What is the best city to relocate to in Florida?

Where would be best for me to relocate?

• I want to relocate sometime within the next 2 years or so. What city and state would be best for me to move to? My husband and our 2 kids would be going too. Here are the qualities I'm looking for: 1. Safety 2. Good schools 3. Warm weather 4. Beaches 5. Somewhat affordable (but I can make sacrifices) 6. Neighborhood/subdivision close to city (but not IN city) The places I'm looking at are Hawaii (number 1 choice), California, Colorado (no beaches but lakes) and Florida so far. Can you think of any other places specifically that I may like also according to the qualities I gave? I just want an outsider's perspective from people who may have traveled to these places to help me make a decision. The state's I've been to include Illinois, Ohio (which is where I live now), Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, and a few others and I don't want to live in any of those. I have never been very far west before so I've always wondered what it would be like out that way. Most of the states I've been to are too boring and cold. I read Hawaii was one of the happiest places to live so that is basically the main reason I want to move there. That and the fact they have so many different cultures. AND more obviously it is a tropical island with perfect weather and i've always wanted to live on an island. Let me know what you think. Thanks :)!

• Answer:

  Let me see I live in Hawaii, so I can give my best judgment there. Hawaii is pretty safe overall.. I'd put Honolulu, Oahu slightly less safe than the rest of the state (for obvious reasons) If you don't get into everyone's business and so on, you'll be fine. The public schools in Hawaii are HORRID. The racism is usually pretty bad in these schools and their curriculum is one of the worst in the country... I can go on. If you move to Hawaii, sending your kids to private schools is an absolute MUST (and they are usually very expensive.. ranging from 10K-20K a year) The weather, obviously, is amazing. 80s year round, never too hot.. and never cold... (plus there's no humidity and natural disasters are rare in most places) Beaches are among the best in the world (of course..) there's even red, black, and green sand beaches around the state :) Affordable? Hawaii? no way. The cost of living is very high here, expect to make sacrifices (most locals work 2-3 jobs) and if you're looking for a job here, you're out of luck. Salaries are low and jobs aren't too good. There are many neighborhoods around Honolulu that are fine.. but Oahu is a much different world than the other islands. There is an interstate highway running through the island.. and it's very busy (everything you're probably trying to avoid..) Maui is much more relaxed but still has some malls, a Costco, a Walmart, Home Depot, etc. everything you need. The Big Island is ok.. but most of it looks like the moon because there's so much lava rock.. and near Hilo, it rains almost everyday... The rest of Hawaii is much more.. rural I'd say. Racism in general is not that serious as the people before me have stated.. the state is very diverse. What really bothers me is that so many Filipinos, Koreans, and Japanese relocate here and start calling the real Americans haoles.. that's stupid.. Haole means foreigner, ASIA is NOT HAWAII! Sorry had to vent there.. California is reasonably safe in most places.. as you know.. but many inner-city places and cities near the Mexican border.. watch out for. Schools vary around the state.. You'll find good districts (esp around the richer areas) as well as bad ones.. you'll have to investigate this yourself. However, there is an abundance of private schools which are also very good. Beaches are great, but def. not as good as Hawaii. Los Angeles is for the most part, very expensive. As I've noticed in this state, the cheaper you want out of the city, you'll have to journey further into the desert. But again, San Fran might be a little cheaper. There are many neighborhoods near the city.. you can investigate.. but I know a few people around Lancaster and such.. Weather is generally warm near the southern parts, but it drops down a little during the night, and during the winter. Up north, expect rain. Colorado I don't know much about.. but I do know that it's usually very safe.. the schools are decent, the weather is a bit cool.. but it's not brutal with either cold or snow for the most part. Beaches, none lol. As I've heard, Colorado is a very affordable place.. and there are many nice areas around Denver to investigate :) Don't take all of my advice on this one, the only place I've been on CO is the airport, and most of what I'm writing is what I hear from others. Florida.. hmm I have a lot to say about this one. North of Miami, it's a giant retirement home.. some of the average ages in places are even as high as 80.. Miami is younger of course. As for safety, I would recommend a gated community for the most part.. I know many Floridians who have had their house broken into and have been robbed. I've never had positive experiences with the kids down there.. most are just plain out mean and rude as I've seen.. Beaches are very nice in some places :) Siesta Key is beautiful, right near Sarasota.. and there are many more notable beaches. Affordable? OF COURSE! The houses in Florida are VERY cheap right now.. you can get mansions for much under a million.. of course there are richer areas.. but for the most part.. very cheap place to live (aside from the hurricane insurance) Honestly, I don't like any neighborhoods near the Miami area.. I wouldn't recommend them.. but around Tampa they can be very nice. Sarasota is a beautiful place not too far from Tampa (but keep in mind.. central + northern florida = large retirement home) I personally hate the weather in Florida to be honest.. summer days are either unbearably humid or dominated by wicked thunderstorms.. spring and autumn are decent.. and as for the winter.. many places in Florida can actually drop below freezing. In 1977, there was even snow in Miami. Also watch out for the hurricanes... I hope I've helped :)