What Florida city do I want to live in?

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I'm from the panhandle and after traveling for the past 10 years, I've settled down in Tallahassee only for this year. My husband is from Orlando and we both want to move to South Florida, further South than Orlando, probably on the east coast. What are the most vibrant cities? We do not have kids so schools aren't of a concern. I will be a new grad once we move most likely, so that's something I have to keep in mind, but not a major deciding factor right now. I plan to apply for jobs in multiple cities, just wondering where to look.

What's Palm Beach like?

Pembroke?

Jupiter?

etc. etc. and thanks!

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West Palm Beach and Lauderdale seem the most vibrant areas in south Florida.

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Specializes in ICU, neuro ICU.

West Palm Beach is actually not the best place to live (in my opinion) in Palm Beach County. You're going to pay just a little bit more to live farther north, but it is SO worth it (Jupiter, like you say.) It is an absolutely beautiful area, but I have to say I wish it were a LITTLE more affordable. I'm not sure what houses cost in the panhandle, but Jupiter is outrageous. Hard to find livable homes under 300K... there is like, one neighborhood that I am aware of. (We rent in Palm Beach Gardens, so I haven't done as much research as I could, probably.) Palm Beach Gardens is pretty fabulous as well.

In other words, all of Palm Beach County is expensive, but West Palm Beach seems to have higher crime (and a little dumpier in general) for not that much less money. You can find beautiful homes in West Palm, but you may drive another block and be somewhere you wish you weren't...

I've also heard nice things about areas a little bit farther south (Boca Raton, Delray Beach) but I really don't know as much about that area. I do think it is a little cheaper, though.

My parents live in (and I grew up in) Pinellas County which is beautiful. Again though, I recommend the northern side of the county up until New Port Richey :) (Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar are all fabulous.)

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I think Lauderdale is great. I don't live there but am always down there shopping, going out, at the beaches...I love that area. Also, Palm Beach Gardens is nice, as well as Wellington. But if you are an RN you want to look at hospital ratings and if you work within a specialty if there are hospitals in the areas you are looking that have units that fit your specialty. South Florida is great! Good Luck finding your new hometown!:up:

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I've lived in South Florida my entire life and have spent time in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. I currently live in Jupiter right near the beach. I wouldn't use the word vibrant to describe the place. Definitely more family friendly but like mschulz said, the housing prices and HOA fees are ridiculous.

Palm Beach Gardens is great, lots of restaurants and shopping. Again, the market for homes may be pricey since it's a really desirable area. Boca Raton and Delray Beach do not come much cheaper depending on where you're looking.

Since you don't have children, West Palm or Ft. Lauderdale could be attractive options. More affordable, lots of variety of homes (single-family, townhomes, condos) and closer to some of the good nightlife, shopping, and of course the beach. There are some nice communities further west (Wellington and Pembroke Pines comes to mind) but in my opinion, they have much less of an urban feel. Lots of supermarkets and chain restaurants.

You have a lot of variety and choice in South Florida. I think it just boils down to what kind of lifestyle you're looking for. And of course, what hospital you're working at. Happy hunting!

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West Palm Beach is actually not the best place to live (in my opinion) in Palm Beach County. You're going to pay just a little bit more to live farther north, but it is SO worth it (Jupiter, like you say.) It is an absolutely beautiful area, but I have to say I wish it were a LITTLE more affordable. I'm not sure what houses cost in the panhandle, but Jupiter is outrageous. Hard to find livable homes under 300K... there is like, one neighborhood that I am aware of. (We rent in Palm Beach Gardens, so I haven't done as much research as I could, probably.) Palm Beach Gardens is pretty fabulous as well.

In other words, all of Palm Beach County is expensive, but West Palm Beach seems to have higher crime (and a little dumpier in general) for not that much less money. You can find beautiful homes in West Palm, but you may drive another block and be somewhere you wish you weren't...

I've also heard nice things about areas a little bit farther south (Boca Raton, Delray Beach) but I really don't know as much about that area. I do think it is a little cheaper, though.

My parents live in (and I grew up in) Pinellas County which is beautiful. Again though, I recommend the northern side of the county up until New Port Richey :) (Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar are all fabulous.)

Do you find that the cost of living is balanced out by the pay for RNs? In Pensacola, the cost of living is relatively low, but the pay really sucks.

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Pay vs cost of living in Florida its really bad. Housing its really expensive in South Florida because of all the foreign buyers that want a slice of paradise, and in other parts of Florida because of the Snow Birds that come here with tons of money and buy properties for their retirement. You will be able to get by with an RN salary in Florida but don't expect to live an extravagant life.

Considering Pay vs Cost of living there are better States out there.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Try Florida Hospital, they have a lot of smaller rural hospitals within 1-2 hrs of Orlando and sometimes the rural small town doesn't appeal to new grads that want "shiny new and BIG" I started out there and if it hadn't been for the low pay and high cost of living we'd have stayed.

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