Best Florida city?

dreamon · Nov 10, 2003

I have been doing some research about moving to Florida, and I will share some information that I have dug up. (from epinions.com)

Tallahassee

Pros

nice if you are a college student

Cons

pot hole after ditches

Full Review

I grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Florida within the past 4 years. Harrisburg is the capital of PA and Tallahassee is the capital of Florida. Having been familiar with a booming metropolis and a capital city, I was expecting something much greater than what I saw. In reading the two other epinions on this town, yes, town, I decided to add my own

"feeling" on Tallahassee.

Tallahassee is a town, a town indeed. It has a college focus, and not even a good one at that. There is one road that leads to the front of the capital building and one that leads across its front. In looking at the picture that is on the Epinions site you are looking at the old capital building in the front and the NEW capital in the background. The beauty of the capital building itself is lost in that "skyscraper". You loose that southern hospitality in looking at it. The capital itself is surrounded with empty office buildings, empty store fronts, unkempt buildings. It is one of the cleanest, yet dilapidated places I have ever been to. Tallahassee is in itself a clean town. There is no trash laying around, well, at least in the few days I spent there.

As in the other epinions, the town is not a planned one, at least from what me and my car could tell. Rolling hills, yes, there are rolling hills. Rolling hills covered with blacktop with no consideration to the person that is operating a motor vehicle. It appears that what the city planners did was take the horse drawn roads and put blacktop over them. If you are on a main road, fine. If you venture off the road just a tad, look out. You and your car will not survive in this town. Just a slight adjustment and you will bottom out either the front or the bottom of the road.

Tallahassee is rich in its college life. It is home to FSU, the Seminoles. Not being a college student and not looking at what the school itself has to offer, I can not comment on that area of town. I can tell you, however, that Tallahassee is virtually a ghost town on the weekends this time of year (March). Friday morning was a busy time with traffic getting to work. Friday at 5pm was also busy with people getting out of town to get home. Saturday and Sundays were quiet and traffic was sporifice. I can only imagine that the area booms during football season when there is a home game.

This is not a town that I would want to live in.

Another about Tallahassee:

Pros

Beautiful and rich landscapes, friendly people, great place for college bound students

Cons

sometimes a little crowded

The Bottom Line

Tally is a city for the young and old but I especially recommend it for those planning to go to college because FSU has a lot to offer.

Full Review

When I first went up to Tallahssee this summer I was expecting well... something a little than what I got. I went up thinking "ok, this is the capital of Florida.. therefore it has to be a huge city and well... it is gonna be crowded....a and polluted and just plain nasty." That is what I get for trying to judge a book by its cover. I come from a small town in central FL... so I mean, I had no idea what to expect.

But when I went up to Tallahassee I then had the priveledge of staying at one of the most beautiful locations in the city. Which of course, is Florida State University... yes, home to the Seminoles! (Go FSU!) But I am not biased here... i got to see more than just the campus, I went from one side of the city to the other but became most familair with FSU because that is where I roomed for two weeks inn a band camp I attended. Tally (as they call it) has some beautiful and lush scenery.. southern Magnolias are strewn about everywhere along with huge oaks and other tropical flowers. The air smells fresh and crisp, something you wouldn't expect out of a city. The weather can be a little humid and clammy, yes... but this is FLORIDA. Home to humidity and yes, sunshine. :) Architecture is another strong point of Tallahassee, some of the buildings... especially those on the FSU campus can u leave in awe of their sheer beauty. The Ruby Diamond hall on campus is absolutly gorgeous and if you want to see it then head on over to http://www.fsu.edu and it is on the first page. :) Downtown "Tally" also holds beautiful architechture that of course, the mayor...and the politicians use for whatever they use it for. (God only knows).

People in tallahasse are very diverse yet, very welcoming. I never had a problem with anyone up there, in fact I made a lot of friends. They are just regular people... the kind of people you would meet anywhere.

You shouldn't get too bored in Tally. They don't have the most EXCITING of places to go but if you look hard enough then you can always find something to keep you entertained. I think Tallahassee is more of a relaxing city (unless you happen to be going to college there... then you are worried about upcoming tests, or partys.) One side of the city is filled with hussle and bussle... lots of job opportunities and lots of places to eat and hang out... and then there is the other side of the city. The other side is a little bit more open and spread out, and peaceful. I place to just sit out in your yard and drink a lemonade... or you could be inside, watching The Seminoles ... winning of course.

