[sunobession]

Great point Kyle1925! I'm just nervous. This is a big move for us and we are coming from a city with a small town feel but yet it has about 10,000 residents... ��

[sunobession]

Thanks Rebek56!!

[02blackgt]

I lived in Michigan for 21 years (Macomb County) before moving to Florida, and I will tell you first hand the crime stats are going to off the charts compared to northern states suburbs. Don't let that completely scare you, just like the poster above said, 9 times out of 10 the crime is not random. Florida in general has a high crime rate, but from the sounds of it you don't mingle with criminal so your probably have nothing to worry about. I do not have kids so I really do not have any info about schools for you unfortunately.

[Fl1150]

The crime rate includes property crime in a lot of stats so its not very accurate projection of crime in the area so I don't think you to much to worry about.

[Retiredcoach]

It has been a number of years ago, but my best friend and my cousin each made separate treks to Florida in search of HVAC jobs. Neither had any problem finding a job, but having lived in Pennsylvania most of their lives, neither was prepared for the demands of the job in Florida. Each spent a few summer months on the roofs of Florida homes and businesses. Neither was able to cope with the roof temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees and the intense, ongoing, daily Florida humidity- the hottest of a Pennsylvania summer temperatures did not even remotely prepare either for the jobs. Long and short of it, my best friend stayed in Florida, but made a career change. My cousin moved back to Pennsylvania, continued to refine his HVAC expertise, and now operates a very profitable commercial enterprise where he serves as company vice-president.

Not trying to discourage you from relocating, but you may want to find a rental before committing to any purchase of a Florida property. You will never know if your significant other is able to cope with the heat/humidity of the HVAC job unless he tries it, but I can't help but think that the Florida job will be unlike anything that he has experienced in Michigan. Regardless, good luck in your decision!

[Mgordon18]

You might want to take a good look at Palm Coast, situated between St. Augustine and Daytona. We have a branch of Daytona State College here, have a hospital in town and less than 30 minutes to several hospitals in St.Augustine and Daytona, good schools (ranked 12th best in Florida), very low crime rate, relatively small city (80,000 population) and has lots of HVAC jobs. I even know of a gentleman who teaches online courses in the HVAC industry and he is looking to retire and sell that business if you are interested. You can get a house rental in the $800 - $1200 price range you are looking for. Palm Coast can be your paradise. Lots of different types of communities here. Most people in the city are transplants from other places and so it is easy to make friends. Lots to do here. Many beautiful parks, 125 miles of interconnected paths for biking, walking, jogging, only a few minutes to uncrowded beaches, lots of boating etc.

[dive77mmwet]

Look at the High Springs area, Cedar Key long commute to work, these areas will remind you of home laid back , Work is hard to find or a drive but the pace is Old Florida,,