[meromalley]

I know it seems redundant and I apologize for that, but we are really trying to make a good decision for our family.

We want to relocate to Florida, but read on here that public schools aren't good? That's really our number 1 concern -safety and good schools...

We read in a recent report that Melbourne has an excellent Junior/Senior high school? We read great things about Lake Mary and Sarasota? We know little about the state and find it scary to just read about it. We visited Tampa area and feel like it's impossible to visit everywhere in Florida. Our work is flexible and we could go anywhere -we just really want some school advice if possible.

Thanks!

[Keeper]

It is kind of hard to suggest an area when you haven't narrowed down at least a section of FL you are considering. Once you narrow down an area then you can look for 'good' schools.

Do you want easy access to the beach?
Do you like the Gulf or the Atlantic
Small or big city?
Entertainment?
Sports?
Hobbies?

I personally like the west coast of FL around Tampa. I like Tampa as it is a younger city and there are lots of good areas for families. I also like the panhandle although I have never lived there. Weather is different up there but you are still close to the beach.

[grapico]

Florida actually has some of the top schools in the nation... It really depends where you are... Perhaps they are bad overall b/c of the particular city but there are definitely some good high schools out there... Just have to do your research... i.e. my high school I was taking AP classes from 10th grade onward.

[mia_magination]

I have lived here in Florida for 12 years and loved living here until my kids started middle school. I'm not sure how the schools can be rated some of the best but then again, I have been in the same area for the whole time. It is my experience that the best schools are the private in the area in which I live but we do have many charter/magnet schools that are excellent. Florida is a wonderful place to live if you are ready for all the changes you have to aclimate to. Coming from up north for a visit is not a good way to get the day to day life feel for the area, so I would suggest taking time to see the area you are interested in during different times of the year. Also while you are visiting, go around the area via car and look for yourself. Check out the shopping first hand like you would if you live here, not just the tourist shops. Also check out the activities for everyday people in the area, not just the hotspots for vacationers...Florida has a lot to offer if you know what you are looking for and are ready to try a different way of life. What type of lifestyle are you looking for? What are you and your family into for activities? Do you still want some type of season change or are you looking forward to the heat for the majority of the year? Ask away and I'm sure you will get answers to help you make the decision...best of luck on the decision!

[beachmouse]

Florida's good public schools tend to cluster in areas where parents have high income and parental academic achievement, which is pretty consistent with general education statistics research. So it's no surprise to see top-rated schools in parts of Melbourne (NASA), Gainesville (U of Florida), Tallahassee (FSU, A&M, white collar state bureaucracy) and Ft. Walton Beach (big Air Force weapons development center)