Sarasota:

Pros

Beautiful scenery, fabulous beaches, plenty to do

Cons

Can be pricy, many tourists and snowbirds

The Bottom Line

Seeing one of the most beautiful places in Florida, having plenty to do, and having a lot of fun!

Full Review

Florida. Whats the first thing that comes to mind...Disney? The Everglades? What about a city that's not so famous yet worth the trip? Sarasota is definatly a place that should be on your to go list. There is something for everyone whether it be shopping, fabulous beaches, boating, fishing, history, culture, excellent schools, movie theatres, restaurants, or visiting some alligators in Myakka.

Sarasota is well known for it's beaches. One of the whitest beaches in the world is located off Sarasota's shores on the island Siesta Key. This is a great place for tourists as it had a conveniently located village within walking distance from the beach where you can grab an ice cream, shop for beach accessories and clothes, or grab a bite to eat. Unlike many European beaches, Siesta is quite unique because you will not find restaurants and beach bars along the beach. In fact, this is probably one of the main reasons why this beach is so clean. There is a pavilion where you can grab some food and listen to some live music and also an undercover area for picnics. When you get away from the hotels and motels along the beach, the actual island itself is very quaint with some of the most unbelievable houses. Put it this way, a million dollar house is a cheap one on Siesta!

If you like to watch movies, Sarasota has a fairly new movie theatre built downtown where you will find twenty theatres. There is also another fairly new theatre in Manatee County for those northern Sarasota residents.

For the younger generations, Sarasota Square Mall is the place to shop. There is a large selection of shops and also a small movie theatre. For an up market mall, Southgate Plaza is the place to go. This mall has mostly name brand stores such as Saks, Victoria's Secret, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and William Sonoma. This mall attracts more of the older generation rather than the younger. If you like factory outlets, the Ellenton mall is just a few minuets up Interstate 75 where you can pick up some great bargains with stores including DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Anne Taylor, and many more...

History is a huge part of the Sarasota culture. Although there are many buildings being modernized including the brand new Ritz Carlton that replaced the Ringling Towers as well as a brand new bridge to replace the Ringling Causeway, there's still remains some neat architecture. Take a trip to St. Armands where John Ringling originated. There you will find wonderful shops and restaurants but be prepared to open your wallet when you get there.

Sarasota residents have wide variety of outdoor activities and events including annual boat races off the shores as well as having T.P.C. which is one of the top golf courses where many big events are held.

Sarasota attracts many celebrities and many even have houses there including the drummer for the ACDC band member, Jerry Springer, and Monica Selles. In this city, the crime rate is low, the law enforcement is strict, and the streets are kept clean and maintained. Sarasota has a 1 cent education tax added to the state tax which enables this county to have excellent schools with updated equipment, and enough facilities to house the expanding community.

Overall, Sarasota residents experience a taste of paradise. You are sure to fall in love with Sarasota whether you are young, old, or somewhere in between. I did!

Tampa:

Pros

sports

Cons

dirty mentality

Full Review

Alright, so I moved to Tampa on a whim. I'd only been here once on vacation. I was tired of the cold, Chicago weather. I got an apartment over the phone and moved on down. I probably should've checked out the area before hand. I realize this now.. 3 years down the road.

Tampa isn't on the beach (Before I moved, I thought that I'd walk out of my apt. and be at the beach. I wondered how I was going to focus on going to school). The nearest beach is the "Causeway" and its 10 minutes, but its not really a beach, I assure you. Its a road with some sand on both sides. People throw their trash everywhere. As far as the Tampa city proper.. its very spread out. Its a 10 minute drive to ANYWHERE if not longer.

I'm used to Chicago where everything is within a block. It isn't the case here. Its also not what I expected from FL weather. It actually gets cold here. I won't complain too much because its still warmer than Illinois, but it's cold at night. I guess the thing that bothers me most about Tampa (I do like a lot of aspects about it, too, but this is my complaining review) is that it is dirty mentally. It revolves around strip bars, which I don't really care or have a problem with, but the people have a weird attitude because of it.

