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Across the Fence:  Talk to me about Florida...  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 1:29:13 PM
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Ok, so DH might,,,and I say this very loosely...MIGHT be getting orders to somewhere in Florida, which I know nothing about. Our options are
Mayport
Jacksonville
Key West
Pensacola
I don't mind hot humid weather (beach babe here!!!  ) Mostly would like to know how the area is, we like to go out to eat, daycares/schools for DS, accessibility for walking/beach going, rent prices, job market (healthcare sector for me) etc...
We are just tossing around possibilities right now, so I am trying to find out what I can. 
Thanks.
Cheers,
Heather |
Edited by - catscharm74 on Jan 10 2008 1:29:30 PM |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 9:39:55 PM
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Ooh, I'm surprised Tina isn't chiming in here yet. I used to live in NorthWest Florida, and it's beautiful. Trees, nature, sand, healthcare is HUGE, schooling is really good and the beaches (Pensacola, methinks) have WHITE sand, they're so clean. Not sure about housing,I heard they sort of skyrocketted, but everything else is nice, not sure...if you are looking for heavy culture (museums, etc), it might be a bit lacking but there are many interesting things, I think
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
www.pumpkinpatchparlor.etsy.com
And Blogs:
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www.queenofcrows.blogspot.com |
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Linda Houston
True Blue Farmgirl
538 Posts
Linda
Lake Charles
Louisiana
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 07:14:17 AM
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I have lived in Pensacola and Orlando. I loved both places. Florida is a state of transplants, therefore, it is a mixed culture and I loved that. ( born and bred in Floridains usually have a license plates shouting there roots) I met some of the nicest, warmest people and I still have a warm spot in my heart. We were Navy also and the bases were not the bigest or the best, but were very nice.
We lived in a home in Pensacola 40 + years ago, so I cannot help with the cost of living today. I would guess that it is reasonably high, but not outrageous. The schools are reported to be very good, due to the influx of different corporations, etc.
Again, I thought it was a great place to live. I did love Orlando---it's wild, but that was a very special time in my life that I cherish.
Good louck and God speed. Let us know where and what happens.
Linda H |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 08:18:37 AM
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Thanks Linda and Zan, we are Navy too--so that was very helpful!!! I think we are leaning towards Pensacola, closer to Texas for us!!
Thanks.
Cheers,
Heather |
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 09:29:19 AM
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| greetings! i moved up here (sc) from florida last year. due to the really dead real estate market, i still own a house down there. it is in jupiter---west palm/palm beach. (if you look at a map with lake okeechobee, draw a straight line from the center due east and that's where it is) key west is fun but very bohemian funky. it's a party town! on the east coast, from boca raton on down, you should probably be fluent in spanish. this would affect your applying for a job, too! as far as school systems, my experience is that it's hit and miss. i ended up sending my kids to private school through 8th grade in our area. the high schools have magnate programs that the kids apply for from both private and public schools. jupiter happens to be expensive and key west is expensive--taxes were about 2% of purchase price. beware of homeowners association dues! don't know enough about jacksonville. but i would suggest if you decide to buy anything, pick a bunch of stuff out (on the east coast, at least) and make really low offers and see what hits. in alot of areas, parking is tough at the beach so even if your house is only 10 minutes drive, make sure you can find parking once you get there! good luck! if you have any other questions, let me know! p.s. but it is very pretty, make sure you take advantage of your time there and spend a lot of your time in the water, boating, snorkling, etc.! |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 10:41:04 AM
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the beaches are real pretty here. as far as cultural activities..Pensacola is alot better than my area (P.C.) for that. Pensacola has some nice museums and so forth.
Housing can be pricey, and has gone up since the last bout of bad hurricanes.
Home buying market is high.
For the type of work that you do/child care..the market is good.
Always see ads in the papers for that sort of thing.
I wouldn't really have any input on the school systems, as we home educate our children.
Plenty of places to eat out at if you do that.
I'd suggest contacting the chamber of commerce in each area and asking for a newcomers packet or visitors packet. This will let you know what the town has to offer in way of cultural activities/events.
Good luck.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 10:49:08 AM
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Thank you Tina and Sue- good things to keep in mind!! I just have never been to Florida, so I really know nothing about it. Thanks.
Cheers,
Heather |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 10:52:15 AM
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I initially did not respond because here in my area..(P.C.) I have an extremely difficult time finding friends..I have had a hard time finding folks that are nice/and/or have an interest in the type of things(farm girl mentality)that I do. My area seriously lacks in cultural activities and activities geared towards children/families. It is more of a tourist draw for Spring breakers that wish to party at the beaches.
So..as far as my particular area goes.there's not a whole lot of cheerful things I can say about it...but other areas of Florida are nice. One thing about P.C. that is good is that there are a few areas where the beaches are not cluttered with condos and you can still catch a beautiful sunset.(near the AFB)
But it is a busy, built up town. And me..I'd prefer a small town any day..but..alas..I'm here in a city. And until things change ..here I will be..and try to do the best I can by creating a bit of "country in the city"..It does get frustrating sometimes not being able to find friendly folks/folks with same interests.(as it is a very transient town..lots of folks move in and out due to military so therefore do not really create roots/or put much into friendships around here as they are here today/gone tomorrow)
But it might be a totally different story for you.
