[citygirl78]

I am 20 years old and grew up in the northeast. I am sick of the cold weater and ready to move to florida, but not sure where to go. I absoutly have to be near the beach, that is the whole reason for moving there.
Also, I need the area to be sort of inexpensive since I dont make a whole lot of money. (wanted to go to the Keys, but realized i couldnt afford to live there.)
I am young so i would like to live in a young, fun area, hopefully in a big city or a big town with lots to do. Maybe a college town??
I've heard good any bad things about Miami- what do you think?

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by citygirl78

I am 20 years old and grew up in the northeast. I am sick of the cold weater and ready to move to florida, but not sure where to go. I absoutly have to be near the beach, that is the whole reason for moving there.
Also, I need the area to be sort of inexpensive since I dont make a whole lot of money. (wanted to go to the Keys, but realized i couldnt afford to live there.)
I am young so i would like to live in a young, fun area, hopefully in a big city or a big town with lots to do. Maybe a college town??
I've heard good any bad things about Miami- what do you think?

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

If you want to live south


Miami=Bad,avoid
Fort Lauderdale=Good, just pick the right neighborhood

You are talking about minimum 800-850 a month for a very basic apartment in an ok neighborhood there though. Not cheap.Unless you can pay up to 1000 a month to live in a beach town like Hollywood east of U.S.1 or a nice part of Fort Lauderdale, I would not recommend.

You should look into the Tampa area. It's fun, with clubs/etc in South Tampa, but with (more) affordable rent.Thats on the Bay, not the gulf though. St.Petersburg could be a possibility too, but you have a lot of crime there if you don't live downtown. I have no clue what rent goes for in St.Petersburg, but i'm sure its cheaper than Miami/Fort Lauderdale.

[kwk722]

If you check out Tampa, I would recommend South Tampa or Clearwater/Largo area. I would avoid St. Pete. Just my opinion.
I would also check into the northern Orlando area, I think its friendlier and more fun than Tampa. Cocoa beach isnt too far away.

[MsV]

How about Gainesville - great college town - sorry I don't live in Fla, so I can't give much better advice. How about St. Augustine? Sounds like a happening place near the water.

[nhs]

move to orlando, florida or tallahassee, fl. college towns alot to do

[backtofla]

choose tally over orlando, just my opinion.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by MsV

How about St. Augustine? Sounds like a happening place near the water.

St. Augustine is very nice, but not for a 20 year old - better for a 40, 50, or 60 year old. I moved there in my late 20's and soon ended up in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville has the jobs, the nightlife, the ocean, and while housing is not cheap, it is within reason.

Lots of twenty-somethings in Jax - especially in Jax Beach and in the Intracoastal West area where 2 of the colleges are (University of North Florida and Florida Community College of Jacksonville).

[urs_truly143]

Tallahassee is good for young ppl, (I am 23 myself) but it's not someplace i'd recomend settling down to raise a famiy. Like any city it has it's good places and not soo good neighborhoods. The rent is much more reasonable than south florida. It's not too far from the beach maybe a couple hours (don't remember) The further south you go, and the closer to the beach you get the higher your price. And keep in mind if your 2 miles from the beach and you find a place that is 700-800 a month chances are it's a very UNSAFE/SCARY neighborhood lol.