I don't work at a strip club, yet when I'm out walking down the street, men talk to me as if I do. When I'm at work, (some) men treat me like I do. The whole town has a dirty mentality. I have nothing against the strip clubs. Its a personal choice whether you go to them or not, but don't expect everyone you meet to be a hooker. People come here just for the strip clubs! I went on a business trip to England. They asked me where I was from. I said "Tampa". Their response.. "OHH, Mons Venus.(Mons Venus is the #1 strip club in the world. It also happens to be located in Tampa, FL)" Not the Bucs football team, not the Lightening hockey team, not the Devil Rays baseball team.. they knew Mons Venus.. the strip club. That is what Tampa is known for. SO ANYWAY, if you are going on a family vacation, I suggest somewhere like Sarasota. You're by the ocean, there are no dirty minds, and you have more sunshine than you would up a little farther north.

Pros

Tampa has it all..and more!

Cons

Are you kidding....is there a con to heaven?

Full Review

As a military family we move around quite a bit. Our last duty station was Tampa, Florida and we lived there for 3 years. Leaving this place was heart wrenching for our entire family. We absolutely loved it and became so endeared to the city that we are thinking of getting out of the military and moving back there to make it our permanent home. I cannot think of any greater place to raise your family.

We moved there when my daughter was 2 and it was one of the greatest experiences of our lives to raise our daughter from the age of 2-5 in this incredible area that offers more for families than any place I have ever known.

You have within an hour distance of you many different areas that offer various things. There is Tampa/St.Pete/Clearwater/Orlando all within a very reasonable driving distance. In fact there is so much to offer that it is hard to fit everything in.

We lived in North Tampa. It was the perfect place to live for several reasons and here they are!! I was exactly 5 minutes away from MOSI, Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry. This is a great place and very child oriented. They offer fantastic Mosimax films on their IMAX dome with a sound system that is out of this world. I am originally from Washington DC and I have seen many IMAX films in the very famous Air and Space Museum. Their IMAX theater does not hold a candle to the one in Tampa..if you ask me that makes MOSI's theater more than impressive.

In addition to their museum exhibits they have laser light shows and several of them are specifically catered towards children for example one we saw was about teddy bears. They regularly have programs for children. Summer programs and all throughout the year. Many of them are parent/child activities. If you are a stay at home Mom prepare yourself for a full calendar of activities living in this area. Lastly, MOSI has a butterfly house which fascinated my daughter every time we revisited.

If you hang a left out of the museum parking lot and travel 2 minutes down the block you will arrive at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island which are situated directly across the street from eachother. From my house to the parking lot of these fabulous amusement parks was a grand total of 7 minutes.

I grew up within 2 hours of Busch Gardens in Williamsburg which we frequented quite a bit. However this one really blew me away. I absolutely found it to be fantastic. The focus of my life being on my kids I could not have landed in a more incredible place than this.

If you are a resident of Florida and you have any good sense at all you will buy a pass. I got mine the minute I arrived in town and was clued in by all the natives of that area. For a mere 180 dollars I bought myself a 2 year pass to BOTH Busch Gardens AND Adventure Island. I never paid another dime the entire time I lived there for entering this park even if I went every day of the week. Because my daughter was 2 at the time she was completely free. Most places do not start charging for children until they around 4 so that is the best age to really take advantage of what this park has to offer.

Busch Gardens built an area in their park called Dragon Land. They placed it so close to the front that it is a mere 5-10 minute stroll to get from the very front entrance of the park to Dragon Land. It is specifically designed with the toddler in mind. They have everything a child could imagine and all built on the level of a toddler. A roller coaster, ferris wheel, bumper boats...an incredible moon bounce and a huge net maze to crawl through. Best of all is their storytime theater. They have shows every day. We met Captain Kangaroo when he came one afternoon.

As a stay at home Mom I could take my daughter every day of the week if I wanted to and never pay a dime once I flashed them my pass. That is exactly what we did. I would go for an hour or two in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday when the park was not so packed. We would park right up front because of our pass and stay for as long as she wanted. She thought every neighborhood park was like this. Can you imagine having your children grow up thinking Busch Gardens is the neighborhood park? In addition to this they have shows every day on the big stage that are really great. They have a zoo. They even have ice skating shows.

