Need Help - Potential Move (Jacksonville, Tampa: for rent, condo, townhome)

[youknow1983]

Hi Everyone,

I need some help figuring out where my family should move to. We live in Iowa (wind chills of -25 as I'm writing this) and will be moving with our two girls, 7 and 5. Schools are the most important part of the move as well as a safe place (obviously). Cape Coral seems to be the most affordable area but I've been told the government stinks and schools aren't the greatest. My best friend lives in Bonita Springs and is pushing for us to move down towards him, either in North Naples, Bonita or Estero. Is it worth it to sacrifice a little (in terms of size and quality of home) to move to the "nicer" areas down south or can we find a good community in the Fort Myers/ Cape Coral area? We've heard good things about Gateway....Any help would be super appreciated!!!

[FireStation46]

Good luck in your search. I would recommend reading as much of the comments on this forum. Then, time and budget permitting, visit a few times to drive around and get a feel for each area.
Then, let folks know what type of residence you want : apt., condo, townhome, single family home and budget for rent/mortgage.
Also, the career you and if applicable, your better ½, will do when you settle down here.
The answer to these inquiries will solicit a wide array of responses which you need to measure as everyone may cover the answer on their personal bias. That is ok but take +/- comments in stride.
You really need to visit and get a sense of available employment, medical for you and a growing family, time and cost to commute.
Then bring the kids down as you will need their buy in. It can be a very emotional time for kids to move to a new place. Been there, done that multiple times and not just moves across the street or town but across the US.
Good luck!

[IllinoisExit]

Originally Posted by youknow1983

Hi Everyone,

I need some help figuring out where my family should move to. We live in Iowa (wind chills of -25 as I'm writing this) and will be moving with our two girls, 7 and 5. Schools are the most important part of the move as well as a safe place (obviously). Cape Coral seems to be the most affordable area but I've been told the government stinks and schools aren't the greatest. My best friend lives in Bonita Springs and is pushing for us to move down towards him, either in North Naples, Bonita or Estero. Is it worth it to sacrifice a little (in terms of size and quality of home) to move to the "nicer" areas down south or can we find a good community in the Fort Myers/ Cape Coral area? We've heard good things about Gateway....Any help would be super appreciated!!!

Tampa didn't work out?
https://www.city-data.com/forum/tampa...lp-needed.html

[nhkev]

elementary schools and middle schools for the most part are fine. they are better in the SW section. the high schools are where there seems to be a drop off, but not horrible compared to other areas. When I was looking to live there (Cape Coral) with my school aged kids the plan was to have them go to public schools up until high school , then have them go to bishop Verot. If school systems were you biggest priorities then you should look up in the Jacksonville area (ST John's county) overall they are the best school system in Florida.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by IllinoisExit

Tampa didn't work out?
https://www.city-data.com/forum/tampa...lp-needed.html

Let us know what happened with Tampa (why did you move back from Tampa?), if you are moving down with jobs or are independently wealthy, what areas you've already come down and scouted out..
The more specifics the better we can help you.
Maybe you're just tired of winter and a quick vacation will help.

[don1945]

Here is the reality of the situation...……...NO PLACE IS PERFECT. We have lived in a few States and none of them have been ideal. Also, one person might love Cape Coral, and another hates it. I have found that it takes about a year to really get comfortable with any area I have lived in, or to decide it is not for me.

We lived in Cape Coral for years, never really had a problem with it, but now live in Ft Myers, and it is fine too. I no longer have young children, so schools do not enter into the picture, but with the way they bus kids all over, you never know where they will end up going anyway......at least it was that way when mine were younger, maybe that has changed.

[FireStation46]

Ok but as suggested, more detail will help get you answers. Thus far you have not provided detail that folks willing to help can assit you in your plans.

[FireStation46]

Originally Posted by qwerdsa

You won't find help on this forum.

Yes we will, good bye spammer