Relocating from NYC (brooklyn) to South Florida possibly Boca Raton (rent, condo)

[DaniellaG]

I will agree with twowolves about Boca. I am younger and more middle class but living in a well off area of Boca because of some issues I have and really I don't like it. People in general are not very friendly and I see arguments between strangers almost daily. Not sure why because having money does not make one better. An area I felt was nice yet more down to earth is also Coconut Creek and that is in Broward. What is making you leave NY is it because of the expense? There are a lot of NY people here now as my neighbor came for the winter. I am from MI so I understand also about weather being a draw but some days here are so humid and summers are very hot/sticky I would think though I have not been here at that time.

[slinn01]

I'm sorry to be the one to break this to you, but 8 year old girls carry Coach purses everywhere. I've seen girls in West Virginia carrying Louis Vuitton. It's the way of the world today (for good or bad).

[berryjuice4life]

they carry those here too, our area is very wealthy, no big deal....they wear Juicy and things to each their own, sorry but you will never be able to escape the Snobbery or Wealth anywhere u go...someone will always have more....the Money doesnt bother me because if I dont like you I dont need to deal with you personally...My kids are pretty well grounded and know that people will have things they dont have, its what u make of it...

[slinn01]

hi berryjuice4life-

where do you live in florida? i'm coming from the northeast and want an upscale, nice community to raise my kids. somewhere with good schools.

thanks!

[berryjuice4life]

Originally Posted by slinn01

hi berryjuice4life-

where do you live in florida? i'm coming from the northeast and want an upscale, nice community to raise my kids. somewhere with good schools.

thanks!

I live in NC right now we moved here 2 years ago from NJ...we are both dh and I from Brooklyn NY...lived in NJ for 10 years then moved down here...and really hoping that some of dh's connections pan out for a job, as we would like to move down to florida in the summer time...

[emilyb0310]

I live in Pensacola and I love it here but im 24 and there's just not a whole lot to do if you're broke (but plenty if you have some extra cash). We have a big mall, a few movie theaters and the beach. What is amazing about P-cola is you see the Gulf of Mexico everyday. The downtown is really building up and there are some BEAUTIFUL homes there. It will of coarse be a culture shock moving from NY to FL. People in FL for the most part and very relaxed and easy going. Destin, FL has really built up and there is a ton of stuff to do there (and it's only an hour away). Gulf Breeze is a nice area to, and has a zoo which is the "town" you drive through to get to the good beaches. Seaside is a very nice place but pretty small and the homes are kind of pricey it is really cool though, it's a "new urbanist" city and the movie "The Truman Show" was filmed there so you should visit it. I guess im saying Pensacola is really nice and beautiful and if you don't mind a quick drive (the beach) or a longer day trip (Destin, Seaside) it's perfect. Plus, Destin and surrounding areas do cost more to live in. If you make over $100,000 here, you're upper middle class. Don't get me wrong, there are some expensive homes here (retirees, doctors, lawyers) and if you live off Scenic Hwy or downtown, you'll pay a bit for a home. But most of the population is retired, military (two bases nearby), and the younger crowd. We're all (most of us anyway) blue collar (or "red collar as my New Yorker boyfriend says, implying were all rednecks....which isn't true. But you'll find friendly people who will say thanks for holding the door, chat with you in a long line, you will get called "sweetie" and "honey" by young and old alike (i was saying "hi honey" at 3), and go ahead and get the laughter over us using "ya'll" out of your system cus' you'll be saying it soon. It's always pretty warm so usually we're all in a good mood (you'll miss the snow at Christmas im told). As for being a mixed race couple (a few people mentioned that) It's really not as bad as you might think. a lot of people think the south has a bunch of redneck folks who look crosseyed at anyone who isn't white as paper but with all the diverse people (and the year round tans) no one really knows what anyone is. There are a few looks like anywhere but other then that...it's cool (im white, boyfriend's black) it's a pretty diverse city anyway. We also have Mardi Gras just like Mobile, AL (1 hour away) and New Orleans (only 3 hours away), we also have the Blue Angels (they do a few shows a year on Pensacola beach). And Boloxi is maybe an hour or two away (i've never gone) but people around here love it. It's the south's answer to Las Vegas i guess. Lots of Casino's. Just be yourself, don't hide your "Yankee pride" i personally love to ask questions about the differences between the north and south (it drives my boyfriend and his mom crazy) The schools are mediocre....i can't lie. My mom is a teacher and there are some AMAZING teachers here but i'll tell you what someone else said about school in FL. People are a lot more relaxed here. They fish, do outdoor activities like the beach, they're not big on cracking the whip on their kids as far as school is concerned. I believe the parents should be involved in teaching their kids so if you take the time to help your kids and make sure they do their work, they'll be fine. There are some private schools here and there is also a Montessori school. This is the bible belt. It's not so bad but there are movies we don't get (however there is a small theater in Gulf Breeze that gets indie movies) and there's a church every 500 ft but then again, if you are very religious that's a good thing, plenty to choose from (but there's a lot of us who aren't so don't think you'll get singled out as "those heathens who don't attend church"). Walmart is huge here too.... get used to going twice a week. Come visit! I'll show you around myself! Warning:: Do not move to Pace, Cantonment, or Milton(all "suburbs" of Pensacola)....you will have to drive 20 mins to do ANYTHING, your kids will hang out in the Super Walmart parking lot after football games and that's where the rednecks spread out to when the other races moved in. If you are from one of these areas, and reading this, im sorry you may not be a redneck but you gotta admit, it sucks living there.

[emilyb0310]

damn i can write a novel....

[GRETAGARTNER]

We left Long Island 7 years ago to move to PB County. Huge mistake. You pay for the weather. My husband was a union sheet metal mechanic and together we made $150K back in 2000. Last year here, we made $65K. Good luck.

[berryjuice4life]

Most people know with all due respect Greta, that Union Workers from NY including my brother in Law will NEVER make what they make in NY...which is why my sister cant move anywhere...he makes to much money in the union...a very good friend of mine here moved from LI a few years ago he too was in the union sheet metal and came down here and well lets just say I have no idea how they make it......so obviously you had to know especially in florida that the wages werent going to be anywhere near what you are used too...just my 2 cents...my dh is in IT management, and there are just no jobs anywhere right now...and the sad thing is 150k in NY isnt very much...to live on

[Chelsa1075]

It really isn't - my husband has a little leeway(sp?) because he can be a plumber/welder/hvac/sprinklefitter. The jobs in NY are just separated, everyone does a different thing. You might have to work a little harder but I think the right person can make the money to live an adequate life. Can you tell I'm trying to be positive - LOL.