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Old 11-23-2014, 12:07 PM
 
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We are thinking about moving to Florida, on retirement income. We have a daughter who will need to complete college so looking for an area close to colleges. What area in Florida would you suggest that offers affordable living and close to a college?
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Old 11-23-2014, 04:39 PM
 
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There are colleges all over Florida (Gainesville, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Miami, Tampa, etc. etc.). Has your daughter checked them out to see which ones offer her major and which ones she may be able to get into?
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Old 11-24-2014, 04:20 AM
 
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I'd find the college your daughter gets accepted to then start the search for a place to live in that area.
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Old 11-24-2014, 04:42 AM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
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Tampa has Hillsborough Community College with several satellite campuses. Tampa has a lot of retirement areas - will your daughter be living with you? If you decide to retire to "retirement community," some have rules about the ages of those who live with you.

Hillsborough Community College Home
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Old 11-24-2014, 05:04 AM
 
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Fort Lauderdale has an excellent community college (Broward College). It also has several campuses of Florida Atlantic University nearby. Fort Lauderdale tends to be an expensive area to live but there are many retirees here.
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Old 11-24-2014, 05:26 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuziQ92 View Post
We are thinking about moving to Florida, on retirement income. We have a daughter who will need to complete college so looking for an area close to colleges. What area in Florida would you suggest that offers affordable living and close to a college?
I would recommend the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area as it's very affordable, a nice place to live largely with the warmest winters in the state, and has a couple of viable options for your daughter. Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers is the state's newest four year university, and is building a good reputation while admitting 70% of applicants, versus the other state universities which are mostly in the 40% range.
Florida Southwestern State College is in Fort Myers also and is one of a handful of community colleges in the state that transformed into a four year school because of the demand for more 4-year college options. It has open enrollment (all are accepted basically) and might offer a less expensive route should your daughter want to take prerequisites for her major there, and then transfer for the remainder of her degree.

Discover - Fort Myers Beach & Sanibel Island Florida - Travel & Tourism - Fort Myers & Sanibel
FGCU Undergraduate Admissions - Prospective Students
Home | Florida SouthWestern State College
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Old 11-24-2014, 05:29 AM
 
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Determining cost of tuition might be something you might want to check out. Coming to Florida to go to college probably will mean you will be paying the higher out of state tuition.
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Old 11-24-2014, 07:29 AM
 
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Originally Posted by Rabflmom View Post
Determining cost of tuition might be something you might want to check out. Coming to Florida to go to college probably will mean you will be paying the higher out of state tuition.
This ^^^, and the difference will be substantial.
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Old 11-24-2014, 08:01 AM
 
Location: western East Roman Empire
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuziQ92 View Post
We are thinking about moving to Florida, on retirement income. We have a daughter who will need to complete college so looking for an area close to colleges. What area in Florida would you suggest that offers affordable living and close to a college?
Here is a list of Florida public universities, Florida public colleges (formerly community colleges), and Florida private universities and colleges.

What does "affordable" mean to you in actual numbers?

- budget for monthly/annual living expenses,
- budget to purchase a dwelling,
- annual budget for university/college expenses.

Then maybe some people here can give actual answers.

Good Luck!

Last edited by bale002; 11-24-2014 at 08:10 AM..
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Old 11-24-2014, 11:10 AM
 
Location: Naples, FL
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Along the lines of resident vs non-resident tuition:

Resident tuition is approx $6000 per year for a 4 yr university
That same tuition for a non-resident is about $23,000 per year

Community college (Florida SW State) is $2500 for a resident and $9300 for a non-resident.

Note these are approx numbers primarily for comparison.

There are strict rules to qualifying as a resident. You will want to do some research on costs and perhaps time your move to qualify as a resident. Here's a link to residency requirements.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2014/1009.21

Last edited by Sandsam; 11-24-2014 at 11:20 AM..
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