Relocating from Indiana to Florida (Sarasota, Christmas: safe, things to do, best)

[amyflorida70]

ZaraZoteBuccaneer-
I never imagined it would be as good as I feel it is. Top notch stuff mates.


I agree completely I have found so many wonderful people and alot of help, it sure makes things easier to have some eye views of things people are asking, and making some friends along the way, well thats just an added bonus.

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by ZaraZoteBuccaneer

Yeah, I'm here. Crissy DM'ed me so then afterward I realized I was missing reading up everyone's relocations lately. Just got busy for a while is all.

It's been nice seeing the latest wave of newcomers to the site. I really wonder sometimes how anyone ever finds this thing. Personally, I stumbled on it reading up on city statistics a couple years ago (I know, I'm a boring/nerdy personality in some ways...) but then one day I noticed this little link called "forum" and it got me curious. Been reading ever since. I never imagined it would be as good as I feel it is. Top notch stuff mates.

I Googled "Cape Coral Handyman" one day to check out my competition. One of the search results was a post by a member here looking for a handyman. I responded in the thread and was very quickly informed that it was against the rules. LOL I've been hooked ever since.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by amyflorida70

ZaraZoteBuccaneer-
I never imagined it would be as good as I feel it is. Top notch stuff mates.


I agree completely I have found so many wonderful people and alot of help, it sure makes things easier to have some eye views of things people are asking, and making some friends along the way, well thats just an added bonus.

I came here about 2 years ago, when I was looking for some information in order to buy a house. I received some tremendous help. During the process and since then, I have met many people here, and made some good friends. I have tried to move that good spirit, and positive energy forward to others, and I know that many others have done the same thing. There are a lot of positive posts, and a lot of helpful and greatful posters, even when some of us don't see eye to eye, we can move beyond it.

[grandmallie]

Yes I have spoke with soooo many people and it feels like I have known them for years, I have only met SoFlaGal, but if everyone is like her, I have found the best
cant wait to meet the rest of you, and darn is anyone other than SoFlaGal gonna be around at Christmastime?

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by grandmallie

Yes I have spoke with soooo many people and it feels like I have known them for years, I have only met SoFlaGal, but if everyone is like her, I have found the best
cant wait to meet the rest of you, and darn is anyone other than SoFlaGal gonna be around at Christmastime?

Aww..thanks grandmallie! You're the best I've met quite a few people from CD and I've liked every one of them. I think we have a pretty nice little Sarasota community here on CD. I can't say that I really dislike anyone.

I'm pretty much always here though. Well, I might actually go somewhere around Christmas time. Believe or not, I've never seen snow, nor have my three girls, so I wanted to take them somewhere so at least see some this year. I don't know if it will materialize but that's what I'm shooting for. We'll probably only be gone a few days if we do decide to go.

[Rainbow girl]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Aww..thanks grandmallie! You're the best I've met quite a few people from CD and I've liked every one of them. I think we have a pretty nice little Sarasota community here on CD. I can't say that I really dislike anyone.

I'm pretty much always here though. Well, I might actually go somewhere around Christmas time. Believe or not, I've never seen snow, nor have my three girls, so I wanted to take them somewhere so at least see some this year. I don't know if it will materialize but that's what I'm shooting for. We'll probably only be gone a few days if we do decide to go.

I know SoFLGal that you live in Sarasota so I want some honest advice from you, I have been all over the spectrum and have hard decisions to make. I have been approved at an apt. in Sarasota (Gateway Lakes) as well as in Fort Myers (Audubon Cove) and both area about the same distance as my job and I need to know which area in your opinion is the safest and has the most things for kids to do? I bounce back and forth and can't make up my mind and time is running out. I will be there in about 10 days! My kids are 6,8,15 and 16 and we're from Indiana. They enjoy water activities as well as skating, mini-golf, go karts, malls, parks probably the same as other kids their age. Any advice will be helpful.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Rainbow girl

I know SoFLGal that you live in Sarasota so I want some honest advice from you, I have been all over the spectrum and have hard decisions to make. I have been approved at an apt. in Sarasota (Gateway Lakes) as well as in Fort Myers (Audubon Cove) and both area about the same distance as my job and I need to know which area in your opinion is the safest and has the most things for kids to do? I bounce back and forth and can't make up my mind and time is running out. I will be there in about 10 days! My kids are 6,8,15 and 16 and we're from Indiana. They enjoy water activities as well as skating, mini-golf, go karts, malls, parks probably the same as other kids their age. Any advice will be helpful.

