[menglin]

HI I was looking into northern Florida for a possible move. Does anybody know anything about the area? Schools are my main focus. We like having a town center, not the urban sprawl we have here in Orlando. We would like a little land 1/2 + acre. Our price range is $300. Again I am looking for a good school system. We don't like houses right on top of each other but we like neighbors for our kids to play with and such. I have been tubing down and swimming in the springs up there and went to school in Gainesville. I visited Tallahasse back in my college days but don't remember alot. LOL Some of the cities I noticed online are Alchua, Chiefland,High springs. We do like restaurants and shopping. So within 30mins? My husband is very flexible since his territory includes Texas- South Carolina. Maybe a good airport within 45min? Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.

[mg83]

The actual city of Alachua is quaint. It's fun to visit and they have some surprisingly good restaurants in their little "downtown", Conestoga's being one of them. The school system is another issue. Though, I'd seriously look into the private schools in Gainesville... I don't know where in O'Town you're from... but if it's anywhere outside of the decent schools in Seminole County, then don't worry. They can't be any worse in North-Central Florida.

Chiefland is West of all that... and it's not a very good place. It's not in Alachua County, but in Levy County. Very small and run downish from what I've seen. Large portion of the population living in poverty. Farther out of the shopping and restaurants in Gainesville... it's also farther from the Jacksonville International Airport (which would be my airport of choice if I still lived around Gainesville, Alachua, etc).

Maybe look into the city of Newberry as well, or anything small in the Northwest quadrant of Gainesville.

[mg83]

Keep in mind there's tons of things for kids to do as well. There are attractions in Gainesville, like the museum, butterfly garden, SFCC zoo... there's always things going on at the Phillips Center and at the Harn.

As you mentioned, there's also so many springs and parks to visit... and it's so cheap. You could go to a different one nearly every weekend, and this is all within 45 min drive.

[bfa]

I live in Tampa, but was raised in South Georgia, N Florida. Gainesville is pretty nice, I wouldn't live in the city, but maybe in the suburbs...Stayed with friends years ago in High Springs, hated it...just my opinion on that one.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Do a search (middle-top of your screen.)
There has been discussion of north Florida.
I used to live on the northwest side, and if you like restaurants and shopping you probably do not want to live where I was (Port St Joe.)
Now I am on the northeast, and I am very happy here.
One of our moderators, Sunrico, lives in Navarre (northwest, but a more populated area) and can give you a lot of information about that town.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by menglin

HI I was looking into northern Florida for a possible move. Does anybody know anything about the area? Schools are my main focus. We like having a town center, not the urban sprawl we have here in Orlando. We would like a little land 1/2 + acre. Our price range is $300. Again I am looking for a good school system. We don't like houses right on top of each other but we like neighbors for our kids to play with and such. I have been tubing down and swimming in the springs up there and went to school in Gainesville. I visited Tallahasse back in my college days but don't remember alot. LOL Some of the cities I noticed online are Alchua, Chiefland,High springs. We do like restaurants and shopping. So within 30mins? My husband is very flexible since his territory includes Texas- South Carolina. Maybe a good airport within 45min? Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.

The Navarre area is a great location, still affordable and low crime. Our schools are rated A+, but the HS has a B, 26 elementary, middle schools and HS in the county received A rating.

The job market is supported by the aerospace industry and large military community. Individuals in the aerospace industry are making in the $55K as a starting salary for well trained individuals. Due to the large number of military retirees you find most making in the $75K+.

Many families are relocating due to the lower cost. Is not a perfect place, but for the last 10 years is our paradise. Due a search for Navarre, Fort Walton beach, Destin, Gulf Breeze, Pcola, Milton, Pace, Crestview, Jay, Bonifay, or Panama City. We have discussed the town very extensively and many post has links to important web site in the communities.

Traffic is very heavy in HWY 98 (only HWY east to west and south of I10), but that will be my negative point...

This is my view of the area, my experiences in the area are memorable so I can't complain. But do your research and visit and see if this area fits your needs. You will be the only one that can really decide. Best of luck...

[TriMT7]

Tallahassee is probably too far away from a "good airport" for you. I would look towards the towns outside of Jacksonville and Pensacola.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Tallahassee is probably too far away from a "good airport" for you. I would look towards the towns outside of Jacksonville and Pensacola.

Between Pcola, Fort Walton Beach and Mobile you have access to all main hubs in the east coast.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Tallahassee is probably too far away from a "good airport" for you. I would look towards the towns outside of Jacksonville and Pensacola.

We do have parts of Jax where you can have a good sized lot and a house for $300k.

I'd suggest:

Fort Caroline area (zip 32225): 20 minutes or less to JIA, 15 minutes to the beach, tons of shopping, restaurants, etc. very close by but not so much near the neighborhoods themselves. Lots of housing built in the 60's, 70's 80's with good-sized lots.......a nice, quiet, convenient leafy area.

Northside of Jacksonville: I don't have a zip because I don't know it well enough to recommend a particular zip (I'd be afraid to give you the wrong one). The Northside is not an area I normally recommend, but it is still quite rural and it's not terribly inconvenient. Lots of new housing developments going in and some are on bigger lots than you usually find elsewhere. New housing can be found for under $300k (and that's getting harder to do in other parts of Jax and St. Augustine area).

Beyond that, outside of Jax, there's not much I'd recommend - the true rural areas here are not so nice at all. There's Yulee, which might be okay, but I'd forget about everything rural west of Jax, I would not recommend it to anyone. St. John's county's formerly rural areas are all being built into homogeneous master-planned communities and the prices are high.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

Between Pcola, Fort Walton Beach and Mobile you have access to all main hubs in the east coast.

At a cost.
I couldn't believe how expensive it was for me to fly out of that area, no matter how much I finagled around with air travel websites.
Of course now they are building the new airport in Panama City, but that will take years.
In terms of connections, Ft Walton airport is a *bit* better, the Tally airport is better, Jax airport is best.