[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by JimKing

I have to disagree. I have lived in Pensacola, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and now in South Florida. I think the southern portion is a lot less close minded and way more fun. There are dog parks all over, tennis courts everywhere, golfing, great shopping, unreal beaches.

South Florida, in my opinion, has it all over North Florida, especially for active people who like to socialize and meet people of different nationalities. So I say if you are close minded and inactive go north, active, fun loving, and more open minded head south.

I think there probably are indeed more conservative-minded people up north, though this is slo-o-owly changing. And I agree that many folks are less active, and look like it--though golfing and tennis do exist here.
On the other hand, there are plenty of gorgeous,*unreal* beaches here, and no need for dog parks, because dogs, though controlled here and there, are not so regulated in this part of the state. Dog parks are great, but I prefer to just go to my beach with my dog rather than having to make a special trip.

[Dennis P]

My two online friends who live in Tallahassee but are South Florida natives both told me that they moved north for less crowded conditions, cheaper living and better quality of life. It certainly seems to be more family-oriented than the southern part of the state--but I, of course, could be wrong.

Any thoughts?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Our little town is very family friendly. Not exactly sophisticated, though.
However, I am sure that Tallahassee, as a university town, has a bit of culture.
Traffic here in our spot is not bad at all. I've made the drive to Tallahassee as well and it was fine.

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by cil

I think there probably are indeed more conservative-minded people up north, though this is slo-o-owly changing. And I agree that many folks are less active, and look like it--though golfing and tennis do exist here.
On the other hand, there are plenty of gorgeous,*unreal* beaches here, and no need for dog parks, because dogs, though controlled here and there, are not so regulated in this part of the state. Dog parks are great, but I prefer to just go to my beach with my dog rather than having to make a special trip.

AWWWWWW. That's a heart-warming pic!

Just wanted to add -- I spent Thanksgiving week up in Indian Rocks Beach and vicinity and I took my two dogs with us. There are tons of people with dogs there and it's very dog friendly. What I really liked too is the so many dog owners we met while on the beach, the dog parks, walking around, that have adopted shelter/rescue/abused dogs. That's awesome. And many of these folks could afford anything.

[TriMT7]

North Florida and South Florida each have their own advantages.

I moved from Jupiter to Tallahassee for school, and the best part of Tallahassee is the weather (you get somewhat of a change in seasons) and the landscape (massive oaks, rolling hills, more rural... but no palm trees if you like that sort of thing).

I'm getting out of here soon however (got a place to sell if you're looking ;-P). I just don't fit in the "culture" of North Florida. Tallahassee is a small Island of progressive culture more or less in a sea of "red state" values, and I like that, but the surrounding area might as well be Georgia. On the upside, there's less of a materialistic slant on everything the way it is down in Palm Beach or Miami, but there's still kind of that small town "good old boy" network up here that I simply loathe, if you know what I mean? Plus I miss the blue water rivers and intracoastal. The beach is a bit of drive from here.

In South Florida I have never had to speak Spanish to someone, and if I did, they were tourists. I wouldn't EVER speak Spanish to someone who absolutely refused to speak English, but you will hear Spanish a lot more often down in South Florida than here. Then again, you'll have a much more cosmopolitan experience down there anyway, and meet Europeans, South Americans and others if you go out and socialize.

Home prices are higher in South Florida by about 40% or so than up here, but as usual, demand drives prices and there are simply more people that want to move to South Florida. If you want a slower pace of life (traffic is the opposite annoying up here -- everyone drives below the speed limit as if they have no place to go) and more hometownish feel, North Florida is the place (though again, I only speak from experience in Tallahassee, which at least has SOME semblence of culture and entertainment you won't find somewhere like "Sopchoppy Florida" or "Monroe Florida"!!

[Osuzzanna]

Haven't been to Southern FL but I absolutely loved Northern FL.
The people were friendly, the atmosphere was calm and I liked the weather.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by Osuzzanna

Haven't been to Southern FL but I absolutely loved Northern FL.
The people were friendly, the atmosphere was calm and I liked the weather.

Got to agree, we have less worries up north than in the south. Most of the negative drives in central south Florida are either not represented in the local communities or they are small in comparison.

We have also experienced many individuals relocating to our areas due to the peace of mind and less crowded cities and communities...

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

, I only speak from experience in Tallahassee, which at least has SOME semblence of culture and entertainment you won't find somewhere like "Sopchoppy Florida" or "Monroe Florida"!!

Hey, what do you mean, Sopchoppy has the Worm Grunting Festival!

http://jc-research.com/jim/img-fla/people-events/slides/grunting-worms.html (broken link)

I agree with Tri that Tallahassee is a little island of blue in a sea of red, which is pretty much what my existance was in Denver, Colorado. However, Amelia Island, where we *hope* to move, seemed progressive in attitudes (slow-growth, no McMansions, farmer's markets, locally grown goods).

[mike jones]

I am finishing up job applications for the "State of Florida" employment
I am putting north region as my area of choice.

I live in Michigan and the job market is awful. It is time to go

Family and friends have warned me about the dangers of southern florida.
Some cities in North Florida sounds similar to Ann Arbor which is where I am from.
I am looking for a family friendly town to raise 3 boys 10 12 and 13.

Can anybody tell me about the bad counties and bad things in Northern Florida to avoid.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Mike, Sunrico might disagree with me, and maybe things are different in his county, but where I live (Gulf County)there is definitely still a "good ol' boy" thing going on, in politics and daily life. Jobs will be advertised in the paper, but they are already filled before the ink is wet. A lot of stuff goes on in the background, ya know what I mean? It's like what TriMT7 said in his post.
Where Sunrico lives (Navarre, Santa Rosa County, near Fort Walton Beach), I think is a bit more progressive.
But one thing I've noticed: we've been here for over a year now, and I definitely feel more accepted. I finally got a part-time job!
Another thing: When we visited Amelia Island, it felt more like the Fort Walton Beach area--a bit more 21st Century. I think jobs would be easier to find in larger cities such as Jacksonville or Tallahassee.
As far as things for kids to do, there are organized sports leagues and after school activities. A lot of people around here are active in their church.