[xycrazy]

We consider a move from Chicago region to Florida. Reasons are predominantly the ugly winter weather and clouded skies during that season. But also taxes and pollen / allergies which we face since we moved here.

We've been to FL very often but always for vacationing. We love the nice beaches in SWFL but wonder if we can handle the humidity during summer. However, we've been even in July in FL and haven't been shocked at all in terms of the humidity. Chicago/IL is also very hot and humid in summer, feels often like FL. But places where the temperatures drop a bit during winter would be fine, too. We have nothing against cooler temperatures like they might have in NE FL during winter as long as warmer spots in distance.

Coming from the Chicago metro area we're looking for good doctors, schools and less crime.
What could you recommend on the Gulf side? We consider Naples or Cape Coral. Can you recommend those places? Or any other decent places for families and less rednecks lol.

What about bugs... especially palmetto bugs, roaches and ants... ? We know it's a problem in FL and that concerns us the most to be honest... and so maybe there are places we better should avoid and some might be better suited. Are there places in FL with less bug problems than others? East coast better than gulf coast or NE better than FW for instance? Would really like to hear your experiences / suggestions.

Budget is around 500k. We don't like to spend much more on a house if we don't have to. Jobs are not an issue as we can work from home.


Thanks

[kyle19125]

SW Florida isn't the most family-friendly area of the state given it's heavily retiree/snow bird driven. I would recommend Pinellas County where families are much more prevalent along with the best beaches and a lot more to do for kids as well as adults. Specifically check out the better school districts in Palm Harbor (Palm Harbor-University HS zone) or Oldsmar/East Lake (East Lake HS zone) at the north end of the county. You're less than 30 minutes to the beaches at Honeymoon Island or Caladesi, 30 minutes to stunning Clearwater Beach and around 30 minutes to downtown Tampa or downtown St Pete activities. Youth recreation is unsurpassed anywhere else in the state with leagues/camps in football, baseball, soccer, softball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, swimming, ice hockey, ice skating and BMX bikes just minutes away. Due to the gulf coast proximity most evenings there's a wonderful breeze off the Gulf which makes for very pleasant nights on your screened-in lanai with pool. There's a heavy Midwest transplant population in the area so assimilating is easy with outgoing neighbors typically ready to welcome newcomers and new friends at the ready for the kids. There's plenty of quality medical care options with the BayCare health group facilities all throughout the area. Bugs are unavoidable in FL unfortunately but a monthly exterminator service is invaluable at making them very minimal hardly seen, outside of mosquitoes which are immune to most everything it seems. A screened in patio/lanai should be high on your priority list so you can enjoy outside without being eaten alive by the mosquitoes. Homes ain the area are well within your budget without tapping out to the maximum.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M65415-80402
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M57297-64590
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M57957-08861
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M59972-51302
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M65271-21216
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M67901-29717
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M65518-51281

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by xycrazy

We consider a move from Chicago region to Florida. Reasons are predominantly the ugly winter weather and clouded skies during that season. But also taxes and pollen / allergies which we face since we moved here.

We've been to FL very often but always for vacationing. We love the nice beaches in SWFL but wonder if we can handle the humidity during summer. However, we've been even in July in FL and haven't been shocked at all in terms of the humidity. Chicago/IL is also very hot and humid in summer, feels often like FL. But places where the temperatures drop a bit during winter would be fine, too. We have nothing against cooler temperatures like they might have in NE FL during winter as long as warmer spots in distance.

Coming from the Chicago metro area we're looking for good doctors, schools and less crime.
What could you recommend on the Gulf side? We consider Naples or Cape Coral. Can you recommend those places? Or any other decent places for families and less rednecks lol.

What about bugs... especially palmetto bugs, roaches and ants... ? We know it's a problem in FL and that concerns us the most to be honest... and so maybe there are places we better should avoid and some might be better suited. Are there places in FL with less bug problems than others? East coast better than gulf coast or NE better than FW for instance? Would really like to hear your experiences / suggestions.

