[jessemh431]

What's up everyone?

Well, I am currently in college, but once I graduate, I would like to move around the country for a while and experience new places, maybe even decide where I want to live for the rest of my life.

I want to try living in Florida, but can't decide the best place for me.

Miami seems like the most sensible answer since it's the most similar to LA, but I've heard very negative stuff about crime and how the Cubans are much different than Mexicans and it would be difficult to transisiton after being around the Mexicans. Also, is there tons of crime there? I have a friend from there and he said it's not good to live in downtown...you should live in Miami Beach. Is that true?

Tampa seems to be the city that people most often cross with LA. When posting on the LA forum, many people can't decide between LA and Tampa. Why is that? I don't think it's for me though, because I've heard that it is more humid on the Gulf side than the Atlantic side, and the Atlantic side is already like a bajillion times more humid than SoCal. Also, I watched something on the weather channel about how if a hurricane hit directly on Tampa almost everyone would die and there would be no Tampa left because it is so flat the water would cover it.

Orlando. Don't even waste your time telling me about it. I'm not moving to Mickey Land.

Jacksonville is currently my favorite option. I've heard that it's not as humid, the weather isn't as hot as South FL, and its not as crime ridden as Miami.

Pensacola, don't know much about it, just that its got a lot of military people, but I don't even know if that is true.

I will be young so I want somewhere fun, but I'm not a big partyer, so I don't need somewhere where i can go partying every night. I will probably be able to afford 1000-1500 for rent for a studio or 1bed.

Any other suggestions of places I should check out? Maybe some suburbs of larger cities?

As you can tell, I need a lot help deciding where I want to live for maybe a year or so.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[Lilybeans]

THe smart thing to do is to come to Florida, rent a car and drive all around to see the cities. I can tell you already don't understand that Orlando is a major financial center and business center, is growing, is pretty young, and has lots of things to do. It is more than just Disney World.

[gypsychic]

The above poster is right. Also, I don't know where you get the idea that the Gulf Coast is more "humid", because it isn't. I do think it depends where you are. SW Florida does feel a lot more humid to me than further north in St. Pete/Tampa and north of there.

You do need to come here and check it out for yourself.

[songgirl]

If considering Jacksonville, limit yourself to Jacksonville Beach area. This is really the only "fun" area for a young person. Most of Jax is family oriented and IMO more of a place to settle than to party.

The weather here is hot and humid in the summer, same as Tampa. If there is a difference in the humidity level, it's pretty imperceptible to me. The big difference is the winters. Jax gets pretty cold ie: 20's at night, 40's during the day. It doesn't last long and personally, I like the sense of 4 seasons we get here, but if you are looking for a more tropical scene, choose Tampa.

[Think (Freedom)]

Miami seems like the most sensible answer since it's the most similar to LA, but I've heard very negative stuff about crime and how the Cubans are much different than Mexicans and it would be difficult to transisiton after being around the Mexicans. Also, is there tons of crime there? I have a friend from there and he said it's not good to live in downtown...you should live in Miami Beach. Is that true?

Well coming from L.A., I dont think crime should be such a surprise for you. Yes there is crime here, but common sense goes a long way. However your friend is right about Downtown Miami. Its not the safest area and you should definitely stay away from it at night. But you dont necessarily have to live on the beach to be safe. There are plenty of other areas that are nice and are on the mainland. If you can afford upto 1500 a month, you should be able to find a pretty nice place.

The Cuban culture is very different from Mexican culture. Though I'm not sure what you mean by being difficult to transition. What are you worried about?

I would also suggest that you visit some of these cities that you mentioned first.

[Sunandsand]

I would not suggest Pensacola. We lived there and found it too conservative and humid.

I think other posters gave good advice, rent a car and check out the Tampa area and then Palm Beach County. Those are probably your best choices. Unles you can afford an expensive area, Miami would probably not be a great choice.

As far as humidity, we have found it more humid from Sarasota on up through the gulf coast. Also Orlando area seemed more humid. Interestingly, if you check out City Data's humidity graphs for Naples, it shows lower humidity than the rest of Florida. Not sure if that is accurate. But at your age, Naples is not a great fit anyway.

When we lived in Jupiter, and now Boca Raton, we feel more air movement off the ocean. At least to us, the east coast from Vero Beach, down through Boca feels less oppressive during the summer.

[MyHomeIsInOcala]

North Florida is nice!

We love Pensacola and the neighboring costal areas. Very pretty and such nice people too! Yes, it is a Military area, so there are many US Service men and women there.

We wanted to move there, but ended up in Central FL, which is OK, but not the best place we have lived so far, and we wanted no part of anything farther south than the Ocala area.

Jacksonville and Fernandina (north of Jack, just south of the GA state line) are both nice areas.

Hmmm… with being younger, maybe even the Gainesville FL area??

I would not go into the Orlando area either. Tampa/St. Pete is not that great either.

No matter what, Good Luck!

[Sunandsand]

I would not suggest Pensacola even a little bit OP. We had no problem with the military folks, as many in our family are military. But Pensacola has an underlying current of religious fanatics. The Pensacola Christian College is a very powerful force, in an odd way. Pensacola has a Stepford wives sort of feel. A pro-choice doctor was shot and killed there in 1994. His friend, a retired Lt. Colonel, was also killed. My aunt lived there then and said many in town were supportive of the killer. Despite appearance, we found the underlying feeling in the town and by its leaders creepy. It is not a fun town for people your age.

And it feels much more humid up there, for whatever reason. I know, we lived there, Jupiter, and Boca Raton and can compare those areas, despite what the 'data' says.

Focus your search on the Tampa and Palm Beach County areas and I think you will find what you are looking for. Tampa has great areas for younger people. Palm Beach Gardens is another nice area. Delray Beach is fun if you pick the right area in which to live.

[MyHomeIsInOcala]

If you want the REAL DEAL on Pensacola, you need to talk to Sunrico90, he lives there.

We have vacationed there for over 13 years, even in the dead of summer it is nice there. We always stay in Pensacola Beach or camp in Navarre. When I say Vacation, I mean spending 1 to 3 months at a time there. We love the Beautiful White Sugar Sand Beach line, courteous atmosphere, boardwalks, bars and Steak joints in town (The one we go to is on Palafox).

In that area you have Eglin Air Force Base and Pensacola Navel Station.

Again, for the best info on this particular area, Sunrico90 is the best bet!!

We have been going there since we where 24 yrs old, loving every minute of it.

Again, Good Luck, there are ao many great places to visit and potentailly chose from!

[jessemh431]

I forgot to mention this. I'm Jewish, so what areas should I check out where there is at least a little Jewish presence and I won't be thought of as an outcast.

From what the person said about the church in Pensacola, it looks like that is out for me. I know there is a great Jewish presence in the Miami suburbs, but those areas are mostly very rich and family friendly, right?