[parasol]

LushTrees, as evidenced by some of the posters on this board, you are not alone in your concerns and viewpoints about FL. I've lived in the state for 27 years and have been ready to leave for most of them. If only it weren't for that pesky immediate family of mine who managed to make me grow so fond of and attached to that I can't bear to imagine a life where I couldn't drive ten minutes and be in their presence. As I've gotten older, however, it gives me less of a stinging feeling to think about; and that is how I found CityData. I've narrowed down where I hope to relocate to within the next three years to just a few sections of the country and in doing so I've become slightly less embittered toward my current state and lot a more passionate about taking it into my own hands and making a drastic change.

Since your journey to finding your next destination has just begun I wholeheartedly recommend the U.S. General board and reading the topics that interest you. From there you'll venture into the individual state forums and undoubtedly find your geographical niche in no time.

[socrates1234]

Originally Posted by parasol

LushTrees, as evidenced by some of the posters on this board, you are not alone in your concerns and viewpoints about FL. I've lived in the state for 27 years and have been ready to leave for most of them. If only it weren't for that pesky immediate family of mine who managed to make me grow so fond of and attached to that I can't bear to imagine a life where I couldn't drive ten minutes and be in their presence. As I've gotten older, however, it gives me less of a stinging feeling to think about; and that is how I found CityData. I've narrowed down where I hope to relocate to within the next three years to just a few sections of the country and in doing so I've become slightly less embittered toward my current state and lot a more passionate about taking it into my own hands and making a drastic change.

Since your journey to finding your next destination has just begun I wholeheartedly recommend the U.S. General board and reading the topics that interest you. From there you'll venture into the individual state forums and undoubtedly find your geographical niche in no time.

Don't put off re-locating..I did for years, finally did, and the feeling of what I missed out on by being chicken all those years kills me! Just GO, and don't waste time thinking about it

[lady22]

We plan on relocating to Orlando. First we lived in Chicago, hated the winters but loved the summers, and now we are in Kansas City and its boring here and I hate the winters. Well, when we relocate to Orlando we plan on spending around 585,000 to 650,000 for our home. Any suggestions for an area in Orlando with little crime. I can stand the heat but I can't stand the winters.

[poohcorner]

I've gotta say in regards to the education system down here: my daughter graduated in May and found out we were relocating to Tampa so she decided to look for a job down here. She graduated from college top of her class in education from New York and has been up in arms about the education system here since she started working. In New York parents get involved and in the classes, she's teaching third grade. She can't get anyone to help her. Fellow teachers tell her she has the worst class in the school. There's no support from administration. The principal is never there. This doesn't even take into consideration the horrible pay. She had to buy a car and the manager was shocked at her salary. It really is a disgrace how the teachers are treated down here. Now she's telling me that her plan is to get her Masters like she had planned in New York and then get involved in administration in the hope to make a change.

If parents aren't happy with the school system down here they really need to get more involved with the school boards and classrooms.