Relocating from NJ to FL (Tampa, Orlando: to buy, school district, colleges)

[tamingione18]

Hello everyone!

I am relocating to the beautiful state of Florida within the next year and a half. I have a few questions and I am hoping some of you expert FL residents can help me. I have a 7 year old that will be going into the 3rd grade when we move, and I will (hopefully) beginning a new job as a social worker as well. My husband will be retired at that time, so he will be settled.

We are looking at the Lakeland, Parkland, Weston and we are open to other "family" residential areas. Can you recommend a city that is geared toward "family"? Also, how are the schools? I have hears various things about the FL schools, but I also know people magnify issues to, so I wanted to come straight to you all. In addition, I am moving from NJ to FL, (which I feel is a great thing), it's very expensive here, how are the expenses in FL; food bills, utilities, water, taxes etc.? Do you feel that Fl has felt the effects of the poor economy and if so, where would you begin a new residence if you had to do it all over again? I really do appreciate any help you can give me, I am looking forward to staring all over in a warm state.


Regards,
Tara

[ruski]

Weston. Can't find a better place for family, and we have a lot of former NJers here too.

Well, Parkland is very good too Don't want to upset my Parkland-based forum friends

[ruski]

Here is a cost of living comparison between Bergen County and Fort Lauderdale

Weston is a bit more expensive than Fort Lauderdale

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[JohnD_fla]

I will begin my response by answering the last part of your question first. Yes, Florida has definitely felt the downturn of the economy. The corrupt politicians and greedy business interest groups have done terrible damage to this state. It was good here until about the early 90s. If I had the opportunity to start all over again it would not be in Florida---some of my reasons for saying this are personal but in many ways I don't really like some of the ways the place has changed over the years. It used to be more fun, more affordable, and a lot less congested. It is beginning to look more and more like a mini LA or New York City. Still, there's something that's very distinct about this area that makes it immediately distinguishable from either of those two cities. I'm not quite sure what that 'thing' is, but its very visible in the attitudes of a lot of the people you will encounter here---from the way some drive on the roads to the way they some people act in public in general. There is this aggressiveness, and what I like to call the 'look at me and the stuff I've got' syndrome. There are things about the area that I still like, and although I have been tempted to move many times I dread the thought of going back into the snow and freeing temperatures further north. In all, this is not the worst place to be. Living here just takes a lot of getting used to.

What you heard about Florida schools is probably true. The education system in this state is not good, and fixing it is not a priority for the legislature---many of whom, themselves, could use some schooling. The private schools are mostly excellent, but if you're thinking about going that route consider that some of them cost as much as college.

Just so you know, it used to be years ago (many years ago) that Florida was a relatively inexpensive (ok, cheap) place to live. It certainly isn't that anymore. In some cases, things are still more expensive in the northeast, in some other cases the costs aren't significantly different, and in some cases living in Florida, particularly SE Florida may be more expensive when you consider that the average income here is lower than it is in the northeastern part of the country. Did you mean Lakeview or Lakeridge? As far as I can recall, Lakeland is in the central part of the state, sorta between Tampa and Orlando---which is pretty far north and west of here. Parkland and Weston are both nice communities. Neither is inexpensive if you're planning to buy, but if I were in your position I would choose housing depending on where I would be commuting to work. Traffic down here gets pretty bad. Good luck with your move.

[vrr106]

I am in a similar situation, except relocating from TX. Parkland and Weston are consistently coming up as recommendations.
It feels like there are a few scattered charter schools that are pretty good, some v expensive private schools that are great, and public schools in Parkland, Weston and to some extent Coral Springs, Cooper City and Davie.

[Swimmom32]

I can tell you South Florida is certainly NOT cheaper than NJ...Our Cost of living didn't change very much from NJ to Florida...We lived in NJ and were in a very good school District with that said we liked the Schools in South Florida but NJ is definitely ahead of the Florida schools...the property taxes are less in South Florida than NJ but food is omg that was a shocker for us much more expensive in south florida than NJ...

Schools are all Relative and what is good for one child might not be for another

good luck

[beachlady58]

You will hate it here...it stinks, i move from ma to here and i am leaving 6 months later...schools stink do not bother!!!!

[Swimmom32]

Originally Posted by beachlady58

You will hate it here...it stinks, i move from ma to here and i am leaving 6 months later...schools stink do not bother!!!!

In all fairness do you have children in the schools? and after 6 months that isn't a fair assumption..My children had a fine education in Boca and alot of my son's friends will be attending some very good colleges...with that said, I think you cant tell someone they are going to hate it there without having the experience for themselves..Just my opinion

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by Swimmom32

and after 6 months that isn't a fair assumption..

In another post, she said she arrived in March and is moving back the 1st weekend in July, so it's really only been 4 months at best.
I agree that's not much time, but if her gut's telling her to leave.. it's time to leave.

[Swimmom32]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

In another post, she said she arrived in March and is moving back the 1st weekend in July, so it's really only been 4 months at best.
I agree that's not much time, but if her gut's telling her to leave.. it's time to leave.

I absolutely dont disagree with you..however She shouldn't tell people to not move here because it sticks for her or the schools stink too..I Dislike were we live tremendously but I wont tell people to not move here because of my bad experience....