[jojobettyboop]

We are seriously considering moving to Florida but are very confused as to where is the best place to live. We both work for a company that builds Satellites. We have two small children, ages 3 1/2 and 2 yrs old. Plus I have an older son that is 18 and a step-son that is 20.

Some of the things we are looking for are:
somewhere with low crime, that is close to shops, grocery stores, parks, good schools and close to the beach.

I have family that lives in Merrit Island but that town is so small and the jobs are impossible to get.

Some of the areas that have been suggested are Parrish & Sarasota. I have heard some negative things about Parrish.

Any advice is appreciated. I am getting a headache from all this research.

[SoFLGal]

I think you're on the right track with Sarasota. It meets all of your criteria except for the job one. I think, right now, anywhere you move to is going to have a pretty high unemployment rate. Sarasota's is at 10% now.

I was born and raised in Sarasota and am now raising my three kids here. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a top notch school system and reasonable housing prices.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[RMD3819]

A lot of places meet your qualifications but the main ingredient is jobs.

Can you transfer or work from home? We need more info in order to narrow down the choices.

What is your housing budget?

[johnnyboy2008]

Port orange sounds like the perfect place...very low crime, well kept, a mile from the beach. However, it is a few miles south of daytona and there are not many jobs here. But i doubt sarasota has more opportunities. Personally, i would stay out of south fla due to the hurricane threat.

[bocamom]

Unemployment is much higher in SOuth Florida than the numbers represent because so many here are self employed and not making money and trying to get into the salary workforce and they aren't counted as unemployed even though they are fighting for the few jobs too. Trust me, there's no work down here. Jobs aren't getting advertised. I have gotten calls from friends when they get a job opening in any field as the locals tend to stick together. You won't come down here cold and even find out about real openings. Tons of scam jobs/phone sales w/o pay, etc. . . If that's your thing.

[jojobettyboop]

Originally Posted by RMD3819

A lot of places meet your qualifications but the main ingredient is jobs.

Can you transfer or work from home? We need more info in order to narrow down the choices.

What is your housing budget?

Our housing budget is about 350,000 and I am looking to see if I can get a job with a vendor where I can work. My husband, well that is another question. We plan on doing research first before we move because it doesn't make sense to move if we don't have jobs. Unfortunately we can't transfer.

[jojobettyboop]

Are you more at risk for hurricane threats in Southern Florida? Are there certain areas that the humidity is worse than others? What about the crocs? Thanks for your input

[RMD3819]

You have loads of options with that housing budget. I would rent first.

The key thing is securing employment then investigate areas within commuting distance.

Hurricanes can hit anywhere.

In general the central part of the state tends to be more stifling hot as there are no breezes coming off of the Gulf or Atlantic. I think the humidity is bad everywhere but I'll let others answer as I'm not familiar with all parts of the state.

There are mostly alligators and not crocs. They are common in South Florida but nothing to worry about unless you are feeding them, swimming with them etc. Once in a while one ends up in a backyard pool but that is extremely, extremely rare. Don't worry about it.

What job fields are you interested in?

[bocamom]

I think that hurricanes might be attracted to the warmer waters in the gulf, but they seem to go all over the place, and definitely not mainly to south florida (knock wood). Maybe if you live out west you will see alligators but they don't come to the beach at all, ever. we do not ever see them. 350k is a good budget to move here now, lots of options. is a good place for independently wealthy folks, but dual income households are running into trouble keeping both employed these days.

[jojobettyboop]

Originally Posted by RMD3819

You have loads of options with that housing budget. I would rent first.

The key thing is securing employment then investigate areas within commuting distance.

Hurricanes can hit anywhere.

In general the central part of the state tends to be more stifling hot as there are no breezes coming off of the Gulf or Atlantic. I think the humidity is bad everywhere but I'll let others answer as I'm not familiar with all parts of the state.

There are mostly alligators and not crocs. They are common in South Florida but nothing to worry about unless you are feeding them, swimming with them etc. Once in a while one ends up in a backyard pool but that is extremely, extremely rare. Don't worry about it.

What job fields are you interested in?

Thanks for the information.

I knew there was either alligators or crocs and both scare me to death. We don't have that kind of problem here in California.

Where are you from?

I have been an executive admin for year and I also deal with contracts so I can do either, I also have medical experience so that is another option. My husband is more technical. He helps build satellites.

We are looking at Lake Mary, Oviedo and Sarasota area but I don't know the difference between the areas.