So it looks like me, DH and the kids are possibly moving to Florida.....

I say possibly - we're talking about it. I've had a referal for a Job at a hotel in Orlando, more money, better hours etc.... and DH can get a transfer with his Job (he works for an airline), so if everything falls into place (yeah right) then it is looking more and more likely.

In an Ideal world, We'd be looking to be located in between Orlando and Tampa, as he'd probably end up working at Tampa International, Although Melbourne airport is also a possibility so between Orlando and Melbourne is also an option...... Soooooo I'm asking for all of your opinions, views of the areas, where is nice where is not, travelling times.... schools etc.

I know I can go on city data etc, and we are doing that at the same time, but its always handy to hear first hand!

Just to clarify, because its been a while since we've posted () Green cards are in hand for me and kids, and DH is a USC ..... so it is more realistic than alot of the 'we want to move to florida' posts we get!

always a first for everything

Anyway, no ideas, but good luck!

I lived in Tampa for just over a year and Orlando for a year (never again!) and have to admit Tampa wasn't a bad place, probably one of the nicer areas of Florida anyway..(I lived right off Bruce B Downs, right next to the I75 so very convenient to get anywhere)

check this web site out for schools..

http://www.greatschools.net/city/Tampa/FL

I was always told the school system in Fl sucked but that was 4 years ago so who knows what they're like now..(my DD wasn't old enough for public school when we lived there)..the area is definitely family orientated (cookie cutter burbs) with all the shops and restaurants scattered along Bruce B Downs..

I just hope you all like the heat..as it can get seriously hot in the summer..

I live further south and on the Atlantic coast, but my in-laws live near Tampa in Holiday (that's the town) near Tarpon Springs and that's a nice area, but a long commute to Orlando.

Just asked my beloved as he grew up in Orlando. He recommends Lakeland as it's half way between both locations.

It does get hot here in the summer, that's why the snowbirds leave every spring.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the job.

Lyn

I wasn't keen on Florida for the first 3 years, but I must admit, it's getting better. I still am not keen on the summers, and this year it seems to be starting early! But hey, its the sun, not 30 below zero and 6 ft of snow!! If you can get over summer, the rest of the year is fantastic, winter being my favourite. Tampa International is a really nice airport, rarely overcrowded. I live in Largo which is over on the Pinellas County Peninsula. If you need to get to Orlando, make sure you are on the East side of Tampa, the traffic can be bad, I4 especially. But if you are inbetween Orlando and Tampa, you are fairly central. East and West coast pretty easy. There are good and bad places, but also thats all down to opinion. I don't like Orlando area, but lots of people love it!!

Can't tell you anything about schools, as I don't possess any ankle biters!!
If you are on the West side of Tampa. it could take 3 hours to get to Orlando on a bad day, but if you are on the East side, on a good day, one hour to do the same journey! Florida can be a funny place with lots of Rednecks and Vagrants in certain places (well in the Tampa Bay area), but just to wake up in the sun most days makes a big difference to your life!!

good luck! don't know florida, but even with my up and downs it is mainly good, school are a hit and miss and basically you need to find a fairly affulent area, but not so affluent that they send their kids to private school!, the taxes will be higher in a good school district, but well worth the money in a really affluent area, where they send their kids to private school the public school will be pants, as the voting population will not see why they should pay for other childrens education! taxes will be lower but as I said the schools will be pants, I live in a area surrounded by "old money" kids at private school, local schools terrible, our school is amazing! loads of mid/high, mid, high/low and low income people (hope that makes sence) who are prepared to pay a little more in taxes, and the other advantage is they area is full of children, and parents who give a toss

Hi

I am tasha and I have lived in Palm Harbor in Florida now for four years, i have three boys (7, 4 and 2) the schools here in Palm Harbor area are some of the best in pinellas county. I looked before we came here and I am so glad I did, alot of the schools here are not good. I was born in Dartford and lived most of my life near Sevenoaks, before we decided we had had enough of the uk and bought an american diner here in florida. where are you in the UK.

Ask as many questions as you like, if I can help in anyway i will.

Take Care

I am from kent also, failed the 11 plus but doing ok, I know you are not talking to me but, you are a kentish maid so good luck and where exectly is your diner so if we find ourselves in that neck of the woods? and I hope you have heinz british baked beans when i get there??? LOL

...better luck with the 70+ in Florida.

Thanks for the input guys!

The school thing is a real issue for us, and the stupid thing is we've only really left ourselves about 4 weeks to work out if we are going to head down that way or stay up in KY.... thank goodness DH gets free flights so we can keep going down a few times to get a feel for it!

One thing nobody else has mentioned is those you know back in the UK will be more likely to want to visit if you live in Florida, are you prepared to put them up? It does get costly and time consuming. Although your hotel connection could come in handy when dealing with that.

Orlando ..great place...if you live over 50 mile away from it ..

May just be doing that...

I live in the Eastern 'burbs of Tampa (Brandon/Riverview area), which are very popular and have decent schools; all usual big box amenities and decent access roads into Tampa.

If you are looking for a halfway kind of place between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is probably about it...but I would seriously not want to be driving to Tampa airport from there every day, as during rush hour the traffic can be chronic. I'd say that journey would be at least an hour; but more often than not 90 mins plus. Wherabouts in Orlando would you be working is a big question....Orlando is spread so out. If you'd be the Kissimmee/Disney side (i.e. Western Orlando), it would be workable; you'd also probably be able to manage to live closer to Tampa. If you were more over towards downtown Orlando or the east side....again, that is drive I would not want to do; IMO traffic is even more brutal around Orlando at rush hour than Tampa.

The trouble I'd have living right inbetween in the Lakeland area is that come the weekend, you are a bit of a drive from both Tampa and Orlando...and while Lakeland has all the amenities and well priced property, I'm not sure I'd like to live there. Also (and this is complete hear-say) i hear the schools in Polk County in general are not the best; but then again, thats such a sweeping statement I'm sure you could maybe find a good 'un if you looked but would certainly be worth researching a lot.

Any more specific questions, ask away.

Looks like there's quite a few of in the Tampa Bay area!