Where to live in FL?

[bucktales]

This is exactly what I was looking for guys, thanks for taking the time to pull out the stats Deep. One thing I noticed while in Ft. Myers over July 4th, there were alot of what Deep would call "Traileresque" people.... my wife was somewhat turned off by that area. Acutally, I couldn't live within 30 miles of Ft. Myers because of a crazy unlce that lives there...he would be at my house regularly with a case of beer, wouldn't go over well with the wife!

Any thoughts on Bradenton/Sarasota. My Grandmother lived on Anna Maria Island for years before passing away, from what I can remember as a kid it was beautiful. Don't remember much about the demographics....fortunately as a kid being a visitor, none of that matters. I would like to live around good middle class families.

My 10 year old is a complete shark fishing addict which should be decent on both sides. What's more scuba freindly for kids? I was thinking west coast. My wife loves the shallow warm gulf. I like the short fishing runs of the east coast. How about a comprimise? Sounds like the Keys, which I'm sure I can't afford. Anyone know about the schools in the Keys?

[Deep C]

The schools in the keys are fair. There is a small population so the choices are limited. Not sure of what special programs. The east coast offers scuba. The west is kind of murky water and shallow. Though expensive I will say that some how I found work when ever I needed down there and at least could get by. A consideration of why that was is alcohol consumption down there was nuts and jobs opened constantly because workers failed to show up for work.
Sarasota area is heavy retiree country and again that restricts cash flow to the economy as a whole.
Sharking would be just fine on either coast.
What kind of work are you in that might be a better guage of which area if any is suited to your needs. Much of Florida is tourism based. Seasonal and poor cash flow. The construction end is really on its butt but could perk to finish stalled projects if the housing ever starts moving again. Palm Beach/ Martin should be getting a shot in the arm from pharmaceutical companies moving in. Pest control, waste management each pay fairly well in the scheme of things. A cop starts mid $20s and teachers low $20s here... Fire pays good but very tough to get into. Jacksonvill is strong in banking but so far north not much different than say a carolina. Broward and Dade counties seem fairly good on the economic side but you really need to be bilingual.

[bucktales]

Deep, I'm currently in the mortgage business. Licensed in MD, VA, DC and FL. I could work from anywhere with a phone and internet...but if the mortgage business were to get any shi#$$#@ier then it already is, I would most likely start interviewing for other sales positions....In FL.

After alot of research I'm really leaning towards the Space Coast. I have been to Melbourne and it seemed nice....much slower then Southeast FL. I'm looking forward to spending some time in these places to narrow down my search. Sebastian, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island and Cape Canavreral area. I found that some schools in the Canaveral and Cocoa area are excellent...I think they must be the children of the astronauts/Nasa employees??? One district had a high percent of asain kids...that must be NASA.

How would you guys rate those areas for schools, traffic,...and what is the vis like in Sebastian inlet, looks like people dive off the beach there for lobster?

[bucktales]

here's one for you....which direction is the predominent wind and who has more blow outs? East coast or West coast? From my own limited experience down there, I have been blown out several times in a row trying to fish out of Port Saint Lucie inlet, in the winter.

Just my luck, my wife is leaning more towards gulf side, she fell in love with the shallow, calm warm water. I'm wanting more of the space coast....is it possibel that we can agree on something? Sounds like more comprimise coming my way!

[Matador]

Check out Pensacola area... access to rigs off to the West, the spur, the elbow; BFT, YFT, swords, whites, blues, bottom fishing for gags and snappa.... wahoo, king, cobia.

I don't know if the schools suck as bad as everywhere else in the state. We use the school on our base and my wide and I plan on home schooling the second we encounter a crap school.

I also like the great hunting north of here in Alabama and Mississippi... its a pretty rural area. Hopefully the wife is not a big opera fanatic or patron of the arts. There is a strong military presense from Pensacola to Panama City.

[blueoceaneyez]

lol - You beat me to it - Matador..

We live in Destin. Fishing is so much "easier" here than North Carolina. You definately don't have to go very far out to find fish. You'll even hear crazy stories about people catching Hoos and Sailfish and Mahi along the beaches here sometimes.. (though I've never been that lucky, yet.. )

I have only briefly visited other parts of FL, so based on that, I'd consider moving to Jupiter because of its closeness to the Stream.

Schools - You can compare them at this website. http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/go/FL

Oh and I also want to say this about cost of living.. (1) you're wanting to live in "FLORIDA" & (2) the cost of living is going to be higher the closer to the water you get, obviously, but you probably already knew that. :-)

[Blackdfl]

Martin County. Decent school system. Great fishing. Nice people. More like old Fl.

I'll second that. Martin County is where it's at. A stone's throw from your friend in Port Saint Lucie, a straight shot across (about 2 hour drive) from Ft. Myers.

Our real estate market is a buyers market right now and will be for the next year at least. Our taxes are a bit higher than St. Lucie County but I think our schools are better, not to mention the small town feel you get in Stuart is hard to beat, considering how PSL is starting to feel congested.

And the fishing here, well it's not called the Sailfish Capital of the World for nothing!

[Bert Rodgers]

[QUOTE=Fritz;304426]

Flordia in general can be a weird place. Take for example the Palm Beaches and Riviera Beach.

QUOTE]


That's the truth. I lived in PB Co for 6 years. 2 in WPB , I wouldn't wish that town on anyone. I spent 4 years in Jupiter Farms, nice area but in reality the AQ (asshole quotient) rises proportionally to the traffic once you get S. of Stuart.

If I were to move back to FL. Sebastion would be where I started to look.When visit to go fishing Port Salerno (Manitee Pocket)and Islamorada are my 2 favorite choices.

Bert