[aylinap]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

It's basically redneck/college town. Feels more like Birmingham than anything. It's a fine town for sure, but if you're liking the Miami vibe, I doubt you'd like Tallahassee much.
That said, as far as major Florida metros go, my favorites are Orlando and Tampa/St-Pete. I'd give Orlando the edge over the latter due to it having a more organized and active core, a stronger Latin/Caribbean influence, and a higher population of young professionals (at least it seems that way), but then Tampa/St-Pete has beaches and beautiful bay/gulf scenery, and St-Pete's downtown is FANTASTIC. Miami is a combination of both, although keep in mind that it is pretty congested, and getting worst by the day. Also, I am NOT a fan of South Beach, and don't care much for Downtown Miami.

That's a good suggestion, but I'm not sure about Tampa/St Petersburg area...My aunt lives in Tampa and she mentioned how they have more flooding than the east coast of Florida. Anybody have input on the Port St Lucie or Jupiter area? My husband has job connections all over the Florida(mostly in the eastern part), so getting a job would be no problem for him. I'm just wondering about the job prospects for myself? I currently work as an office manager and have my Bachelor's Degree, but I'm taking some finance classes. I know Florida's employment rate isn't too good, but it's about the same as North Carolina. It took me about 2 months to find a full time job here.

Also, we are looking to rent first then buy a house...So this move would be for the long term for a growing family in the future.

[aylinap]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Move to Miami where you have Beaches for whatever it is you do on beaches and you have the Keys at your doorstep for your snorkeling needs,And of course no chance of a winter like you have to endure in NY.

Well I've been living in NC for the past 2 years..

[sware2cod]

If you are planning to have children, you might want to avoid moving to Florida. The Zika virus is in Florida and spreading. Anyone pregnant or planning to become pregnant really has to rethink moving to Florida until Zika is resolved. Mosquito bites have already caused Zika in several counties in South FL and one case near Tampa/St Pete. It's likely to spread to more counties soon. It can cause serious birth defects in babies based on the parent having the virus during pregnancy.

[aylinap]

Originally Posted by sware2cod

If you are planning to have children, you might want to avoid moving to Florida. The Zika virus is in Florida and spreading. Anyone pregnant or planning to become pregnant really has to rethink moving to Florida until Zika is resolved. Mosquito bites have already caused Zika in several counties in South FL and one case near Tampa/St Pete. It's likely to spread to more counties soon. It can cause serious birth defects in babies based on the parent having the virus during pregnancy.

I know there's Zika virus there. I'm not too worried as I'd be moving in a year or so..rent for a year, buy a house and then we'd have kids.

[jambo101]

I'd also be worried about all the stuff they are spraying in an effort to combat the mosquitoes.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by jambo101

I'd also be worried about all the stuff they are spraying in an effort to combat the mosquitoes.

The main solution IMO is to encourage increased bat populations. They are virtually harmless and can obliterate large amounts of mosquitoes in no time.

[aylinap]

I'm not too worried about the stuff they're spraying or Zika since I would be moving in a year or so, and having kids later on in the future. Any input on Port St Lucie or Jupiter? How are those cities for living?

[aylinap]

I'm thinking Boca Raton as a big option still...I know someone mentioned that a lot of retirees live there, but I read an article online that ranks it as the highest city with job opportunities..

[wizrap]

Originally Posted by aylinap

That's a good suggestion, but I'm not sure about Tampa/St Petersburg area...My aunt lives in Tampa and she mentioned how they have more flooding than the east coast of Florida. Anybody have input on the Port St Lucie or Jupiter area? My husband has job connections all over the Florida(mostly in the eastern part), so getting a job would be no problem for him. I'm just wondering about the job prospects for myself? I currently work as an office manager and have my Bachelor's Degree, but I'm taking some finance classes. I know Florida's employment rate isn't too good, but it's about the same as North Carolina. It took me about 2 months to find a full time job here.

Also, we are looking to rent first then buy a house...So this move would be for the long term for a growing family in the future.

I'll give you my input on Port St. Lucie and Jupiter, and also Boca Raton since you are also interested in that area, as someone who just moved from South Florida, having lived there for nearly 30 years.

