Moving to FL

[MMluvsWDW]

I was just wondering if anyone that lived in FL might be able to give me some insight into what's going on in differnt locations. My husband and I are looking to move the the east coast of FL or central around Orlando. My parents are in cape coral and we would like to be 3 or less hrs from them. We are wondering about jobs, schools, cost of living, weather, and likes and dislikes of the areas. We are just starting to contemplate this so I'm sorry about my lack of knowledge, but we are ready for a change before we have kids. Any help would be so much appreciated!

 

[JimB.]

Boy, that's a pretty all-encompassing question!!!

I'll fill in what I can, & others will do the same.

Schools - Brevard County (just east of Orange) has an excellent school system, as does St Johns County to the northeast (where I live). I do not know about Orange, Osceola, Volusia, Flagler, etc. Try searching for the website of the Florida Dept of Education. It will probably give the grades for all of the counties & schools. There was a "class size" amendment passed a couple of years ago, but with a recent property tax "reform" I do not think it will continue to be abided by.

Recreation - exclusive of theme parks, IMHO, the closer to the ocean you are, the more there is to do.

Taxes - No state income tax (yet). 6-7% sales tax, depending on locality. IMHO, again, I think that, when compared to most of the rest of the country, our property tax burden is pretty low. I live in a 3400 sf house w/3 car garage on 6 acres. Valued at about 1/2 million $$ w/ a property tax bill of about $3500 annually.

Weather - I Love Florida Weather. No Snow. Relatively warm winters. Hot, Humid summers, but No Snow in winter. The only worries about weather is, of course, hurricanes. After getting hit 4 times in a month in 2004, I pay a LOT more attention, but, except for a strong blow by Wilma 2 years ago, we have had no real worries where I live.

Personally I do not like the idea of living around Orlando. It is a Traffic Nightmare. When mt DW & I retire in about 15 years or so, we may move CLOSER (we're about 2 hours away), but not to the city itself. I love the are I am in, but we do not get the advantages of living in a big city (Culture, theater, night life, sports, etc.). The city of Jacksonville is about 45 minutes north, but that does not really count. It's not Chicago........ But we do have the luxury of living in a relatively uncrowded area.

Hope this helps (some). Check out www.myflorida.com . It's the "official" state website & can link you to ooodles of other information.