[ben_nicole]

We live in MO in a small town. We recently decided that we want to move to Florida. We want a small town that isn't to far from Disney or the beach and A small crime rate. We don't want to move and get robbed. We have small children and are looking for a place that has football and all the sports. Please help us. Thanks

[TriMT7]

Maybe the St. Augustine area? Close enough to Disney for a day trip, Jacksonville football close by, small town vibe, safe, good schools....

The only thing left would be securing a job in your field. Some fields will be easier than others, but if you're looking for a year or two out, things SHOULD be better by then. Hopefully!

[treasurekidd]

I'd suggest looking in the area north of Tampa, around Citrus County. The Ocala area is really nice and has a wide range of home prices to choose from. Look in Hernando and near Iverness as well. It's a good day trip to Orlando, and Tampa (Busch Gardens) is even closer. I'm from New England, but have family there and I LOVE IT! Best of luck to you!

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by treasurekidd

I'd suggest looking in the area north of Tampa, around Citrus County. The Ocala area is really nice and has a wide range of home prices to choose from. Look in Hernando and near Iverness as well. It's a good day trip to Orlando, and Tampa (Busch Gardens) is even closer. I'm from New England, but have family there and I LOVE IT! Best of luck to you!

No jobs here in Ocala, 12.6% unemployment rate. Electric rates have shot up recently, cost of living is MUCH higher here than Mo, and the wages are lower.
I moved here 20 years ago from Missouri, and was in culture shock for about 2 years.
I am flying to Mo this week to look at property, I want to get myself lined up to get out of here when DH is able to retire, hate it here!
Dont wanna frighten you, but I would think long and hard about moving here if I were you.
Also, compared to Mo schools, the schools here are awful!

[RVlover]

As suggested, you REALLY need to spend a couple weeks in Florida examining many various areas as there are soooo many little towns to choose from ; if you want THE most affordable area of Florida to live...then that honor probably goes to the Panhandle which is where i live. Yes, its a full days drive to Disney but how often will you be going there realistically (?) . Common jobs are scarce up here, but the Emerald Coast is magnificent with tons of beaches to explore , and, the Panhandle is THE most conservative Christian area which translates into more people putting value on values , morals, ethics, etc... its an area good for family life (despite the recent very sad national news of the Couple in Pensacola getting murdered) .

[mo/fla/tx/gal]

HAVING LIVED IN MO FOR 25YRS.AND FLORIDA FOR 30YRS.AND NOW MOVED TO TEXAS.DUE TO FLA'S.ECONOMIC ISSUES,MY SUGGESTION FOR YOU IS TEXAS.LOOK UP THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY.YOULL THINK YOUR IN THE MOUNTAINS.SIX FLAGS FIESTA TX.IN SAN ANTONIO.SEA WORLD.TUBE THE GUADELUPE RIVER IN NEW BRAUNFELS,THE MOUNTIANS NEAR EL PASO.ARE BEAUTIFUL,AND OF COURSE THE GULF OF MEXICO.DOWN AROUND CORPUS CHRISTI.DRIVE ON BEACHES,WHERE UNLIKE FLA'S BEACHES WITH ITS STRICKED RULES.YOU CAN CAMP OUT ALL NIGHT OR ALL WEEK.JOBS HERE ARE PLENTY.HOUSING IS AFFORDABLE.NEW BRAUNFELS CRIME RATE IS VERY LOW.1 MURDER IN 10 YRS.I DONT KNOW ABOUT SCHOOLS HERE.CAUSE ALL MY KIDS WERE RAISED IN FLA.WHICH I DIDNT LIKE THE SCHOOLS THERE EITHER.ONLY A SUGESTION AS I SAID.BUT FOR MY MONEY,TEXAS!

[daytonadewd]

Would check out Dunedin, Mount Dora, Miconopy, Lakeland, Ocala, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Flagler Beach and Merrit Island/Satellite Beach.

[kshe95girl]

Mount Dora is a bedroom community for Orlando, there is NOTHING in Micanopy but the shops.

[ben_nicole]

what is the Panhandle? We are christians amd that sounds nice there. Thanks

[gypsychic]

Small towns not too far from Disney, try Lake Wales, Winter Haven or Auburndale. Auburndale you might like, as it is only 11 miles east of Lakeland, which is a nice smaller city with a friendly and somewhat conservative Southern Christian feel. Plenty of recreation there for the kids, enough to do, and the area has a bit better economy than many places in Florida. This also would put you close enough not only to Disney but to Orlando for more work possibilities. Auburndale has a very cute downtown, and a "beach" on the lake.

Good luck to you!