[Alexis2009]

We're from Pennsylvania, but are thinking of relocating. We like Arizona, Florida, Texas, and California. The heat doesn't bother us. What are the property taxes like in Florida? How about school taxes? What other taxes do you have? What cities have safe areas where we could buy a house for around 120K? Our interests tend toward cultural, museums, outdoors. What are your experiences and recommendations?

[RMD3819]

We need more information:

Jobs?
Kids? Ages?
Why do you want to move?

Tax rates are dependent on what you are used to. Home insurance will likely be higher because of hurricanes, especially near the coast.

There are so many areas in Fl and so many variables. Providing us with more info will help narrow it down.

[**NoodLes**]

Florida? Culture? ummm no. Your best bet would be TX or AZ. Thank me later.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Alexis2009

We're from Pennsylvania, but are thinking of relocating. We like Arizona, Florida, Texas, and California. The heat doesn't bother us. What are the property taxes like in Florida? How about school taxes? What other taxes do you have? What cities have safe areas where we could buy a house for around 120K? Our interests tend toward cultural, museums, outdoors. What are your experiences and recommendations?

I can't tell you much about the other states because I'm a native Floridian. Property taxes depend a great deal on where you settle on.

You could pick up a newer nice home in the North Port area, which is southern Sarasota county. Sarasota has a huge arts community, lots of stuff to do and excellent schools.

What are you doing about jobs? The unemployment rate is around 10%.

Good luck with your search.

[007.5]

Florida Panhandle reporting ; Homes here and far cheaper than anywhere else in Florida. Property taxes crazy cheap especially unincorporated. Temperatures more moderate since its the highest in elevation here plus northernmost . Excellent activities , nature, restaruants, beauty along the Coast . Look either directly east of Pensacola, or, southeast of Pensacola ... depending how close you want to live near the coast. I love it here and im from Illinois.

[Alexis2009]

Originally Posted by 007.5

Florida Panhandle reporting ; Homes here and far cheaper than anywhere else in Florida. Property taxes crazy cheap especially unincorporated. Temperatures more moderate since its the highest in elevation here plus northernmost . Excellent activities , nature, restaruants, beauty along the Coast . Look either directly east of Pensacola, or, southeast of Pensacola ... depending how close you want to live near the coast. I love it here and im from Illinois.

Thanks, 007.5! That was useful info, and I'll make a note of it.

[Alexis2009]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

I can't tell you much about the other states because I'm a native Floridian. Property taxes depend a great deal on where you settle on.

You could pick up a newer nice home in the North Port area, which is southern Sarasota county. Sarasota has a huge arts community, lots of stuff to do and excellent schools.

What are you doing about jobs? The unemployment rate is around 10%.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks, SoFlGal ! We're still deciding. Jobs not a problem. I'll make note of the info.

[seogorilla]

You really may not like it here , I have been in Stuart for 20 years and its not what people say it is .

We have some big towns that are ok at best , everything here is way over priced housing is a joke I live in gated community alot of old people who hate kids and have crazy rules I lost a 2500.00 white lab they animal control come get him as he ran out of the house .

We lost him for good our own neighbors did this , they have nothing to do so they will always be in your business , they act nice and then stab you when your back is turned ,

I served 9 years and I would think a little more respect would be in order, where we live is really no where Hobe Sound - Stuart if you lived in NYC you could see things costing alot but not here .

Example

Comcast : 400.00

FPL : 390.00 per month

the food around here is a joke and on top of that the poilce are really bad I mean redneck bad I have lived here on and off since 1970 and its only getting worse .

We had back top back Hurricanes here and it took 3 weeks to get power back and we did not even take a direct hit.

If you have kids make sure that you move to a community that likes them PLEASE or you will be sorry , all they do here is drink and golf and trust me they paint this picture that they are really welcoming its a LIE.

I worked for Greg Norman the Pro Golfer for 10 years as well he married my sister so I came back to florida and it was a huge mistake.

Its not nov 11th and it most likey will be 85 again , please dont drive around in small towns after 9pm you have been warned trust me .

We get out every chance we can in the smaller towns you get one guy who by his measure is Bill Gates and he will do what he wants .

This Place trust me has a declining population for a reason if you buy here you wont be able to sell we have been hit hard by the bad economy and forclosures are every where.

You seem like a nice lady do your self and family a favor unless your just married or nearly dead stay away from south florida its a dying state really.

Florida is going no where fast and its full of people from anywhere but here so no one can really bond like up North having a Family that the parents are in the early 40's living next to people nearly 80 is not going to work .

Honest hardworking people should not here its a joke heed my waring .

[beachmouse]

Housing costs in the Panhandle are not cheap unless you essentially want to live in Alabama. (in which case, you're better off moving to Alabama because the tax situation is better) The near coastal areas range from a little above average by state standards (Pensacola) to some of the more expensive housing markets in the state (Ft. Walton Beach)

[Alexis2009]

Hi, Seogorilla,

Thanks for your most informative post. I'm hearing from others that people are fleeing Florida in droves. There were a couple of posts in this thread that said to consider northwest Florida, the panhandle. I think we're writing Florida off our list, though, and are now looking more seriously at Nevada, Texas, and, simply because we love it, California. We have no kids, and my job is strictly online and freelance, so I can live anywhere in the country. We'd prefer to move somewhere where the temperatures are warm year 'round so that we can hike and bike in comfort all year long. Heat doesn't bother us. We're learning a lot from the city-data forums!