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We are taking the plunge and picking up our family and moving to 30A and would love any advice! Both my husband and I have vacationed to the area since wee-babes and continued the tradition with our own kids (3yrs and 20 months).

Things we don't really know...young families in the area? All research shows the schools are fantastic, yes? Neighborhoods off 30A that are locals and not just rentals?

We both own our own businesses (me- graphic designer, him- attorney) so hopefully we can assimilate easily!

I am appreciative of any and all comments and suggestions! Timeline for arrival is t-minus 12 months and counting.

Thanks so much!
Beth
 

Bac

Beach Lover
Jan 30, 2013
151
25
Moved here from Chicago 4 years ago...with a young family, housing budget is critical xfactor...no need to overspend, especially while you both get re-established ... Best place we have ever lived, and ( as you well know) the real enjoyment of the lifestyle here for your family will come from your surroundings, not from the size of your house...

Enjoy the journey...the GrandOle'Opry will always be there when you need a Nashville "fix"... HA!
 

30A Skunkape

Skunky
Jan 18, 2006
10,286
2,312
53
Backatown Seagrove
Thank you!! And thanks to others that have responded.

We aren't looking forward to having to come down there a lot to do research on housing...haha, wink, wink.

My two cents-rent first. You will never really have a true idea about reality here until you actually live here. You could spend 10 weekends here and never really see what the big picture is regarding all the different areas. We rented before we bought and that was a good move on our part. We figured out QUICKLY that we wanted no part of full time residence in a neighborhood where short term rental houses built to house ten to twenty people predominate. We also figured out that another seemingly Grayt neighborhood sits low and is so fantastically over populated by biting flies in the spring and mosquitoes in the summer (not to mention high tourist volume in the season) that there really is no chance at living outdoors without slathering on repellant (and that does not discourage yellow flies). You owe it to yourself and family to LIVE here and take note of how dense certain neighborhoods are in the busy season, how bad traffic might be in certain areas, whether a nearby restaurant will fill your house with the scent of deep fried whatever all year...there is no need to jump into the market without really learning about it first. Prices are not going to skyrocket like they did before, and even if you do miss 'the bottom' and shell out an extra $10K on a house, that is money well spent if you will actually enjoy living full time in said house. Trust me on this.
 

Alex1978

Beach Crab
Feb 3, 2013
1
0
Lakeland, FL
Lots of good relocation info in this thread. We have also considered making the move. With two young kids, the schools are definitely a big concern for us. My wife and I both have jobs where we can work remotely from anywhere. It sure would be nice!
 

Bac

Beach Lover
Jan 30, 2013
151
25
Lots of good relocation info in this thread. We have also considered making the move. With two young kids, the schools are definitely a big concern for us. My wife and I both have jobs where we can work remotely from anywhere. It sure would be nice!


Many years ago, when we were relocating from California to Chicago area, we had the same concerns...Housing was plentiful, but a close look at the school systems revealed some remarkable differences...Kids are grown now, and we are extremely fortunate to have done the research and settled into the right community, as both are fortunate to have gone to good colleges, and both have advanced degrees and excellent career opportunities.

Even with our careful analysis, interviewing school personnel, etc. we learned that just " being" in a good school system was just the start....perhaps in no other endeavor does one find that " you get out of it what you put into it". Plain and simple, the schools don' t raise your children, their parents do.

So do your research, not just on-line, but in person. And recognize that good schools come at a price...you'll pay it directly in ancillary school fees, your local Real Estate taxes, time-and commitment "costs" you'll likely have to expend, transportation , the choice of private/charter/public school expenses, etc. etc. And then college and perhaps even post-graduate costs...

All of this whether you live in Lakeland or anywhere else.

I wish you all the best!
 
Moved here from Chicago 4 years ago...with a young family, housing budget is critical xfactor...no need to overspend, especially while you both get re-established ... Best place we have ever lived, and ( as you well know) the real enjoyment of the lifestyle here for your family will come from your surroundings, not from the size of your house...

Enjoy the journey...the GrandOle'Opry will always be there when you need a Nashville "fix"... HA!

Love this. Yep, we aren't looking for an enormous estate, just a place perfect for our family. Who needs a big house when you have a big beach?!
 
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