Tell me about relocating to Florida

[beautybelle]

We are very seriously thinking about relocating to Florida after I graduate from nursing school. We're looking forward to the warmer climate BUT we cant figure out where would be the best place to live permanently.
Id like to live somewhere where there are a lot of hospitals close by (employment reasons) and a fair cost of living, safe, and within a decent drive to shopping, entertainment, restaurants, etc.
Ive lived in the mountains for so long I want to live somewhere that actually has highspeed internet. I'll be in "hog heaven" LOL

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There is a huge climate difference between north Florida and the panhandle and all the way down to south florida and the keys. Also, your desire to avoide a touristy area or to be close to a beach.

Tampa: undesireable IMHO. We visit only for DH's family and keep to a very specific parameter arond their house. There are better places that are not Hillsbourough county--but there are just better areas all together to live than Tampa.

South Florida--it's pretty, but it does have questionable areas. I just drove there and back for dd's dance competition this weekend. I swear, the drivers there have a death wish--weather it is their 45mph Rolls Royce or their decked out geo metro trying to do 100mph.

Orlando--pretty decent, lots of outlying areas that are not Disney. You can pretty much get to most places in Orlando area within 45 minutes. Not to bad.

Jacksonville--never grew on me. Decent stuff, but just doesn't scream "Florida" to me--as well as the panhandle.

Your major cities will be Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jax...

Your huge cities are Miami and Tampa followed by Orlando.

Your smaller areas that are still cities, vary in size--Naples, Gainesville, Ocala and the cities north of Miami to include West Palm Beach and Fort Launderdale.

I guess you have to decide what Florida means to you and what you want to be close to outside of all the other stuff. Hospitals are located in all these areas. The larger cities will have much more competition meaning more hospital options + the endless medical industry that feeds into those hospitals.

 

[GeorgeG]

We're between Orlando and Ocala (closer to Ocala) and there are a lot of hospitals, urgent care and medicall facilities. We're also pretty much out of the tourist areas, but can get to them for day trips. There are two hospitals in Ocala, one in Leesburg, one here in The Villages and one over in Inverness. Orlando has at least several. There are hundreds of smaller medical offices and clinics.

From what I hear, just about any hospital around here is always looking for more nurses.

 

[Luvchefmic]

We're between Orlando and Ocala (closer to Ocala) and there are a lot of hospitals, urgent care and medicall facilities. We're also pretty much out of the tourist areas, but can get to them for day trips. There are two hospitals in Ocala, one in Leesburg, one here in The Villages and one over in Inverness. Orlando has at least several. There are hundreds of smaller medical offices and clinics.

From what I hear, just about any hospital around here is always looking for more nurses.

First Semper Fi to you George my DD and DSIL are both USMC Majors


In addition to all the other hospitals:
To OP here is a link to the State of Florida hiring website the employment opportunities go on and on for Nurses. When you get to the site you don't have to log on to just hunt around click an area on the map of FL to see an example of where you want to work the different counties Good Luck to you
https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/logon.htm

 

[beautybelle]

This sounds like great new for me. Im so happy.

 

[Luvchefmic]

This sounds like great new for me. Im so happy.

Answered your PM glad you found the link...please keep me informed Good Luck
Ruthie

 

[AshleyW]

Just wanted to add - my mom is a nurse and moved about a year ago to the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area. They live in a really cute small town outside of Clearwater, are right by the ocean, and the hospitals in that area have all been hiring. Morton Plant Mease is a big hospital/healthcare system in that area, and they've got a ton of openings for RN's.

 

[Golf4food]

Jacksonville has all the things you are looking for and is also the least likely spot to be hit by a hurricane in Florida - or on the east coast for that matter as the area is the most western point on the east coast. No major hurricane has directly hit the area in over 40 years.