Help? Where Should We Live In Fl!?!? (Jacksonville, Tampa: real estate, condos)

[aesoprocks!]

i never mentioned "fun" when comparing the two. yes, there are a lot of blacks in jax areas, if that is what you are referring to compelled, and jax has it's fair share of crime, in fact, probably comparable to orlando's, but i think the difference is jax' crime is mostly in certain areas. in orlando, there seems to be rif raf everywhere.

i live in a nice area in orlando. read my post about "police presence" in an orlando thread. all of those incidents happened in about a weeks time. and this area of orlando that i live in is considered "middle to upper" class.

[compelled to reply]

I saw your post on the Orlando forum. You live in Waterford Lakes. That place was a mistake waiting to happen, as is most of Orlando. I agree about Orlando being crappy as a whole. There are parts that are OK in Seminole County or even Winter Park but it generally sucks, thus the reason I no longer live there. Tampa and Palm Beach/Broward and for that matter even Dade County are much better than Orlando, IE Tampa has it's defined lines, in Palm Beach you stay west of Jog Rd in Broward you stay west of University Dr, in Dade crime is scattered but the decent areas tend to be large. You are accurate when you say Orlando really isn't good. The OP was looking for fun, so I just thought that should be a factor. I mean, I acutally moved south and it's much better, unless of course you happen to be a complete xenophobe like many of our fine posters. Then it's worse. But the reality (crime, traffic, general lifestyle) is better.

I agree JAX has defined lines, just like the rest of the state. Orlando is the head crap hole (IMO) and Miami is scuzzy in a lot of places.

I would also like to add in addition that if someone was looking for a majority black neighborhood or majority Hispanic neighborhood I would have the same reaction and ask why the hell they don't consider other factors in their relocation. Now if someone asks if they will be accepted (including a white non Hispanic person moving to Hialeah), that's a different story.

[nitokenshi]

Polk county is a whole county of 98% white. The small towns in Florida usually have no minorities in them. I also would suggest the panhandle because the closer you get to the backwoods of Alabama you probably will not spot a minority for miles. If I was going to reccomend sofla I would say Davie. Minorities are scared to go there during the nights because of the KKK. That's what I was told anyways.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by nitokenshi

If I was going to reccomend sofla I would say Davie. Minorities are scared to go there during the nights because of the KKK. That's what I was told anyways.

About 10 years ago it was like that. There are still small sections on the east side that seem to have neo nazi activity. Most of the more affluent racists fled that area years ago. Now 40% of the people that live there are minorities and they are far wealthier than the people they replaced. Median famil income has gone up like 25k in Davie, really huge increase. The crime rate also decreased big time.

[MomInNY]

and you say you're a police officer? dear G-d..

[Valnf]

Why don't you try from Destin to Pensacola. Most affordable and great for families. I know Santa Rosa County is one of the best school system in Florida. It gets cooler in the winter though, could go down to 30's. That is something to consider.

[gumbyfly]

You could always try Tallahassee.
It is less like lower Alabama than the rest of the panhandle, and has the university for when your kids get old enough for that...

[Jajsmom]

We moved from MA to Land O Lakes, FL 2 years ago. Land O Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Lutz is an upcoming area. We have A rated Schools, Great place for sports for kids. Close to everything, shopping, restaurants, movies. The beach is an hour away out near clearwater. Top beaches there. Only an 1 15 min. from Disney. Takes 30 min. to get to downtown Tampa. Great family neighborhoods. We have a neighbor who's a police officer and he likes where he is.

[FLGALATHEART]

After having lived in the Orlando area for 2 years, I have learned that there are "nice" areas and "not so nice areas" - its all in the research you do -crime, ethnicity, and gangs are everywhere you go, - you just have to be careful and mind your business. Its understandable you want to live and raise your family the "best" area, but face it - no where is PERFECT and home is where you make it. As far as your being in law enforcement, well, you should be prepared for ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. I don't mean to be cruel, but this isn't Maybery and life happens.

[dovecote]

Go Silversurfer-- What You Said!!!