Best place to live in Florida?

[jfrye01@live.com]

I'm needing some help here...in a few years, I'll be done with school and be able to move anywhere, so of course, Florida naturally comes to mind...I've been to Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Cocoa Beach...which one of these areas is the best place to live?

[waykoolplantz]

Depends on your priorities...what kinda work you plan on doing ? Is the garden a priority ? You like city or countrylife ? We have palmy friends that live in Tampa-St Pete-Sarasota area. Some live in Wellington & Ft Meyers. Then there's always S Florida...and the Keys.

[Zeeth]

This question could be debated forever. You need to clarify a bit to get a better answer. Do you speak Spanish? Would you rather live in a rural or city area? What zone do you want to live in? What kind of palms do you want to have? What will your job be? What would be the price range you could spend on a house?

I believe I remember you saying you wanted to be a pilot, so how far from a major airport would you want to live? If you consider the Sarasota area, there is a Sarasota international airport, but it's basically dead. The flights are very expensive and there aren't a lot of options about where to fly. The Tampa airport is good, but it's outside of the coconut belt, so if that matters to you then it's something you need to consider.

[Ken Johnson]

Manalapan....

[Xerarch]

Lol Manalapan, I had to look it up, I get the impression that our friend Mr. Frye comes from a family of some financial means but I hope he gets a sweeeeet job after college and can live there.

[stevethegator]

My girlfriend's hometown of Oviedo has been voted the best place to live in Florida several times, is the only Florida town to make it into those "Top 100" lists nationally and is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the US for families. It's a small town with a lot of old Florida charm, but boasts the largest college campus in America (UCF) and is close to urban Orlando. Cost of living is reasonable, it's very safe, and the people are amongst the friendliest anywhere.

However, being from South Florida I don't know if I could ever live there. It's 9a and maybe 9b in the warmest micro climates (phoenix robellini were defoliated in 2010, but queens were undamaged and cyathea cooperi does fine) so it's too cold for most of the "Florida" palms. It's as far from the ocean as you can get, and it's a hell of a commute in Orlando traffic if you have any kind of job other than what you could find in a small town.

It's really all about preference as everyone else has mentioned. I'm moving back to South Florida full time when I graduate next month but I don't want to live there forever either. It's flat, hot, the people are rude (with plenty of exceptions of course), the drivers are maniacs, and it's too flashy/new money/image focused for me.

My ideal place to live would be Islamorada but I'm into the simple life, fishing, and tropical plants. There's no way for me to make a living there currently and I hear a lot about "island fever" in the Keys so maybe it's not a good choice either.

Anywhere in Florida will be palmier than Kansas, the tax burden is low compared to the rest of the country (aside from property taxes) and the state's economy is decent so you probably can't go wrong with any of the places you or others have listed.

Edited April 9, 2014 by stevethegator

[stevethegator]

Oh and regarding Miami, people either love it or hate it. You're either a "Miami person" or you're totally not a Miami person lol

[DoomsDave]

I went to FL in 2007-2008, and spent a month. Roared all over in the Rental Car of Doom.

Florida is so much fun! Making a living is tougher, however, unless you have certain skills or are independently well-off.

Beaches, water water everywhere. Boats for all.

The further north you go, the more southern FL becomes; that is the more like Alabama and Georgia it is. Small towns, live oaks, slow pace, howdyall, eat grits, little glitz, take your shoes off. It also gets cold, but the U of F in Gainesville is neat. Nothing beats a college town for energy. Lots of Hare Krishnas . . .

Tampa is right on the boundary between north and south. No coconuts for long, but a very nice place, with a vibrant economy. Some wonderful palm gardens.

If you like LA-style glitz and glam (or want to check it out), Miami is definitely it. If you've ever watched "Miami Vice" there are places to roar along the Booleys lined with Roystoneas with the top down. Habla espaniol is a real plus. The only real drawback is hurricanes, possible rising seas and stone for soil.

Visit Ken Johnson's place, and have him take you to the Chicken [expletive] Taqueria in Goulds. (Named after chickens [expletive-ing] in the parking lot. )

And, Miami's got the airport, from what i understand.

Fort Myers in the west is also nice, full of coconuts, Royals, and Royals in Habitat nearby.

And, the Glorious Keys. I recommend getting a boat (they're easy to rent) instead of driving on the PIA Highway. Psuedophoenix sargentii and Thrinax in habitat. Water so clear the boats look like they're flying instead of floating. Key West is expensive, but fun.

Visit the PTers there: Ken, WayKool and Jeff Searle in or near Miami; Bubba in Palm Beach, and so many many, more. Lots of love in the room . . .

Alas, crime is a bit of a problem everywhere, at least compared to midwestern areas like where I'm from.

