[Morales]

Hello!
I am a single parent considering to leave MA to go to FL. I am a little nervous because I don't know where to start and what city or towns to consider.
My children go to great schools out here so education is very important. I like some diversity, job opportunities in sales,banking or human service field. I dont want to live in housing (not criticizing it just not for me) Yet I can not afford an outrages rent. (How expensive is the rents in Fl I know some areas are more than others but I am looking for a place w/opportunities) this is very important. I don't like place were the next local store or neighbor is 30 min away.
Just looking for some info on the different area I've been to central Fl (orlando) and loved it (tourist section) but I know there has to be more. Thank you for any info that you may be able to provide.

[SKB]

"I dont want to live in housing (not criticizing it just not for me) Yet I can not afford an outrages rent."

What do you mean, "you don't want to live in housing"?

[Morales]

I am not sure what it is called in Fl but know it as housing or projects. In New York they are usually buildings with over 6 floors and about 6 apt in each floor and your rent is based on your income. These buildings are to big for me and too much goes on.

[lovelucy]

I think Morales might be refering to people that live on Federal Aid and living "in housing"; also referred to as "section 8 housing, the projects, etc." something to that effect, I believe.

I'm originally from RI, so I think that is what Morales meant. We moved from RI and didn't know where to go either, but we moved to Ormond Beach, which is a town adjacent to Daytona, and we lived in a nice family neighborhood, although threy were a mix of manufactured homes and trailer homes. They had a couple of good local elementary schools, according to the neighbors we had, although I homeschooled my son at that time.

We also liked Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach. Palm Coast is north of Daytona and my cousin lived there. Alot of elderly there, and new expensive homes popping up all over, and not much to do there. Along the lines of a town like Bellingham or Blackstone. St. Augustine is north of Daytona, and is a great old city to explore.

Daytona is more like a Boston, active with life, both good and bad. Very busy during Spring break and bike week. They also have "Black week"? or something to that effect.

We moved back home because of sick family.

People drive fast, just like in the Northeast, so you will feel right at home, lol!!!

Your best bet would be to look up an area, and then move to an apartment first before buying a home . Use Monster.com to search for jobs in the area you are interested in and then check the online newspaper of that city to check out what is going on in that city and also to look for a home. Realtor.com is a great site for homes.

Also use the search engine here after looking up a city/town and see what the locals are saying about the area, and then consider what your needs are.

Remember, there are jaded people in any city, that put down where they live for whatever reason, and take those comments for what they are. There are also very helpful people here too!!!

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Morales

Hello!
I am a single parent considering to leave MA to go to FL. I am a little nervous because I don't know where to start and what city or towns to consider.
My children go to great schools out here so education is very important. I like some diversity, job opportunities in sales,banking or human service field. I dont want to live in housing (not criticizing it just not for me) Yet I can not afford an outrages rent. (How expensive is the rents in Fl I know some areas are more than others but I am looking for a place w/opportunities) this is very important. I don't like place were the next local store or neighbor is 30 min away.
Just looking for some info on the different area I've been to central Fl (orlando) and loved it (tourist section) but I know there has to be more. Thank you for any info that you may be able to provide.

If you want your kids to grow up in a safe place, where they get a good education (like MA), and the rents are low, and you can walk to the local store, don't move to Florida. My rent is $1100 mo. for a 700 sf one bedroom, you can forget about affordable housing, and as far as the pay goes... I make half what I made in CT. Seriously, think hard before you move - Florida is a great place for the wealthy, but there are no opportunities for the rest.

[daniellefort]

oh come on. it's not that bad EVERYWHERE in FL. I'm am far from being wealthy, live in safe area, own a home and some extra toys, my daughter is in a great school. I do agree on the job situation though. I work at home now but before it was hard to find a good paying job. I'm a medical assistant with 2 years of schooling and top pay for me at $8/hr to start. Very crappy considering the cost i paid thinking i would get some kind of decent paying job. Rents in my area go for about $750 for a 2 - 3 bedroom. I'm in West Central FL about 20 miles from the coast about 1 hour west of Orlando and north of Tampa.

[pirate girl]

East Orlando near UCF/Winter Springs might fit the bill if you want a busier area with lots of housing options- apartments, rentals, homes etc.

I'm not familiar with Orange County Schools other then that there are over 100 of them.

[ChunkyMonkey]

You should definitely do your research on Florida schools. Most are not on par with Massachusetts schools, which are among the best in the nation. Due to population growth, schools are often overcrowded. When I was going to high school in Florida, we had classes in trailers. Good luck.

[121804]

Schools are overcrowded in EVERY major area in ANY major US area.

Rent is high in EVERY major area in ANY major US area.

The good thing w/ FL right now is that you can definitely get some good choices in condos or homes to rent b/c of the oversaturation of new builds.

We pay $1000 (water, trash & cable) for a 1800sq (under AC), 3 bd, 2 bath condo in Punta Gorda Isles in SW Florida. That is about the average rent here for a condo for that size.

Schools in the area are ok. But public schools are just that...public.

My husband was born & raised in western Mass. He has no desire to run back there w/ our son due to its education system.

I'd say cost of living here is about average (we were military & have lived in every major section of the US & overseas) though costs of homes & the insurance is quite high. Property taxes in SW FL may be on average w/ Mass if not below average.

I'd compare a lot of places in SW here to Springfield, MA & Holyoke, MA (but w/o the mountains)

[Morales]

Thank You all for you imput very much appreciated