We are a young married couple, mid 20's looking into relocating to FL. I know there are a lot of you that live in FL or have experiences there. We like the Destin area, Ft. Myers area, and Ft. Lauderdale area, and possibly Orlando or Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area. Any opinions, tips, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated as we continue to research and try to find the perfect place.

Things we are concerned with are the basics:

1. Job Market (I've got a degree in Management & Finance - not currently using it) and my wife has a degree in Managment (she is also has her insurance licenses and works as a marketing rep.
2. Housing - probably rent something first, then purchase. We would need something reasonable, we are no millionaires by any means.
3. Community - clean community/neighborhood, things to do (good boating!
4. Close to airport - Orlando & Tampa score major points b/c there are VERY cheap flights back home. Wherever would need to be relatively close to a decent airport.

Thanks guys!

Dont know anything about your job market. If you Can find a job, then now is a good time to move here, there are tons of houses for sale and/or rent cheap. If you are an Avid Boater, I would suggest staying near the coast, the lakes here arent very big, and full of gators. Each coast has its advantages as far as boating goes, the West coast is the gulf, and usually flatter, and has some nice spots to anchor, while the Atlantic is awesome on a nice day, and we have plenty of sandbars to anchor out also. South FL(Lauderdale/West Palm area) is nice since you have alligator alley, and can be on the west coast(Ft Myers) in a short drive, and is also close to the keys. Keep in ind if you have a boat you want to store, and rent an Apt., or have a nasty Homeowners Assn. your going to have to pay storage somewhere, not a bad thing, just an added expense. As far as airports, we have West palm, Ft lauderdale, and Miami, also have cruise ships local in Ft Lauderdale and Miami.

Just curious - what does dry rack storing (in a fully enclosed building) go for in Tampa and the Ft. Lauderdale area?

Me and the misses would love to move to South FL but no job's for me there (the misses grad from Florida Gulf Coast U). The data I have compoiled: Lake Norman (where I am currently at): $2250/yr for 24.5' boat and trailer. Not the best location, but nice people and full service marina. Moving to ATL by March - seems is more expensive on Lanier. I have been quoted $2,800 - $3,000 for the same service.

Fort lauderdale area would be around $300-$400 per month.

You could store your boat here at a rack storage marina for about $270/mo.(5 minute idle to the gulf). The dry storage area I keep mine at is $70/mo. If your wife has her health insurance license, I have a job waiting for her.

PS Housing is very affordable here now.

Lauderdale area is crowded and expensive. Rack storage on the east coast usually has a 25 ft min. charge and runs about $17 a foot plus tax. Check your insurance on the boat in FL as well.. The low insurance rates usually doesn't transfer south.

Tampa/St Pete is nice if your near the water. Away from the water it can be real ghetto. Orlando blows, too touristy. Come for a week vacation and see each area for a day or two. Make sure to be out in traffic at 8am to see how bad an area can be during rush hour.

Remember FL is a sunny place for shady people!

Always has been, always will be. Also, all the nuts roll down to FL.

I was born here, moved up north for awhile (went to school & worked) and came back. I am 27 & have no intention of ever leaving this area unless I absolutely 100% have to and even though it would have to be relatively short-term. Although I grew up on the east coast of FL... my family and then eventually I came over to the west coast. Even though I lived in downtown Boston and outside of Atlanta, I found the east coast annoying as time went on (for many reasons that I could write a book about).

I love the SW coast, but it isn't for everyone (thank God or everyone would live here). Just stay away from Lehigh Acres and sections of Cape Coral (they may all look good on paper but it sucks) and of course anything that looks questionable (like anywhere in FL). Prices have come down from pretend-land and the boating here is the best in the state (in my opinion - and I have boated the east coast and the Keys, but not the panhandle).

2,3,4 on your list can easily be obtained here... not so sure about 1 though. You would have to have something lined up.

You really just need to look and research to find what will be the best place for you both.

Do you still keep your boat at Moss?

stay on the west coast, tampa ors sarasota are real nice places for boating.

We live just north of Clearwater about a mile from the water. Paying $265 a month for indoor rack storage on the Anclote river- about a 20 min idle from the gulf.. Great dockmaster and folks working at this marina, only downside is the owner is a stuckup *****..rest of the folks make up for it.