[Ladywithafan]

Don't sweat the small stuff, but PSL is correct, the first year is the hardest...but after that, it gets easier!

I ran into a woman over the weekend from Long Island, living down here, and we got to talking....I heard her accent and it was like music to my ears...we connected, exchanged numbers to get together (met when she was buying tickets where I work PT for the Sarsota Film Fest) and she was happy to meet some one who could understand her (i.e. the whole NY experience)....you will find this to be true in Florida all over....

Best Wishes!

[agreatlife]

I'm a former Northerner (NY, NJ & PA) moved to Jax in 91, never looked back. No problems with Gators & Snakes, you'll find less of them in the more densely populated areas, but really not stuff to sweat over.

Sweat over finding an A rated school for your kids, and finding a job.

Good luck to you.

[momix5]

I heard that Sebastian is nice also. We moved to Spring Hill, my son's elementary is A rated and is better than the Long Island School we came from. I was no Long Island for some business last week, and I missed it until the first jerk cut me off on the grand central and almost killed me while he was flipping me the bird! The people in the airport were so rude, even the people in McDonalds were so rude, Do I miss my friends yes, would I go back no. especially after my friend told me she has spent 2,000.00 dollars this year in heating oil at least!

[bdpop]

I lived in NJ for nine years. The schools are much better in NJ but of course the weather is better here. You will find the jobs here pay about 40% less than they do in NJ.

[bdpop]

I would also suggest posting the same question on the NJ forum.

[franklinb]

so is the concensus that no matter where you are in Florida... the best school is comparable to the worst school in New Jersey???

[sonalabu]

I am in the SAME boat!! I LOVE clearwater, its gorgeous and quaint. I am also scared of the hurricanes. I would move more inland and not on the coast just to be safer. I live in jersey city nj and do not want my kids to grow up in this area. Florida has some great schools as well. And i also think that what we teach them and instill in them also make them better peeople. I know some very successful people who went to crappy schools but had great parents who really guided them well and now thye couldnt be happier.
I feel like our summers are shorter and winters are longerrrr!!! i cant stand it! Im an RN and would take a huge paycut but i htink id still end off better down there just because of all of the other perks! Now only if i can cnvinve my hubbyyy!!
Just like they get hurricanes, we get bad snowstorms, coooold rainy dark weather that only makes you depressed n gloomy. I love florida so much that hurricanes cant stop me from going. I wold love my kids to enjoy the warmweather all year long> plus i love the beach (: scared of the sharks but not that scaresd! My two best friends moved to Tampa and Orlando from Queens NY and would NEVER move back! Oh and there daycares are much cheaper too.....nothing compared to here> i can go on and ooonnnnn!!

Originally Posted by hubbyes

Hello,

I am really confused on weather to move to New Jersey or Clearwater Florida area. I currently live in New York (Staten Island Area). I am not concerned about the job since my career is comfortable anywhere thank GOD! I have 2 little kids who will go to school next year and I wanted to make the move before they start making friends then it will be hard later. My kids are the most concern!!

I went to visit Clearwater Florida and it was amazing (the weather and beach) I loved it. I am just so scared of the hurricanes, Alligators and Snakes. I don’t want anything to hurt my kids. I would love to go Florida, but those reasons are the only things that are holding me back! Also I am concerned about the SCHOOLS!!! I want the best for my kids and I pretty sure we all do. I heard New Jersey has the best schools down here and a safe place. I also heard the same with Florida. I have been investigating about both and really have not yet got much information. I am just tired of the cold weather LOL.

Any help and experience would be appreciated!!

Thanks

[SonnyD23]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

Depending on your line of work, the salaries here may not be at the same level as Jersey. I would also suggest you have a job lined up before moving here, might be a reality check on the salary thing and cost of living adjustment.




You should be more afraid of the quality of jobs, schools and crime than alligators, snakes or hurricanes. Why are people so afraid of Snakes and Alligators???

Vacationing here and living here is totally different. I know of people who vacationed here and then subsequently moved here with stars in their eyes then sooner or later started complaining because the vacation was over.

If you can afford private schooling, that's your best bet though some public schools in certain areas are suitable just not "the best".

I live in Jersey right now, but I am moving to Orlando, FL in April to go to school. I can tell you this much about Jersey, the best part of coming to Jersey is the part where you leave it. No matter where you are, theres going to be its pros and its cons. For example, I can tell you from experience that New Jersey offers nothing but high taxes in any form, high crime rates (Camden, NJ has the highest crime rate in USA), and miles and miles of pure nothingness, depending on how far into Nothing you are here, lol. I can give you this piece of information, visit New Jersey before you commit to move here. If you spend a weekend here, and you WANT to have a good time, the best and only places to go and have a good time are Atlantic City and Wildwood. I have lived here my entire life, so I have personal experience in the school system, that being said I can warn you that most of the schools around here have high security in them, due to high crime in the schools. They have everything from high alert metal detectors, to K-9 police officers searching the building once or twice a week. And that was 6 years ago!! Imagine how things could be now, in this day and age.


I could go on and on all day, but the bottom line is this, when I go to school in April... I have no intensions in coming back here, EVER. I would rather live with hurricanes, gators, snakes, high degree weather, and tourist populated cities. Rather than live with guns, knives, bad schools, high polution levels, cold weather, and just all around general *******S!!

I hope that my rambling has helped you in some way shape or form. Good luck in the decision!!

[luvthatmouse]

Research your area very carefully. Crime is very bad here right now. Public schools are in bad shape, 750,000 are out of work and growing every day. Oh and sorry to say computer engineers are a dime a dozen here.

[TANaples]

I am from NY. Go to NJ. Weather won't pay your mortgage or put food on your table.