[gypsychic]

If you want a really great area, Lakeland is a well-kept secret. It is beautiful and clean here with a great cost-of-living. Someone said it is extremely hot here in summer - well, it is, but it is NO hotter than anywhere else in Florida, and frankly, where we live in town, it is much cooler than Sarasota, Tampa or Dade City, where we have previously lived in Florida. It is hilly here with many lakes and lots of trees, very community oriented with lots of parks and recreational opportunities, and a balanced economy. Polk County also has a booming school enrollment, with a huge budget for schools (although I can't speak to the quality of education) and there are several colleges here. I think it is one of THE best places in Florida to raise a family. As a bonus, it is within an easy drive to Tampa (to the West) and Orlando (to the east). Best of all, cost of living here is among the most reasonable in Florida

Good luck on your decision.

[travellight27]

My vote is Venice. I lived in Naples for 30 years, but if I went back I would go to Venice.
tl

[ellabella666]

Originally Posted by indiana4321

Hey all,

Me,my fiancee ,my mother and her fiancee are looking to move to florida in the next 5-6 months we are looking for more information on a area that is reasonable to live and a low crime area. we can afford around 800.00 a month maybe a little more.I currently have a job here hopfully i can transfer but if not this would be the type of work id be looking for im looking for either costumer service,managment,cashier,office work or restraunt work. my mother would be looking for a job there tho would it be hard for her to find an office type job she currently works as a office clerk for a dentist office.my fiance is disabled and cant work due to an accident a few years ago.my moms fiance is retired but a very low fixed income.we dont have any kids at the moment. please any input would be appreciated it.

thanks.

I LIVE IN OCALA..ITS VERY NICE HERE..ABOUT ONE AND HALF HOURS WEST OF ORLANDO..ITS A NICE CITY..LOADS TO DO AND WORK IS AVAILABLE..HOME RENTALS ARE GOOD PRICE..ID ADVISE YOU TOO LOOK IN "OCALA4SALE.COM FOR HOUSE RENTALS..OR BUY A MOBILE HOME...THERE CHEAP ENOUGH...GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH..

[kellycoffin]

The Charlotte County Police (sheriff they are called here) are hiring right now. go to Sun Newspapers or charlotte county website. the actual sheriffs dept. where you go in to work is in North Ft. Myers.

[dynamic8]

Consider this: Port Saint Lucie,a metropolitan city located just a drive from the Palm Beaches,was named the fastest growing city in the United States and the safest( currently the 25th safest.) It is reaching a population of 200,000 soon and has many new developments springing up.It is also spring training home to the New York Mets.

Port St Lucie Home Page or Tradition Commercial

[dynamic8]

It also has three major highways that go through it, Interstate 95 Florida's Turnpike US1, for easy access. It is 30 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport.

[Floridabound09]

My suggestion is to spend time, maybe a week at the least in the area you chose to move to.

Do not rent or by anything online or have not spent some time in that specific area.

You will be surprised what you will learn by eating at a local restaurant, going to a local market, grocery or shopping area etc.

Narrow your choices down to a couple places and check them out by spending time there.

If it wasnt for all the things we like so well that the Gulf Side offers, we would be headed to the Panhandle area without any doubt. Check out the panhandle if you can.

Time spent in your chosen areas will be a wise choice.

[Copernicus]

One of the first things you have to decide when you move to Florida is whether nor not you want to be in warm weather year round or not.

It is not unusual for it to be 65 degrees in Fort Lauderdale and 30 degrees in Orlando at Disney World.

On the Atlantic coast if you want to be warm year round, you have to be at least as far south as Port St. Lucie.

I don't know where the demarcation line for year round weather on the West coast is, but it is probably at least as far south as Tampa or Sarasota.

If you don't care about being in warm weather year round, then this doesn't matter, but a lot of people moving to Florida don't know that you can freeze in Jacksonville and the Panhandle!

Good luck with your move!

[sunshined70]

My husband has a job opportunity in Panama City. We do plan to visit before making our final decision, neither of us have ever been to Florida. I was reading through the threads there is alot of helpful information. I have Asthma and allergies which are a concern.

We would appreciate any input. Thank you!

[kstrub810]

Silver Spring Shores homes are $525.00 (2 bedroom / 2 bathroom) up to around $775 (3 bedroom , 2 bathroom, 2 car garage) to rent . There are plenty of restaurants and whatnot to get jobs, as well as doctors/ dentist offices within a 20 minute commute. Look into GMAC All Florida Realty for help finding a home, they are really helpful .