Moving out of Miami, where should I go? (Tampa, Orlando: real estate, renting)

[msnbcnnbcbs]

Hello all, let me preface this by saying I have lived in Miami all my life, but I feel its time to move on. I'm burned out on the traffic, people, and cost-of-living. Not necessarily looking to move out of FL...I have a few ideas in my head, but this is where I'm at:

1. Single, no kids. (So schools are not important)
2. In I.T./Software development
3. Former homeowner in hialeah, sold last year, currently renting in Miami Lakes.


What I'm looking for

1. Lower cost-of-living
2. Safe, Lower population density/Slower pace of life area.
3. Available work in I.T./Software development
4. No more than 30m-45m commute to work.
5. Affordable housing (as in, single family homes < 400k, decent lot sizes (10k+ sqft) and lower housing density)
6. Warm/relatively warm climate. (Not very tolerant of snow, blizzards, continuous low temps, etc)


From the above, I compiled a small list (orderd by distance)

1. East Tampa/Brandon, FL
2. Orlando Area
3. Austin, TX
4. Raleigh, NC
5. Phoenix, AZ



Am I missing any good ones? I know Austin has gotten a bit expensive, but I would like some more ideas. I'm ok with staying in FL, just not in South Florida.

I'm planning this move for end of year/early 2018.

thanks.

[Lusiphur]

Austin and Raleigh might be a little cheaper, but not significantly so. Certainly not if you want to live in either a cool neighborhood or an established neighborhood. And I wouldn't count on better traffic in any of those places - Miami traffic is actually not horrible by big city standards. Really, if you want to tick off all of your boxes, you're going to bed to look at tertiary cities. Maybe give Denver or Boulder a look. Omaha, St. Louis, and KC might be good options, too. Richmond, VA as well.

[AnnRyan]

Can I suggest you focus on finding a great job? Because under the circumstances, that really should drive the decision.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Lusiphur

Austin and Raleigh might be a little cheaper, but not significantly so. Certainly not if you want to live in either a cool neighborhood or an established neighborhood. And I wouldn't count on better traffic in any of those places - Miami traffic is actually not horrible by big city standards. Really, if you want to tick off all of your boxes, you're going to have to look at tertiary cities. Maybe give Denver or Boulder a look. Omaha, St. Louis, and KC might be good options, too. Richmond, VA as well.

I agree with all the above, except climate.

Perhaps check out, across the US Gulf coast from east to west, Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi, Beaumont, Corpus Christ; or in the US southwest, Tucson or Yuma in Arizona, Henderson or elsewhere in suburban Las Vegas in Nevada.

In terms of taxation, like Florida, Texas and Nevada offer no state income tax, which could be a significant factor if you work as a sole proprietor, among other reasons, but Texas property taxes are, as a rule of thumb, 3% of property value, compared to 2% in Florida assuming no exemptions. Overall in terms of property taxes, Florida is in the middle of the pack, Arizona, Nevada and Mississippi are relatively inexpensive, Alabama is downright cheap, and Texas, as mentioned, is among the most expensive.

But, as AnnRyan mentions, it's all for nought if you don't have a good job or business, at least in relative terms.

Good Luck!

[Lusiphur]

Originally Posted by bale002

I agree with all the above, except climate.

Perhaps check out, across the US Gulf coast from east to west, Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi, Beaumont, Corpus Christ; or in the US southwest, Tucson or Yuma in Arizona, Henderson or elsewhere in suburban Las Vegas in Nevada.

In terms of taxation, like Florida, Texas and Nevada offer no state income tax, which could be a significant factor if you work as a sole proprietor, among other reasons, but Texas property taxes are, as a rule of thumb, 3% of property value, compared to 2% in Florida assuming no exemptions. Overall in terms of property taxes, Florida is in the middle of the pack, Arizona, Nevada and Mississippi are relatively inexpensive, Alamba is downright cheap, and Texas, as mentioned, is among the most expensive.

But, as AnnRyan mentions, it's all for nought if you don't have a good job or business, at least in relative terms.

Good Luck!

I would suggest staying away from the gulf coast except maybe NOLA or Mobile. There are no real IT jobs to be had, and the ones that do are going to pay way less than other places and will be more boring. If you want to be a cable-monkey for 50% of the going rate? Sure, go ahead. You can go to ocean springs and get a job at the ship yards. If you want to do something interesting and get paid a decent wage, or are remotely cosmopolitan and enjoy any kind of culture whatsoever, the redneck Riviera is not the place to be.

