Any southern charm in Florida? (Jacksonville, Miami: transplants, house, neighborhoods)

goodguy07 · 08-30-2009, 11:37 PM

My fiancee and I are considering different options for where we might want to start our lives together once we are married. I own a company in Indiana and she is a teacher in Kentucky... we both have easily relocatable jobs and would like to live someplace warmer.

We are trying to decide on a place in the south because we love the hospitality and food. We are considering Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, or maybe even Florida. We need a place that has a solid professional workforce, incredible views, and no snow! We are young and also would like to live someplace with an active and dynamic vibe. Price of living is also important and a place that leans politically right would be better. I also love the beach and water sports.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Marlin331 · 08-30-2009, 11:45 PM

Sounds like you would like Tampa. There are some nice neighborhoods to the south and southwest of the downtown area with plenty of young professionals and water views. Snow? Probably once every 25 years or so. With that said, Tampa is definitely the "New South." For the "Old South," you have to go to Charleston and Savannah.

TD* · 08-31-2009, 06:46 AM

politically Tallahassee, votes more liberal, however its the best example of southern charm florida has to offer.

Strel · 08-31-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TD*

politically Tallahassee, votes more liberal, however its the best example of southern charm florida has to offer.

Tallahassee is only really "liberal" by the standards of the surrounding countryside...I've found it to be pretty moderate. Even when it's not most people here are tolerant out of necessity. The elected officials come and go but us natives have to stay here and get along with each other...and we do.

This is one place where Democrats and Republicans actually get along pretty well. I think someone looking for the kind of place the OP described wouldn't feel too out of place here. It's conservative "enough" for anyone, and liberal enough for others, and everyone usually gets along pretty well in this sort of moderate compromise.

Trusses · 08-31-2009, 08:59 AM

Nothern Florida.

Megadrone · 08-31-2009, 10:24 AM

Tallahassee is not an example of Florida Charm. It is an example of Georgia charm. Northen Florida should be renamed Georgia and Alabama. If anyone wants Florida Charm, move south of Gainesville. That is the REAL Florida.

Strel · 08-31-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadrone

Tallahassee is not an example of Florida Charm. It is an example of Georgia charm. Northen Florida should be renamed Georgia and Alabama. If anyone wants Florida Charm, move south of Gainesville. That is the REAL Florida.

No, Tallahassee is an example of north Florida charm. It says "Florida" on my driver's license, and just because Southern Florida lost its Southern charm doesn't mean ours has to be imported from Georgia or Alabama.

The Real Florida?

You can keep what used to be Florida south of Gainesville. I'll take Tallahassee over a place like Hudson or Ft. Myers or Miami any time. In fact, I did. I left those strip-mall paved over flat hell holes and came to the Panhandle where the Real Florida still survives.

TD* · 08-31-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strel

No, Tallahassee is an example of north Florida charm. It says "Florida" on my driver's license, and just because Southern Florida lost its Southern charm doesn't mean ours has to be imported from Georgia or Alabama.

The Real Florida?

You can keep what used to be Florida south of Gainesville. I'll take Tallahassee over a place like Hudson or Ft. Myers or Miami any time. In fact, I did. I left those strip-mall paved over flat hell holes and came to the Panhandle where the Real Florida still survives.

Couldnt have said it better myself.

South Florida is a hell hole, everyone that lives here agrees, and tons have moved here from south florida.

Too many people, too hot, too expensive, too much traffic. It all looks the same..

Now, One place I like in south florida, and that is if I was a millionaire would be Naples or the Keys..

Give me a house and a job and im there... otherwise.... No thanks!

Trusses · 08-31-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadrone

Tallahassee is not an example of Florida Charm. It is an example of Georgia charm. Northen Florida should be renamed Georgia and Alabama. If anyone wants Florida Charm, move south of Gainesville. That is the REAL Florida.

Oh God, here we go... the "real Florida" is apparently the tropical version of NJ I guess.

dagator · 08-31-2009, 03:52 PM

ive lived in Gainesville, St. Petersburg and now Orlando, and Central Florida is definitely an area you will want to check out. For the most part, anything north of Interstate 4 will have a southern feel. St. Pete is really a neat small city, more beachy than southern, but its laid back and a great place to live with lots of nightlife. Orlando is great too, there is so much to do here and once you get away from the City center there is a very southern vibe, especially out in Lake County. Its about 45 minutes to the beach. Gainesville is great too, but its very small. Unless you have a job at the University it would be very difficult to live there. St. Augustine is another great small city. Its close to Jacksonville if you need big city amenities. Jacksonville as a whole is not that great, in my opinion, but it is southern...just not in a charming way. Anyways, good luck, Florida is a great place to live, my wife and I are transplants and I don't think we will ever leave.