[LHBR702]

Ok, let's try a new one. Since it is SO obvious that many of you are unhappy living in Florida, I'd like to ask a question that may be very helpful to those of us looking to move TO Florida. If you HAD to choose a city in Florida to live in, which city would it be and why? This is not one of those questions where money is no object and you could afford to live on Star Island and have a driver, a personal shopper and people to fan you in the heat if you wanted, but as an average middle-class working person - if you could not leave Florida and were forced to pick a city where you had to settle down for some time and make a living... where would it be and why?

[ARC]

I would move to Northwest Florida, probably Tallahassee. Why? First Tallahassee is beautiful. I have never lived there, but visit often. I'm sure it has problems that I am not aware of. It seems like more of a Southern city, which is something that would appeal to ME.

Originally Posted by LHBR702

Ok, let's try a new one. Since SO it is obvious that many of you are unhappy living in Florida, I'd like to ask a question that may be very helpful to those of us looking to move TO Florida. If you HAD to choose a city in Florida to live in, which city would it be and why? This is not one of those questions where money is no object and you could afford to live on Star Island and have a driver, a personal shopper and people to fan you in the heat if you wanted, but as an average middle-class working person - if you could not leave Florida and were forced to pick a city where you had to settle down for some time and make a living... where would it be and why?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Yes, the husband has a solid job offer in Tally, and I would move there in a heartbeat (but buy a lot here.)
However, he's not crazy about the job, so we will instead head out to Amelia Island.

[ARC]

You know, I've gotta be honest. We drive up 1-75 to the panhandle alot, because we own property near Tallahassee. There are so many beautiful places between Orlando and our land. Gainesville and the surrounding area is beautiful - hilly, lots of trees. I know nothing about Gainesville. I think I'd enjoy Florida much more if I lived farther north. It just "seems" different than Orlando and all its problems, but then again, I'm no expert on these other cities.

Originally Posted by cil

Yes, the husband has a solid job offer in Tally, and I would move there in a heartbeat (but buy a lot here.)
However, he's not crazy about the job, so we will instead head out to Amelia Island.

[dreamofmonterey]

gainesville is a nice town- the University is there- there is a large hospital- My husband and I almost bought land there- but again, the job issue, if you are just picking up and moving, could be a problem. Also in 2001, there was a construction boom, am not sure how that worked out-

[macguy]

Originally Posted by LHBR702

Ok, let's try a new one. Since it is SO obvious that many of you are unhappy living in Florida, I'd like to ask a question that may be very helpful to those of us looking to move TO Florida. If you HAD to choose a city in Florida to live in, which city would it be and why? This is not one of those questions where money is no object and you could afford to live on Star Island and have a driver, a personal shopper and people to fan you in the heat if you wanted, but as an average middle-class working person - if you could not leave Florida and were forced to pick a city where you had to settle down for some time and make a living... where would it be and why?

I would pick Tallahassee, it's a nice city. My wife goes there once a month and she never wants to come back, we live in Fort Lauderdale by the way. Her brother and mother both live there and we will be in the area some time soon. I have no plans to move from Florida just to a nicer part. That whole area from Tallahassee west through the panhandle is very nice.

[carolinadreamin]

A few years ago we went to explore Clermont, Ocala and Gainesville and liked all three. Clermont has hills, which really was a shock considering I grew up in FL and never saw so much as a speed bump. lol Clermont also has many beautiful lakes and lakefront homes. Not sure of the cost there nowadays, if it's middle class or higher.

Gainesville is a college town and we enjoyed walking around there. Ocala is horse country and has Ocala National Forest. But these places are not for those wanting many "city" qualities found in SoFL.

It's just where we would probably move if we were planning to stay in FL.

[Bassethoundplace]

As for a nice little place to live close to everything yet still a very small town, Lake Hamilton is where I've been for the last 30 years. Winter Haven is 10 miles west with Lakeland 25 miles farther west. Haines City (5 miles north) is beginning to grow exponentially, but that probably won't happen here because of the ordinances we have. Mobile homes are not allowed inside the town limits and a new houses must be pretty good sized in order to get a building permit. There are several dogs in our neighborhood, but they don't run free. I love it here with my current five basset hounds. Inside the half acre chain link fence, I have the best security system money can buy.

Bassethoundplace

[connielynreturns]

Liberty City is real nice ...j/k. The Panhandle holds promise, affordability is the major issue, insurance has pulled out and property taxes have skyrocketed, so new homeowners have it rough.

[AmyK]

Definitely Melbourne Beach (or nearby Indialantic or Satellite Beach). We have lived in the area for almost 20 years and love it here. Happy with the education the kids are getting, friendly people, almost no crime, nice small-town beach communities, not overrun with tourists (still can find empty beaches!). We are not having any problems affording living here -- my husband does make a good salary in his job, but many of our friends make a lot less and are also doing fine. Maybe the cost-of-living increases are worse in other places?. I see on this forum that some people in FL are having a really hard time with insurance, low wages, crime, property tax, and other things, but I haven't seen those problems around here. We are about to move for my husband's job (not much choice in the matter), but otherwise I think we might never move from Melbourne Beach. I realize there are always going to be drawbacks to any area -- like the 2004 hurricane season was a hard time, but in almost 20 years that was the only bad hurricane season we had! Anyway the things I listed above are some of my favorite things about living here.