[Nalu]

Whoa settle down everyone, the idea of not locking your doors was meant as more of a euphenism than a literal thing. But with that said, we do live in a tiny town here in Hawaii on 10 acres of land and know everyone within a mile. Someone would first have to drive about 500 feet down my driveway, then jump a 6 foot fence, then contend with my 2 very large dogs nipping at their heels. And if that wasn't enough then deal with my retired hunting gun happy neighbor. So no we don't lock our doors here, nor do our neighbors..shh don't tell anyone. But to make you feel better we do lock them at night when we're sleeping. Anyhow, a lot of you have given me good suggestions and things to think about, thank you. While I know I can not replicate what I have here in Hawaii, I was looking for a country area that would make me feel as safe. Maybe it doesn't exist in Florida I'll keep on researching. Aloha, Angela

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Nalu

Whoa settle down everyone, the idea of not locking your doors was meant as more of a euphenism than a literal thing. But with that said, we do live in a tiny town here in Hawaii on 10 acres of land and know everyone within a mile. Someone would first have to drive about 500 feet down my driveway, then jump a 6 foot fence, then contend with my 2 very large dogs nipping at their heels. And if that wasn't enough then deal with my retired hunting gun happy neighbor. So no we don't lock our doors here, nor do our neighbors..shh don't tell anyone. But to make you feel better we do lock them at night when we're sleeping. Anyhow, a lot of you have given me good suggestions and things to think about, thank you. While I know I can not replicate what I have here in Hawaii, I was looking for a country area that would make me feel as safe. Maybe it doesn't exist in Florida I'll keep on researching. Aloha, Angela

Even under your present circumstances, Nalu, I recommend locking those doors even when you're not asleep.

Life is full of long-distance runners, pole vaulters, people who can charm the most fedrocious of animals while sweet talking a retiree - all on their way to entering your home.

[Skarlett]

Have you thought about the panhandle? I don't know if you want to be ON the water, but Destin is nice (when the tourists aren't straggling through your yard). Tallahassee, Pensacola, Panama City not so nice; but there are a lot of small town stops along the way. If you go north of the ocean, Milton is pretty downhome but the water you will get there is the Blackwater River. I don't know how "country" you are talking about though, and there are some very quiet towns here. I'm sure someone knows better than me because I am a transplant, but isn't Apalachicola on the water, and away from everything?

[cpt757100]

I live in Crawfordville, just south of Tallahasse and no one locks their doors! You have to come up to the panhandle for this type of quality southern living! Its very old fashioned here but its a great place to raise kids! Everyone waves and is very friendly!

[Nalu]

The more I read about the panhandle it sounds great..I like the mayberry thing. The only problem with that is I think it's pretty far from surf. DH NEEDs to be close to surfspots. The more I look into Florida, the more frankly I get confused. There's so many different dynamics going on in different areas. We are definately more country people than city folks, but are also pretty liberal, try to eat organic as much as possible, garden organically, recycle etc. democratic etc...I do like the waving thing, we now live on a one lane road where everyone pulls over to let the other pass, and each gives a wave. It's those small town niceties that I crave, but I guess without the narrow minded mindset that you can find in some enclaves. Angela

[MovedfromFL]

Originally Posted by Nalu

The more I read about the panhandle it sounds great..I like the mayberry thing. The only problem with that is I think it's pretty far from surf. DH NEEDs to be close to surfspots. The more I look into Florida, the more frankly I get confused. There's so many different dynamics going on in different areas. We are definately more country people than city folks, but are also pretty liberal, try to eat organic as much as possible, garden organically, recycle etc. democratic etc...I do like the waving thing, we now live on a one lane road where everyone pulls over to let the other pass, and each gives a wave. It's those small town niceties that I crave, but I guess without the narrow minded mindset that you can find in some enclaves. Angela

As I understand it, the FL panhandle is pretty conservative. Based your info here, that doesn't sound like a good fit. (trust me, I am stuck in the same type of place here in north Georgia and we can't wait to get back to FL)

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by cpt757100

I live in Crawfordville, just south of Tallahasse and no one locks their doors!

That's not smart to announce online...

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by Skarlett

I'm sure someone knows better than me because I am a transplant, but isn't Apalachicola on the water, and away from everything?

The waters around Apalach aren't surfable, even by the low expectations of Panhandle surfers. It's just too shallow there. Unless we get a winter front moving through or something tropical is kicking up in the Bay of Campeche, the general Panhandle vibe is that you have to weekend in Jacksonville to find passable waves by Pacific standards.

[Kung pao]

When I was a kid I grew up on a dusty country road, where everyone knew everyone I don't think anyone locked there doors . I recall my old neighbor telling me there was time when you were traveling on a long trip and you needed somthing to eat, you could knock on someones door and ask for food or even if you ran out of gas people would help you without any thought. Don't you just wish things could be like that again! TODAY is another day and the media has us so scared,seems like more and more crazy people, doing really crazy things. I would border on
the side of caution,lock everything have two locks put on all door get an alarm system, all valuables in safe deposit box, buy a puppy ...German Shepherd send it to school and have
a rod iron fence so the dog can stretch it legs! I really hate to sound paranoid but, it appears that there is a rapid decline in very short amount of time it is really shocking to watch it transpire over the course of ones life.

[Old Skool Florida]

Originally Posted by Nalu

I had posted in a previous thread about moving with kids to Fl from Hawaii. Right now we live in a community where we don't lock our doors ever, in fact we just put our house on the market and I had to hunt for our front door key. Does such a place exist in Eastern Coastal Florida? Without buying into an expensive gated community with HOA? Surf and work are priorities, but maybe even more so is safety. Thanks so much! Angela

ARE U INSANE ? SO FLORIDA IS THE PEDIFILE, CONSTRUCTION, FRAUD, HIT AND RUN GROUND ZERO OF THE WORLD. not to mention immigrant criminals on the streets every day. did u heard about that haitian illegal immigrant killed 3 people last week. he was wanted from haiti and bordered a ship to miami's chores, swimming up to the beach. google it U dont believe it .