Polling Florida residents!!!! About This Page:

[baileybrown]

I'm looking to hear from people who LOVE where they live in Florida. I can't get enough of Mickey from North Carolina so we are thinking about moving to Florida (or possibly Georgia). I'm trying to avoid direct hurricanes, high homeowners insurance, and big cities and crime- Is there such a place? Please let me know where to begin our search! Family friendly area, low crime, nice homes, good schools, within 5 hours to Mickey OF COURSE!!!! Thank you!!

[RacHellEatWorld]

I live in Palm Beach County (561), and we're 3 hours away from Disney.
Our Schools are great.
Crime depends on where you live (I live in the suburbs and it's fine).
Everyone's friendly.
There's lots of things to do.
Haha.
Idk what else to sell you on!

[DrDolphin]

I live in Jacksonville - let me say there is no where in Florida that can promise direct hits of hurricanes. Homeowner's insurance in florida is very pricey since the insurance agencies know that there is no where in Florida that can avoid hurricanes and some will not even write new policies for homes in Florida.

I am 2.5 hours from Disney - all interstate to get there. I live on the south side of the city and really like my home. Downtown JAX has higher crime than the suburbs - but I agree with the previous poster that living in Florida for crime is similar to everywhere else in the country.

I don't have kids - so I can't discuss schools - but I know that the "grades" for the schools in Florida are available from the Florida dept of education on line.

I would recommend looking at "myflorida.com" for more information about the different areas of Florida, schools, tax rates, etc.

[statelady01]

Hi!

I live in Davenport, Florida near the Champions Gate Resort Area. We are located about 3 or so miles from I-4 and two exits down from the Disney Exits. I love this area and highly recommend it!

Your schools question is of particular interest because I am a Kindergarten teacher for Polk County. While FCAT scores and school grades are a helpful tool in determining a school's accountability- it's only part of the picture. I have also taught for Osceola County also and encourage you to explore all of the area's county websites to get more information on schools within each district. I think there is a website called greatschools.net that serves like a Trip Advisor of schools- parents and teachers leave comments and rate each school individually.

There are certain areas within Orlando and Central Florida we avoided in our search- but any big city experiences the same issues in regards to crime.

Feel free to pm with any questions if you find Central Florida interests you! Good luck!

[lakelandcallsme]

ohhhh, Lakeland Florida is my home town. It's about 40 min from the front gates. It's right in the middle of the state. Totally beautiful, House prices not to bad, close enough to commute to Tampa or Orlando for work. About an hour from good beaches. Great shopping. I can't tell you how wonderful it is. I live in England right now and we are waiting for my husbands visa to come thru so we can go HOME!!! My mom is a kindergarten teacher in Lakeland and while the schools in central FL don't rank the highest, if you are an invloved parent your kids will do well. Lakeland is pretty sheltered from the storms because it is in the center of the state. I just can't say enough good things about it. It's where my heart is.

[lakelandcallsme]

ohhhh, Lakeland Florida is my home town. It's about 40 min from the front gates. It's right in the middle of the state. Totally beautiful, House prices not to bad, close enough to commute to Tampa or Orlando for work. About an hour from good beaches. Great shopping. I can't tell you how wonderful it is. I live in England right now and we are waiting for my husbands visa to come thru so we can go HOME!!! My mom is a kindergarten teacher in Lakeland and while the schools in central FL don't rank the highest, if you are an involved parent your kids will do well. Lakeland is pretty sheltered from the storms because it is in the center of the state. I just can't say enough good things about it. It's where my heart is.