[smurf0326]

I have been looking myself for desirable areas to live with children. I am a single mom with two kids and my son graduates 8th in two years and we are looking to move to florida. I found Port of St. Lucie anyone familiar with that area. Googling best places to live and Port St. Lucie came up as one for familes and cost of houses are reasonable and I found some nice ones.

Any ideas. I am reading some of other comments on here for ideas.

I wish I knew more about area to give more advice to your post. I know this post is old but figure worth shot to respond.

[sithlord72]

To Mom/wife/nurse, the OP. Where did u end up going ? And where did u live after selling your Columbus residence while you we're looking for a home in Florida? Hope it worked out for you

[LakelandFLNative]

I live in Lakeland and absolutely love it. It is a great city for families. It is also perfectly located on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando so you'll never run out of things to do.

Lakeland has one of the lower costs of living and you can find a really nice home for $200k.

Lakeland will definitely make you feel like you are part of community especially once you get plugged in. There are always things going on.

There are tons of parks and youth sports options.

There are also two malls. The original Lakeland Square is anchored by Macys, JC Penney, Burlington and Dillards. It also has a brand new Cinemark movie theater. The newer Lakeside Village is anchored by Kohls, Belk and a large Cobb movie theater.

Lakeland boasts on of the largest clinics in Florida, Watson Clinic. We also have Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Within a short driving distance there is also Bartow Regional and Winter Haven Hospital. There are tons of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Now Lakeland does put you farther than 30 minutes from a beach. BUT the Gulf Coast beaches near Tampa are only 45-60 minutes away and you can get to the east coast in 60-90.

Lakeland also has some great schools including some that are nationally recognized including Bartow IB and Harrison School of the Arts.

I would definitely recommend you at least give Lakeland a look.

http://www.downtownlakelandfl.com/

[SoFLGal]

I suggest looking in Sarasota county.

Siesta Key Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with it's power white sand, which is nearly 100% quartz. I know some people would disagree but I'd much rather have powder white sand in the winter than powder white snow. No matter where you are in Florida you're never more than 2 hours or so from the beach. Siesta was just rated the #1 beach in America by Dr. Beach.

I love all the sunshine, warmth and bright sunny days. You know that the local paper used to give out free papers if the sun didn't shine. They didn't have to give out too many.

Check out Brohard Beach in Venice. It's a great beach to let your pooch romp in the sand and water.

If your dog doesn't like the beach there are still plenty of other options: http://www.scgov.net/ParksandRecreation/Parks/PawParks.asp

Florida is full of tropical foliage and is a great place for gardeners, year round. People can also enjoy outdoor sports all year long-hiking, biking, walking, kayaking, golfing, etc We have the huge Legacy Trail for walking and biking.

In southern Sarasota county there's Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring. Warm Mineral Springs is one of the oldest tourist attractions in FL and people come from all over the world to visit.

This area has a wonderful art community with Towles Court Artist Colony, the many art galleries around, every town has a local art center, there are art festivals going on almost weekly, Ringling School of Art & Design and many resources for artists.

For all you sports enthusiast Sarasota has Ed Smith Stadium: Ed Smith Stadium - Baltimore Orioles Spring Training and Charlotte Sports Park: Charlotte Sports Park - Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training

There are many cultural activities, festivals and music events in the area. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Asolo Theater, The Sarasota Opera, Concerts, Ringling Museum (which I believe is free on Monday's), Golden Apple Dinner Theater, Circus Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet are some of the many venues and events. Siesta Key and Nokomis Beach both have drum circles on various nights in the evening. Sarasota county has free summer concerts in the park.

Punta Gorda has the Florida Airshow where the Blue Angles fly. The Hibiscus Festival, The Redfish Fish Tournament many craft shows. Every city has their own farmer's market.