[Marc Middleton]

Treasure Island/St Pete Beach area or Sarasota are great options given what you are looking for.

I def wouldn't recommend Brandon...Maybe East Bradenton could be an option and you could hang out in Holmes Beach or something...

Orlando is pretty boring and traffic is horrendous since i-4 is the main artery and the construction never stops. I grew up there and every time i go back, I'm glad I left.

Too bad you don't like South Florida. I would suggest North Palm Beach/Juno Beach area. Much slower, lots of laid back cool bars & restaurants on the water/canal, friendlier people, etc. We lived off US-1 Near Northlake for a while and really enjoyed it.

Biloxi? Imagine a crappier Atlantic City if you can. Few nice casinos, the rest is a stopping point between PCB and New Orleans.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by msnbcnnbcbs

Hello all, let me preface this by saying I have lived in Miami all my life, but I feel its time to move on. I'm burned out on the traffic, people, and cost-of-living. Not necessarily looking to move out of FL...I have a few ideas in my head, but this is where I'm at:

1. Single, no kids. (So schools are not important)
2. In I.T./Software development
3. Former homeowner in hialeah, sold last year, currently renting in Miami Lakes.


What I'm looking for

1. Lower cost-of-living
2. Safe, Lower population density/Slower pace of life area.
3. Available work in I.T./Software development
4. No more than 30m-45m commute to work.
5. Affordable housing (as in, single family homes < 400k, decent lot sizes (10k+ sqft) and lower housing density)
6. Warm/relatively warm climate. (Not very tolerant of snow, blizzards, continuous low temps, etc)


From the above, I compiled a small list (orderd by distance)

1. East Tampa/Brandon, FL
2. Orlando Area
3. Austin, TX
4. Raleigh, NC
5. Phoenix, AZ



Am I missing any good ones? I know Austin has gotten a bit expensive, but I would like some more ideas. I'm ok with staying in FL, just not in South Florida.

I'm planning this move for end of year/early 2018.

thanks.

Phoenix,Arizona and Austin,Texas could work but if I were you I would just worry about getting a job first,OP.

[elchevere]

Agree with job #1 priority.....will not do yourself any favors if you do not have a job for 6 months only to have to relocate to an even cheaper city and try to negotiate a job there along with salary with an unemployment or underemployment period on your resume. Always easier to find a new job while you still have a job.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by msnbcnnbcbs

Hello all, let me preface this by saying I have lived in Miami all my life, but I feel its time to move on. I'm burned out on the traffic, people, and cost-of-living. Not necessarily looking to move out of FL...I have a few ideas in my head, but this is where I'm at:

1. Single, no kids. (So schools are not important)
2. In I.T./Software development
3. Former homeowner in hialeah, sold last year, currently renting in Miami Lakes.


What I'm looking for

1. Lower cost-of-living
2. Safe, Lower population density/Slower pace of life area.
3. Available work in I.T./Software development
4. No more than 30m-45m commute to work.
5. Affordable housing (as in, single family homes < 400k, decent lot sizes (10k+ sqft) and lower housing density)
6. Warm/relatively warm climate. (Not very tolerant of snow, blizzards, continuous low temps, etc)


From the above, I compiled a small list (orderd by distance)

1. East Tampa/Brandon, FL
2. Orlando Area
3. Austin, TX
4. Raleigh, NC
5. Phoenix, AZ



Am I missing any good ones? I know Austin has gotten a bit expensive, but I would like some more ideas. I'm ok with staying in FL, just not in South Florida.

I'm planning this move for end of year/early 2018.

thanks.

Have you considered Atlanta? There are plenty of safe areas to live in/around Atlanta and it is very affordable and beautiful. The weather isn't extreme like Denver either or Phoenix.

I moved to Orlando from San Francisco and I love it here so much, but it's a spread out city, so it matters where you live. I live in Dr. Phillips which is a great area. If you have more specific questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

[himain]

I live in Denver after living in Miami for 30+ years. You will not find what you are looking for housing wise unless you're in the boonies. Denver is very expensive real estate wise.


Traffic is bad in Orlando-my sister lives there. Have you considered the Carolinas?