If you go across the street to Adventure Island and flash them your pass, you will be equally blown away. They have an awesome area built specifically for babies and toddlers. They even have a little wave pool for them packed with plenty of inner tubes. The kids love this place. It is a great alternative to the beach on those days you don't feel like making the 25 minute drive...can you imagine complaining about a mere 25 minute drive to the best beaches the world has to offer...After you live in Tampa awhile anyone would become spoiled.

Tampa is also home to a great aquarium. Again it was a 10 minute drive and packed full of great exhibits. They have a team of volunteer divers who dive down in their with the big fish...Watch your children's eyes get wide as they watch the diver behind the big glass tank tell them everything they want to know about what is swimming around! Again you can buy a pass if you like and go for free...

A mere drive across the bridge and you are in the most beautiful area you've ever laid your eyes on. There are so many awesome beaches in Tampa there is no way to describe them all. Clearwater beach is excellent, beautiful and probably the most publicized. They have a boardwalk, huge playground and the most gorgeous "clear" water around. In addition to this they have a great Dolphin cruise which is a blast and a Pirate ship for the kids to go on as well. Can it just keep getting better???

Then there are all the beaches that you come along if you just keep driving...There is Madeira Beach, St. John's Beach and the list goes on and on. Perhaps the best kept secret was Sand Keys Beach just around the corner from Clearwater. You leave the chaos of the Clearwater beach which is always packed and find yourself at Sand Key Park. It is gorgeous and as clean as any beach I have ever been to. It is at a park which has picnic benches and grills. It has bathrooms that are great and that is saying a lot for a beach bathroom. It is quiet and serene. It is heaven! We could hop on over to the beach every weekend if we wanted to. It was the best!

If that is not enough to convince you that no child should grow up anywhere else you have of course...Disneyworld. We lived 50 minutes from the great castle. Again you can buy a pass if you feel you will frequent it enough. Anyone that has ever been to Disneyland knows many people spend a lifetime saving up money to visit this place. When you live 50 minutes away you can simply pop in for the day and drive home. You save the expense of hotels. Believe me...your extended family will love you for living here and you'll suddenly find your house is always packed full of people that can't wait to come visit!

As far as children's attractions Tampa is packed. They have a terrific little zoo called Lowry Park. Again I paid something like 20 dollars for a pass. You essentially pay for this pass in one visit. After this we could go whenever we wanted for free. They always had shows and different attractions coming there.

In the front they had a big circular area with sprinklers that would shoot up out of the ground. How much fun to just toss your child in their bathing suit and head on over to the zoo. After walking around for awile and perhaps riding their carasoul you can head on over to the sprinklers to cool them off. This was my daughter's favorite part of the zoo.

They built a McDonald's about 15 feet from the sprinklers and they have plenty of benches and picnic tables so when they are ready to take a break from all the fun you can get them a Happy Meal or bring your own lunch! Once you buy the pass the only money you would even be spending that day would be on lunch, so splurge! The landscaping is gorgeous and it is totally child oriented.

Right next to the zoo is Safety Village. It is literally a child size town. Real builidings built to munchkin size. A grocery store, a hospital, a fire station and the list goes on. Your child can bring their bike and ride through the streets complete with traffic lights to visit all the places in this town. It is beyond cool!

Because it is a major city Tampa has everything to offer in the way of malls and shopping. One of the things I loved was that we lived within 15 minutes of Barnes and Noble and Borders. If you have not discovered these bookstores yet you are missing out on a huge array of FREE children's activities. I took my daugther to story time there twice a week. They had activities, arts and crafts, snack time, music time and all for free. You get a delicious cup of coffee from their fabulous coffee shop and browse through a magazine while your child has the time of her life.

Right before I moved they built another mall in Carrollwood which was about 15 minutes away from where we lived. They had the ingenius idea of building a playland in the mall where the kids can get all their energy out before you go shopping or after you've finished. It is right by the food court so it is very convenient. The mall itself is gorgeous and I loved every minute of shopping I could squeeze in before we moved. It was so family friendly. They built a great 50's style restaurant in the mall where the kids can sit up at the counter. They even give them quarters for the jukebox. You can get a malt and then wait for the show to start. Ever 20 minutes or so all the staff come out and do a song and dance routine to a 50's song. It is lots of fun!

