Ready for a change - feedback on moving to Florida (Jacksonville: fit in, short sale)

[PBJhope2move]

Hi everyone. this is my first post. I found this board via a Google search on relocating to Florida and I'm so glad I did! There are some friendly people here and tons of information.

I live and have lived in Maine most of my 31 years and I can't take the brutal winters anymore. Gosh, i really like living in Maine from May-October but that's it. It's a beautiful state with some of the friendliest ppl and it's really clean and safe. My childhood was a happy one. But once November comes I turn into this mega depressed women who feels like home is a prison. I've never been on a ski slope and have no desire too. It's the end of March and there's still 3 inches of ice in some spots of my driveway and a snow bank that won't melt until June. Some ppl don't mind the cold, me I can't do it anymore. I need warmth + flowers and green grass.

You have no idea what it does to me at xmas time ...seeing ppl in warmer climates out getting their xmas trees in jeans and t-shirts. Oh GOD that will be me some day!

My husband is from Jamaica and has lived in Maine with me for the past 3 years. You can imagine how much he hates it here too. Add in the lack of diversity; there is absolutely nothing going on here as far as night life/entertainment, culture, etc. Ok, it's Friday night ....we could either go see a movie, go bowling, walk around the mall or sit at a dive bar playing horrible music.

Florida has always seemed like a state I'd enjoy living in. I'm reading a lot of mixed feedback from ppl who live there though. We have a 2 year old, so school is definitely top priority, but from what I've read, overall the school systems in Florida are poor? Also, being sheltered in Maine and always leaving my car and home unlocked, moving to an area high in crime would probably wig me right out, so there's that to consider. Don't want to move to an area where we don't feel safe.

Ideally this is my dream town: No more than 20 minute ride to the beach; good school system K-12; diversity so my husband doesnt feel like he sticks out like a sore thumb and feel so alone; fair job market where we have a chance at landing a good job making what we make now (combined $70K); nice neighborhood/friendly neighbors; community feeling/town parades/nice town park for kids; less than 1hr commute to major airport.

Will i find that in Florida? I've heard posiive feedback on Orange Park; Weston (but I think that's too expensive/yuppy for us); Clermont; Sanford.......

We plan on taking a trip down in a couple of months after we pick a couple of counties/towns that seem like we'd fit in good.

Our goal is to sell our home in Maine and move within the next 3 years. I'm ready for a change, so is my husband. Life is too short to be completely miserable for 6 months out of every year.....we are ready to better our mental wellbeing and overall quality of our lives. I really appreciate any feedback (positive/negative) you are willing to provide.

Peace!

[300zxluvr]

Now I am a Miami to Charlotte, NC to Jax mover and I LOVE the Jax area, but if you think the schools are good, you need to check into that a bit more! Jax has grown too rapidly over the past 10 yrs and the schools are 'busting at the seams'. The teachers are over worked and underpaid, like all teachers are. If the schools are a BIG deal for your family, as they were for my son who is an honors/AP student, you might want to look in the outer cities of Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, etc as I've been told by ER patients that I talk to incessently that those are still good schools and not great little secrets of cities in the area. Since 95 and 295 go everywhere, you are within an hour of congested Jax but still have the beaches and the St.Johns River to play in.
Hope this helps...just my $.02 worth.
HKJ

[riveree]

I'll throw $0.02 in as well ......

I'll respond to some of your topics:

DIVERSITY: You won't find an overwhelming amount of diversity in NorthEast Florida either. The more rural/far-flung suburban, the worse your diversity here. To find a good sense of diversity in this area, you really need to live close to either Downtown Jacksonville or the Intracoastal/Beaches. Yes, there are little pockets of diversity in many areas, but I find the biggest clusters of those "little areas" to be in the more populated parts I mentioned. You mentioned Orange Park/Clay county, so I'm just going to say it, I consider OP/Clay to be one of the least diverse areas around here (sorry OPers! ).

SAFETY/CRIME: If you move anywhere in NEFL, you will need to lock your car doors! I don't care if you move to Clay county, Duval county, St. John's county, I don't care how "nice" your neighborhood is, you will need to lock your car doors and keep your home locked at all times. I actually know someone who has had items stolen from their car twice in their own driveway and even after the second time they can't understand it because they live in "such a nice (read: upscale)" neighborhood in St. John's county ! I don't say any of that to incite fear, this is just a more populated area than Maine so there's a lot of petty crime. And to those who don't lock their doors, when something is stolen and you file a police report, you drive our crime stats upward!

JOBS/PAY: Florida jobs are fairly scarce right now - it's no different here than elsewhere in the country. We might be doing a tad better than other regions, but you can expect plenty of competition for jobs right now. You're not moving for 3 years, so who knows? Pay has always been notoriously low in Florida and not a whole lot has changed there. There are high paying jobs here to be had (six figure), but plenty of people are working full time and making $20k-$30k/yr.

SCHOOLS: Again, a lot can change in 3 years time. For elementary level, you can find many good public schools in all the counties. As you get to middle and high school level, it can be tougher to find a good public school. There are some excellent private and parochial schools in NEFL though and only a few fall into the "expensive" category so I'd consider that an option if need be.