And, don't rule out California. Yes we have our problems, but 'canes and rising seas aren't among them. Come and visit for a PRA.

[Mandrew968]

Cutler Bay--that was easy!

[DoomsDave]

Oh and regarding Miami, people either love it or hate it. You're either a "Miami person" or you're totally not a Miami person lol

Miami is like a mini-LA with coconuts. Crazy drivers. Hoods in the 'hood. Comida Cubana. Not the midwest, but its own little world.

My favorite part of Florida.

[DoomsDave]

Florida seems to have nuttier crimes than anywhere else. Here's a recent example among many many.

http://news.msn.com/crime-justice/florida-woman-arrested-in-topless-rampage-at-mcdonalds

[stevethegator]

Oh and regarding Miami, people either love it or hate it. You're either a "Miami person" or you're totally not a Miami person lol

Miami is like a mini-LA with coconuts. Crazy drivers. Hoods in the 'hood. Comida Cubana. Not the midwest, but its own little world.

My favorite part of Florida.

Yeah I like it in small doses, I especially like the old Cuban areas, and the near-rainforest around Fairchild. It's the whole South Beach/Kardashain vibe that annoys me. And I feel like people either love it or hate it, because it's so unique to anyplace else they're used to

[redant]

If I didn't have so many reasons I need to stay on the east coast of FL I'd look into pine island. Seems like a nice laid back area with a good palm climate. It's become so darn crowded in my area, ah the good old days when I95 didn't even connect to Jupiter.

[DoomsDave]

Hmm. If you hate Kardiashianstan, or Blings-burgh, stay away from Beverly Hills, California.

[PalmatierMeg]

If you like the "slower" lifestyle, i.e., compared to LA or Miami, don't overlook the SW coast of FL from Ft. Myers south. If you are a man of great means, Naples and Marco Island are quite tropical but exceedlingly pricey. But don't move into a gated community if you want to have a palm garden. Most of them have rules about what and how much you can plant.

I live in Cape Coral west of Ft. Myers. Pine Island is west of Cape Coral. The Cape gets rapped for being "boring" but has lots of vacant land on which to build a house. I bought the 3-lot site on the corner and am turning it into our own garden of Eden. But if you are into the glitzy party lifestyle it's not for you. Ft. Myers has an international airport.

[empireo22]

Cocoa Beach has a solid zone 10 climate coconuts grow well (aside from the whitefly) also its not too crowded but still has alot to do. it has small surf town atmosphere and is not overprized for a coastal town. Cape Canaveral to the north is even cheaper to live and a short commute. Really any town in coastal Brevard (Cape Canaveral south to Melbourne Beach) has a solid zone 10 and safe to live.

[stevethegator]

Hmm. If you hate Kardiashianstan, or Blings-burgh, stay away from Beverly Hills, California.

Haha I've heard as much. Ive never been to California but I'd love to visit! I met a nice lady from Riverside who loves it there and a good friend I grew up with in Sofla now lives in San Diego and says its awesome. And then there's the Bay Area, Yosemite, the sequoias, Napa, Palm Springs, Cali has it all!

[Shirleypalmpaws]

Cocoa Beach has a solid zone 10 climate coconuts grow well (aside from the whitefly) also its not too crowded but still has alot to do. it has small surf town atmosphere and is not overprized for a coastal town. Cape Canaveral to the north is even cheaper to live and a short commute. Really any town in coastal Brevard (Cape Canaveral south to Melbourne Beach) has a solid zone 10 and safe to live.

Jfrye, I vote for you to move to the Space Coast, too! Empireo mentions great reasons why it's awesome here, but here's some more:

• Firstly, at least one of us (namely me) resembles the remark made by PalmDude about little old ladies in this post.
• Secondly, my husband is a pilot and a bunch of his friends are, too.
• Thirdly, if you love dogs, especially the pointy-eared ones, we'll probably adopt you! lol.

[Jeff Searle]

Like others have stated, there's many good areas and it really just depends on what's more important to YOU. My biggest advice to you first off, is try to make a trip down here, rent a car and drive around. Talk to us locals and experience it first hand. I would be more than happy to give you my thoughts and recommendations. But jobs, schools, crime, beaches, property size and value, temp's, all will play a part. Born and raised here, over 50 years of experience! Lol.

[waykoolplantz]

Born and raised here, over 50 years of experience! Lol.

Native species here too

[sur4z]

Born and raised here, over 50 years of experience! Lol.

Native species here too

Ditto for me too

[DoomsDave]

Hmm. If you hate Kardiashianstan, or Blings-burgh, stay away from Beverly Hills, California.

Haha I've heard as much. Ive never been to California but I'd love to visit! I met a nice lady from Riverside who loves it there and a good friend I grew up with in Sofla now lives in San Diego and says its awesome. And then there's the Bay Area, Yosemite, the sequoias, Napa, Palm Springs, Cali has it all!