Being a major city, Tampa always has the best of everything. That means whatever activities your child is involved in you can always find a great outlet for it. For example, my daughter is very involved in gymnastics and always has been since she could practically walk. She displayed a talent for it early on so when I went looking for a gymnastics program I wanted the best!

This meant a place that was USA gymastics certified with a great track record. I found it in LaFleurs gymnastics. This was the place where Dominique Moceaneau started out. The place was so professional, huge and provided all a person could ask for in a gymnastics program. Naturally it was only 15 minutes away because when you live in a great area like this you are never more than 15 minutes away from everything! Now I have to drive for over an hour to get to a decent gymnastics program but when I lived in Tampa.....

Tampa is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and they also have a hockey team as well. As a matter of fact I heard the Superbowl would be there this year. There is nothing like living in a city which has major sporting events. My husband loved taking our daughter to the hockey and football games. As the kids get older this can only be even more fun. In St. Pete they have the baseball stadium. It is glorious, beautiful and thankfully INDOORS!! The games are inexpensive and so much fun!!

Tampa has events going on all year. Gasparilla is their version of Mardi Gras. We took our daughter there and she was just loaded with beads from the first 10 minutes. The parade was a blast and we could not have enjoyed this yearly event any more. They have a big party downtown on Halloween as well. In fact there is always some cultural event, festival or parade going on.

Aside from the major places you can go, Tampa is full of very unique shops and attractions as well. There is always something going on and there is always something to do with the family. They have tons of restaurants both the big chains as well as family owned or those unique to Tampa. One of our favorites was located on St. Petersburg Beach. If you went all the way up to the roof you could sit at the bar and watch the sunset. The best view anywhere! When your family comes to visit bring them here and they will envy you forever!

In St. Pete you also have The Pier. They have a marine science museum on the inside and lots of shops below. They also have a big ship you and the kids can tour. On top they also have a restaurant/bar which provides an incredible view of everything around you. You can ride the trolley back and forth to your car and the kids find this to be a real treat.

Growing up in the Washington Metro area I was used to a city which is packed full of activities. However I have to say Tampa is far better in my opinion and even more family friendly! Washington knows that it has a lot to offer and as a result the cost of living is sky high. However Tampa apparently has not caught on to this yet because the cost of living is unbelievably low! You could get a nice place to live for under 100,000. If you chose to spend 150,000 you would be living in what I would consider a mansion.

Tampa has it all in my opinion. I believe that God created this place to give us a glimpse of heaven on earth. I could not imagine raising my family anywhere else. Believe me...when the time comes to pack up that moving van again it will be heading south...back to a place I would love to call my permanent home

Hope this helps some!

twarlik · Nov 10, 2003

I would NEVER encourage someone to move to Tallahassee for any reason other than attending school or working for state governement. However, I feel compelled to point out that the first description of Tallahassee that dreamon provided is pretty inaccurate. The capitol building is not surrounded by empty office buildings and I would never describe the area as dilapidated. I'm not sure when that reviewer visited Tallahassee but his review is pretty off.

I would definitely consider Tampa or St. Pete. Maybe give Orlando a look. There's much more going on there than the mouse. Sarasota is a nice place, but I believe it's pretty expensive. Pensacola is pretty nice too. Small city, but with lots of charm. Jacksonville...it's questionable. I've never been a big fan, but it does appeal to some folks. Miami is huge. I don't really like it. Ft. Lauderdale is nice, but pricey.

It really depends on what you're looking for. If you want a bigger city, then stick with Tampa, St. Pete or Orlando. If I had to pick, I'd go with Tampa. Great beaches and a kick ass cultural scene (if you're into that sort of thing), plus Orlando is only a couple of hours away.

BarbPick · Nov 10, 2003

I am Miami born and raised but I recommend looking in the Orlando area. it is 90 miles or less to anywhere, and 3 hours to Miami.

There is a homestyle feel to the community along with advanced Medical Centers.

There is always something to do.

lmolvr · Nov 10, 2003

Thank you so much for all the info!!! It is very encouraging. Tampa, Sarasota, and Orlando all are in the front of the race. I have vacationed in Orlando, and visited Tampa for about two days (passing through, but stopped to check it out). I like them all....just which one to choose. I was a military brat...and have lived just outside of DC, lived in Savannah, and overseas. Culture (and lots of it :) is very important...and warm weather is a must. After being up here for so long (11 long, long years )I never want to see snow again!!

