[2009 mommy]

My husband and i live in florida and are looking to more to Florence area next summer of 2010, my parents moved there last summer. i dont know the area at all only been to visit one time. My husband and i have a 4 month old child. and the living seems to be alot cheaper then florida. any advice or just your thoughts about live in the area would be great how is the schools and is there any thing to do bs go to the parks. any thing to do for our age group im 21 my husband is 28

[Charles]

Are you moving there primarily because your parents moved there?
Does your husband or you have a job lined up?
What line of work are you two in?

[Keeper]

I made your post it's own thread so you can get info about the area.

[skinem]

Friendly people. It will be cheaper than living in Florida.
The town struggles for jobs.
Schools are ok--like anywhere, some are better than others--public and private.

[KMK]

Saw your note. I have lived in Florence what seems like an eternity. And yes there are essentially no jobs and have not been for some time. It is not particularly kid friendly. Nothing at all for kids to do unless you have assess to the lake(as in lakehouse)It is much easier to entertain very young children but by age 10 it becomes a challenge. Most stores have closed. We are overrun with steakhouses. Most people go out to eat for entertainment, but there are only one or two unique restaurants. Most are chains. There is one nice park with a large play area but that is about it. The town has made an effort to become a retirement community the past several years. I guess that has had some degree of success. It is true you get more house for your money but prices for housing have escalated over the past few years also. Food prices are very high. I was in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago and was amazed at how cheap the groceries were in comparision. Anything unique to do involves at minimal a 2 hour extremely boring drive to one of the larger cities in either direction. And schools are basically adequate. Each have their unique problems. One might enjoy Alabama football in Tuscaloosa, it is fun but tickets are usually high and can be quite challenging to find unless you are a season ticket holder. I do have friends that retired here from Kissemee? Florida a few years ago. They are in their late 60 early 70 and say they don`t mind the boring lifestyle since they lived in the fast lane for 40 years. Having family here would be a plus so I could understand wanting to live near the folks. And for a year or two you might find the area appealing but that will pass. My friends by the way take at least one trip out of state a month for a week or two. Good Luck in your decision.