[jdh225]

My wife and I are looking at the possibility of relocating within the next 8 months to a year. We currently have a 20 month old son and will most likely have another child (or 2 or 3 if my wife has her way) in the future. I lived briefly in Jacksonville and absolutely loved it, so I'm dying to get back to Florida. I've been doing some research for quite some time to try to determine the best place to have a family. I'm a manager at a large retail chain and I want to continue to move up within that company. It seems the best opportunities seem to be Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area (I could live within an hour of 23 stores) or the Tampa/St. Pete area (within an hour of 10 stores).

Obviously, if it were just my wife and me, Miami/Lauderdale would win hands down. However, I worry about finding a great area that we can afford. I see some areas that look fantastic in S.E. Florida(Coral Springs, Aventura, Coral Gables). Also, I know that every city has its wonderful areas and its not so wonderful areas. I would really appreciate any info on great family areas/activities. Again, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale would be my top pick

Thanks in advance!

[On-da-Beach]

We love the panhandle Gulf Coast



Good luck in your decision!

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

If you have those choices I would pick Tampa over the Miami area anyday.

We love Ft Lauderdale but would not raise our kids that close to Miami.

And yes the panhandle would probably be my number one choice to move my family to but I need to be more central for various other reasons.

We are looking north and northeast of Tampa right now.

On-da-beach lives in paradise, can't you tell !!

Goodluck and keep up the research on your chosen areas.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by jdh225

My wife and I are looking at the possibility of relocating within the next 8 months to a year. We currently have a 20 month old son and will most likely have another child (or 2 or 3 if my wife has her way) in the future. I lived briefly in Jacksonville and absolutely loved it, so I'm dying to get back to Florida. I've been doing some research for quite some time to try to determine the best place to have a family. I'm a manager at a large retail chain and I want to continue to move up within that company. It seems the best opportunities seem to be Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area (I could live within an hour of 23 stores) or the Tampa/St. Pete area (within an hour of 10 stores).

Obviously, if it were just my wife and me, Miami/Lauderdale would win hands down. However, I worry about finding a great area that we can afford. I see some areas that look fantastic in S.E. Florida(Coral Springs, Aventura, Coral Gables). Also, I know that every city has its wonderful areas and its not so wonderful areas. I would really appreciate any info on great family areas/activities. Again, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale would be my top pick

Thanks in advance!

The question is, where is the hour perimeter most populated with the most stores in MI/FLL?

Going south towards Miami, North towards Boca or evenly divided?

Everyone is going to tell you to live WEST in FLL area so you need to map it from there to the 23 stores. Like Weston, Parkland, Wellington or Coral Springs. That could be a heck of a commute to Miami area though. You also want to allow for traffic in your map so if google map says one hour it could be more depending. I sat in a condo parking lot exit at the miami airport area for about 15-20 minutes one day a couple weeks ago just waiting my turn to drive OUT onto the road and it was about 3 pm for NO APPARENT REASON. Just the nature of the intense traffic in that area. And the extreme density of the population.

Probably you need to come here and test run both areas. Since you child is only a baby the schools per se don't really matter right now other than that usually a good school district means good neighborhoods.

[RVlover]

I second the Panhandle . Homes extremely affordable further inland and strong Christian Culture which means good ethics, morals, and overall considerate people. Close to beaches and more layed-back.

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

Originally Posted by RVlover

I second the Panhandle . Homes extremely affordable further inland and strong Christian Culture which means good ethics, morals, and overall considerate people. Close to beaches and more layed-back.

Perfect response!

We have far to many kids without those items and you can see where it is getting us, a generation of kids with no morals and down right hateful.

OP- I was thinking about your post and if I had the choices you have I really believe it would be in the Panhandle for many reasons.

[Strel]

Originally Posted by jdh225

Again, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale would be my top pick

Thanks in advance!

I have a 15-month old and that area would be the LAST place I would want to live in Florida.

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by RVlover

I second the Panhandle . Homes extremely affordable further inland and strong Christian Culture which means good ethics, morals, and overall considerate people. Close to beaches and more layed-back.

If you've been following the recent multiple Panhandle political scandals, strong Christian Culture = a whole bunch of Pharisees and moneychangers using the tax collector's office to run their temple on the government dime.

[psouth]

Coral Springs is a very nice family friendly city and a stone's throw from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach areas. It's a pretty big city with everything to offer. Lots of stores and good restaurants. Parts of Ft. Lauderdale are still nice also. Miami is a whole different animal.

The economy and job situation is bad in Florida so you probably should put yourself closest to the most opportunities which sounds like SE Florida and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. I wouldn't chance it.

[compelled to reply]

Coral Springs is nice, and I would also consider Parkland, Weston, SW Ranches, west Davie, Cooper City, west Pembroke Pines and west Miramar. There is nothing wrong with any of those areas for a family. Even in Miami-Dade, Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay are great areas.