Don't get me wrong...Minneapolis is nice...but it's not home. I can't wait to visit this spring....and by the sounds of it...will definately check Tally off my "must see" list......doesn't sound like it would be of interest to me.

I really appreciate all the info....anytime you can think of anything please let me know :kiss

Lisa

mucilage madge · Nov 28, 2003

Pensacola is a beautiful old historic city;the award-winning panhandle beaches are supposed to be some of the world's most beautiful beaches. The emerald green water and sugar white sands are lovely!! The city is laid back, very "southern". It does get chilly in the winter, it is cold during January and February-it has gotten down to below freezing, and you will have nights where it dips down to the teens.

There are three major hospitals:

West Florida Regional Medical Center- a for-profit hospital. Focused on rehabilitative and restorative care.

Baptist Hospital-a non-profit hospital that has won many national awards for patient care.

Sacred Heart Hospital- best hospital for pediatrics. This is the most "popular" hospital in the city. This is the hospital that pays the best. it also has a good benefits package. Also, if I had to have cardiac surgery, this would be my first choice for a hospital.

Baptist and Sacred Heart are the two facilities that are the most popular choices for healthcare workers. I have not heard many positive comments about the Escambia County Health Department

(Pensacola is in Escambia county).

The cost of living is low, but the pay is VERY low-something you may want to keep in mind. The work ethic isn't as strong as it is up north,also.

However, in Pensacola and the surrounding areas, you will actually meet people who are native to the area- rather unusual in Florida. Pensacola is also a military town, so there is also a nice influx of people from all over the country. It is only three hours away from New Orleans.

Pensacola is quite different from south Florida. You will still see a lot of Confederate flags around, and the endless harping about how Southerners are so much more polite than Northerners can drive you crazy.It is also a conservative, "family values" kind of

town. However, by and large it is a very gracious city.

Where ever you choose, good luck with your move...the endless sunshine in Florida is wonderful.

kvs_nurse · Dec 6, 2003

I would just suggest researching Orlando a great deal before moving. I think it's the best. It's hot but the city seems to have a piece for everyone. I promise, you will find an area of Central Florida that you enjoy.

For example, I am a big fan of Winter Park, just outside of Orlando, and have lived here for four years.

Happy Hunting.

P.S - I grew up in Pensacola. Great City! Granted I spent eighteen years fighting my way out but, now, I wouldn't hesitate to move back and give my kids the chance to do the same. You never know what you have till it's gone, right? I just find that it has a nice mix of small town culture with larger city escape. And the beaches are so close and SO beautiful. Pensacola Beach - a must see! It's an amazing place to grow up in. For work, Sacred Heart Hospital is the best bet, in my opinion.

And - my personal opinion - Tampa is really nice in some areas and really really not nice at all in others. Take a long visit before you considering moving there. If you are looking for a town close to the water but in the Tampa area, I recommend St. Petersburg.

BarbPick · Dec 6, 2003

I was born in Miami, I live in Miami, I went to the U of Miami, I teach at Uof Miami I will end my days in Miami. I vacation elsewhere.

Enabled · Dec 6, 2003

I have to agree with Todd about Tallahassee. It you want school fine but to maybe raise a family no. Also, there are not that many facilities in which to work. Tallahassee Memorial is a trauma center I don't know which level. Just after graduating some time ago I was offered a position there in the NICU/ PEDS unit. They believed in rotating between the two to decrease burnout. Well, three days before going to look for an aptment I got a call and was told someone already working there took the position. I have since had a nasty taste. I am also a GATORS fan.

For a variety of medical specialties I would head for Tampa/St. Pete, Clearwater-quiter, Orlando. It also depends on what you plan to specialize in or if unsure still good places. If you are interested in Peds to geriatrics both Orlando and Tampa area can offer those. All have major trauma centers. Both have plenty of activities both day and night. They are just about a an hour and a half via I 4 if you want to go to the other one. Tampa has a large Hispanic community with many festivals. Both have theme parks for all ages and favorites to do.

