single mom considering miami (Jacksonville, Tampa: crime, unemployment, neighborhood)

[reelectnoone]

I left Miami area one year ago and am very glad I did. I lived in Homestead and even that "small" town was getting bogged down in traffic and expense and was just not very friendly any longer.


I came to Miami 15 years ago from Columbus Ohio ! It served it's purpose but it was time to vacate to a more laid back, prettier location.

You might wish to consider NE Florida. I live in a small town now, Palatka Florida, where everyone is much friendlier, the cost of living is less and the schools are far superior to those in Miami.

Jacksonville would provide many opportunities as could Daytona Beach etc.

Despite what the brochures wish to portray, most of Miami is not very attractive unless you like lots and lots of houses in stead of scenery. I personally don't like the beaches because they are all gaudy and lined with high rise hotels and restaurants...not like beaches should be.

I don't know if you are Hispanic or not but you need to consider that the county government is mostly Hispanic and they do practice nepotism with it comes to employment and advancement. Not that I don't like Hispanics...I miss some very good friends there...but the reality is that a gringo does not get the same consideration which was impacting my own business more and more.

Personally I would stay away from Miami except for an occasional visit.

( Some of the worst traffic in the US...and that is official ! )

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by reelectnoone

( Some of the worst traffic in the US...and that is official ! )

Woo hoo!
We're number 8! We're number 8!



http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-...7091900216.gif

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by reelectnoone

I live in a small town now, Palatka schools are far superior to those in Miami.

Well, you think so anyway...

Palatka, Florida Schools - Best Public Palatka School Ratings
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/...ict_profile/54
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/...ict_profile/13

Better than Homestead though, but isn't anywhere better than Homestead?
http://www.greatschools.net/city/Homestead/FL

You also said to "stay away from SE Florida". Well, here is the rest of it...all which look excellent compared to most of NE Florida
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/...rict_profile/6
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/...ict_profile/50
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/...ict_profile/43

But the rude people rate is lower, or so I hear...they don't have a website that has rude people rankings though.

[PBCboy]

Ratings are a good way to determine school ratings, but I'd say that experience is the best way. I went to three different high schools in Palm Beach County and the lowest rated one actually provided a better education to me than one that was higher by five points.

[compelled to reply]

Well, Palatka High School has an average of two stars by parents...I don't think I have ever seen a school rated that low on that website.

[PBCboy]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Well, Palatka High School has an average of two stars by parents...I don't think I have ever seen a school rated that low on that website.

Heh, even "bad" schools are generally rated high on that site... I don't really recall many that have been rated less than a three by users.

[Luiso]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Woo hoo!
We're number 8! We're number 8!

lol not bad. NY with zillion's more compared to us wasn't even in the top 10.

To bad Bloomberg won't come here .

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by Luiso

lol not bad. NY with zillion's more compared to us wasn't even in the top 10.

NY and Boston are skewed a bit with quantifiable traffic times b/c public transportation is so good.
I don't think my Uncle who drives from Fairfiled, NJ into the City every day (~ Weston to downtown MIA) would say traffic wasn't top 10.

[big mean bear]

Median HOUSEHOLD income in Palatka is only $20,000 a year! That's poor for this country! Even gang and illegal alien infested Homestead would not make me want to move to that backwoods dump.

[noland123]

Palata is is a very poor city as well as is Putnam County,Opa-Locka looks wealthy compared to Palatka,I would even go with the Opa-Locka school system over Palatka,believe me I have lived in Palatka.