Live in KY looking to relocate to W Coast, maybe St Pete, Tampa, Ft Myers. Looking for family friendly, nice beaches.... (Clearwater: high crime)

[rtbblake]

My family is currently living in Central KY and we're looking to relocate to the Western Coast of FL. I've heard and read that St Petersburg, Tampa(Brandon,Valrico), and maybe Ft Myers are good choices. Can someone, anyone please help, I don't want to get down there, have us take a job and realize we're in gangland or in the middle of a very bad area with high crime, nothing to do, far from the beach, bad schools etc.

We are hoping to purchase a home in the $200's-$250's. Want to be relatively close to the water even if it means driving there on the weekends. We want good schools with high scores and great teachers. Hoping for things for families to do, slower pace of life, safe town to raise the kids(3 & 5), desire good private schools for them eventually.

We definitely don't want a fast paced, snobby, loud, boisterous area to live in with people only concerned with what they wear and the car they drive. We make ok money but aren't rich by any means and don't want to live near or around rich snobs. We just want to live happily in peace, slow paced life with family environment to come home to.

ANY suggestions, experiences, thoughts(even sarcastic, negative ones) and maybe even links to good county/city websites would be MORE than welcome.

We're looking to make our move within the next 3 months at the absolute latest. I'm pregnant(8 months) and would prefer to move now if possible, if not then sometime early June.

Thank you kindly in advance for all your advice and help!

[On-da-Beach]

Well, it seems that you want what every young family wants...but if I were to suggest a community, I think it would be Seminole. It's in central Pinellas County, close to the beaches (and Lake Seminole), good schools, 'slower' paced and close to activities.

The traffic in Pinellas may be kind of a culture shock.

Best wishes with the baby!

[rtbblake]

Originally Posted by On-da-Beach

Well, it seems that you want what every young family wants...but if I were to suggest a community, I think it would be Seminole. It's in central Pinellas County, close to the beaches (and Lake Seminole), good schools, 'slower' paced and close to activities.

The traffic in Pinellas may be kind of a culture shock.

Best wishes with the baby!

What part of Florida is Seminole? I guess I can Google maps it. Anyhow I'm originally born and raised in San Diego, Ca for almost 3 decades, now living in KY. That's one reason I am yearning to move back to the beach, this time on the east coast. You say traffic may be a culture shock, so I'm not too sure what that means, does that mean there's lot of traffic or not much?

Thanks for any additional help!

[On-da-Beach]

Seminole is between St. Pete and Clearwater. Lots of traffic in Pinellas...much more than Kentucky, I'd imagine. You didn't mention San Diego, so you're used to traffic I guess.

[FLsunshine_2010]

Have you considered the Sarasota, Venice area? Very beautiful beaches, no traffic...more difficult to find a job, unless you are in healthcare.

[lavender]

Lots of traffic depends on our perspective. Where I came from it was gridlock on the highways daily (UK) same for NYers who commute into Manhattan and surrounding areas, likewise LA. So compared to that Pinellas is a sunday afternoon jaunt
I never find the traffic dreadful, yes there are occasional hold ups on key bridges, more than there should be due to fools with cellphones/breakfast/razors/no brains etc etc,but it's usually do-able.
If you are staying in county (Pinellas rather than commuting over the bridge to Hillsborough and Tampa) then there are often alternative routes.

Seminole is a popular family destination for the very reasons you asked initially, schools, (our children used all 3 - our second is graduating Seminole High this summer and I have seen good results all 3 levels) location close (very close) to beaches, reasonable property prices, right now you are on the edge of your budget but it is possible near the upper end, neighborhoods are safe, friendly and close enough to get to shops/entertainment and lots of parks around. Good luck with baby #3

[ferret111]

I don't live in Seminole, but I drive through there a lot. It probably is your best bet for an affordable family community only minutes from the beach. If you live in the western parts of town, you can probably even walk over the bridge to the beach.