[wmichellec]

I am a single, 40-something year old that has been living in Venice for the past 8 years. While I love the area, i need a new start. This little beach town is growing more than we can handle and the new population gets older every year. There is not many things or people for someone in my range and hard to find friends. Although I work in Sarasota, which has a little more nightlife, I am ready to explore other places and I would love some suggestions!

This is what I am hoping to find... Somewhere along the coast, Gulf or Atlantic side. A decent job market, since I will need to look for something. Somewhere safe for a single girl to live alone. A small town vibe (not TOO small), but close enough to a city for activity or nice commute to work. A middle aged crowd, not a bunch of party kids or people 15 years past retirement (I know that''s inevitable in Florida, but just less than Venice! ). A downtown area with bars and pubs or shops. Dog friendly. Will be renting and would like to stay in an apartment/townhouse complex.

I know that St. Pete or Tampa meets most of these qualifications, however, for personal reasons I prefer to stay away from that area. So, further north or south or across the state! My possibilities are open and nothing is holding me here, so I am ready to go!

Does anyone have any thoughts about a place that meets at least some of my wish list? It is a tall order, but figure there has to be something Out there! Im starting my drive tomorrow with only a general direction!

Thanks neighbors!
~Wendy

[kyle19125]

Check out Fernandina Beach. It has that small town vibe with a beautiful historic downtown area, is a good bit more age diverse, has nice beaches, it's largely uncrowded, dog friendly and is a decent commute from Jacksonville which is thriving well economically and in terms of jobs.

[butercup]

St. Augustine is pretty great for most of your list - might have to commute for a job, though, depending on what you do.

[wizrap]

When we vacationed in both St. Augustine & Fernandina Beach with our dog, we found St. Augustine more dog-friendly. Love that beach.

[bigh110]

key west

[EscAlaMike]

Fernandina Beach was my first thought. Maybe St. Augustine.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by wizrap

When we vacationed in both St. Augustine & Fernandina Beach with our dog, we found St. Augustine more dog-friendly. Love that beach.

It is more dog-friendly but St Augustine is way more touristy and can get pretty traffic congested.

[gypsychic]

You are already working in Sarasota, why not just move there? Honestly, job market will be tough in a small coastal town. If you think Venice is growing too much, you will certainly dislike St. Augustine - that is a super-crowded touristy place. Fernandina Beach is indeed nice, but you will probably have to commute to Jax for a job, depending what you do.

I would think this through if I were you. How about Englewood? That is a pretty nice little town, and you could probably still commute to Sarasota for work.

[grad_student200]

Originally Posted by wmichellec

I am a single, 40-something year old that has been living in Venice for the past 8 years. While I love the area, i need a new start. This little beach town is growing more than we can handle and the new population gets older every year. There is not many things or people for someone in my range and hard to find friends. Although I work in Sarasota, which has a little more nightlife, I am ready to explore other places and I would love some suggestions!

This is what I am hoping to find... Somewhere along the coast, Gulf or Atlantic side. A decent job market, since I will need to look for something. Somewhere safe for a single girl to live alone. A small town vibe (not TOO small), but close enough to a city for activity or nice commute to work. A middle aged crowd, not a bunch of party kids or people 15 years past retirement (I know that''s inevitable in Florida, but just less than Venice! ). A downtown area with bars and pubs or shops. Dog friendly. Will be renting and would like to stay in an apartment/townhouse complex.

I know that St. Pete or Tampa meets most of these qualifications, however, for personal reasons I prefer to stay away from that area. So, further north or south or across the state! My possibilities are open and nothing is holding me here, so I am ready to go!

Does anyone have any thoughts about a place that meets at least some of my wish list? It is a tall order, but figure there has to be something Out there! Im starting my drive tomorrow with only a general direction!

Thanks neighbors!
~Wendy

You are from Generation X like me. Do not, and I repeat, do not move to the FL Panhandle or Tallahassee. Age-wise, Generation X is very much out-of-place in that part of FL. I think you would be better off in Jacksonville, Cocoa Beach, or at least somewhere along the I-4 Corridor. Jacksonville might be ok too.

I left Tallahassee in February. I quit my job in Panama City. Generation X is woefully out-of-place in that area. Tallahassee is THE comfort zone for those between 19-22. I had no desire to be like "Frank the Tank" as a Generation X guy. Panama City is roughly similar with the added dimension of military service men or retirees. Generation X is far-and-few-in-between in the FL Panhandle or Tallahassee.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zniDzLLhcjg

[Tamika929]

I heard almost everyone in Sarasota is polite,why do you want to live alone in Florida.