All that being said, I do think you can find a better quality of life here. There is a lot to do and you can be outdoors here virtually year-round. The sun is bright and the colors are good (helps to fight depression if you're light-sensitive). There is a laid-back vibe to the area, even though it's a medium-sized city. The people are friendly, at least on a superficial level. Having the river, the intracoastal and the ocean so close together is very appealing. I still think Maine is much more beautiful with it's ruggedness and gorgeous mountains, but the warm weather here can't be beat .

Hope that helps .

[StilltheSame]

Consider the Weston area again - in and around Weston you may find affordable housing particularly since the housing crash. The house next door to mine is selling for $300K less than it was 3 years ago and is a STEAL for the price. Look in Pembroke Pines, Western Miramar, Plantation and West Sunrise. Being from Jamaica - it will feel like home - tons of Jamaican restaurants and culture here. The schools are awful and getting worse and I think the job market is pretty bad- but I think you will find a good life here if you land in an area that meets your needs. The crime is not as bad as everyone says, the weather sounds like exactly what you both desire and there is lots to do here. Good luck,

[Cheer5]

try to look in wintermere pointe

[fsu813]

There are plenty of areas in jacksonville that fit your description. If a 20 minutes commute to the beach is important, you'll want to be on the "Southside" of town, which is actually the Eastside really. This is a huge area with many diffetent neighborhoods. No diversity and high crime isn't a issue unless you live in certain areas. The Southside of town has many highly rated elementary schools as well. Check out Kernan Blvs, Hodges Blvd, Atlantic Blvd, Southside Blvd, San Pablo Blvd, JT Butler Blvd, Townsend, San Marco Blvd areas.

[pinalli]

Hi everyone,

Due to huge cost of living,I am also 80% made up my mind to move to FL from NJ.
I have an IT job which I can move with me as I currently work at home.I have 4 children ranging from high school age to kindergarten.
I am looking at primarily St John's county,specifically Ponte Vedra,Fruit Cove which I know has good schools with a slight tilt towards Ponte Vedra because of the Nease High school which is also nationally rated as #91 in Newsweek list of best high schools in the country.My son is a freshman high schooler who we have been reluctant to move but due to high cost of living and taxes here(10,500) for a 540,000 home,we have decided to take a hit on the equity in this home rather than lose all due to possible foreclosure if the mortgage is not paid in the next few mths.

The problem is that my husband who is in the financial services industry has taken a hit on earnings,so most of the bills have shifted to me.
Stress!I know Florida is not dirt cheap anymore but the difference is that in FL,one can still find a short sale,foreclosure or deal for less than 300,000.In NJ,it is very difficult to find anything below 500,000.
Now that I have told you my reasons,can someone please help me to decide
1) If I am making the right decision?
2) Basic cost of utilities for a 2,500 - 3000 sq ft home?
3) Any good communities around Nease high school or Fruit Cove without CDD?
4) Average cost of taxes for houses between 250,000 and 300000?
5) Areas not to go to?
7)Any good realtor reccomendations?

I am travelling down to FL this weekend for a training as my company is based in Florida.

Thanks so much.

[jeanniepep]

Originally Posted by riveree

I actually know someone who has had items stolen from their car twice in their own driveway and even after the second time they can't understand it because they live in "such a nice (read: upscale)" neighborhood in St. John's county !

What would be the point of stealing from driveways in a bad neighborhood? They never have anything good in their cars!

[riveree]

Originally Posted by jeanniepep

What would be the point of stealing from driveways in a bad neighborhood? They never have anything good in their cars!

LOL, I dunno, but if you leave your laptop and your ipod on the seat of your car and the doors unlocked, then dumb is dumb, no matter what your socioeconomic status !

[Karla with a K]

Originally Posted by pinalli

Hi everyone,

Due to huge cost of living,I am also 80% made up my mind to move to FL from NJ.
I have an IT job which I can move with me as I currently work at home.I have 4 children ranging from high school age to kindergarten.
I am looking at primarily St John's county,specifically Ponte Vedra,Fruit Cove which I know has good schools with a slight tilt towards Ponte Vedra because of the Nease High school which is also nationally rated as #91 in Newsweek list of best high schools in the country.My son is a freshman high schooler who we have been reluctant to move but due to high cost of living and taxes here(10,500) for a 540,000 home,we have decided to take a hit on the equity in this home rather than lose all due to possible foreclosure if the mortgage is not paid in the next few mths.

The problem is that my husband who is in the financial services industry has taken a hit on earnings,so most of the bills have shifted to me.
Stress!I know Florida is not dirt cheap anymore but the difference is that in FL,one can still find a short sale,foreclosure or deal for less than 300,000.In NJ,it is very difficult to find anything below 500,000.
Now that I have told you my reasons,can someone please help me to decide
1) If I am making the right decision?
2) Basic cost of utilities for a 2,500 - 3000 sq ft home?
3) Any good communities around Nease high school or Fruit Cove without CDD?
4) Average cost of taxes for houses between 250,000 and 300000?
5) Areas not to go to?
7)Any good realtor reccomendations?

I am travelling down to FL this weekend for a training as my company is based in Florida.

Thanks so much.

I lived in NJ before moving down here, there is a big difference in the taxes you will be paying .
I lived in Ponte Vedra and while you may pay a bit more for a house there as opposed to Fruit Cove the close proximity to the beach may be worth it.
I sent you a DM with more detailed info on the difference.

You didn't say what what end of the financial services your husband is in but there are some big companies here, Citibank, CIT, Chase to name a few

The weather is suppose to be great this weekend 78 to 82