Would You Reside In Florida We May Travel To Bigger Locations?

[jamilah38]

Anybody acquainted with Texas? Probably you have lived there for some time or realize lots of locations there? What region/towns within the situation would you think would be excellent spots for an typical group of 4 with young young children to reside at? I comprehend there are a lot of locations, but Iam in search of to hear from people's individual experiences with the region they definitely have been in.We're thinking about moving there this coming fall, but I have not existed there given that I was four and we've no family members there. We-Do not need large-city purchasing or an energetic community nightlife, just somewhere little. If we want surely to for perform.Anyone have any distinct views of where we have to(or must not) take into account dwelling?

[stein74]

Move toward the coastal regions getting totally a beachwalker/swimmer/fisherman sort but broadly speaking, the nearer to the water, the larger the residence or lease cost. I will tell you a number of areas that I like myself, because you did not show a selection. Gainesville is just a college town naturally despite the fact that not poor as cities go and there are lots of work/housing possibilities there. The colleges are observed in walking distance normally. Beyond Gainesville it moves really rural, really quick. I'd steer clear of Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami areas due to site visitors/offense and so forth. You may possibly appear south of Tampa/St. Pete in the Bradenton/Sarasota areas and I appreciate the coastline there, specifically Anna-Maria Region. So far as principal Fla., I'd not disregard the Ocala location and the panhandle is large but I've not spent time there though I've heard excellent causes for having Milton. Hope this can assist--don't forget it is smooth and comfortable there primarily, and wherever you reside youare just a single hour or two in the ocean.

[jen]

[Jurre]

but....you would probaly not want to move where iam at, its not that its a bad place its just that its so over crowded and the cost of living is so high,(Miami). But i know a great place 4 1/2 hours north of miami, its called New Smyrna Beach, it is 15 min south of Daytona beach. Now the area that Iam talking is on the west side, its about a  20 min drive to the beach side. Its so nice there, the houses are still reasonable priced, you can get a nice house on some acreage for around 200 thousand. Oh also its 45 min, north east from Orlando. The was i describe New Smyrna is, any thing that is here in Miami is there but you just dont have the overcrowding, the traffic, high cost of living. The town is very well maintained, beautiful parks, nice malls, also my favorite is the big flea market that they have every saturday and sunday in daytona. About a year ago we almost made the move i checked out the schools around the area we were looking and everyone of them from the elementry to the middle and high school were all graded(A) schools, they were not over crowded class rooms like here in Miami. Also it gets cold but not extremly cold, you still have your nice warm weather. We visit there at least 4-5 times a year, everytime we go we check out whats for sale and how much it is, one day we will make it there. I have to tell how beautiful New Smyrna Beach is, you drive your car right on the beach, in certian areas. There is also a beautiful state park, with wild life and the most pristine beaches you have ever seen. Check out this web site www.volusia.org or www.nsbfla.com

[Inerney]

I would try to pay off most of your bills before relocating to Florida.  You cannot go to Florida and live peacefully on Northern bills.  I did it once, and I struggled to get by.  I went down to Florida with a brand new car with payments, yes, the rent was cheaper but, so was the starting wage for a Nurse.   I struggled to get everything paid and still managed to get by and finish college. If I had to do it all over again, I would move back to Port St. Lucie and live in the same development that I did, it was very calm, peaceful and relaxing.  I had a swimming pool that was connected to my living room.(most homes have this set up)  I miss the little lizards, that would run beneath your feet, in the morning outside your door.  I miss the tree frogs that would stick to my windows, after it rained.  I miss the red ants that would sting the bottom of my feet, as I always forgot to wear my flip-flops!!! I miss the fifteen minute a day, rain showers that would occur!!!!  I miss the sunny, dry & humid... heat waves that came with the territory!!!   I miss the hurricane warnings!!!!   I miss the elderly drivers that would really get my blood pressure boiling, when I was in a hurry!!!   I miss the golf courses, and beautiful beaches...  I loved being a snow-bird!!!!! I remember missing my family one year, I stayed for Christmas... and it was 75 degrees and the houses all decorated with lights.. it was so sad, that Christmas Day, my parents flew out to join me..as I cried for New England... home of the Winter Wonderland!!!   I missed the snow, the shoveling, the sledding, skiing and most of all... My friends!!!      I sure do miss Florida!!! The West Coast is beautiful... I think that the sunset is much nicer there, and the water is clearer.   I think that the nice areas to retire are... Hobe Sound, Stuart, Port St. Lucie and  St. Petersburg.  I have traveled all over Florida and I would suggest that you go where there is less crime and good schools for your children..  Port St. Lucie!!!!!   Good Luck!!!

