[ZarineHawkwing]

My family of four (with two autistic children) are considering moving to Florida but have NO idea where to look. Here are our biggest concerns:

- Safety/low crime area
- Quiet & semi-private (rural, suburban, or small town feel)
- Nonflooding zone
- Within commuting distance (45ish minutes) of a children's hospital or developmental pediatrician and therapies such as occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy
- Homes at 400k or less with a little bit of land (need a yard for the kids that I can fence in)
- within commuting distance (will go up to an hour) for tech or government contractor type jobs

These are our absolute must haves. Does something like this exist in Florida? And if so, where? Thanks!

[logybogy]

Gainesville sounds perfect for you as UF is a major research university with a Children's Hospital. Lots of cute small towns and rural areas within 45 minutes, most within 20 to 30 minutes. Look at Micanopy, Alachua, Newberry, Williston, Jonesville areas.

[SCGAFL]

Western Nassau or Clay Counties would fit the bill nicely.

[Arcenal813]

Eustis. Zip code 32736 is rural. Or Sorrento.
Rural, affordable, easy to hop onto the 429 and a 45 minute drive to terrific children’s facilities in Downtown Orlando.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by logybogy

Gainesville sounds perfect for you as UF is a major research university with a Children's Hospital. Lots of cute small towns and rural areas within 45 minutes, most within 20 to 30 minutes. Look at Micanopy, Alachua, Newberry, Williston, Jonesville areas.

Gainesville would be my recommendation as well and given Gainesville's overall lack of sprawl it changes from suburban to rural pretty quickly past the city limits. The Alachua, High Springs, Williston, Newberry, Micanopy and Trenton areas are all good options.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...6_M51538-36599
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M68201-47725
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M69895-30664
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M66327-52858
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M68615-00385
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M57142-69967
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M66361-42135
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M61334-50832

[logybogy]

One important thing. High speed internet availability is a major issue in all of Florida in rural areas especially acreage tracts so keep this in mind. You really need to research internet providers before you buy property to see if they are serviced.

[Huasho]

Originally Posted by logybogy

Gainesville sounds perfect for you as UF is a major research university with a Children's Hospital. Lots of cute small towns and rural areas within 45 minutes, most within 20 to 30 minutes. Look at Micanopy, Alachua, Newberry, Williston, Jonesville areas.

Not my favorite Swamp Hole, but it does fit the requirements of the O.P.

[ZarineHawkwing]

Thanks! We have been looking for rural around within around 1 hour of Gainesville, what are crime-y areas we should DEFINITELY avoid? or super safe friendly areas there that our toddlers would be safe in?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by ZarineHawkwing

Thanks! We have been looking for rural around within around 1 hour of Gainesville, what are crime-y areas we should DEFINITELY avoid? or super safe friendly areas there that our toddlers would be safe in?

What is it about "rural" that you find attractive? If it's just acreage, safety and quiet you don't have to go much further than several minutes outside of Gainesville in some areas, versus the hour distance which really does nothing for you other than make your life more inconvenient for everyday living.

[HarryWhom]

I'm not disparaging Florida but the services you now have may not be the same here. Not sure where you live now, but I'd definately research and compare.