FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

What is a good town/city to live in?

Looking for a town/city with houses in a good neighborhood but not too far from the beach (not more than 5 miles)

Any suggestions? Needs to be in a "safe" area, kids friendly. Not a PARTY TOWN area. Family friendly with nice restaurant, activities for adults and kids/teenagers.

Message edited 8/3/2007 2:26:38 PM.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

My ILs live in Boynton Beach. There are families with kids in their development. I can't remember how far it is, but they've taken us to this park on A1A where you can watch the manatees swimming from the ocean into the intercoastal and back. If you cross A1A from the park you are on the beach. I'd guess it's a 20 minute drive from them.

If anyone knows what I'm talking about, it's near some restaurant called Old Key Lime I think.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

We lived in Boynton Beach for a year and loved it. We lived west of 95 but only about 15 minutes from the beach.

They were developing so many new houses there. It's growing like crazy.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

Delray Beach is nice too (right next to Boynton). Boca Raton is also a good neighborhood.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

i worked at a middle school and boca raton and also loved the area.

My advice for Palm beach county is stay West of 95. A lot of cities (even Boca) have slummy areas just east of 95.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

i have friends in palm harbor on the west coast- it's a 'burb of Tampa and v. close to the gulf beaches.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

lots of miles of beachland here in FL.
Are you looking for east coast or west coast? North, Central or South Florida?

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

my brother lives in Delray- very nice

my Dad lives in Juipter- which is northern PBC- and not a whole lot going on compared to Delray

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

I am in Sarasota County. It's on the southwest side. Siesta key is one of the top beaches in the US and is only 30 min from where I live. Sarasota has a lot of great shopping and downtown sarasota is the "city"

Sarasota just had it's film festival back in April and their were a lot of celebs there. Unfortunately I did not get to go but the president of the company did and she said it was awesome.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

I live near Orlando (I am about 40 minutes northeast of Disney). I know not close enough to the beach but if you ever wanted any info on the area, I could help.
You mentioned Tampa. and I have to say I LOVE Tampa. Each year we take a trip over to watch the yankees play the devil rays and downtown tampa (close the water, not right by the ballpark) is GORGEOUS and the cleanest city I have ever been to. It was so clean I felt bad smoking in public (I was a smoker up until 2.5 years ago)

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

oh, I would hate to see you leave the island but to answer your question, my SIL lives in New port richey in the woodlands- it is private and VERY nice, in fact where she lives the streets look like here with big oak trees.

my FIL lives in Dunedin and my SIL inlaws live in Spring Hill and they all love it too.

new port richey is about 30 min from tampa. when we visit , we fly into tampa.

It is sooooooooooo nice however on the other side of US 19 of new port richey it is not so nice- you have your missing front tooth neigbor bbqing on the front lawn type.
you want to be on the west of US 19 in new port richey.

lets see there were other nice areas like Trinity- a bit $$$ but really nice community.

HTH

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

Thanks everyone! We are still undecided on what we are doing. Move now or invest in a house for summer/retirement in "just a few" years.

We are very tempted by nice and cheaper areas compared to LI.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

Port st. Lucie is less expensive than Delray and Boynton - and more family oriented.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

My grandparents moved a couple of years ago to Boynton Beach and love it. My Aunt also moved a couple of years ago to Wellington (about 1/2hr from Boynton) and also loves it.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

My parents live in Jensen Beach (east coast, 1 hour north of west palm beach). It has very good schools (Martin County), pretty good shopping, close to beaches, lots to do in west palm, lots of restaurants. I like visiting there. Stuart is nice too (one town over, same schools.) It has a nice family feel when I go there.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

I'm a fan of tarpon springs... dh's family has a place there... its close to the beach, tampa , clearwater
nice place

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

I visited my grandmother and grandfather in Bradenton when I was younger and enjoyed the area. Lots of shopping, access to Tampa and Sarasota, and we could go over to Santa Maria Island for swimming.

Re: FLORIDA ladies - What town to live in?

I love the Sarasota area. It is about 1 hour 15 mins south of Tampa. Gorgeous beaches at Siesta Key and Lido Key, younger communities and a good amount of commerce would make it my pick.