[Phillip]

yes, all my life but....you would probaly not want to move where iam at, its not that its a bad place its just that its so over crowded and the cost of living is so high,(Miami). But i know a great place 4 1/2 hours north of miami, its called New Smyrna Beach, it is 15 min south of Daytona beach. Now the area that Iam talking is on the west side, its about a  20 min drive to the beach side. Its so nice there, the houses are still reasonable priced, you can get a nice house on some acreage for around 200 thousand. Oh also its 45 min, north east from Orlando. The was i describe New Smyrna is, any thing that is here in Miami is there but you just dont have the overcrowding, the traffic, high cost of living. The town is very well maintained, beautiful parks, nice malls, also my favorite is the big flea market that they have every saturday and sunday in daytona. About a year ago we almost made the move i checked out the schools around the area we were looking and everyone of them from the elementry to the middle and high school were all graded(A) schools, they were not over crowded class rooms like here in Miami. Also it gets cold but not extremly cold, you still have your nice warm weather. We visit there at least 4-5 times a year, everytime we go we check out whats for sale and how much it is, one day we will make it there. I have to tell how beautiful New Smyrna Beach is, you drive your car right on the beach, in certian areas. There is also a beautiful state park, with wild life and the most pristine beaches you have ever seen. Check out this web site www.volusia.org or www.nsbfla.com   Google Map View Larger Map orangeeyeduc 72 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[darrick34]

Check out the schools wherever you want to go We lived in Orlando for 10 years, but now live in Jacksonville. We like Jacksonville, but there was more to do in Orlando. We have also spent a lot of time in Sarasota and that may ultimately be where we end up. Schools in Florida are a problem. Most districts overall are poor with only 1 or 2 schools that are exceptional. You need to identify these better schools and move into their attendance zones.   Good luck on your move and hope you enjoy the sunshine.   63swc's Recommendations Florida's Living Beaches: A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber Amazon List Price: $21.95 Used from: $14.05 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5(based on 10 reviews) Florida Atlas & Gazetteer Amazon List Price: $19.95 Used from: $12.50 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5(based on 11 reviews) Tales of Old Florida Amazon List Price: $9.99 Used from: $2.23 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5(based on 2 reviews) 63swc 72 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Veto]

We lived in Orlando for 10 years, but now live in Jacksonville. We like Jacksonville, but there was more to do in Orlando. We have also spent a lot of time in Sarasota and that may ultimately be where we end up. Schools in Florida are a problem. Most districts overall are poor with only 1 or 2 schools that are exceptional. You need to identify these better schools and move into their attendance zones.   Good luck on your move and hope you enjoy the sunshine.

[Ridgely]

We found Freeport(FL) and fell in love with it We?re up in the Panhandle...about centered between Panama City Beach and Pensacola...and north-east of Destin.   Over the years, we vacationed in all different areas of FL...and found that the NW has it all.  We have 4 seasons, but no snow...actually, right now we?re having a 3 night freeze...but in a day or two it will be back up to 70.   Freeport isn?t an area that hurricanes or tornados generally hit...we get the wind and the rain but not the damage.   In 15 minutes we can be at the most pristine beaches.  The Gulf of Mexico is warm and inviting...the sand is white quartz, never hot under foot.  We can enjoy all of the huge shopping centers and outlets, restaurants and quaint shops...and drive home to peace and quiet...room to breathe.   The best part...a brand new home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths...1650 square feet on a 1/2 acre lot..WAS $319,000. last year.  This year it?s $189,500.  Our subdivision is rare...all ?homes?, no trailers.  That?s one thing I didn?t like in some areas...a beautiful home next to a ?single wide?...   Taxes...we had a 3000 sf house on 8/10 of an acre in CT...when we sold it 4 years ago, the taxes were $3,500. a year plus personal property taxes on our vehicles, plus state income tax...   When we moved to FL, we bought a 3000 sf log home on 1/2 acre backed up to a wide brook with protected woodland behind it...we had to go and sign up for our ?homestead exemption?...and the lady at the Assesors office mentioned something about $580....I hesitated to ask her what our annual taxes were...that was it!  I had heard right...and no vehicle taxes, no state income tax.   We have a deep well and the water quality is excellent.  We?re across the street from Black Creek which is more like a large river...and there?s a boat launch and dock for the community to enjoy.   There are so few negatives here.  One thing that I had a hard time getting used to are the king sized bugs.  The Georgia Hoppers are like monster grass hoppers...maybe 2-3" long with a thick body...but they don?t bite people...just munch on greens.  Palmetto bugs...well, that?s a pretty name for huge roaches..but we have the inside of the house exterminated every 3 months...and they stay away.  We have the lawn and plantings exterminated at the same time...maybe runs us about $100. for all of the spraying every 3 months...and we?re pest free.   Freeport is paradise...great schools...full services...great for kids and pets...a short drive to everything...but just far enough away from the ?resort and tourist? areas.  We absolutely love it. Sources: My experience   Google Map View Larger Map HELENofTROY 72 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Morton]

Though not a Fla. resident, I have spent extended periods there during the course of my lifetime. I tend to gravitate toward the coastal areas being a beachwalker/swimmer/fisherman type but generally speaking, the closer to the water, the higher the house or rent payment. Since you didn't express a preference, i'll tell you a few areas that I like myself. Gainesville is a college town of course but not bad as towns go and there are plenty of job/housing opportunities there. The schools are located in walking distance in most cases. Outside of Gainesville it goes very rural, very quick. I'd stay away from Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami areas because of traffic/crime etc. You might look south of Tampa/St. Pete at the Bradenton/Sarasota areas and I love the coast there, especially Anna Maria Island. As far as central Fla., I'd not overlook the Ocala area and the panhandle is huge but I've not spent time there although I've heard nice things about Milton. Hope this helps--remember it's flat and warm there mostly, and wherever you live you're only an hour or two from the ocean. Sources: personal experience dougiedognabit 72 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.