Tallahassee and Jacksonville both have cold weather during the winter months longer than the remainder of the state. Anything basically north of Orlando can get cold and a frost because of the low lying areas. Jacksonville is a seaport town which has an effect on the weather. Orlando may get to a frost just a few times a year. Tampa and Orlando are close to the Space Coast to see the Space center and possible launch of a shuttle.

Another place is Gainesville. It is a college town but it is also a large town. It is a city but the definition of city is different for most areas of Florida. I would consider Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville the regular type of city. Gaineville is where the University of Florida is located that has all types of programs to continue ones education. After being a resident for 12 months you are then elligible for state tuition rates. Gainesville has Shands hospital which is a teaching hospital so the nurses are instrumental in teaching med students and interns. Med students usually do some of the procedures that nurses usually do such as dropping an NG tube. I would just like one of them to put a bedpan under a patient the correct way or at least tell someone the patient has to be changed. There is also a VA hospital across the street where the students also go but there is many research programs between the two facilities. Also, the salaries are similar but there are benefits of being a federal employee such as being able to transfer anywhere there is US military or VA facilities. There are two other hospitals I believe not too far from the main campus which is located near I 75 for a drive down to Orlando or Tampa to see a game there and then return on the same day. I would not be in town, unless going to the Fl vs FSU game. The people are friendly and everyone seems to be willing to help. I know this because I have been a patient at Shands 5 times and will again next year.

Enabled · Dec 6, 2003

Originally posted by mucilage madge
Pensacola is a beautiful old historic city;the award-winning panhandle beaches are supposed to be some of the world's most beautiful beaches. The emerald green water and sugar white sands are lovely!! The city is laid back, very "southern". It does get chilly in the winter, it is cold during January and February-it has gotten down to below freezing, and you will have nights where it dips down to the teens.

There are three major hospitals:

West Florida Regional Medical Center- a for-profit hospital. Focused on rehabilitative and restorative care.

Baptist Hospital-a non-profit hospital that has won many national awards for patient care.

Sacred Heart Hospital- best hospital for pediatrics. This is the most "popular" hospital in the city. This is the hospital that pays the best. it also has a good benefits package. Also, if I had to have cardiac surgery, this would be my first choice for a hospital.

Baptist and Sacred Heart are the two facilities that are the most popular choices for healthcare workers. I have not heard many positive comments about the Escambia County Health Department
(Pensacola is in Escambia county).

The cost of living is low, but the pay is VERY low-something you may want to keep in mind. The work ethic isn't as strong as it is up north,also.

However, in Pensacola and the surrounding areas, you will actually meet people who are native to the area- rather unusual in Florida. Pensacola is also a military town, so there is also a nice influx of people from all over the country. It is only three hours away from New Orleans.

Pensacola is quite different from south Florida. You will still see a lot of Confederate flags around, and the endless harping about how Southerners are so much more polite than Northerners can drive you crazy.It is also a conservative, "family values" kind of
town. However, by and large it is a very gracious city.

Where ever you choose, good luck with your move...the endless sunshine in Florida is wonderful.

The Panhandle as we call it also had a lot of hurricanes that come in through the Gulf of Mexico. If I had to choose again where I lived I would take some time if possible and come down and stay in the areas and get out and see them while you are there. Pensacola is also close to the Alabama border and a straight run into Texas.

If you have a significant other and or children I would come with the significant other if they are moving with you. I know this isn't always possible. My mom came to Florida and bought a house. At the time it was a sand pile and some cinder blocks. Also, if you decide to come and build contact the state to see if the contractor has any complaints against them.

Good Luck

lmolvr · Dec 15, 2003

WOW!!!

Thank you everyone for the information. It is really helpful.

My hubby and I are coming in March, and I have set up a visit with a hospital in Brandon.

If anyone has any additional info, please pass it along : )

Lisa

Melisita · May 6, 2004

I was born in Miami, I live in Miami, I went to the U of Miami, I teach at Uof Miami I will end my days in Miami. I vacation elsewhere.

I am from Long Island, NY, and I am very interested in Miami, and I would like to know more about it. I will be graduating in 3 years with my RN-BSN. How are the hospitals there? and the salaries? What is the lifestyle like for a young adult in Miami...I will be 23 when I graduate. What could you tell me about it, and any advice?? thanks so much!!! :)