I do wish you the best.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 11:04:21 AM
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Tina- where is Panama City located? If I was close, we could be GREAT farmgirl friends!!! I would love it...
Cheers,
Heather |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 12:10:27 PM
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No I don't but I will google it and find it. Thanks!!
Cheers,
Heather |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 12:12:29 PM
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Ok Googled it and you are not that far from Pensacola...That would be so cool!!!
Cheers,
Heather |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 3:37:41 PM
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Oh yes!!! That would be so much fun!!! I could make one of my fabulous fresh fruit drinks and we could have some yummy food and make stitch something up!! Oh!!!
Cheers,
Heather |
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2008 : 09:28:50 AM
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| tina: same thing in terms of the people and their attitudes over on the east coast. i did not find them to be so warm and inviting either. it's almost a what can you do for me and then i'll shower you with my friendship. also, so many people are so grouchy, in the parking lots, at the grocery store..... i'm originally from jersey, but the farm lands of nj (as opposed to newark which most everyone thinks of when you mention new jersey) the funny thing is, other people who say the same thing about it being hard to make friends, when i've invited them over, they either have other plans, are too tired(?) or sometimes don't even respond. and i'm not weird!! (i promise you!) we did (when we lived down there) have a few (very few!) people that we'd occasionally get together with but we ended up most of the time just doing our own thing.....we bought a boat and would just go out on our own. i would strongly suggest that if you can get a boat, get one! that's the only way to take advantage of florida! |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2008 : 1:56:54 PM
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Wel, I guess I will chime in, too, since I have lived in Florida for over 30 years. It is my home, though I was born in the mid-west, and that is my childhood home. For over 30 years I have lived in Tallahassee. It is growing, but still has a small town attitude, in that people are not mean and rude. Except for the ones coming to us from South Florida or Atlanta!! Just kidding, because I do not like to buttonhole folks, but sometimes it seems that way. Those coming from a bigger city have a little harder time slowing down and being nice. But they eventually get the hang of it.
We have beaches and rivers to canoe within a a small drive. We have lovely forested lands, wildlife sanctuaries, and land which is still in plantation holdings. We have a big university here in town. We have lovely weather, except for the yearly hurricane scare!!! We have great restaurants, family neighborhoods, churches galore, very little industrial blight, good medical facilities, and very kind people who will ask you over for dinner. I love it. I raised my daugher here, I was married here, and have made long time friends. If I had to move, it would be to a smaller city nearby, such as Thomasville, Georgia, but I am happy here. I hope, if you come down south, you will be happy here, too. Tallahassee has often been called Florida with a Southern Accent. And the southern hospitality is really alive and well here, too. It may not be near a military base, but anywhere in the Panhandle can be a great place to live.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2008 : 3:32:24 PM
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palmetto girl I had to laugh out loud at your "get a boat"..LOL I am terrified of the water..and I am surrounded by it. as Sue above mentioned..if I had a choice..Thomasville, Ga would be my homeplace of choice...the place I'd love to set roots down in...one day though..hopefully.
I love that town!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 05:39:08 AM
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| terrified of water?! good heavens! ha, ha!! well, it sounds like the pan-handle is alot more friendly and lay-back than south florida. south fla. seemed to me more like new york.....much more aggressive and fast-paced. most of the people were caught up in the ....work all the time to afford the big house and the boat which i can't use because i work all the time... i should say that at least that's how it seemed in the area that i lived in. but i'll also say there are exceptions and i did meet some nice people. (but i still like it better up here in sc!) |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 06:39:29 AM
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what about the keys?
It sounds so good to hear myself laugh. --Rascal Flats, "No Reins" |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 09:33:20 AM
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Hey guys, thought I'd join back in...sorry for the delay, my internet is not being a friend right now.
Tina, I'm sort of surprised and saddened to know that about PC. I've not gotten that impression when I was there, and when I started the Farm Mag about CITY folk (up here no less), a bunch of people down there were excited about it. Girl, I must PM you about this. I say you should have a built in audience about that any YOU are THERE, whereas I can't be, which is why some people were frustrated.
Anyhoo...about rude people, non-community people, people with no time...I think this is universal (or, maybe just country wide), because I seem to have that same problem, especially in the city. They WANT to hang out with you, but they are madly busy, or tired, etc. Maybe it's just a general non-comittal society?
Hm....
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
www.pumpkinpatchparlor.etsy.com
And Blogs:
www.bigtownfarmer.blogspot.com
www.queenofcrows.blogspot.com |
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palmettogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
571 Posts
sue
camden
south carolina
USA
571 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 10:06:41 AM
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with regard to the keys....i like it alot down there. key largo: much closer to the "main land" of fla. so shopping, or going anywhere is a lot easier. key west: bohemian/funky/vacation/party type atmosphere. i really like it there, but i don't know how it would be to actually live there. real estate is very expensive. because its so small an area, you're packed in there like a sardine. so many of the jobs are tourism related. also, there is a small airport in key west but other wise if you're going to drive anywhere out of state, there is only one road in/out of there, most of it a single lane so it could take hours to just get out of the keys. but the weather can't be beat and the trees and flowers are so beautiful.
zan: perhaps you are right regarding how people are caught up in a "rat race" country wide. do you think the country as a whole will ever start to settle down a little and relax and maybe at least look like they are actually enjoying life? |
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Across the Fence: Talk to me about Florida... |
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Talk to me about Florida...
