Any Florida residents on this site?!?!?or anyone know about living in the state?

My DH wants to move out of the tri-state area and one state he is looking at is Florida. I am not happy about leaving my family - but he wants out

I've tried to do some research on towns to live in - but it is hard! Right now I am looking on the West coast (Tampa/Sarasota/Bradenton area)

Schools are NUMBER 1 priority! I have 3 kids (6,5,2 years)

What neighborhoods are top school districts and great for raising a family?

Thanks

Re: Any Florida residents on this site?!?!?or anyone know about living in the state?

My cousin relocated to FL and private school tuition was part of their budgeting plan. Remember that much of the reason that FL has lower taxes is because it doesn't put the money into public education that we do. It's reflective in the schools.

Best of luck with your relocation! My cousin is very happy they decided to move to FL.

Re: Any Florida residents on this site?!?!?or anyone know about living in the state?

Yeah, private schools are more in line with what youigjt be wanting. Wellington (east coast) by Palm Beach has good schools from what I hear. They also have charter schools which is like between public & private but I still feel that they are lacking.

Re: Any Florida residents on this site?!?!?or anyone know about living in the state?

I can't really help in terms of town etc. but I do have to address this issue of the school system in FL. I grew up in S. Fla and attended public school there my entire life until I went away to college in the Northeast. The college I went to was highly populated by LIers ( including my DH, by BF and roommate and most of my friends). I can honestly say that at no moment did I feel that they were in any way more prepared for college than I was. We all took the same classes and had the same opportunities in terms of AP and honors classes etc.

In fact, one of the things that, in my opinion, is superior to LI schools is the magnet school system. I feel that it offers opportunities for kids of all socioeconomic backgrounds to succeed rather than just the ones whose parents are able to afford to live in the great districts. These magnet schools are consistently ranked amongst the best schools in the U.S. AT the elementary school I went to they had and continue to offer a variety of classes that I do not see at my kids school - which is considered a great school. We had photography classes, language classes, gifted programs etc.

I feel that LI schools are a self fulfilling prophecy. You take a group of affluent kids but them all together in one school and then tout how great their scores are?

The one area that I do think is lacking in FL school is special needs programs.

Re: Any Florida residents on this site?!?!?or anyone know about living in the state?

DH's aunt, uncle and cousins live in FL outside of Tampa. The live in a town called Palm Harbor, (east lake area). The schools there are supposed to be good.

Also, DH's other cousin purchased a house recently in Largo, FL also near Tampa, but not sure how the schools are there.

Good luck!

Any Florida residents on this site?!?!?or anyone know about living in the state?

I know you said west coast, but the highest rated schools are in St. John's County, located outside of Jacksonville. Some of their high schools are rated higher than Long Island high schools according to Newsweek. My DH and I are debating relocating there and schools are our #1 priority as I
teach in a highly rated district here. PM me with any questions.