[jra]

Just moved to Florida myself...Tampa Bay area.

The weather is hot, but not stifling...plenty to do. In fact, Places Rated Almanac put Tampa in the top 5, I believe.

First word of advice: Pinellas county is a major no-no if you have kids in public school. They're still in the process of living up to an integration consent decree, and your kids stand the possibility of being bussed all over the county...

Hillsborough county is nice, the schools overall are quite good, and you're close to churches/shopping/entertainment, etc.

We've just bought a house in Plant City (Strawberry capital of the World), just east of Tampa proper--it's right off I-4, one of the better freeway corridors in the area (major widening project recently finished). We're in a rental home until we sell our house in Texas, and we spent every weekend for 5 months (really!) looking at neighborhoods, and we couldn't be happier with what we've found. Nice, down-to-earth people, slightly slower pace than the big city, but just a short hop to town. BTW, there are lush agricultural areas near here...been enjoying some of the best fruits/veggies I've EVER had.

If it had not been so far from my wife's office, we'd have given some serious consideration to the Lakeland/Winter Haven area...just drove through, but it looks nice.

[Mark S]

I've lived in Tampa for the last 3 years and Lakeland before that (lived all over in the Army before that). Tampa is the business capital of Florida, added more jobs than any other city in the country last year. The west coast of FL seems to have a much more relaxed, non-glitzy beach town feel to it. I would definitely recommend this area. There are decent schools throughout -- I have two kids approaching school age and have no reservations about the local elementary school. I like to think that Tampa has a lot of the benefits (entertainment, sports teams, universities etc..) of a large city without the magnitude of the typical problems (traffic, urban decay etc..).

[Fish out of Water]

Try the pan handle, the western strip along the gulf coast that even has a different time zone from the rest of the State.

[Armando Guerra]

What type of neighbors you may want can be affected by where you come from. Generally speaking, the east coast of Florida is heavily populated by northeasterners coming down I-95. Broward County and the neighboring counties have a high number of transplants from New York and that area. The west coast of Florida is populated by midwesterners coming down I-75. The panhandle of Florida has more in common with Alabama than most of the rest of Florida. Dade county is another country. Central Florida is a mixed bag. Having lived on both coasts, I prefer the Gulf coast as more laid back and friendly. On the other hand, it is not as lively and cosmopolitan if that is what someone is looking for. As to the school systems, my opinion is that they are poor overall in Florida (although it sounds like that is the case nationwide), yet you can find the few gems that do well. Personally, my family homeschools but there are a few public schools I might consider if homeschooling was not possible. I actually also considered Celebration (Disney's town) when it was looking like work would take me in that area. I still enjoy going there for dinner when in the area even though I never did move there. The homes are beautiful, the neighbors friendly, and my sense was that the politics were conservative. The school is also "A" rated and the kids can walk to school, or walk to the movie theatre or ice cream shop after school. It is very family friendly and pedestrian friendly with parks everywhere. They also have some nice commercial buildings, although a bit pricey, and conveniently located to the interstates and airports and are probably going to be a stop on the bullet train if finally built. The downside is that Disney still pulls the strings and it is an oasis surrounded by tourist traps and traffic jams. If you live there, hope you don't have to wander far too often. I would say north Pinellas (Dunedin or Palm Harbor) or Pasco sounds like it meets your criteria. Close to good fishing, small town atmosphere, affordable, but close to the "big city" if you need good shopping, the best airport in the country, or big league sports. Check it out, what part of Florida appeals to you is very subjective. You can also go to the MyFlorida.com website to link to the school scores.

[NautiNurse]

Florida Gulf coast has fabulous fishing! If you need access to a major airport, Manatee County is just south of the Skyway Bridge, and an easy trip to the Tampa Airport (a fabulous airport), and the St. Pete Airport (a charming airport).

Manatee and Sarasota counties are very conservative. I moved my business down here four years ago--I love it!

[ao98]

Here's the map of the 2000 election.

[TheCPA]

The Tampa Bay area is a very good area for the reasons that many others have stated. Two fast growing areas are Brandon and the area known as New Tampa. I live in Brandon and like it very much. We are growing rapidly with new businesses and lots of road construction. You might contact the Brandon Chamber of Commerce for more information.

[Kryptonite]

Naples on the gulf coast is one of the fastest growing cities in America, which would be good for business. Satisfies the 2000 election map test as well.

Vero Beach is beautiful. Strongly considering it for retirement as well.

[Junior]

The Panhandle.

[3D-JOY]

Welcome to Florida!

Consider the East Coast. I greatly prefer it to the retirement side,the west coast. Check out Brevard County. Maybe even Indian River County below it.

Land values on the barrier Island are reasonable and every day you will be thankful for the ocean breeze. 12 years here and I would not go back north or anywhere else.

Melbourne has been good for Harris corporation, Nokia and many other big concerns during the past few years.

The Space coast to the Treasure coast of Vero is about 10 degrees cooler than the southern cities and makes the summer much more enjoyable.( Mostly low 80's)

Good Luck finding your perfect place!

[sunshine state]

Sarasota County is nice, although getting quite expensive in the housing area (although being from California, you'll probably think you're getting a real deal). Manatee County to the north of us is growing quite rapidly also. Plus, you're just 1/2 to 1 hr away from tha Tampa Bay area.We have many fine private schools here and the public school system here in Sarasota has a separate school for gifted children from 2nd grade through high school. Also, we have an excellent library system here in Sarasota - rated in the top 10 for it's size in the country. Although we're still quite conservative, we could always use more (I worry about the people moving here from New York and Boston).

As a bonus, if you get here before August 10, you can be one of the lucky ones to help vote Katherine Harris into her Congressional seat!

I would avoid Ft. Lauderdale unless you have a desire to be surrounded by crazy old liberals.

[blam]

No question. Northwest Florida.

[browardchad]

good schools, a low crime rate and conservative neighbors

Avoid Southeast Florida.