[ffire]

I have done a quiz online and Tampa Jacksonville and West Palm beach come up as the best places.

Does anyone have any comparisons that would help me.

We are family with 3 kids under 10. Looking for an outdoor lifestyle, in a fun, vibrant area. If the area is still growing that would be good too. Plenty of young people as well as families (not just families).

Thanks for your help

[ffire]

OK, we are going to book a holiday and come and check it out, but we would like to know where to really visit in order to get some feel for what it would actually be like to live there.

If you do have any advice I would love it

[TriMT7]

For a family, if you consider West Palm Beach area, I would recommend looking to the Northern suburbs of West Palm Beach, including Jupiter, Juno Beach, Tequesta, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Unless, of course, your family is a bit bohemian and/or urban pioneers. In that case, I'd recommend the "Southside" of West Palm Beach, with its historic neighborhoods and "real" neighborhood and city feel.

[psouth]

I would probably further narrow it down to Tampa or West Palm Beach. Jacksonville is less welcoming to outsiders and doesn't offer nearly as much of what you are after. It claims to be more family oriented but I didn't find that to be true. It is far from vibrant and not changing.

Parts of Tampa are very nice but I don't know a lot about the area.

West Palm Beach has a great location. It can be as quiet as you want or as crazy as you want. Miami and Ft. Lauderdale are just a stone's throw away if you want even more. It is very convenient. One thing to consider would be the huge and ever growing Hispanic population throughout S. Florida and all of Florida in general. If this isn't your thing then you will not like it in West Palm Beach or anywhere in S. Florida especially. This is a true melting pot. As another poster said, I would stick to the east end of Palm Beach County in places like Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, and maybe even Jupiter although it is a little inconvenient. You will be close to the beaches and major activity in the area. There is less riff raff and crime in these areas. Wellington and Royal Palm Beach are further west but nice too.

Find a good realtor and take your time. It is not worth rushing into. I hope this helps some. Good luck.

[ffire]

Thanks for your help! Gee on all the stats sites Jax comes up as the youngest population and the fastest growing etc.....but unless it comes with a vibrant culture and (not terribly conservative and quiet) it would not be what we are after. Hmmmmm....

Ok will do some more research on Tampa and North of West Palm beach.

We are going to book a holiday to come and check it out without kids. If we were to look at these areas are there any recommendations you would make. ie how do we get a feel for the place without just 'staying as a tourist and seeing touristy things'.

Also, a few people have commented on the Hispanic populations. This doesn't mean anything to me really. Here we have a very large Asian population, which also is not bad, just ever increasing due to China sending its students around the planet lol. Is that the kind of thing you are referring to, or is there more to it??

After seeing a doc on your alligators last night I am no longer afraid of that factor, I think I thought they were as bad as our crocodiles!

Thanks again for your tips and help.

More questions - would you recommend just booking a flight to say NY then booking internal flights once we are there????

OK shutting up now