St. John’s vs Sarasota relocating help please (Jacksonville, Tampa: homeowners insurance, high school)

[MrsWilson1015]

Hello,
We are planning on relocating to Florida. We are familiar with the Bradenton/Sarasota area but St John’s appeals to us because of their high ranking schools. Can someone tell me the difference? Weather, stores, traffic, safety etc please.
We are looking for a 3,000 ish square foot house, 4 bedrooms and no more than $800,000. We also want a safe community, convenient to stores, conservative values, good high school (private or public) and a competitive soccer club and soccer training facilities for my high school age daughter. Not too much to ask
Thank you all for reading

[pinagareou]

woww what a nice thx Mrswlison

[Lillie767]

The weather in northern Florida can be quite colder in the winter than central and south Florida. Check the average weather on accuweather.com.

When you have narrowed the choices a bit, look at two hurricane related items. First, check the evacuation zone. This is different from the flood zone. Evacuation zones indicate when and if you may have to evacuate for hurricane threats.

Next is the flood zone. If you are in a designated flood zone and you are getting a mortgage, you will have to get flood insurance. This is separate from your homeowners insurance. You may want to get flood insurance even if it is not required because most homeowners insurance policies in Florida exclude water damage.

Traffic in both areas is horrendous, but Sarasota has a seasonal variation from snowbirds, whilst Jacksonville seems more stable.

[MrsWilson1015]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

The weather in northern Florida can be quite colder in the winter than central and south Florida. Check the average weather on accuweather.com.

When you have narrowed the choices a bit, look at two hurricane related items. First, check the evacuation zone. This is different from the flood zone. Evacuation zones indicate when and if you may have to evacuate for hurricane threats.

Next is the flood zone. If you are in a designated flood zone and you are getting a mortgage, you will have to get flood insurance. This is separate from your homeowners insurance. You may want to get flood insurance even if it is not required because most homeowners insurance policies in Florida exclude water damage.

Traffic in both areas is horrendous, but Sarasota has a seasonal variation from snowbirds, whilst Jacksonville seems more stable.

Thank you for the thoughtful information. As for the weather, is the summer just as hot in both places, or is it also cooler in the summer up north?

[BartramBuck]

Traffic is not horrendous in Jacksonville. Especially compared to Lakewood Ranch area that I bet she’s looking at near Sarasota.

I live in St John’s. Great place to raise a family. For me I wish I had moved to Sarasota. The Gulf, is much nicer than the Atlantic, Sarasota is much warmer in the winter, but not really hotter in the summer. Sarasota feels much more upscale and vibrant to me. Sarasota is closer to a better airport with more direct flights out of Tampa.

St. Johns is great, but Sarasota beats it in almost every category.

[SCGAFL]

Originally Posted by BartramBuck

St. Johns is great, but Sarasota beats it in almost every category.

Except schools, cost of living, less expensive housing and taxes, convenience, less traffic, more Conservative, more family friendly.

There is a reason SJC is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.

[Peter the Brit]

I have lived 20 years in Sarasota and 10 in St Augustine and on balance favor SJC.
Weather colder in winter but here in Sarasota in winter one day cold next day hot no consistency.
Schools just as good in both places but look at Pine View. My daughter has taught in both and prefers Sarasota.
Gulf is warmer and looks cleaner but RED TIDE is a killer.
It really comes down to the type of people. Sarasota in winter is crowded with Northern rude snowbirds whilst SJC has mainly year round residents.

[shokwaverider]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

It really comes down to the type of people. Sarasota in winter is crowded with Northern rude snowbirds whilst SJC has mainly year round residents.

And Polite Canadians....