consequences, but I wanted to see if folks had hands-on experience. 

Some areas in East Tampa are good and maybe Plant City.