Boca Raton--affluent, safe, largely manicured city with great dining, beaches, shopping. Very few "sketchy areas" -- mostly along the southern edge of 44i and a section called "Pearl City" just north of downtown Boca. Not bad, just run down compared to the rest of the city. The whole city is a mix of families and retirees. The city can be divided into 3 sections--the eastern part, near the beach, with the best dining and shopping and entertainment (and corresponding high property values), the western part--along highway 441, which gets better the further north you go. This area contains the most affordable real estate but it is not within the Boca Raton city limits so there are some city services that residents do not receive, but instead get from the county, and the central, middle part--not too far from the beach, but not way out west either. Boca is not considered to be a diverse city (you mentioned diversity was important to you, as your husband is Hispanic). About 80% of the city is white; about 10% or so is Hispanic. About 5% black. It is considered to be heavily Jewish--about 20% of the population is estimated to be Jewish, which is similar demographically to NYC. There's nearly 20 synagogs in Boca. The city is a popular choice for its highly ranked schools, beautiful parks and beaches and all around safety (at least by South Florida standards). My caveat -- you haven't mentioned your housing budget, but if you are looking at Boca, you need to consider HOA (Homeowner's Association) fees. Many, if not most, of the homes in Boca are in HOA's, and the fees can range from just a few hundred a quarter on up to a thousand dollars or more per quarter, with some requiring mandatory memberships of some kind. Many of the HOA's have gated security (staffed or not), community pools, golf courses, exercise centers, tennis courts and clubhouses. A realtor is going to be your best bet to guide you towards homes with HOA's in your budget (or if you don't want an HOA, steering you towards those types of homes).

Port St. Lucie--this city is part of the Treasure Coast, located in St. Lucie County. It's about as far north as you can get and still be considered within striking distance of the greater South Florida area. Most affordable area for real estate because it's basically one big housing development divided up into different communities. There is an older section on the east side of I-95. West of that is where the newer developments are, nearly all HOA's. General Development Corporation bought large swatches of land in the county several years ago and the city is one housing tract after another, particularly on the west side. So much land and so much building have kept prices down compared to other parts of South Florida. Many choose to live up there because it's affordable, and it's a slower pace. No major malls--no fine dining--none of the city sits on the beach--you have to go through Jenson Beach or Stuart--no city center per se. It's trying to develop all these things, and should make strides as the South Florida population increases as there will become a situation where there will be no place left to go. A nice section that I don't think has much of an HOA is the Midway Road area--nice large homes on nice pieces of land. Schools are not as highly rated as Boca. That is a big knock against the area. The city is considered very safe--it's just not considered to be as sophisticated a city as Boca Raton--totally differently feel and personality. But overall, less expensive housing than Boca. More Hispanic than Boca--about 20%.

Jupiter--this is the city that many in South Florida look to move to if they want or need to still be in the South Florida area, but want to get away from the hectic pace. This city strives to maintain its beachy, small-town atmosphere, but it's a losing battle. The Wyndham Grand opened up there a year or so ago--it's really the only luxury chain hotel in the city so far, and may be for a while yet. Lots of mom and pop places for dining, shopping and lodging (there are some chain hotels/motels there but not anything like the Wyndham). Great beaches--known for it's free off-leash dog beach. Beautifully manicured, much like Boca. A few sketchy areas, especially off of Indiantown Road and I-95. Lots of HOA's, many super expensive. Overall excellent public schools. Largely affluent area--much like Boca. However, it is really trying not to be another Boca with the malls, shopping and entertainment. For that, if you're serious, you really need to head south to Palm Beach Gardens. Expensive real estate. You get less home for your money in Jupiter--less property too. About the only affordable area is Jupiter Farms for single-family-homes. That's out west, farther from the beach--rural in character. Like Boca, lots of retirees and families. Slightly more Hispanic than Boca but not as Port St. Lucie. "Whitest city" of the 3 you mentioned--less than 5% black.

Overall, your real estate dollars go further in Port St. Lucie. But I have no idea about your budget. Good luck!

[Robino1]

We are building in Port St Lucie on the east side of I95. Yes it is an older subdivision and no HOA's, which we prefer not to have. Nice area and it borders the Savanas so won't be built up any more than what it already has. There are still lots available to build on, stand alone, and we looked at many before choosing the one that we like. The lot size was decent at 85 x 125.

We are 15 minutes from Jenson beach and ocean access. 4 minutes to US1, 15 minutes to the Treasure Coast Mall. We can get to the beach and the mall without having to get on US1. Indian River Drive is a nice slower paced drive, to get to the beach, but you don't have any traffic lights so you get the feeling of actually getting somewhere LOL. It is also a beautiful scenic drive along the Indian River Lagoon.

After living in the Ft Pierce area for three years, we chose to build in PSL as it is closer to 'civilization' and we can get to the more hectic paced areas if we want to easily.

We felt our money went farther in PSL than if we had looked in Stuart even.