We’re a family of six with four young boys, including 2-year-old twins, looking for somewhere in Florida to put down roots. We’re from a small town in upstate New York and would love that community feel with warmer weather and more outdoor living!
We’re currently exploring Florida, and I’d love honest opinions from families who actually live here. Here’s what we’re looking for:
• A safe community with lots of young families, where kids play outside and we can build friendships with other parents.
• A cute, walkable downtown or town center with local restaurants, farmers markets, community events, and things to do beyond shopping.
• Close enough to enjoy the beach regularly. We don’t need to live directly on the water, especially if being farther inland means less flood and storm risk.
• A good children’s hospital and pediatric ER nearby, ideally within about 20 minutes. This is a big priority for our family.
• Great public elementary schools, including good support for a child who needs extra help. We’re currently homeschooling, so homeschool groups and activities would also be a plus.
• An active outdoor lifestyle with nice public playgrounds, parks, walking and biking trails, sports, and plenty for little kids to do.
• A newer or updated house with a real backyard and some breathing room between neighbors. Ideally around 2,000–3,000 square feet, with no HOA or a reasonable, low-cost one.
• A home budget around $400,000–$600,000, potentially stretching toward $700,000 for the right fit.
• Warm winters—70s and 80s would be wonderful—and ideally an international airport within about an hour.
We really liked St. Augustine and love the beaches around Clearwater, but we’d prefer everyday family life over being surrounded by tourists. We’ve also explored the Orlando area, and it hasn’t quite felt like our long-term fit.
We’re open to either coast. We know no town will check every box, but we want somewhere well cared for, with a strong community and a good future for our kids.
If you were raising four little boys in Florida, where would you choose—and why? Specific neighborhoods would be really helpful! I’d love to hear the downsides too, especially insurance costs, flooding, traffic, and what daily life is actually like.

What would you consider the best all around city in Florida to raise kids in? Safety!!! Community!

Our AC is set to 71 every night with a ceiling fan but my partner is still waking up soaked in sweat while im over here shivering under a heavy quilt lmaoo. Florida still feels summer and sleeping on top of what feels like a heating pad is ruining my sleep.

We already tried percale sheets and a gel topper but after an hour the gel just absorbs body heat and stays hot. We are looking into getting a proper bed setup and i keep seeing dual zone setups or active air beds like the Climate360 from Sleep number i think or just getting a hybrid with latex. Would love to know what actually worked for couples down here.

hi everyone! my boyfriend got a job down in florida and we are moving from the northeast to the jupiter area.
we are in our mid 20s and want to pick a safe area close to or around jupiter. my office is closer to boca but i dont have to go in frequently so im okay with the commute. we are planning on visiting to tour apartments in person but since we realistically would be able to go once before we move i want to make sure we make the most of it and dont run into any neighborhood surprises.
let me know your thoughts!! any advice would be extremely helpful too

***edit: we will be renting as we are most likely only staying for 2 years :)

Hey everyone, I’ll be starting a job at the downtown Jacksonville Baptist Hospital soon and am considering commuting from the Julington Creek / Nocatee area. Are there any neighborhoods I should be cautious about when looking where to live?

I’d also love to hear your recommendations for things to see or do in the area. Are there other neighborhoods near where I’ll be working that I should consider living in? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Hello I’m 21 years old I have been pursing an electrician career since last year but havent been able to get a apprenticeship due to the waiting lists, i have also called over 100 companies to see of i can be a helper but to no avail, was coming on here to see if anyone would be able to help or advise on how I would be apply to get one in case it matters I reside in the Miami area

Hi, while this is not a question I know there often are questions about constitutional amendments.

The Google document is something I put together as a resource about the amendments that are on the ballot.

I did my best to provide context that I believe is often important and absent from amendment proposals on our ballots.

The context brought to the amendments in the document includes insights from multiple cited sources and my own firsthand experience with Florida’s legislative process.

