[airbucket]

hello,

our family currently lives in fort myers. We have a 9 yr old son with disabilities. We hate it here, to put it mildly. I myself lived in miami for years and love it, but in the past trying to relocate back there has proved so difficult and it also doesnt seem like the same miami i knew in the 90s. we are nowhere near rich. we do not own a home here. we would like to relocate to a FL city where we can find more and better schooling options for my son, some university or college for me to go back to, and definitely a more city atmosphere without the "country" twang fort myers has.I have been told orlando is too big and strange. I am told that Tampa, though it may sound nice, is really really redneck (but it has the university and is a city right?), and i dont know if anywhere i would prefer on the east coast would be affordable (miami area, broward). Any comments on the city you live in are appreciated, we are trying to stay in FL to be near family but cant stand fort myers for one more year. I am form NYC and this is just too wierd for me here, i cant adjust, looking for more of a middle road. thanks!

[Tungsten_Udder]

"Too big", "too strange", "too redneck" . . . how do you know that you share the outlook, tastes, beliefs, etc. of the person(s) who said those things?

You're close enough to Orlando, Tampa and elsewhere in the southern half of the state that you could simply drive there and see what you think about it.

You can easily research real estate prices online. You can also find realtors in the areas you're interested in, look at their websites, and make contract with them.

[airbucket]

Yes i agree, i dont know the background of persons who have given their opinions. We are planning naturally to drive and check out these places, but as its been said on this forum, its always helpful to have differing opinions more on the inside scoop than just seeing a place.

thanks!

Originally Posted by Tungsten_Udder

"Too big", "too strange", "too redneck" . . . how do you know that you share the outlook, tastes, beliefs, etc. of the person(s) who said those things?

You're close enough to Orlando, Tampa and elsewhere in the southern half of the state that you could simply drive there and see what you think about it.

You can easily research real estate prices online. You can also find realtors in the areas you're interested in, look at their websites, and make contract with them.

[gypsychic]

I agree with tungsten - people see places through their own filters and experiences, and I am always amazed when I hear Tampa being referred to as "redneck!" LOL That is because I am half Spanish and grew up in latin neighborhoods and went to school with almost 100% Latinos. Tampa is very diverse ethnically, but when you get to the outskirts, there are neighborhoods where one might encounter a "redneck" type mentality. Tampa is a big city, and there is more than likely a neighborhood you would enjoy. Since you are from NYC, you might relate better here, it's tiny compared to NYC but definitely has an "urban vibe", way more than Ft. Myers!

I don't know enough about Orlando to make recommendations, but there again, I know it has nice suburbs you might like.

Definitely figure out what is important to you, visit the areas, and then come back and post some more specific questions for us. Florida is a big state and has something for everybody.

Good luck!

[Lakeland Yankee]

Why not check out Jacksonville? Jacksonville is a far better city than anywhere else in Florida other than Miami . Stay away from the west and north side and you shouldn't encounter much problems with anyone. Jax is very up and coming and has a lot to offer. Very nice people with old fashioned Southern manners and plenty of Northeastern transplants. It might just be what you are looking for. Good Luck.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by airbucket

. Any comments on the city you live in are appreciated, we are trying to stay in FL to be near family but cant stand fort myers for one more year. I am form NYC and this is just too wierd for me here, i cant adjust, looking for more of a middle road. thanks!

Why not somewhere in Palm Beach County then? It's cheaper than Broward and cleaner and newer than both Dade and Broward.

[doggiebus]

I agree with CTR try Palm Beach county, but Northern Palm Beach county like Jupiter. The only thing I could think of is costs being a negative factor, but you may find something you never know.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by Lakeland Yankee

Why not check out Jacksonville? Jacksonville is a far better city than anywhere else in Florida other than Miami . Stay away from the west and north side and you shouldn't encounter much problems with anyone. Jax is very up and coming and has a lot to offer. Very nice people with old fashioned Southern manners and plenty of Northeastern transplants. It might just be what you are looking for. Good Luck.

I second this recommendation. Jacksonville is a good size city with a very diverse economy, much different than most of Florida. I would not recommend Orlando or Tampa.

[Keeper]

I agree with Gypsychick, Tampa is not by any means 'redneck'. Living there 30 years, I have been in every part of Tampa. There are some not so good areas, but I don't know if I would call them 'redneck areas'.

I worked with a lot of folks from NYC who love living in Tampa. Most lived in the NW section of Tampa.

Really, take a drive to check out the cities you are considering and check them out.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I agree with Gypsychick, Tampa is not by any means 'redneck'. Living there 30 years, I have been in every part of Tampa. There are some not so good areas, but I don't know if I would call them 'redneck areas'.

I lived in Plant City, Brandon, Clair-Mel City and Temple Terrace as a kid between the ages of 3-17. Hillsborough County is FULL of rednecks. I will say that as you get closer to the bay and cross into Pinellas, the numbers start to go away but yes, Plant City, Brandon, Pinecrest, Riverview, Ruskin, Valrico, Dover, Wimauma, all of the places mentioned are heavily populated redneck towns. I went to Highschool 2 years at Durant High School in Plant City and 1 year at Blake High School in downtown Tampa, VERY different populations.

I would vote Eastern Hillsborough as being the most redneck area I've ever lived in and I've lived in Houston, Orlando, Nashville, and Ft. Myers as well. I would say that Seminole County north of Orlando comes in 2nd.