[JEdwards0019]

Hello! My wife and I currently live outside of Atlanta and plan to move to Florida after she graduates law school. The problem is, we can't decide where to move. Here are the main criteria we are looking for:

(1) Coastal/beachy community: we want our home to be on or near the beach and the town to have a nice beach feel to it, meaning we are in walking distance of fresh seafood, local bars and live music, etc. We really want a laid back lifestyle;

(2) Sense of community: we don't have to live in a city, but wherever we end up, we do want to feel like we belong, meaning there are festivals, farmers markets, etc. We don't have kids so we would prefer somewhere that has activities for families as well as young professionals; and

(3) Safety: we live in a pretty safe area right now and would like to feel safe and comfortable walking our dog or going on runs through the community (both day and night).

I think walkability and laid back are the things that resonate the most in this (short) list and with us. So if you have any suggestions on some hidden gems or even well known areas that we may have over looked, please let us know, as we are starting visiting areas/job hunting soon.

Thanks!

[just_visiting 9]

Your wish list is the same as most who wants to move to FL. Get the job first then figure out where to live unless you have considerable assets to start off with. Generally speaking, stay away from Tampa go with the mid East Coast.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by just_visiting 9

Generally speaking, stay away from Tampa go with the mid East Coast.

Because it fulfills most of their criteria or a personal reason that has nothing to do with it perhaps...??

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by JEdwards0019

Hello! My wife and I currently live outside of Atlanta and plan to move to Florida after she graduates law school. The problem is, we can't decide where to move. Here are the main criteria we are looking for:

(1) Coastal/beachy community: we want our home to be on or near the beach and the town to have a nice beach feel to it, meaning we are in walking distance of fresh seafood, local bars and live music, etc. We really want a laid back lifestyle;

(2) Sense of community: we don't have to live in a city, but wherever we end up, we do want to feel like we belong, meaning there are festivals, farmers markets, etc. We don't have kids so we would prefer somewhere that has activities for families as well as young professionals; and

(3) Safety: we live in a pretty safe area right now and would like to feel safe and comfortable walking our dog or going on runs through the community (both day and night).

I think walkability and laid back are the things that resonate the most in this (short) list and with us. So if you have any suggestions on some hidden gems or even well known areas that we may have over looked, please let us know, as we are starting visiting areas/job hunting soon.

Thanks!

The St Pete/Clearwater area would be a great option for you in places like Belleair/Bellair Bluffs, Indian Rocks Beach or St Pete Beach. There's a lot to do within walking distance from those areas and fairly young (trending younger) especially in St Pete itself which is booming with new businesses downtown including restaurants, bars/breweries and shops. It's also a very bike-friendly area with bike trails all around the gulf-front and beachfront.

St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Inc.

[dothetwist]

As a full-time Gulfport resident for 3+ years, all I can say is: We LOVE it here in the historic waterfront district with our cute brick streets. We walk almost nightly to our choice of 12+ non-chain restaurants, with no safety issues; Most everyone we run into at night is out walking their dogs or jogging, walking, bicycling.

Live one block from Boca Ciega Bay where we walk along the shore daily and see dolphins, pelicans, shorebirds, osprey, wild parrots (and an occasional manatee).

We have a weekly daytime market (Tuesdays) and twice monthly evening Art Walks (First Fridays and Third Saturdays). There is ALWAYS some sort of event every weekend, year round.

For more info and pictures, go here: Visit Gulfport Florida | Gulfport

We are a 14 minute drive from DTSP for more eateries and events. 25 minutes from Tampa International Airport which makes travel very easy. 20 minutes to the best Gulf beaches.

[Fredesch]

Look at Ormond-by-the-sea (zip 32176). Anywhere in this zip you can walk to the beach as the peninsula is only 700 m wide. Since you are young I will assume walking distance is 2.5 miles for you. Within 2.5 miles of my house we have a small shopping center with a nice Publix grocery. We have a couple of surf shops, couple of barber shops, a micro-brew pub, several resturants, one with an open patio overlooking the ocean and free music 7 days a week in nice weather (almost every day). Several pizza parlors, dollar store, mini hardware store... And for most of this zip there are no buildings between A1A and the ocean. We did get hit pretty hard by hurricane Matthew. Hurricanes and salt corrosion are part of the deal when you are near the beach.

You may find it difficult to find work in this area. Lack of good paying employers is a major reason that our area is affordable. Perhaps if your wife specializes in elder and family related law she could make a go of it here. From advertising, it appears existing lawyers are in personal injury or DUI.

[dothetwist]

Here's where we can walk to from our home in Gulfport:

In UNDER ONE-HALF MILE:

The beach and adjacent park with volley ball courts, picnic pavilions, restrooms
Public Library
Local restaurants (12+ all independent, no chains)
Retail shops
Car Repair Shop
Yoga Studios (2 private) in addition to City classes at Rec Center
Post Office
Parks (3 parks, plus 2 dog parks, one for large, one for small)
City Tennis Courts
City Fishing Pier
Dance Ballroom (City Owned, also the venue for art shows, galas and private weddings/parties)
Live Theatre
Churches
City Rec Center
City Government Offices
Senior Center
City Museum
City Marina
Convenience store with homemade Greek food carryout
Baseball field
Weekly Daytime Fresh Market
Twice a month evening Art Walks

BETWEEN ONE-HALF MILE AND UP TO ONE MILE:

Grocery Store (SaveALot, not my fave but it's handy in a pinch)
Fresh Produce Stand open 7 days a week (use this more than SaveALot)
Veterinarian
Dollar Store
Drug Store (Walgreens)
More restaurants (6 more)
More stores
Banks

I'm sure I left some places out!

[wizrap]

Lots of good suggestions for you--your time will be far more productive if you come up with some type of housing budget though.

[dothetwist]

Originally Posted by wizrap

Lots of good suggestions for you--your time will be far more productive if you come up with some type of housing budget though.

The OP didn't mention housing cost as a criteria.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

The St Pete/Clearwater area would be a great option for you in places like Belleair/Bellair Bluffs, Indian Rocks Beach or St Pete Beach. There's a lot to do within walking distance from those areas and fairly young (trending younger) especially in St Pete itself which is booming with new businesses downtown including restaurants, bars/breweries and shops. It's also a very bike-friendly area with bike trails all around the gulf-front and beachfront.

St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Inc.

I totally agree here,.