east vs. west (Tampa, Orlando, Port St. Lucie: relocating, jobs, medical)

[flipflopper]

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum and find all you viewpoints very intersting.
I am thinking of relocating to FLA next year. Trying to decide on east coast or west coast. I am a woman in my 40's with an 18 year old son. We want to go somewhere that's laid back enough for me, but enough for him to do, and visitors, etc...

On the west coast, I have been to the fort myers area...like it alot, especially Sanibel, but I worry it lacks things to do for young people.

On the east coast, the area around Cocoa beach looks like it has a laid back vibe to it. I also like to location to all the central FLA attractions. Will miss those sunsets however. How is that area? I will be renting and looking for a job in the medical field (administrative/management.

I appreciate all feedback, good or bad. If you've got better ideas, I'm open to those as well. Oh yeah, I'm from the Boston area. It would be nice to be somewhere that appreciates the red sox/pats!

Thanks!

[milano]

For some reasons I think the east coast is so much better, if you do not mind going all the way south to palm beach county, the best town/area here is a town called Delray Beach, I have been here for about 6 years, and even though I am selling the house now for different reasons, I can tell you this is a good place to be for you and for your 18 Y.O. Lots of jobs... good if you can afford housing prices which are kind of high ,but worth it! Good luck!!

[cc871]

i have heard that the ocean on the east coast is better...i have heard the gulf water on the west coast described as warm and merky with very little waves...i have not been there yet, will be going soon to see for myself.

[pslOldTimer]

My Mom lived on the West coast for years, in Seminole, which is right outside St. Pete. She was roughly the same distance from the Gulf that we are from the Ocean in Port St. Lucie on the East coast, and roughly about the same distance up the peninsula. I visited her often and compared the difference.

The East coast has the Gulf Stream. The breezes off the ocean are stronger, cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter. Generally, it's more com fortable weather. The hurricane history doesn't have a lot of differences.

I think there are more nice restaurants and more shopping on the West coast. There are more RV dealers, as I found out when I went to buy a new one. However, I also think there is more traffic.

The West coast has a tradition of being more of a retirement area, although I suspect that has changed in recent years.

I like the idea of Cocoa Beach, Titusville, etc., although it's a little too far north and too cold for me. Your son will certainly find enough to do a few miles up the road in Daytona...

[flipflopper]

Thanks for all the input...keep them coming. East coast is looking better and better.

Where to the boston people go?

[pslOldTimer]

Originally Posted by flipflopper

Where to the boston people go?

The Red Sox have their Spring training on the West coast in Fort Myers at City of Palms Park. That might attract a few Bostonians. My son was born near Boston and considers hmself a Bostonian even though he was 1 year old when we moved to Florida. He manages to get to at least one Red Sox Spring training game each year, even though we're on the East coast.

I know that the fact that the NY Mets train in Port St. Lucie has attracted a lot of New Yorkers. Since I spent several years in the Boston area before we moved to Florida, I find I like Bostonians a little better.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by flipflopper

Thanks for all the input...keep them coming. East coast is looking better and better.

Where to the boston people go?

the devil rays play in St Petersburg, and you always can see the Red Sox there. Sarasota and Venice are nice if you enjoy the beach.

judy

[bamboosmom]

I think the West Coast is more natural if that's what ya like!
The East Coast though is exciting

[FL Daisy]

The East Coast is more crowded compare to the West, but the West coast is catching up and it will become just like the East Coast one day.

The East Coast has a lot more to do then the West, it's a fact. Probably because it is completely build up there (along the actual coast)

I agree that the ocean is much nicer on the East then the West. There are some nice beaches on the West Coast but not as much as the East side.

I live in the Tampa Bay area and like both coasts. They both have their own charm; it's a matter of what someone wants and looking for.

[sunshine girl]

West coast is more laid back than east coast in my opinion. Bostonians live right next door to me in Sarasota, and there's plenty more here. Once we came to check out Sarasota when we were city shopping some years ago, there was no other city that compared for us. Everything here that's in bigger cities, but less traffic and crime. Lots for mom here, lots for teen son here. Tampa 1 hour away, Orlando 2 1/2 hours away. Would not live anywhere else in Florida, have it all here.