[BLUE COLLAR]

Hi,my family and I live in NJ,it's expensive,crowded and people tend to be rude and self-centered,we want out.I manage a gun department in an independently owned outdoor store and also have a small landscape company.We first thought about some of the New England states but their not much cheaper than where we are now and as I get older I become less fond of dealing with winter.We're thinking of central to the northern part of the state.Looking for an area thats safe,with jobs and with friendly people,a mix of rural and surburban.I like to hunt and would like a large garden and maybe some livestock,my wife and children like to shop.We're not bringing NJ with us,we're looking to be part of the community.What about homeschooling,the weather(tornadoes in particular)?Any suggestions ?Thanks for any help.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by BLUE COLLAR

Hi,my family and I live in NJ,it's expensive,crowded and people tend to be rude and self-centered,we want out.I manage a gun department in an independently owned outdoor store and also have a small landscape company.We first thought about some of the New England states but their not much cheaper than where we are now and as I get older I become less fond of dealing with winter.We're thinking of central to the northern part of the state.Looking for an area thats safe,with jobs and with friendly people,a mix of rural and surburban.I like to hunt and would like a large garden and maybe some livestock,my wife and children like to shop.We're not bringing NJ with us,we're looking to be part of the community.What about homeschooling,the weather(tornadoes in particular)?Any suggestions ?Thanks for any help.

Look at Hernando County and Citrus County. Both are west coast, north central region.

[gypsychic]

I was going to suggest around Jacksonville, or panhandle.

[Fl1150]

Have you looked at North Carolina as lot of people believe Florida getting too crowded or already is and plan on moving up there. I would say keep your options open to many different areas and I agree with the above posters with the Panhandle being a nice region.

[Crane's Rooster]

Possibly Ocala/Gainesville area.

[doggiebus]

Northern Tampa, Odessa area might be an option. You'd be close to Tampa with lots of shopping, yet have the rural aspect your looking for.

[snowtired14]

Originally Posted by BLUE COLLAR

Hi,my family and I live in NJ,it's expensive,crowded and people tend to be rude and self-centered,we want out.I manage a gun department in an independently owned outdoor store and also have a small landscape company.We first thought about some of the New England states but their not much cheaper than where we are now and as I get older I become less fond of dealing with winter.We're thinking of central to the northern part of the state.Looking for an area thats safe,with jobs and with friendly people,a mix of rural and surburban.I like to hunt and would like a large garden and maybe some livestock,my wife and children like to shop.We're not bringing NJ with us,we're looking to be part of the community.What about homeschooling,the weather(tornadoes in particular)?Any suggestions ?Thanks for any help.

Starting to do some research is a good start, but you have far to go my son. So, I'm not going to entirely dis Florida, my wife and I are planning to be there in a couple of years, as retirees. Some positives, slightly cheaper COL than the northeast, mild winters, inland housing prices are pretty good, no state income tax, lots of shoreline, Disney, did I mention mild winters? Now some negatives, shoreline (like anywhere) is expensive, it's flat, H&H summers all summer, poor pay scale, snowbirds, Jacksonville Jaguars. It's going to be up to you to define your preferences, how about Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, more topography and good hunting and fishing and quite a bit lower COL. If I had a young family, I don't know? Hope some of this helps, good luck!

[8to32characters]

Based on your interests and preferences, it sounds like an another Southern states such as South Carolina or Tennessee would suit you better than Florida.

For the most part, Florida is crowded, unsafe and full of rude, self-centered transplants and immigrants. The state has a service-oriented economy with poor salaries and wages; however, housing, taxes and insurance are on the expensive side, so the COL is a disproportionately high. That, plus there's very little in the way of a "community atmosphere" in Florida, even the northern part of the state.

But it doesn't snow.

[Spring Hillian]

Check prior posts of the above poster and notice their unrelenting assault on FL.


Says a lot, knows little.

[hpotterfan77]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Check prior posts of the above poster and notice their unrelenting assault on FL.


Says a lot, knows little.

I don't even live in FL yet and I can tell he's bitter...lol