Who is, has or wants to move to Florida ? (Miami: housing, condo)

[Wutsup]

The more I look (research) the more I like North Port, Fla.
I am married and have kids (15, 13, 6) so schools are an issue and so is business. Do not want to live in the "boonies" but do not want to live in a big city either. Looks like North Port is close proximity to some business and schools look good too.
Am visiting Sarasota in July and hopefully can do some first hand research while I am there.
Some of my obstacles are that my hubby is not keen on moving.....15 yr. old not thrilled with the idea......and most important, I need to find a fulltime teaching position. There are many "hoops" to jump through when it comes to getting a teaching certificate in a new state and getting an interview. It has become "Rocket Science" if you know what I mean! There are many days I wish I had gone into the medical fields (nursing or allied med) Even though teaching is my passion.

[faina00]

Originally Posted by Wutsup

The more I look (research) the more I like North Port, Fla.
I am married and have kids (15, 13, 6) so schools are an issue and so is business. Do not want to live in the "boonies" but do not want to live in a big city either. Looks like North Port is close proximity to some business and schools look good too.
Am visiting Sarasota in July and hopefully can do some first hand research while I am there.
Some of my obstacles are that my hubby is not keen on moving.....15 yr. old not thrilled with the idea......and most important, I need to find a fulltime teaching position. There are many "hoops" to jump through when it comes to getting a teaching certificate in a new state and getting an interview. It has become "Rocket Science" if you know what I mean! There are many days I wish I had gone into the medical fields (nursing or allied med) Even though teaching is my passion.

Believe me, those positions (medical) need to be recertified as well when moving to another state. We are going through it now. It is very expensive and time consuming. That's the problem with having state licensure as opposed to national!

[New England Yankee]

I know Mantee county is cutting back their expenses on education.Plus teachers get low pay in Florida.
The medical field is OK.
If your husband doesn't want to move and things don't turn out right,it will be on your head.
I have a home in Florida and love it.

[AnotherDayInParadise]

I hope you are bringing your whole family when you visit... I am originally from Cincinnati but have been in Florida for just over ten years now. By coming in July you will certainly be feeling the heat and may be in for some wet weather... but it beats ice and snow!

North Port has a new middle school opening in time for the 2008-2009 school year. There are over 12,000 school-aged children in the city so the schools are being built nearly annually. Always looking for teachers.

You will find that the city of North Port will have the most affordable housing options in Sarasota County.

Good Luck!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Wutsup

The more I look (research) the more I like North Port, Fla.
I am married and have kids (15, 13, 6) so schools are an issue and so is business. Do not want to live in the "boonies" but do not want to live in a big city either. Looks like North Port is close proximity to some business and schools look good too.
Am visiting Sarasota in July and hopefully can do some first hand research while I am there.
Some of my obstacles are that my hubby is not keen on moving.....15 yr. old not thrilled with the idea......and most important, I need to find a fulltime teaching position. There are many "hoops" to jump through when it comes to getting a teaching certificate in a new state and getting an interview. It has become "Rocket Science" if you know what I mean! There are many days I wish I had gone into the medical fields (nursing or allied med) Even though teaching is my passion.

I know that Dstsabo (another poster on City-Data) is renting in Lakeside Plantation. If you read through his posts, he seems to be very happy with Lakeside and from what I understand his kids are too.

Another suggestion might be to look into the Charleston Park neighborhood. There a lots and lots of kids that live in there. I have many friends with kids of all ages that live in Charleston Park and they all seem to love it. They even have their own Mom's Club and Poker Night for the dads!

Good luck with your move!

[Sunshine Chick]

I am reading allot about where to move to and see North Port mentioned allot. I also have been looking at realtor.com and see there are some great buys in North Port as well.
But I also see tons of posting about how bad it is in North Port. One that really made me think was one I read yesterday when someone said " do not move to North Port, it has been the worst 8 years of my life here". Why in the heck would you live in a place for 8 years if it was the worse in your life?
Seems to be a mix of those who like it and do not like it.
Is there anyone here that recently moved there and like or it does not like it?
I am looking deeply into Lakeland but found that almost 500 sex offenders in a mid sized town like Lakeland just about has me looking elsewhere.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Chick

I am reading allot about where to move to and see North Port mentioned allot. I also have been looking at realtor.com and see there are some great buys in North Port as well.
But I also see tons of posting about how bad it is in North Port. One that really made me think was one I read yesterday when someone said " do not move to North Port, it has been the worst 8 years of my life here". Why in the heck would you live in a place for 8 years if it was the worse in your life?
Seems to be a mix of those who like it and do not like it.
Is there anyone here that recently moved there and like or it does not like it?
I am looking deeply into Lakeland but found that almost 500 sex offenders in a mid sized town like Lakeland just about has me looking elsewhere.

I live in North Port and absolutely love it! I have three children and they like North Port as well. We are 25 minutes from the beaches, the Sarasota School system is rated one of the top in the state and the housing is affordable.

You're going to find people on this board that hate it and people that love it. As was pointed out today by Mr Tudo, all the the posters that post negatively about North Port don't live here and most of them never have. The ones that post and live in North Port (for the most part) seem to be very happy. I was thinking the same thing Sunshine, why would someone live in a place for 8 years if they hate it.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the area!

[kwick release]

Just got done moving the family to Satellite Beach and we love it. Definitely made the right decision. Alot of NYers down here too. Food is much better than VA Beach because of all the NYers...good bagels and pizza.

Will report back in a few weeks with any negatives if they appear, but so far excellent!

[Sunshine Chick]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

I live in North Port and absolutely love it! I have three children and they like North Port as well. We are 25 minutes from the beaches, the Sarasota School system is rated one of the top in the state and the housing is affordable.

You're going to find people on this board that hate it and people that love it. As was pointed out today by Mr Tudo, all the the posters that post negatively about North Port don't live here and most of them never have. The ones that post and live in North Port (for the most part) seem to be very happy. I was thinking the same thing Sunshine, why would someone live in a place for 8 years if they hate it.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the area!

I would not stay in any place and be miserable for 8 years as if you are miserable you will pass that down to your children and I wont do that.

Thank you very much. North Port is further south then we wanted but with it's location and access to some of the best beaches we might give it a look to.

What beaches do you go to?
How long is the drive to Disney?

You like the NP schools, which is most important to me as it seems many schools in Florida are not very good for some reason. The low grad rate amazed me when I looked at the info. No wonder people whine about being poor when a large majoirty are not even completing high school.

My college friend lives in St Pete and loves it there but she makes 80k per year and can afford to live wherever she wants. So looking at google maps I won't be that far from her at all. I don't think I would want St Pete because of the insane traffic they have and of course the prices of home there have not moved much in what I think is a buyers market in many places.

Are you allowed to PM me your info on NP homes?

[JTJ1977]

What are you from?
Davenport, Iowa

Where in Florida are you moving?
Orlando, Jacksonville, or Miami, all depending on what my potential employer does.

What attracts you to Florida?
Warm weather, racial and ethnic diversity on the level of many major metropolitan areas (NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago), a cheaper cost of living, and a pretty decent black middle class presence. Also, I am a political science graduate, and find the ideological diversity of the regions, metros and small towns politically stiumlating.

What research did you do or have already done to pick your city or location?
I haven't done much research, although I will dedicate myself to that. Again, it all hinges on what the employer does with my application, and, if they hire me, where they assign me to.

Did you spend time in that town in person?
I have never been to Orlando, nor Florida itself, and only know of what I see on television, though I am not foolish to believe that Florida can be generalized (nor can any state, for that matter).

Did you communicate with people who live their personally?
No, I haven't.