[angelagardner]

Ok, we are relocating somewhere in the East Coast. I dream of Florida but my b-friend recommends the Carolina's. I did research and posted in those forums but most people from N. Carolina seem to hate it. Charleston sounds nice but my heart is set on Florida. Please give me suggestions on great cities in the area? Here is what we are looking for: decent size town but not over-populated like Miami--someplace on the West Coast or panhandle that has nice beaches that are swimmable; good schools; decent cost of living, etc. I would also like to know the type of critters that reside in the areas; I can handle bugs and animals but large scary snakes are NOT ok for me. If they are around ok but as long as I don't have to worry about running into them alot wherever I go or in my backyard. Please give me honest feedback....I can handle it all. Jobs are not a huge concern--P/T works for us as long as cost of living is decent and reasonable.

[2goldens]

Please do take the time to read all the Florida threads which might interest you. Trust me that we have gone over these questions many times and have covered it all.

[angelagardner]

I have read all the threads however a lot of them were not helpful. So far most people rave about Sarasota, which seems to be the only west coast city that is mentioned....perhaps someone else can give me city names and smaller towns as well.

[kshe95girl]

dont come to Florida, seriously!
Python nabbed in state Everglades hunt
they estimate there are 100,000 pythons just in the Everglades area alone.

[geekstreat]

I think we have the same problem. Hearts in florida but, I really like the charleston area also. I just recently took a trip down the east coast and to my disapointment, the east coast of florida was over-priced, highly taxed, high HOA fees everywhere, no yards, very cookie cutter, very discouraging. South Carolina, Charleston is the same way, very expensive real estate, but with much lower taxes. Were now looking at Fort Walton Beach, FL area and Mt pleasant,SC. And everywhere in the south something at one time or another is going to sneak up on you whether it be a palmetto bug or a spider, snake...

[Jonotastic]

South Florida is great...check out Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton. Very nice communities with great schools.

[daytonadewd]

Originally Posted by angelagardner

Ok, we are relocating somewhere in the East Coast. I dream of Florida but my b-friend recommends the Carolina's. I did research and posted in those forums but most people from N. Carolina seem to hate it. Charleston sounds nice but my heart is set on Florida. Please give me suggestions on great cities in the area? Here is what we are looking for: decent size town but not over-populated like Miami--someplace on the West Coast or panhandle that has nice beaches that are swimmable; good schools; decent cost of living, etc. I would also like to know the type of critters that reside in the areas; I can handle bugs and animals but large scary snakes are NOT ok for me. If they are around ok but as long as I don't have to worry about running into them alot wherever I go or in my backyard. Please give me honest feedback....I can handle it all. Jobs are not a huge concern--P/T works for us as long as cost of living is decent and reasonable.

So which is it, east or west coast? (Am confused by your details in OP).

Snakes are usually an issue generally the closer you live to fresh water in Florida like lakes, rivers, etc. PERIOD, so don't know how you plan to avoid them since Florida is FULL of fresh water. Rattlesnakes, although smaller than ones out west, like drier areas. Can't say snakes are something "regular" here, but you'll DEFINATELY see a few once in a while.

Aside from water moccasins, coral snakes, cottonmouths and rattle snakes, the MAJORITY of snakes in Florida are non-poisonous, and will NOT harm you if they bite you (poisonous snakes have fangs, not teeth). If you're scared, be sure to wear protective clothing including shoes, socks etc. that will protect you in your yard.

What's your opinion of lizards (many sizes,species), as they're pretty common here too?

[2goldens]

Originally Posted by angelagardner

I have read all the threads however a lot of them were not helpful. So far most people rave about Sarasota, which seems to be the only west coast city that is mentioned....perhaps someone else can give me city names and smaller towns as well.

Supposed you give us your first, second and third choices in towns and we will try to provide you with more information the best we all can.

When you say Panhandle, I don't know if you mean city, country, beach, the Capital, or near the tri-state lines.

[beachmouse]

The one poisonous snake down here that's got a reputation for aggressiveness is the pygmy rattlesnake, and I think a lot of that is because they're small enough that people don't see them and stick their hands or arms eight inches from them without realizing they're there. A guy in St. Augustine got bit by one while shopping in a Walmart garden center last week:

Front page news - newsjournalonline.com

The rest of the native snakes generally don't want to see you any more than you want to see them. Normally the only time I see them it's either because we're out hiking somewhere in their territory or they're roadkill. I'm moderately snake-phobic myself, and don't find them to be a big deal in north Florida.

And if you do end up down here, even if you don't think they're cute, you learn to appreciate the little lizards that live in garages and carports and in your crawl space because they eat a lot of cockroaches.

[MrKindergarten]

Jacksonville is a big, industrial city and gets cold in the winter (no snow really)
St. Augustine is historic and touristy
Orlando is a tourist mecca and pricey
Between Orlando and West Palm is as rural as you'll get on the Atlantic coast
Palm Beach Gardens seems to be the "it" place the last few years
Miami is mostly hispanic and pricey.
One place that interests me is Homestead/Florida City...its between Miami and the Keys...so I doubt its as pricey as either. I don't know.