[kyle19125]

I live in Philadelphia, formerly Washington DC and before that a resident of North Carolina and Florida....and always at the very least in a crowded, traffic filled suburb. I'm officially through with all of that and ready to live someplace quieter, more affordable and simpler. Can't believe I'm rethinking Florida, but realize that the state isn't all a traffic-choked, overdeveloped culture-less suburban hell-hole. Are there any places left that defy that?

A few caveats are that I am looking for a somewhat liberal town and a place where there seems to be interest in the downtown area from a development/redevelopment perspective. I would be conceivably opening a small organic food business and would be obviously wanting to be in a place where people care about organic/local food and the benefits of buying it. WalMart-centric towns are immediately disqualified.

Additionally a low housing cost from a buyer's perspective is a must. My leftover equity from my home sale (after paying cash for my new home/condo in FL) would fund my new business. Consequently anything in "metro" South Florida, Ft Myers/Naples, Jacksonville, Orlando or Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater probably won't work for me. I have some ideas but don't want to sway the responses. Thanks.

[Lulu101]

That's what happens to so many people--they leave Florida, idealizing some other place up north (or wherever) in their minds, and then once their gone for awhile they realize that "hey, it really wasn't so bad there."

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Lulu101

That's what happens to so many people--they leave Florida, idealizing some other place up north (or wherever) in their minds, and then once their gone for awhile they realize that "hey, it really wasn't so bad there."

You have seen many, many changes in that amount of time. So, if you say you want to go back, you REALLY want to go back. Especially if you didn't want to move in the first place.

Your rationalization doesn't work.

[BroQuest]

i would head to nc if i were you, specifically asheville, especially in your business. hands down winner. if you have to come back to florida, i would suggest northern fla. but you cannot do any better in your business and what you are looking for than asheville nc.

[Lulu101]

I was responding to the OP, who says he/she wants to move back--the grass was not greener.

Also, I was searching the archives there was someone on here who moved to New Hampshire from Fla. -- she kept saying she wanted cold weather. Well, she moved and tried and it and couldn't stand the cold. So she moved back to Florida.

Originally Posted by TANaples

You have seen many, many changes in that amount of time. So, if you say you want to go back, you REALLY want to go back. Especially if you didn't want to move in the first place.

Your rationalization doesn't work.

[DailyJournalist]

Tallahassee or Gainesville come to mind, the major universities bring alot of culture to the area and orgainic product loving individuals.
One moment please...
Gainesville Florida

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Lulu101

I was responding to the OP, who says he/she wants to move back--the grass was not greener.

Also, I was searching the archives there was someone on here who moved to New Hampshire from Fla. -- she kept saying she wanted cold weather. Well, she moved and tried and it and couldn't stand the cold. So she moved back to Florida.

for someone raised in Florida. She went TOO FAR North. There are a lot of states in between Florida and New Hampshire.

The opposite is also true. Raised up North and Florida is too extreme.

[Lulu101]

I don't know about the politics, but check out Lakeland.

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I live in Philadelphia, formerly Washington DC and before that a resident of North Carolina and Florida....and always at the very least in a crowded, traffic filled suburb. I'm officially through with all of that and ready to live someplace quieter, more affordable and simpler. Can't believe I'm rethinking Florida, but realize that the state isn't all a traffic-choked, overdeveloped culture-less suburban hell-hole. Are there any places left that defy that?

A few caveats are that I am looking for a somewhat liberal town and a place where there seems to be interest in the downtown area from a development/redevelopment perspective. I would be conceivably opening a small organic food business and would be obviously wanting to be in a place where people care about organic/local food and the benefits of buying it. WalMart-centric towns are immediately disqualified.

Additionally a low housing cost from a buyer's perspective is a must. My leftover equity from my home sale (after paying cash for my new home/condo in FL) would fund my new business. Consequently anything in "metro" South Florida, Ft Myers/Naples, Jacksonville, Orlando or Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater probably won't work for me. I have some ideas but don't want to sway the responses. Thanks.

[Alphaman]

What about the Islands off St Pete, Madeira beach, Treasure Island etc.

[gypsychic]

The big problem is, the places where there would be more demand for the organic food, already HAS a lot of that, and would be more competition (i.e. Sarasota/Bradenton area).

We currently live in Lakeland - we have a great downtown development agency AND this town could really use a place with organic food - but not sure if this meets your needs. Lakeland is a pretty town, lots of small colleges, and not a tourist mecca. Cost of living is a little lower here than the coasts. You might give it a look.

Another poster mentioned Gainesville or Tallahassee - those might be good choices for you - college towns are always a good choice for this type business.

Good luck!