Budget is around 500k. We don't like to spend much more on a house if we don't have to. Jobs are not an issue as we can work from home.


Thanks

Never and roaches in my house. Peeps go over board with the bug crap. Danashores in Tampa is the best area to live around Tampa as i lived 41 years there. You may scrape by at 500k for a house on the water and less than a mile from the airport.

[J.Gatsby]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

SW Florida isn't the most family-friendly area of the state given it's heavily retiree/snow bird driven. I would recommend Pinellas County where families are much more prevalent along with the best beaches and a lot more to do for kids as well as adults. Specifically check out the better school districts in Palm Harbor (Palm Harbor-University HS zone) or Oldsmar/East Lake (East Lake HS zone) at the north end of the county. You're less than 30 minutes to the beaches at Honeymoon Island or Caladesi, 30 minutes to stunning Clearwater Beach and around 30 minutes to downtown Tampa or downtown St Pete activities. Youth recreation is unsurpassed anywhere else in the state with leagues/camps in football, baseball, soccer, softball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, swimming, ice hockey, ice skating and BMX bikes just minutes away. Due to the gulf coast proximity most evenings there's a wonderful breeze off the Gulf which makes for very pleasant nights on your screened-in lanai with pool. There's a heavy Midwest transplant population in the area so assimilating is easy with outgoing neighbors typically ready to welcome newcomers and new friends at the ready for the kids. There's plenty of quality medical care options with the BayCare health group facilities all throughout the area. Bugs are unavoidable in FL unfortunately but a monthly exterminator service is invaluable at making them very minimal hardly seen, outside of mosquitoes which are immune to most everything it seems. A screened in patio/lanai should be high on your priority list so you can enjoy outside without being eaten alive by the mosquitoes. Homes ain the area are well within your budget without tapping out to the maximum.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M65415-80402
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M57297-64590
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M57957-08861
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M59972-51302
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...5_M65271-21216
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M67901-29717
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M65518-51281

That’s spot on, Northern Pinellas is the best option on the gulf.

Sarasota could be good too. It’s a great city with good schools, but it’s not as active as the Tampa Bay Area. Gulf Gate or Lakewood Ranch would be good options.

Naples is nice, but small and very expensive. It’s almost as expensive as Palm Beach but not quite as nice in my opinion so I don’t really see the appeal. I’d forget about Naples... I’m not a fan of Cape Coral. Property is dirt cheap, but the city just isn’t that nice in my opinion.

[J.Gatsby]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Never and roaches in my house. Peeps go over board with the bug crap. Danashores in Tampa is the best area to live around Tampa as i lived 41 years there. You may scrape by at 500k for a house on the water and less than a mile from the airport.

Schools aren’t the best in Dana Shores... it’s a good value for what it is though.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by J.Gatsby

Schools aren’t the best in Dana Shores... it’s a good value for what it is though.

The schools in most of FL are not that good. Most of the old homes are getting torn down and replaced with homes too big for the lots. My parents paid 18k for our house in 1963.

[J.Gatsby]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

The schools in most of FL are not that good.

I’m just saying the stats from Jefferson HS don’t compare very well next to Plant HS or Palm Harbor University HS.

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

My parents paid 18k for our house in 1963.

That’s a pretty nice return.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by J.Gatsby

I’m just saying the stats from Jefferson HS don’t compare very well next to Plant HS or Palm Harbor University HS.

That’s a pretty nice return.

Back then a lot on the water was 4k. Last lot sold in 1986 for 100k.

[562026]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Never and roaches in my house. Peeps go over board with the bug crap. Danashores in Tampa is the best area to live around Tampa as i lived 41 years there. You may scrape by at 500k for a house on the water and less than a mile from the airport.

Yep. None of my friends and family in SW Florida have any problem with bugs.

[Fredesch]

Consider St Johns County (St Augustine). Jacksonville just north of St Johns can get an occasional frost. Everywhere in Florida has bugs and everyone has pest control to keep the bugs out of the house.

Good luck.