Ok, here's my opinion. I didn't know where Gateway Oaks was, I'm assuming they only have rentals and no sales. I did Google Gateway Oaks and took a look at the location. It appears to back up to I-75. I haven't been there but looking at the location I would venture to say it might be pretty noisy. I-75 is the main highway highway that runs through this part of SW FL.

I believe the schools would be Gocio Elementary, McIntosh Middle and Booker High. I can comment on Booker High. I attended Booker Middle which is right next door to the high school and I will just say that it was a rough school, to say the least. I went there for their preforming arts program, which is excellent, and many kids attend the high school for that.

You can check the state grades for Booker but I believe they are dead last in their state grades for Sarasota county schools: School Accountability Report...

I know that that area is very close to Stardust Skating Rink, which I used to go to as a kid and LOVED! I can still remember my cool pink Reebok high top skates. I haven't been there in years though. I think it's on 17th or 12th St. It's a bit of a distance from the Sarasota mall, maybe 25 minutes or so. It might even be closer to the Desoto Mall. I haven't been there for a a while so I'm not sure of the exact distance.

I drive my kids up to the Hollywood 20 movie theaters on Main St in Sarasota quite a bit. It seems that's a popular place for the kids to go.

Then you have mini golf on Bee Ridge Rd, Evie's. It's a pretty nice little course with an ice cream shop and all. Pop's Golf and Batting on Fruitville which is really close to the apartments. And Smugglers Golf down on Tamiami Tr.

There's cool parks all over Sarasota county. I take my kids up to Marina Jack's every once in a while-to their waterpark. It's just small but there's always a lot of kids there. Also the Potter Park YMCA has a nice little water park. It's down by the Sarasota Mall.

I don't sell in Fort Myers so it's going to be hard for me to give much of an opinion on that area. I did pull up the complex on Google and it appears to be close to Daniels Pkwy and Ben Pratt Pkwy and somewhat close to I-75. It doesn't appear to back up to any major highways like the place in Sarasota does. Just at first glance it appears the place in Ft Myers might be a better bet but I would seek more guidance from the people over on the Cape/Ft Myers board.

I do know that Ft Myers/Cape has Sunsplash water park, which is always fun. They also have a few skating rinks. I like the Sarasota beaches much, much better than the Ft Myers beaches but that's just a personal preference.

I actually live in southern Sarasota county, North Port to be exact. Although I do travel up to the city of Sarasota a few times a week for kid activities.

I love your name by the way. It reminds me of the doll from the 70's called Rainbow Brite

[tommy-105]

WOW, Great job SFG, as always!

[MrsTommy]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Aww..thanks grandmallie! You're the best I've met quite a few people from CD and I've liked every one of them. I think we have a pretty nice little Sarasota community here on CD. I can't say that I really dislike anyone.

I'm pretty much always here though. Well, I might actually go somewhere around Christmas time. Believe or not, I've never seen snow, nor have my three girls, so I wanted to take them somewhere so at least see some this year. I don't know if it will materialize but that's what I'm shooting for. We'll probably only be gone a few days if we do decide to go.

Don't know if your plans for snow are still on or not...or how far you want to travel. There are a few ski resorts in W. NC that have sites online. Beech, Sugar, etc. Even if there is no real snow, they will be making some. SkiSoutheast.com - Ski Reports - Ski Resorts The sites have snow conditions listed daily.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by MrsTommy

Don't know if your plans for snow are still on or not...or how far you want to travel. There are a few ski resorts in W. NC that have sites online. Beech, Sugar, etc. Even if there is no real snow, they will be making some. SkiSoutheast.com - Ski Reports - Ski Resorts The sites have snow conditions listed daily.

Thanks for the link! That's what I figured. If we could at least find some place where they were making some we'd be in business. I found some snow suits for the girls at Goodwill. They're dirt cheap down here. My girls would probably freeze their butt of without them.

I'm thinking NC might be a safe bet