OP here
We were in FL most of last week and this past weekend to do some 'scouting'. I have such mixed feelings. Areas that were not high on our radar screens became areas we actually would live to explore more and the areas that we were hopeful about, after reading online, were disappointing to us.
So, last minute decision was to take Gainesville and Jax off the cities to visit. For no reason other than not enough time to adequately cover. Rather than barely covering a lot of cities, we chose to focus on a couple and try to cover them well. We chose Tampa and Orlando and extended to Space Coast.
Tampa was just beautiful. I was not prepared for such a beautiful city and both dh & I were just in love
We especially liked the areas north and east...West Chase, Oldsmar, Brandon...we did not make it so far as Wesley Chapel or Cheval, though those may be next on our list if we decide to head back to Tampa. Traffic was BAD. We ate lunch at the Green Lemon. I think that was kind of out of downtown and in such a cute area but after that we headed to Clearwater. Traffic. Leaving there we began driving around the burbs in north Tampa. Major traffic. On every road in every direction. We stopped a lot and saw a lot and really liked it but would have to figure out how to avoid the traffic. Thankfully, the job my dh is considering there would be a remote job with travel so we'd just need to be somewhat close to the airport. But he wouldn't get caught in major traffic everyday.
Orlando was really where we concentrated the bulk of our time. We saw every side. I'll start with the north because that is where we expected to find the place we want to live. NOPE! Loved Doc Phillips but too much $$. Windemere might be affordable for us but we are a large family and not sure we could afford the size of house we'd need. LOVED Winter Gardens. What a cute, cute town!! Someone who posted here was living there. I really liked! Anything further north or surrounding that, we didn't really care for. Apopka, Lake Mary, Sanford, all just felt too rural. Pretty rural but too rural.
Is Kissimmee high crime? I actually liked the area ok. But I've read bad things so that was in my head the whole time.
I like the area west of Orlando also but this Is the area we saw the least of.
Did not venture into Celebration and Reunion. I know Celebration is too $$. Not entirely sure of Reunion.
The area east of Orlando. LIKE!!! This was the big surprise. We almost did not even bother looking there because I had in my head...north and west of Orlando...but the area to the east of the airport is surprisingly very nice.
Winter Park and Maitland...too old for me...maybe there are newer areas and we just didn't see?
Space Coast. I liked a lot. How can you not? You are right up next to the beach for crying out loud!?! I cannot see our family living there at this 'season' of life though. As homeschoolers, I need resources and people to connect with. I'm afraid we'd be an island and isolated. As a social mom with 4 social kids, that just won't cut it. If anyone knows of an area with a great homeschool community along space coast, please chime in!
Titusville...Nice area, close to the coast, felt a bit southern and being a southern gal, I kind of felt at home there. Any feedback, good...bad...ugly?
This trip was just enough to 'wet your whistle' and there was so much we did not see that we would like to. If we get more serious about moving, we will be heading back.
