[KadieAnn]

I've been lurking around this forum for a few weeks now and realized it could be a very valuable resource for us in making this move.

Here's a little background. My husband and I and our eight daughters (all mine, all his) live in a small town in Southern Colorado. Our oldest will turn twelve in August. I teach part time at the local community college, and he is an independent contractor (tile). We're both military brats, and we're tired of living here. I lived in Pensacola from 9th grade through my second year of college, and I've always wanted to go back to Florida. My husband decided he's ready for a move, too, so I'm applying to teach middle or high school in different counties. I've had a few phone interviews so far, and have plans to interview with those principals in person next week when I go out to the "Great Florida Teach-In." We don't know yet which county we're going to move to--we'll know when I accept a job offer.

I've got a lot of questions regarding the best places to live--good schools, low crime rate, lots of culture, young families, etc. Also, for the first few years, we'll be renting instead of buying. Here, we paid $1400 a month for a four bedroom home.

The counties I'm looking out most seriously are Clay, Collier, Polk, St. Johns, and Volusia. The job I'm most interested in, which I will be interviewing for next week, is in Collier (Naples).

The counties that pay the most, like Collier, also have higher costs of living. What I can't quite figure out (I teach English, not math!!) is whether the difference in salary will offset the cost of living. Also, are the "richer" counties, like Collier, snootier? I mean, we get a lot of funny looks and comments here, in our very un-snooty little town, because of the eight kids. I personally don't mind, but I don't want the girls to feel snubbed by their peers.

I know I have a lot of issues here, but any insights you could give me, I would greatly appreciate.

Thanks!

~Kadie Ann

[wacahootaman]

Check out Keystone heights in Clay County.

Low crime, great schools. Kinda quiet and sleepy tho

[momix5]

hi kadie, We are looking to relocate to Fla also, from LI with 5 children! I know all about the rude comments and stares about having a large family. Good luck in your search we are looking at the Port Saint Lucie area.

[Chromedome]

if u want to avoid snobs, naples is not the place to be.naples is the land of the keep up with the joneses mentality, you are seen as low class if you dont drive a BMW and wear 400 dollar sunglasses

this is a horrible area to raise kids aswell. nothing at all for them to do, which usually leads to alcohol and drug consumption out of boredom.

while collier pays a little more than other counties in the area you still wont be able to afford anything decent unless your loaded. plan on living in the hood unless youre making serious money

id avoid southwest florida and look at a different area

[momix5]

Hi, just a thought what about Port Saint Lucie?

[KadieAnn]

Originally Posted by momix5

hi kadie, We are looking to relocate to Fla also, from LI with 5 children! I know all about the rude comments and stares about having a large family. Good luck in your search we are looking at the Port Saint Lucie area.

Why Port Saint Lucie? I don't know anything at all about that area. Good luck to you, too!

[KadieAnn]

Originally Posted by Chromedome

if u want to avoid snobs, naples is not the place to be.naples is the land of the keep up with the joneses mentality, you are seen as low class if you dont drive a BMW and wear 400 dollar sunglasses

Ahh, that's what I was afraid of. I'd like to think that, even if we were rolling in money, I wouldn't pay 400 for sunglasses! Talk about more money than sense!

[KadieAnn]

Thanks. I have actually applied to Keystone Heights. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that job!

[SKB]

Originally Posted by KadieAnn

I've been lurking around this forum for a few weeks now and realized it could be a very valuable resource for us in making this move.

Here's a little background. My husband and I and our eight daughters (all mine, all his) live in a small town in Southern Colorado. Our oldest will turn twelve in August. I teach part time at the local community college, and he is an independent contractor (tile). We're both military brats, and we're tired of living here. I lived in Pensacola from 9th grade through my second year of college, and I've always wanted to go back to Florida. My husband decided he's ready for a move, too, so I'm applying to teach middle or high school in different counties. I've had a few phone interviews so far, and have plans to interview with those principals in person next week when I go out to the "Great Florida Teach-In." We don't know yet which county we're going to move to--we'll know when I accept a job offer.

I've got a lot of questions regarding the best places to live--good schools, low crime rate, lots of culture, young families, etc. Also, for the first few years, we'll be renting instead of buying. Here, we paid $1400 a month for a four bedroom home.

The counties I'm looking out most seriously are Clay, Collier, Polk, St. Johns, and Volusia. The job I'm most interested in, which I will be interviewing for next week, is in Collier (Naples).

The counties that pay the most, like Collier, also have higher costs of living. What I can't quite figure out (I teach English, not math!!) is whether the difference in salary will offset the cost of living. Also, are the "richer" counties, like Collier, snootier? I mean, we get a lot of funny looks and comments here, in our very un-snooty little town, because of the eight kids. I personally don't mind, but I don't want the girls to feel snubbed by their peers.

I know I have a lot of issues here, but any insights you could give me, I would greatly appreciate.

Thanks!

~Kadie Ann

Kadie Ann I don't have a clue where you should live but dam, a big hats off to you for raising up eight girls!!!!!!

My husband came from a family of nine brothers and sisters and says he had the best childhood ever. They didn't have much money but they were never lonely or hungry.

I was reading about the family that just had sextuplets on Monday and wondering what their lives will be like now with three boys and three girls.

We have two girls and two boys (combined family) and I know how tough it can be. I wish you all of the best with your wonderful family of girls girls girls! everywhere!!!

[Donna-50]

Don't think Naples is the place for you. You may make a little more money but it is very expensive and the other parts of Naples that you would be able to afford you probably wouldn't want to live there. JMO