Punta Gorda Farmers Market: http://www.puntagordashopping.com/farmersmarket.html
Sarasota Farmers Market: http://www.sarasotafarmersmarket.org/
Siesta Key Farmers Market: http://www.siestafarmersmarket.com/
Venice Farmers Market: http://venicefloridafarmersmarket.com/

Boca Grande has the world's richest Tarpon Tournament every year. With so much water everywhere there are tons of activities related. There are lots of fishing guides, kayak tours, etc

Here are some of the many festivals in the area:
JAN Southwest Florida Heritage Festival
JAN Sullivan Street Craft Festival
JAN Sarasota Native American Festival
JAN Manatee County Fair
JAN-FEB Sarasota Jazz Festival
FEB Kids Art Festival at Woodmere Park, Venice
FEB Annual Sarasota Festival of the Arts
FEB Annual Wine & Jazz Festival in Punta Gorda
FEB Bradenton Beer Festival
MAR Sarasota Fair
MAR Sarasota Folk Festival in Osprey
MAR Sarasota Shamrock Festival
MAR Peace River Celtic Festival
MAR Spring Fine Arts Festival in Englewood
MAR Peace River Seafood Festival and Redfish Tournament
MAR Englewood Music Festival
MAR Englewood Fine Arts Festival
MAR Manatee Heritage Days
MAR Florida International Air Show
MAR & DEC Anna Maria Islands Art League Winterfest & Springfest
APR Sarasota Film Festival
APR Annual Siesta Fiesta
APR Charlotte Harbor Kayak & Wildlife Festival
APR Venice Shark Tooth Festival
APR Charlotte County Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival
APR DeSoto Heritage Festival Seafood Fest in Bradenton
APR Florida Heritage Festival and Riverfest in Bradenton
APR The Kayak and Outdoor Festival
APR-MAY Sarasota Wine Festival
MAY Giving Hunger the Blues in Southside Village
JUNE International Theater Festival In Venice
JUNE Hibiscus Festival In Punta Gorda
JUNE Boca Grande Tarpon Tournament
JUNE-JULY Sarasota Offshore Grand Prix
JULY Fourth of July Freedom Swim in Festival in Punta Gorda
JULY Wildlife Awareness Festival
SEPT Englewood Pioneer Days
OCT Sarasota Blues Festival
OCT Sarasota Chalk Festival
OCT Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
NOV Sarasota Medieval Fair
NOV Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival
NOV Festival Of Trees in Punta Gorda
NOV Family Music Fest in Osprey
Annual St. Armand's Art Festival Something nearly every month

There are many other festivals and fairs just a short drive away.

Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey has canoing, camping, hiking, birding, swimming. Myakkahatchee State Park in North Port has trails where you can bring your horses, you can hike along the trails. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota has tons of great FL wildlife, the Myakka Canopy Walk, which is a bridge that is suspended 25 feet off the ground. It extends 85 feet through the canopy and Myakka also has 38 miles of hiking trails. Manatee County has Little Manatee River State Park which runs right along the river. It has camping, hiking, canoing, etc. Don Pedro State Park you can only get to by boat and is like a private beach. I happened to have the great pleasure of living right beside it as a kid. Venice has Brohard Park, one of the only dog friendly beaches around. Venice is also home to Woodmere Park a 36 acre park where you can let your pooch run and play under the big oak trees. These areas are a haven for photographers, bird watching and outdoor enthusiasts. Sarasota county has more than 200 parks, 109 athletic fields and 16 recreation and community centers.

Sarasota Parks: Parks and Recreation
Manatee County Parks: Manatee County Parks and Recreation - Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Charlotte County Parks: Community Services

Also for all the photographers and gardens, Selby Gardens is a must see. It has over 20,000 plants and displays and was named one of America's Top Ten Botanical Gardens.

The Sarasota area is also very kid friendly. We have GWIZ a science museum that caters to kids. The Children's Garden, a whimsical outdoor play area for children. Then there's Jungle Gardens, which is one of the oldest attractions in FL and has flamingo feeding, bird shows, alligators and many other various animals. Spanish Point is a historical site where they have Indian mounds, early pioneer homes and a lots of summer activities for kids. There are YMCA's in every city from Bradenton to Port Charlotte. Sarasota has Mote Marine Aquarium, which gives a wonderful look at the native sea life. They also to a great job with rehabilitating injured animals and returning them back to the gulf. Bradenton has the South FL Museum, Bishop Planetarium and the Parker Aquarium. Stop by and say "hi" to SW FL's very own manatee, Snooty. The Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota is a wonderful place to visit and see the amazing job Rosaire's do with the animals.

