[rickyd]

Hi,

What is Clearwater, Venice, Jupiter, and Juno Beach like, and are there any similarities between them? My first choices were essentially Jupiter or Juno Beach, but I heard the West Coast is a little more laid back, so I ran across the thought of either Clearwater or Venice as random choices.


The main info I'm looking for regarding EACH (Keyword "EACH") of those areas are......

* Nightlife (I'm in my early 20s, but not a club type. Still need some places to hang out though)

* Demographics (ethnical diversity. I'm of Jamaican culture but still like a little diversity)

* Old/young people ratio (I feel more comfortable around either mature young people or older people, but not on a Boca-type of level, for those of you who know what I mean)

* Crime

* Job types (Basically just saying are there any good jobs within those cities or somewhere very near)

* Traffic

* Cost of living

* Schools (Not a real concern at the moment, as I don't have any kids, but may have some later)

* Snobby, uptight attitudes

* Thug types (Trying to avoid those)

* Upscale shopping malls (Not necessarily expensive though)

* Aesthetic beauty (I like a somewhat upscale, lush & tropical environment with meditteranian architecture but of course not expecting a paradise)

* Atmosphere (I like the tropical, caribbean type climate but don't know if those west-coast areas that I mentioned have it though)

* Areas to stay away from

* Any laid-back, uncrowded beaches within city limits

* Beaches for best dusk & dawn views.

* Does any of them have the "Old-Florida" type of charm and look as well.

I know it would be best for me to visit the places myself and find out on my own, but I don't live in Fl so that is out of the question.

Thanks in advance.

[Alatex]

My advice, as a non-Floridian, is to look at Clearwater first. The beaches are the very best of that lot, and there's the proximity to a wide variety of jobs in Tampa-St. Pete.

Venice is one of my favorite towns in Florida, but tends to be more older people.

[Carbondated]

Have you thought of Sarasota? Has everything you want. Check out the Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice subforum.

I would definately scratch Venice off your list. It's like Jurassic Park only with more scary dinosaurs. LOL They really are scary.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Carbondated

Have you thought of Sarasota? Has everything you want. Check out the Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice subforum.

I would definately scratch Venice off your list. It's like Jurassic Park only with more scary dinosaurs. LOL They really are scary.

Sarasota and Bradenton, were on TV today (I think the Morning Show) and was noted as one of the top 10 places to retire to in several differnt catagories, as was Naples / Ft. Myers.

[FLBob]

I agree with Big House, Sarasota is the first place on the west coast I'd recommend. Sarasota has great beaches. It's far enough south so coconut palms will grow.
Diversity may be a problem - It's the one thing I miss from DC
Being a small city there are good jobs to be had
St. Armand circle for boutique shops, but there are plenty of upscale name brand stores.
Sarasota feels like a younger town, lots of energy.
Crime and thug types - really not a problem - crime happens but I can't say I have ever felt concerned walking the streets.

[SoFLGal]

My vote is for Sarasota too. Other people have pretty much covered the reasons why. The beaches are much different on the gulf coast as opposed to the Atlantic side. The sand on the Altantic side is more black and rougher and on the gulf side it's much more white and fluffy. Check out Siesta Beach and you'll see what I mean. The gulf side in general has a much more laid back pace.

The school system in Sarasota county is very good. It has some of the best schools in the Nation.

I would say that Sarasota is pretty culturaly diverse.

I think anywhere in Florida it's going to be an issue trying to find a job, depending on your field. If you are in the medical or administrative field you should be ok. I just put an ad on Craigslist looking for an assistant and have gotten about 35 applications. So there is lots of competition out there right now.

The malls in Sarasota have a wide variety of stores-Macy's, Old Navy, Sak's, Dillards, Penny's, etc.

Many of the tropical plants grow in Sarasota county. I believe the frost line runs somewhere around Tampa. Anything south of there you will find the much warmer temps and more of the tropical plants.

For what it's worth, I was born and raised in SW Florida.

Good luck with your search!

[rickyd]

Thanks guys so much for your replies. I didn't have access to my pc for a few days, so that is why my reply is late.

Sarasota is nice indeed, but it seems like it's more for retirees (That is what I've seen mostly). It's ALOT like Boca, but more laid back and down to earth. I haven't truly explored the area fully though.


Lol at the Jurassic Park comment about Venice.

To Big House, I heard Bradenton is crime ridden BADLY. I don't know if I would consider that place as one to retire to.

[ndraves]

Excellent Areas; I've been here about 3 yrs. Palm Beach County is more expensive with lots of money. There are retirees here, as well but lots of young people too. Lots of jobs coming into area from Scripps and other Biotech companies over the next few years- Jupiter area Colleges here, FAU and PBAtlantic Univ.
Juno has a GREAT Beach with Biking/skating trails along the ocean. It is small, no cirme and the police there have not much to do except give traffic tickets, but is higher end. Palm Beach Gardens just around the corner from Juno is great, as well. Home of PGA headquarters; Has a huge mall w/Macy's Blommingdales, SAKS, etc as well as other new shopping areas "legacy Place, etc.
Go any further south and you have some high crime areas, Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach. Many areas of West Palm are ok but it's a larger city with larger city issues. City Place, downtown WPB has some great shopping and night life. Wouldn't want to go any further north than Jupiter, either. This is a "happening" area.

If you need help finding a place to live, let me know. I'm a realtor

Nanci

[newlyweds_dfw]

I far prefer Jupiter to Clearwater. In fact, the entire Tampa area was okay for a cheap vacation (which millions of others flock there for), but overall unimpressive. There are all these bridge and construction issues to get to the beach, which there is a lot of, except it is the Gulf Coast. Very little of the area seems aesthetically beautiful.

Jupiter is an attractive area with nice Atlantic beaches and did not give off that plastic or retiree-glut South Florida vibe. You can find artistic and other diverse and younger people just hanging back in the cool restaurants and lounges, and of course at the beach.