[brandisboys]

We are visiting the state in July to see about relocating there and we don't know where to start. We are not interested in South Florida, Central or the Panhandle so that leaves the Northern part I guess. We want to live close but not right on the beach on either Gulf or Atlantic side. We are looking for family oriented town not to big under 25,000 population or so. We are flying in to Orlando so we can start our search from there. Can anyone direct us to an awesome family town?

[riveree]

When you say "close", how close or far to the beach do you want to be?

I can't think of anywhere along the North East coast that has 25,000 people - our smallest city populations are closer to 200,000 (St. Augustine, for example).

To get a town that small (25,000), you'd need to move inland, into the country a bit...can you be 45 minutes to an hour from the beach? If so, check out Green Cove Springs, Penney Farms, & Keystone Heights.

The problem is, everyone wants to live near the beach, so the population count is high there. Even inland - in the small cities/towns I listed above, developers have moved in and those areas are quickly becoming less rural and more suburban.

I'll add one more tiny town: Micanopy, it's right outside Gainesville and it's adorable...pricey, but really nice.

[Sueilp]

Sebastian or Vero Beach are good places near the beach (depending on where you live in those towns - you could be about 10 minutes from the beach). Schools are relatively good. Quiet neighbourhoods - crime rate is fairly good too.

I have 2 children (11 & 6) and I am from the UK - moved oer almost 3 yrs ago and more than happy with the area in Indian River County.

There isnt a great night life as such here - but plenty of things for kids to do and plenty of places to shop and eat out.

there is plenty of places to fish too!!!

[Sueilp]

Oooops sorry - I misread your post - I thought you wanted south,central Florida!!! Sorry - so ignore my post.....

[KeysDreamer]

[quote=brandisboys;4007032]We are visiting the state in July to see about relocating there and we don't know where to start. We are not interested in South Florida, Central or the Panhandle so that leaves the Northern part I guess. We want to live close but not right on the beach on either Gulf or Atlantic side. We are looking for family oriented town not to big under 25,000 population or so. We are flying in to Orlando so we can start our search from there. Can anyone direct us to an awesome family town?QUOTE]

Palm Coast is family oriented with some decent schools. Lots of parks and organized sports. Along the Atlantic Coast between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. Not under 25k population but the whole population of the county is about 83,000 and spread out. About 1.5 hrs from Orlando so it might be an area for you to check out.

[bkgirl1]

Try CRYSTAL RIVER if your in for a small quaint little town. On the gulf side, beaches are not great though. But you do get the small town feel. It is like a old fishing town.

We are residing in Palm Coast, it is growing faster than we expected. It is still small but it is very central to all the surrounding boom towns, like Daytona Beach, St. Augustine is still a quaint town but large in size. P.C is more for living and our beaches are pretty good.

Can't suggest any where else most places are very large near the ocean. A lot larger than the towns I mentioned above.

Good luck on your relocation.

[nene39]

You guys are forgetting Flagler Beach, it is a small quaint town, with less than 25,000 residents, close to the ocean, part of Flagler County, where we have been blessed with no hurricane landfall for more than 130 years!!! and next door to Palm Coast, you can't ask for more...
They have a Farmer's market there every Friday and Saturday, the July 4th fireworks and parade, nice restaurants, etc., what else can one ask for?

[brandisboys]

Thank you so much for all your replies. We are coming from Colorado so this will be a big change. The towns you all have mentioned looked great when I did some research.

[rocketman10]

Originally Posted by nene39

You guys are forgetting Flagler Beach, it is a small quaint town, with less than 25,000 residents, close to the ocean, part of Flagler County, where we have been blessed with no hurricane landfall for more than 130 years!!! and next door to Palm Coast, you can't ask for more...
They have a Farmer's market there every Friday and Saturday, the July 4th fireworks and parade, nice restaurants, etc., what else can one ask for?

Agree with you nene39 about Flagler Beach. Awesome fireworks and parade every year. We live in Palm Coast but do love going to Flagler Beach. Great little town.

Our area is so wonderful as we are close to so many other larger towns with easy access to them, whether they be Daytona, St. Aug, Orlando and even Jax. Nowadays you'd better have a vehicle that gets good gas mileage though. The country life is to the west of us and beaches to the right. Awesome. Do wish we had more jobs but I feel with time and a better economy this will change. Glad we're finally getting all the new stores so we can shop local now and keep the $$ in Flagler.

[surfer boy]

WOW! St Augustine has 200k people now? A year ago, there was abour 15k people living in St Augustine! That place sure has grown!