[Lea09]

We're thinking about relocating to Florida from NY. I have two young children (ages 6 and 2). High quality schools and good neighbors are my top priorities. I would love to find a family friendly town (boy scouts, little league, parades, community center, etc.). I could care less about night life and I'm not too focused on beaches. I would greatly appreciate any input, thanks!!

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by Lea09

We're thinking about relocating to Florida from NY. I have two young children (ages 6 and 2). High quality schools and good neighbors are my top priorities. I would love to find a family friendly town (boy scouts, little league, parades, community center, etc.). I could care less about night life and I'm not too focused on beaches. I would greatly appreciate any input, thanks!!

It must be the current weather in the Northeast, it sure has me motivated!

Finding high quality schools in Florida is tricky, but not impossible. The state has placed little effort into funding/improving schools over the past several years but there are pockets of good schools throughout the state. You didn't mention work/occupation which leads me to believe it's not a concern..??

Overall based on your criteria I'd recommend Celebration, a planned community close to Disney World southwest of Orlando. It's beautiful there.
Celebration Front Porch
Town Center
Celebration School: K8
http://www.flbsi.org/0809_sip_templa...ookieSupport=1

[beachmouse]

The Celebration vibe seems to be rather 'Truman Show' and can be rather polarizing in terms of whether a person finds it charming or intolerably fake. It's like the extreme of the New Urbanism developments.

Where I'm at (Niceville up in the Panhandle) seems to hit a lot of your criteria-excellent schools, little league, parades, even an annual little league parade. It's effectively a suburb for Ft. Walton Beach and Eglin AFB, and there's a fair amount of stuff happening in the surrounding areas as well.

However, we do get cooler winters than the Peninsula, and it's a serious hike when you need something from the Big City. (Though I'd say we can find about 98% of what we want locally)

[niceguy19125]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

The Celebration vibe seems to be rather 'Truman Show' and can be rather polarizing in terms of whether a person finds it charming or intolerably fake. It's like the extreme of the New Urbanism developments.

I used to think it was a bit much until I witnessed the overall lack of zoning present in much of Florida firsthand. Until you've witnessed your nice, new subdivision become surrounded by half-occupied strip centers, shoddily built apartment complexes, several gas stations, etc. etc. it's easy to think that these planned communities are fake or whatever. In the end, they preserve the standard of living you originally bought into.

[Strel]

Originally Posted by Lea09

We're thinking about relocating to Florida from NY. I have two young children (ages 6 and 2). High quality schools and good neighbors are my top priorities. I would love to find a family friendly town (boy scouts, little league, parades, community center, etc.). I could care less about night life and I'm not too focused on beaches. I would greatly appreciate any input, thanks!!

Tallahassee.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

The Celebration vibe seems to be rather 'Truman Show' and can be rather polarizing in terms of whether a person finds it charming or intolerably fake. It's like the extreme of the New Urbanism developments.

Where I'm at (Niceville up in the Panhandle) seems to hit a lot of your criteria-excellent schools, little league, parades, even an annual little league parade. It's effectively a suburb for Ft. Walton Beach and Eglin AFB, and there's a fair amount of stuff happening in the surrounding areas as well.

However, we do get cooler winters than the Peninsula, and it's a serious hike when you need something from the Big City. (Though I'd say we can find about 98% of what we want locally)

You know, other then the shopping experience the "Not able to get anything here" is becoming a thing of the past. You can order pretty much anything on line and people who live rural don't feel so cut off from the rest of the world anymore. Heck, I live about a mile from an Office Depot and I still most of the time order my office supplies from them on line. $50.00 of more and the shipping is free and delivery in next day. I will say you can't order clothes on line, or at least I wouldn't, but even in the smallest town you can find pretty much what you want clothes wise. The internet has made us more free as to where to live.

[beachmouse]

I see needs as more than just items. I'm also talking about entertainment and cultural options. If you're wanting to go see major league sports, a really good zoo, or better museum options, then it's at least 3.5 hours one way to New Orleans and about 6 to the Atlanta/Tampa/Otlando cluster.

There are people here with Saints season tickets; it just requires a bit more money and effort to make it to the Superdome than if you lived in Biloxi.