Most if California is NOT like Beverly Hills. BH is a good place to go for a few laughs, along the lines of Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) in Beverly Hills Cop . . . .

[DoomsDave]

Sorry, have to a get a word or two in for you know where . . .

That said, Florida still rocks, and I say take Jeff's advice and check it out. There are some tough hoods that don't look that way at first glance, which you want to avoid. The Floridian PT-ers can guide you . . .

[Silas_Sancona]

Agree with Jeff. This was exactly how I ended up here instead of staying in Cali. As with any area, there are good and not so wonderful things you might encounter but it was the experiences I had with locals I encountered on a road trip down the west coast of the state that weighed heavily in my decision. Interestingly enough, the attitude id encountered here reminded me of the great people I met while living in Lawrence and Topeka Kansas.

As for Hurricanes, I will gladly take them over experiencing another Loma Prieta magnitude Earthquake or worse. Plus, barring a really dry year, don't have to worry much about the garden in the summer.. More time to hit the beach. From here in the Bradenton/Sarasota area, Miami is a weekend getaway. The drive to and from work, roughly 15 miles each way, takes you out into the country.. really nice country, even if we lack the hills San Diego and L.A. has access to. They win out in that category.

-Nathan-

[Dave-Vero]

You need to be aware of sea level rise. At the historic rate for the past hundred years, you can expect serious problems for some coastal areas. The Nature Conservancy has looked carefully at potential effects on the Keys (where they own a bunch of preserves) and are not happy about what they see. The info is online...I think I can find it. Miami is more or less doomed, but might mostly last as much as a century.

Windstorm insurance is prohibitively expensive in coastal areas and flood insurance will likely become that way in a few years. Drastic rate increases have been delayed. Hurricane risks vary. The National Hurricane Center has a lot of info on Tropical Cyclone Climatology.

While wind hazard is greatest on the coasts, cold hazard is generally worse inland. Orlando's huge heat island is beginning to change that. It's surprising what can be grown at Leu Gardens, at least between catastrophic freezes. Inland topography also matters. Low spots are frost pockets (cold air drainage). I was talking to a Bok Tower Gardens staffer this week, and yes, its hilltop location enables them to grow some plants that would ordinarily seem too tender. Bromeliads and such.

Florida is a low-wage, non-union, and increasingly red state, at least in terms of state politics. It's fine to carry your concealed weapon into the movie theater. Don't throw popcorn at anyone in the theater. In fact, be very, very sparing about using your car horn.

A few counties have economies with technology, aviation, and something other than low-paying jobs in the hospitality industry. Brevard (Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne beaches, Palm Bay) qualifies. Port St. Lucie and Jupiter might be getting that way.

Miami and Miami Beach are transmorgrifiying into international havens for the international migratory rich people, the ones who rotate among condos in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York.

On the east coast, I would consider parts of Brevard. You can grow a lot on a relatively small yard in Satellite Beach or thereabouts. The hurricane risk exists, but it's distinctly less severe than Miami.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

South Florida is a good pick if your priority is palms and tropical fruit. You'll get used to the mosquito, steamy hot nights and rainy Summers and red state gun carrying politics.

You won't have to worry about buying real estate quite yet but when you do, hurricanes and rising sea levels are really the main investment hazard. And be prepared to garden on pure alkaline sand.

Big plus is you'll be within delivery range from Ken's nursery.

[WestCoastGal]

I liked Florida for visiting but found the humidity a bit too much to my liking (Ft. Lauderdale/Orlando area). My BIL said he power washes the outside side of his house to get mold off it on, so allergies would prevent me from ever living in that particular area although I do love seeing tropical everywhere. I do like the warmer nights there compared to the area of Calif (more coastal interior valley) that we live in now but sometimes the cool evenings here have their advantages too--thinking A/C usage. If you decide to settle in Florida long term, areas prone to sink holes and rising water tables would be something to take into consideration...and surge areas from hurricanes too.

If you also like cold weather sports like snow skiing, the West coast might offer you more of a lifestyle you can enjoy year round with short trips nearby...sun, sea, surf and snow ski along with palms.

[PalmatierMeg]

Right now you live in tornado alley, so hurricanes shouldn't scare you away. At least you have more than a few minute's warning when one of them is on the way. The few times I've visited Cali there were no earthquakes but my husband fears them so I knew we'd never settle there. If you aspire for the truly tropical palm garden, SFL is the place to be. Heat and swelter are the demons you must suffer for the sake of your palms. If you can't bear to endure those choose a more temperate climate and choose palms accordingly, i.e., mules etc.

Of course, the ultimate US palm paradise is HI, hands down. If you can figure out how to make a well paid living there, you may want to settle there. Myself, I'd live on the Big Island (I've visited the 4 main islands).

