HI, newbie. Want to move from U.K to Florida (Jacksonville: for sale, low crime)

[madmumof2]

Hi everyone. I've been looking into moving to Florida for a couple of years now. I guess I'm here for advice.

The main things we need are good schools, and low-ish crime rate.

I've been reading a few threads here, and there are so many different opinions I'm still not sure where is best.

Tax here is 17.5% and I know it's about 3 times less in Florida, which is fantastic, plus no income tax. I know there are more taxes though, so that'd probably even out?

The houses are cheap too, even in Orlando. My small 2 bed house with tiny garden is £135k (about $270k I think) so that's a huge difference.

I'm looking to find what parts of Florida match what we want. Good schools, low-ish crime rate are a must.

Where would you recommend?

Also, I'm in no rush, and we're literally at the beginning of the whole thing. I doubt we'll be moving within the next 2-3 years or so. We have no savings or specialist jobs but we're still young enough to save and train.

I would llike to know the easiest way (I know there isn't an easy way at all, just the easiest out of the lot) to get into Florida. Investment? How much do you need and what for?

What jobs will allow us to transfer over there? I'd be willing to train as anything if it'll get me over there.

I've been to Orlando, Florida a few times, and not just for a 2 week holiday either, more like 5 weeks at a time, and I love it.

Sorry for the ramble! The main things I'm asking are

Where in Florida has good school?

What county (I think that's what you call them lol) has the lowest crime rate, or at least pretty low?

How can we get a visa/greencard to move? (how much money, or what type of job)

And can you all please state the pros AND cons of the place you're speaking about. All positive or all negative won't help me. I need to know everything there is to know to make an informed decision. Obviously it'll be a huge step so I want to get it right.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

Gem.

[doggiebus]

Gem - Maybe you should have posted this in the general Florida section to get more peoples prespective from other parts of the state, not just South East Florida in this Miami section. Gainsville Florida was just voted #1 place to live in the States.

This link has the crime rates for all the counties in Florida for 2005, hopefully this will help. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/fsac/Cri...05bycounty.htm

http://www.city-data.com/city/Florida.html

[madmumof2]

Thanks, I did so just after I posted this lol. Sorryl.

[Carlitosway]

I live in West Kendall, near Country Lakes. Although traffic is horrendous, we have very low crime. I feel very safe living here, and there are plenty of homes for sale. WELCOME TO MIAMI! BIENVENIDO A MIAMI!

[sananboutique]

[You could put your money on a property now that is being built and then start paying monthy mortgage payments once you move in. By the time you move in, your home has equity which is always good.

[CELERITY]

If you aren't U.S. citizens, have you checked immigration laws? I wouldn't recommend you sink money into a future residence without knowing you could permanently stay. It also could be difficult to obtain affordable financing if you don't have permanent resident status. Aside from that, North Florida is great. The further south you go, the more expensive it is and the more conjested it is. Many live in higher crime areas to afford a house. North Florida is for me!

[madmumof2]

Which parts are north and south? lol I only know the main cities (orlando, miami, tampa and jacksonville), no idea what counties are north and south.

I've been looking at Vero Beach. Where abouts is that?

[CELERITY]

Vero Beach is south of central on the east coast, Orlando being central. It is about 2/3 the way from Jacksonville (at the far northeast of FL) to Miami. Someone from that area would need to advise about quality of life there. I am in Jacksonville.

[CiXeL]

before you move, meet with some british people who have lived here for a year. i see alot of them come in really happy and after a year are as weathered and jaded looking as everybody else.

[JDMR09]

That is such an ignorant comment, ive met british people that really enjoy living here, you seriously just want nobody to move here!
NOT EVERYONE IS AS MISERABLE AS YOU!
Alot of people like living here. Miami is one of the biggest british markets.