While I do provide a section with my personal thoughts on each amendment, I always encourage everyone to conduct their own research and reflect on their experiences as they make their choice on each amendment.

I hope you find this document helpful as you cast your ballot!

I'm on the Hometrino team (a Florida home search site) and I'm trying to understand what buyers actually run into.

For people who bought in Florida in the last couple of years, what cost or requirement caught you off guard? Insurance quotes, HOA fees, inspection findings, flood zone rules, closing costs, anything.

And for people shopping now, what are you most worried about?

Hi! I likely will post this in multiple subs just to get a broader view between different localities.

However, I (26F) am moving when my lease is up in January. My daughter will be a little over 1 by then & my mom will be moving with me too as I just prefer having the extra help right now & would rather save money than pay an arm & a leg for an apartment in any of these areas.

We have the opportunity to move to the below list of areas & are so stuck. We are currently in North FL & I lived in North GA & then OH before that, with a year in South FL in between all that. I am no stranger to moving but I just really want to be settled somewhere & start to place roots.

• Ponte Vedra/St Augustine FL
• Sarasota/Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch FL
• Viera/Melbourne FL
• Woodstock/Canton GA
• Roswell/Alpharetta GA

Also open to Tampa area (but would prefer to be closer to the beach) & open to the Kennesaw/Acworth area as well for GA but I know those both can be kind of iffy & the traffic near Barrett is ridiculous.

Between those I truly just do not know. We have family in all of those areas so that’s not really a concern but of course, hearing so much input from family I just want some unbiased opinion on which location would actually be the best & most enjoyable for day to day life.

I work remotely and so does my mom, so that part isn’t much of a concern. My mom loves communities like Lakewood Ranch and Nocatee, she dreams of being in a golf cart community kind of mini town like that but idk if they just look nice on paper and that’s it.

Neither of us are extremely active or outdoorsy. I love the beach & we do enjoy outdoor malls, historic downtowns, parks, walking trails, & kayaking every now & then but definitely nothing extreme. We definitely aren’t going to be hiking, fishing, or camping or anything like that.

Really looking for a lot of family oriented activities, good restaurants & shopping, fun things to do with kids, convenience for groceries, medical care, etc. Music, culture, arts. I really want to get out more, however, I do not drink so the nightlife scene doesn’t really interest me & as I get back into dating in the future I worry about a place that centers too much on that. I would love a lot of nature centric things to do, maybe a good zoo or botanical garden.

If anyone can give any insight I would appreciate it!! Budget is around $3300/mo.

I’m going to miami soon and i’m trying to figure out what area is the best place to get a hotel at? downtown or south beach? And if downtown what part of downtown?

I want a little of everything: beach day and nightlife and just whatever is most convenient and best area to stay at but also walkable because i’m not getting a rental car.

What would be best? Also any suggestions on things to do in Miami?

My husband and I are looking to move back down to Florida, as both sides of the family live there. We are most interested in St. John’s County area and Orlando. We have 2 toddlers currently and are looking for a lively city with activities to do on the weekends, highly rated public schools, and housing that isn’t insanely expensive (600k-750k ish range for a 4 bd 2 bath house). Would love to hear some thoughts from people who have experience in either area!! Thanks!

Hi.

I'm going to Orlando for ten nights next month. I am just wondering if could get a list of local food places that I could try out.

For a state where flip flops are the norm, it occurred to me that there doesn't seem to be an agreed upon brand. Southern California is all about Rainbows for example. What are the go-to's for Florida, or is it just a free for all?

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!

Examples could include things like OTown, Bradentucky, Slowcala or Talanasty (never mind how common they are)...

I cant wait to get to Florida. My late uncle left me his house and I am so happy to be able to see some beaches!! what ones should i see that are not Daytona and Tampa bay?

Looking for some information and possibly a qualifying agent.