[BPK Palm Addict]

If you come to the Keys you may never want to leave.

[stevethegator]

If you come to the Keys you may never want to leave.

Yes!

[stevethegator]

Sea level rise isn't going to flood any significant part of Florida within our lifetimes. Except for the actual beach, most of South Florida is 10-50 feet above sea level, not even the most extreme climate predictions for the next 100 years predict that kind of a rise.

As far as hurricanes go, they're a factor but let me say that:

1. They're predictable and if you take it seriously you'll have no problem preparing

2. If you build with reinforced concrete block, reinforce the roof properly, get storm windows with good shutters, and build on stilts in a flood zone it's highly unlikely you'll suffer any major damage. Yes this is expensive but many building codes require it now so it's priced in already.

3. Insurance. Also expensive but also required most of the time.

4. Any of these extra expenses are partially made up for by the lower tax burden/lower cost of living, especially compared to other warm areas like Cali and Hawaii

5. Everywhere in the country has natural disasters. Having lived through direct hits from 3 major hurricanes and countless tropical storms/cat. 1s I'd much rather have hurricanes than earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes, etc.

I've never lived on the water so I've never dealt with the storm surge issue but keep in mind, the entirety of the Florida Keys are less than 20 feet above sea level (most of it much lower) and yet there are beautiful gardens there that have never been destroyed by surge. South Florida has even more elevation, up to 50 feet on coastal ridges so if it's really that big of a deal live on high ground.

The bigger problem with Florida IMO is the rapidly increasing population, and the amount of lunatics of all types that live or keep moving there (as evidenced by the strange crimes Dave pointed out). Also speaking Spanish is becoming a must anywhere in Dade, but it is in many other parts of the country and learning a new language never hurt anyone

Final thought: Florida is a BIG state, if you were to drive from Key West to the western panhandle/Alabama border it would take you close to 15 hours. It's also incredibly culturally diverse with communities catering to every kind of person. Compared to Kansas all of Florida can grow a decent amount of palm species so that's not really a concern at all.

P.S. Florida is also very aviation friendly, as you probably already know there are whole communities where you can fly a plane right up to your house (AKA John Travolta) and there are around 14 international airports plus a ton of regional ones.

Edited April 14, 2014 by stevethegator

[Kim]

It's interesting and fun to read all these different takes on Florida, though I have no plans to move there. I will be attending the Biennial in South Florida, and will do some exploring in other areas the week before, my first real experience in Florida. (2 days in hotel meeting rooms doesn't count!) Thanks to all who are sharing their perspectives.

[redant]

"Final thought: Florida is a BIG state, if you were to drive from Key West to the western panhandle/Alabama border it would take you close to 15 hours. It's also incredibly culturally diverse with communities catering to every kind of person. Compared to Kansas all of Florida can grow a decent amount of palm species so that's not really a concern at all."

Well said, people say things like I don't like FL because blah blah blah... all of FL is not the same, Tallahassee is nothing like Miami.

[PalmatierMeg]

My Cali kinfolk - my parents were authentic No Cal natives, the real deal - would not visit us on the east coast. Because, boo-hoo, the heat and swelter in summer and the snow/ice in winter were too much for their delicate constitutions to bear. Then again, considering that at least one branch of the family - the "Russell Gang" - was notorious for its larcenous ways, maybe that was a good thing.

Point being, you decide what's important to you and proceed accordingly.

[_Keith]

"Final thought: Florida is a BIG state, if you were to drive from Key West to the western panhandle/Alabama border it would take you close to 15 hours. It's also incredibly culturally diverse with communities catering to every kind of person. Compared to Kansas all of Florida can grow a decent amount of palm species so that's not really a concern at all."

Well said, people say things like I don't like FL because blah blah blah... all of FL is not the same, Tallahassee is nothing like Miami.

Florida is a big state, so is California, and Texas. But only one is a whole other country, lol.

[Umbrae]

Homestead, is where I would relocate to if I was having to relocate in the state of Florida.

[_Keith]

Homestead, is where I would relocate to if I was having to relocate in the state of Florida.

Homestead is a little exposed, as anyone who went through Hurricane Andrew will attest. Myself, I would lean a little towards Ft Myers.

[Umbrae]

I'd take the chance, it's one of my favorite nursery spots, plus that gas station on Krome headed out of town that has the awesome Cuban coffee and Cuban pork sammiches freaking awesome!

[_Keith]

I'd take the chance, it's one of my favorite nursery spots, plus that gas station on Krome headed out of town that has the awesome Cuban coffee and Cuban pork sammiches freaking awesome!

[Jeff Searle]

Homestead? One of the last places I would live. Nothing much going on there.....

Just saying.