Many restaurants offer waterfront dining all the way down the coast. Speaking of restaurants, this area has lots and lots of wonderful, restaurants for any taste. Many mom and pop restaurants. You could spend a whole day out on St Armand's Circle shopping, browsing and stopping in at Kilwin's for some great ice cream. St Armand's has more than 130 shops, restaurants and galleries.

Here are a few of my favorite restaurants in the area:
Pho Cali
Euphemia Haye
Ophelia's on the Bay
Capt Brian's
Two Senoritas
Columbia
Crab & Fin
Yoder's
Casey Key Fish House
Bijou Café
Joto's Japanese Steakhouse
Blasé Café
Pacific Rim
Mar Vista
Sign of the Mermaid
El Toro Bravo
Lazy Lobster
Ceviche
Mattison's

And I have to add Sweet Tomatoes (for the kids) and Ophelia's (special doggie dining on the porch).

Downtown Sarasota is another all day event with the many eclectic shops and quaint restaurants. There are also some great consignment & antique shops if you make your way downtown. If you're looking to snag a bargain you can try the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton, The Sun Flea Market in Port Charlotte or The Dome in Englewood.

Sarasota and Charlotte counties have some of the best schools in the state and also have Pine View School for the gifted, which is one of the top in the nation.

So, folks as you can see there's A LOT to like about the SW FL area.

[rebeccatbbtbt]

If you have considered the Tampa Bay Area, or the Safety Harbor area and you are looking to get your children started in activities, I would highly suggest checking out Tampa Bay Ballet. They offer superior education with reasonable prices. Check out their website! Their registration ends September 30 Tampa Bay Ballet - Official Ballet School of Tampa Ballet Theatre

[DeeRoma]

I am interested in hearing about your new adventure...since mine will begin this year. We are looking at Englewood Venice area. I spoke to a lady at the local cheer place SouthWest allstars and she was amazing! She offered advice on neighborhoods full of kids, offered to help my daughter feel comfortable when we come In to the area and visit, introduce her to some girls...etc.

Now to work on the boy...........lol

[plexusbliss]

Hey did you ever move to florida?? Any suggestions for a family of four boys and a newly graduated teacher.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by plexusbliss

Hey did you ever move to florida?? Any suggestions for a family of four boys and a newly graduated teacher.

Look into Pinellas county in the communities of Pinellas Park, Largo, Safety harbor, Palm Harbor and Seminole. What type of lifestyle are you seeking ? What is your budget ? What type of environment ? Urban ? Suburban ?

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by plexusbliss

Hey did you ever move to florida?? Any suggestions for a family of four boys and a newly graduated teacher.

Move somewhere near where you land the job.
https://www.google.ca/#safe=active&q...obs+in+Florida

As for hearing the rest of the story from our OP? not likely as she made 3 posts on 02-03-2013, she's never been back since.

[JasonAnc]

Two pieces of advice from someone in the process of relocating from one state to another...

Never take relocation advice from a realtor. They are quite literally paid to convince you that whatever patch of swamp they're selling, is exactly what you need.


And most importantly, never, ever consider trying to raise a family in a retirement haven. To make my point quickly, just take the example to the logical extreme... Imagine trying to raise a kid in The Villages (a community 100% governed by seniors). The local politics of such a place will never, ever make education and high quality of life for children a priority. In fact, they do the opposite and outright ban children from even living there. Other communities heavily populated with retirees have the exact same perspective, it's just that seniors aren't 100% of the population in those places, and don't have full run of the show. But they still wield huge political influence, and their priorities will always run counter to the priorities of parents trying to raise their kids.

That's my nickel's worth of advice... (used to be 2 cents, but inflation's a b*tch)