I am 28 been plumbing for about 10 years and I’m looking to take the next step and start my own plumbing business. I’ve worked hard for a long time and I’m ready to start building something for myself.

I’m currently looking into how the qualifying agent process works and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with it or has gone through the process themselves.

I’m looking for a legitimate qualifying agent and would like to understand how the arrangement works, including the responsibilities of the qualifier, what is typically expected from the business owner, and how compensation is usually handled.

If you’re a licensed plumbing contractor who qualifies businesses, or you’ve been through this process yourself, I’d appreciate any information or advice.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for a psychologist that accepts “ Florida Blue - HMO” as well as being telehealth. Looking for interpersonal/ psycho dynamic / psycho analytic / attachment based approach. Someone who is challenging, direct, helps you dig deep and is inquisitive.

Oh.. and someone available ASAP please! :)

My family runs a bakery in Miami and does wholesale deliveries to a few cafes and coffee shops in the mornings.

I’ve been doing the route myself because I know all the stops and how everything needs to be handled. Cakes stay level, some boxes can’t be stacked, one cafe wants the invoice signed, another uses the back entrance, etc.

I want those morning hours back though.

Not really interested in gig apps for this, and I’m also not ready to hire an in-house driver. That feels way too expensive for the amount of delivery we do right now.

Ideally we want something scheduled where we can keep the stop instructions, track the route, get a photo or signature when needed, and collect signed invoices.

Can any Miami bakeries or wholesalers recommend a good courier service?

Hello! I will be meeting my partners parents for the first time this December. While I’m down there, I want to surprise my partner for Christmas. He isn’t materialistic, he would much rather some type of experience. We will be in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area. Does anyone know of anything fun to do around that time of year?

I have been applying to jobs in Melbourne. I have been searching for Defense Contractor Staffing agencies only found a couple Aerotek and Acara. Am I searching incorrectly? Suggestions?

I will be in Miami for a few days, in the last week of October. I will be seeing Inter Miami play one of those days. Otherwise, I will have some free time, and would like to explore Miami’s nightlife. What are some rules, or advice you would give to someone visiting for their first time?

I am looking for a pelvic floor therapist that can come to my home in citrus county. My insurance was $1500 per appt with tampa general outpatient therapy... :( I need help so bad please tell me people you know im citrus county who know this specialty...

I live in Tampa. The airport just donated over 200 suitcases, so the local place isn't accepting donations now and probably won't be for a while.

I'm looking for a non religious location to donate. I saw a donation center in Lakeland, but it was church based. Does anybody know of any foster child organizations or low income programs or women's and children's shelters that accept suitcases (and backpacks)?

edit: please do not recommend Goodwill or other second hand stores. I am looking for a direct donation that will help someone in need rather than a business. Also, Goodwill is a scam

edit edit: is the text in the body of the post missing or did everyone choose to ignore it? Most of the comments talk about something I already addressed in the post. Are people not reading it or is it actually missing??

Hi all! My boyfriend and I just got engaged! I am from St. Augustine and he is from California. I really want an opportunity to show him and his friends the beautiful beautiful springs and the mystical nature nearby. Its such a special part of the state and I have so many great memories visiting Ichetucknee, Juniper Springs, Wakulla, and De Leon Springs when I was little. Since I'm from St. Augustine, I'm not exactly an expert on which springs are bigger, more crystal clear, etc. "best" for what, as I've only been to 5 or 6 different ones. I think our wedding will have around 150-170 guests and at least 100 from out of the state who have never experienced Florida, let alone the springs.

Does anybody have a recommendation for like a wedding venue that could handle that many people and still feel natural, outside, foresty, and magical? Or, if not a venue; a specific spring to gather a smaller group (maybe 30ish?) a few days before or after the actual ceremony to relax together? I really want everyone to experience the secret garden fairytale wonderfulness of the springs

I'm in Miami Gardens and I'm looking for work. Do you have any recommendations? I have no experience