Better for family w/kids Tampa or Ft. Lauderdale? (Orlando: crime, chapel)

[jsantig]

My husband has a new job and we have to relocate to the Florida State within one or two months. We where thinking between Tampa, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale because we have some family in these cities. We have two elementary school aged children and were wondering which of these cities is better to raise children in terms of good schools, crime and safe suburbs in which the kids could ride their bike outside and play with other children. There will be no commute since my husband will work from home.
Any advise is welcomed, thank you.

[StEt0417]

Tampa, schools are better and its cheaper. We looked into wesley chapel and it was full of families. Its right by new tampa, I wouldnt move to ft lauderdale unless you could afford private schools. Orlando is good too, lots of stuff to do but i would pick Tampa. If you choose ft lauderdale really look into the schools, they arent so great many have to deal with lotterys, reassignments or paying for private. The schools west of ft. lauderdale are better, like p.pines, weston, coral springs.

[Nolefan34]

Woah there. The Fort Lauderdale suburbs have some very good schools in Cooper City, Weston, Coral Springs, and Davie. Its not fair to include Tampa suburbs but not Fort Lauderdale suburbs.

I don't know much about Tampa schools. But I am willing to bet they are not world class. I'm sure Tampa is similar to Fort Lauderdale. The city schools are mostly subpar but there are some good suburbs with some good schools.

The original poster needs to provide more info. Where are you from jsantig?