[RVlover]

Originally Posted by labmom1

By that I mean, places where there aren't loads of condos, strip malls, and traffic. Older towns, with older homes, a walkable downtown area, quaint not slick or cookie cutter.......like what Key West probably was before the onslaught of tourists.....

But id imagine youd want strip malls , a good assortment of restaurants, and gas stations nearby...am i correct ? You just want to reside in what you describe above (?) . If so, then, theres tons of places like that nearby where i live in the Panhandle. , especially 30 miles + east of Pensacola.

[labmom1]

Not opposed to the mega stores and chain restaurants as long as I have to drive out to them I really like healthy vibrant old downtowns that have an eclectic mix of shops, eateries, coffee bars, et., that are sustainable from the surrounding area. I would much rather visit the local merchant than a big box store. Perhaps that makes me a bit of a dinosaur, but I'd give up convenience for quaintness in a second......

[RVlover]

Originally Posted by labmom1

Not opposed to the mega stores and chain restaurants as long as I have to drive out to them I really like healthy vibrant old downtowns that have an eclectic mix of shops, eateries, coffee bars, et., that are sustainable from the surrounding area. I would much rather visit the local merchant than a big box store. Perhaps that makes me a bit of a dinosaur, but I'd give up convenience for quaintness in a second......

I can appreciate that. The Panhandle has tons of little towns like that between Pensacola and Tallahassee. I live in such a town but theres others that fit the bill even more . The Panhandle is also one of the cheapest places to live due mainly to homes being less expensive to buy and property taxes rediculously cheap .... especially in your typical podunk town(s) . Its great if your retired, but jobs are scarce up this way.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by labmom1

Now I'll throw out another question - in some of these places are there good private schools in the area?? From what I know about the public school systems in FL - we would probably go the private (hopefully non-religious) route.

That's where it gets tricky.
If you want Old Florida, you don't necessarily get the 21st Century along with it.
If you are, as you say, willing to give up convenience for the quaintness, you might have to either spend a bit of money, or drive a long way.
Example: Apalachicola is an absolutely *charming* town, but its public schools, well, not so good.
One of Panama City's high schools is excellent, if you're willing to drive an hour there and back every day.
Or you could home school.

[RVlover]

Now I'll throw out another question - in some of these places are there good private schools in the area?? From what I know about the public school systems in FL - we would probably go the private (hopefully non-religious) route.

'That's where it gets tricky.
If you want Old Florida, you don't necessarily get the 21st Century along with it.'

REPLY: If Parents would stop and take inventory, they sure as heck wouldnt want for their kids the '21st Century culture' immoral/hedonistic/narcissitic brainwashing that fuels America today.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by RVlover

Now I'll throw out another question - in some of these places are there good private schools in the area?? From what I know about the public school systems in FL - we would probably go the private (hopefully non-religious) route.

'That's where it gets tricky.
If you want Old Florida, you don't necessarily get the 21st Century along with it.'

REPLY: If Parents would stop and take inventory, they sure as heck wouldnt want for their kids the '21st Century culture' immoral/hedonistic/narcissitic brainwashing that fuels America today.

I'm not sure this is germane to the topic at hand, RVLover.
Anyway, I spent 20 months in Port St Joe, which is between Apalachicola and Panama City.
In some ways, it was indeed like going back to the 1950's.
Some of the skills and qualities a young person needs to survive cannot be bought or sold.
Some of the values we instill are not going to be found in an institution of learning.
But some are.
Most young people today, just like you, know how to operate a computer.

[fauve]

Some of the best schools in the state are in Gainesville. We sent our kids the private route becoz we live down in S Florida, however, the school that had the highest number of National Merit Scholars, best performing math team, etc were from Eastside High. I always supposed it was because it was a university town. It also has some very charming areas. Btw, this is near Micanopy, my vote for most charming, old Florida town.

[RVlover]

If Parents would stop and take inventory, they sure as heck wouldnt want for their kids the '21st Century culture' immoral/hedonistic/narcissitic brainwashing that fuels America today.

''
'
I'm not sure this is germane to the topic at hand, RVLover.
Anyway, I spent 20 months in Port St Joe, which is between Apalachicola and Panama City.
In some ways, it was indeed like going back to the 1950's.
Some of the skills and qualities a young person needs to survive cannot be bought or sold.
Some of the values we instill are not going to be found in an institution of learning.
But some are.
Most young people today, just like you, know how to operate a computer.

REPLY: Today, youll get a modern learning cirriculum in any school across FLorida which will ready the Student for his life journey ; what you wont get in every school is the REAL picture of our decadent modern culture nor the teaching/wisdom to stay away from the destructive philosophies that are present which serve to destroy personal lives and will continue to do so.

[beachmouse]

I'll throw in a suggestion for Gulf Breeze just east of Pensacola- a very traditional little downtown area that's also about five miles from the even more traditional downtown Pensacola (Though they did just put a Publix and strip mall out by the high school) and you're in the attendance area for the well-regarded Gulf Breeze schools.

[Trusses]

Originally Posted by Florida15

Yes,old Florida does still exist in such places as Mt. Dora,St. Augustine,Ocala,Clermont,Lakeland and Winter Haven just to mention a few.

I agree, except for Clermont, which I think has changed a bit. Remember a year or two ago when that guy from NJ who was a criminal (his name was like Giovanni or something weird like that) moved there and shot 2 people (a drug dealing) and then there was another shooting in one weekend in Clermont? It was bizzarre - it was like 3 people murdered in one weekend in Clermont and that is usaually more than one whole year's total.