Does my plan make sense? (Jacksonville, Orlando: to buy, living, restaurants)

[INeedAChange]

I'd like to avoid Miami if possible because of the hurricane risks and higher costs, although I would still consider it--if I decide to move to Florida I will probably have to be flexible at first and consider all parts of the state--then I can move to a part I like better after a year or two...although I would like to avoid the gulf coast--we used to vacation there when I was a kid and I found it quite dull.

[riveree]

Sounds like you'd be unhappy in Miami, so maybe just cross it off the list entirely - why move somewhere you don't really want to, right?

Gulf Coast too, if you don't like it (me neither...not to live there), cross it off.

Life is too short - you have this opportunity to make a change, go where you want to go, because sometimes, when you make a move, it can take a while to move again...you can end up getting kind of stuck, y'know? Maybe by a job or a relationship or a home purchase, whatever.

Picture what you want and make it so. If you want to live in NE FL, you'll find a job there. It's always easier to switch jobs than to switch cities.

Are you in a time crunch because of your current unemployment? Is that why you're opening up your search? Could you maybe work in a different field initially (if you needed to find a job right away)?

[Samierra]

I've lived in Miami for the last 14 years - and am now planning to relocate to the Jax area.

I can't recommend Miami to anyone - I've lived all over the US - in 8 different states - and this is, by far, the worst place I've ever been. The people are terribly rude - there is no sense of community. The massive influx of people coming in from other countries is overwhelming (1000 new immigrants from other countries arrive in Miami every day). My husband is Hispanic - and from Miami, and he is even fed up. The night life/social scene is far over rated.

You won't be able to find a house/condo here (in a good area) for less than $400-$500k. There is no infrastructure. The west to east commute takes forever.

If you are looking for quality of life - stick with north or central FL.

...just my 2 cents...:-)

[INeedAChange]

I'm not really in a time crunch--I would just hate to throw away what I've learned over the years by switching to something else...also, I'm not sure what else I would do!

Originally Posted by riveree

Sounds like you'd be unhappy in Miami, so maybe just cross it off the list entirely - why move somewhere you don't really want to, right?

Gulf Coast too, if you don't like it (me neither...not to live there), cross it off.

Life is too short - you have this opportunity to make a change, go where you want to go, because sometimes, when you make a move, it can take a while to move again...you can end up getting kind of stuck, y'know? Maybe by a job or a relationship or a home purchase, whatever.

Picture what you want and make it so. If you want to live in NE FL, you'll find a job there. It's always easier to switch jobs than to switch cities.

Are you in a time crunch because of your current unemployment? Is that why you're opening up your search? Could you maybe work in a different field initially (if you needed to find a job right away)?

[INeedAChange]

That seems to be the general sentiment on this board--I could put up with the rudeness maybe but the costs would put me right back into the situation I'm in now in New York....

how do you feel about Orlando? I've seen mixed reviews of it on this forum.

Originally Posted by Samierra

I've lived in Miami for the last 14 years - and am now planning to relocate to the Jax area.

I can't recommend Miami to anyone - I've lived all over the US - in 8 different states - and this is, by far, the worst place I've ever been. The people are terribly rude - there is no sense of community. The massive influx of people coming in from other countries is overwhelming (1000 new immigrants from other countries arrive in Miami every day). My husband is Hispanic - and from Miami, and he is even fed up. The night life/social scene is far over rated.

You won't be able to find

Originally Posted by Samierra

a house/condo here (in a good area) for less than $400-$500k. There is no infrastructure. The west to east commute takes forever.

If you are looking for quality of life - stick with north or central FL.

...just my 2 cents...:-)

[GotPuggle]

I live in Orange Park, just SW of Jax and I like it here. I used to live in Ft Lauderdale right by Miami.......to many hurricanes and definatly not enough bang for your buck. Thats why I came to Orange Park instead of JAX. The houseing is better in my opinion. You get a better place for less money. I moved about a year and a half ago at the end of the housing boom. I wouldnt trade my place for the world.

I love Miami and miss the culture dearly. But honestly the home owners insurance and the lack of house for the money isn't worth it to me anymore.

I lived in orlando for a while way back when as well. To gimicky for me. Everythig had to do with theme parks and there are NO BEACHES. Thumbs down in my book. Great for a weekend getaway but terrible for living.

If you need a Real Estate agent to help you relocate to Jville let me know. The one I used when I came here was great.

And if you need BBQ advice........I have every city in florida covered. I can tell you the best of the best.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

I'm not really in a time crunch--I would just hate to throw away what I've learned over the years by switching to something else...also, I'm not sure what else I would do!

Well that works in your favor then (not being in a time crunch), that's good.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Samierra

I can't recommend Miami to anyone...The night life/social scene is far over rated.

You won't be able to find a house/condo here (in a good area) for less than $400-$500k. There is no infrastructure. The west to east commute takes forever.

Sounds like I'm not missing much.

[INeedAChange]

thanks, I will keep that in mind--I love BBQ!

I find it odd that some people on this forum complain about a lack of good food in Florida--I thought that the mahi-mahi aka "dolphin" that I had in the Key Largo was great, and there was a Thai and Japanese restaurant there as well, I believe. Also the food in South Beach was good too.

Originally Posted by GotPuggle

I live in Orange Park, just SW of Jax and I like it here. I used to live in Ft Lauderdale right by Miami.......to many hurricanes and definatly not enough bang for your buck. Thats why I came to Orange Park instead of JAX. The houseing is better in my opinion. You get a better place for less money. I moved about a year and a half ago at the end of the housing boom. I wouldnt trade my place for the world.

I love Miami and miss the culture dearly. But honestly the home owners insurance and the lack of house for the money isn't worth it to me anymore.

I lived in orlando for a while way back when as well. To gimicky for me. Everythig had to do with theme parks and there are NO BEACHES. Thumbs down in my book. Great for a weekend getaway but terrible for living.

If you need a Real Estate agent to help you relocate to Jville let me know. The one I used when I came here was great.

And if you need BBQ advice........I have every city in florida covered. I can tell you the best of the best.

[riveree]

I've found the restaurants in Jax to be pretty good. There is a lot of good sushi, thai and indian places around, good korean food too.