Relocation Possibilities

Wow..lots of choices.

Each city has great options...just a matter of what flavor you like best. Hilton Head and Charleston seem to be more touristy than Amelia Island. My sister speaks really well of Amelia Island. Tallahassee is nearby the area, and a college town does offer a lot of benefits.

Good luck on the right choice. Let us know how things progress.

we've visited Fernandina Beach (amelia) several times and really like the feel of that town. It does have its tourism, along with an historical town, and a real family feel. We loved the beaches. Yes, they are different but very beautiful in their own way.

Tallahassee probably has much to offer, but don't know any specifics. I've lived in two college towns (tuscaloosa and gainesville) and while i enjoyed it for a time, the mass numbers of college students during the fall and spring got kind of old (that's just me). However, the progressiveness of Gainesville as a city was very refreshing, especially after living in Alabama all my life...

good luck and keep us posted!

Hilton Head is a nice place to visit, but I am not sure I would want to live there. Charleston is beautiful, historic, large city that has alot to offer. The surrounding areas are wonderful too. You have Folly Beach, Sullivans Island, Isle Of Palms, West Ashley, James Island, Summerville, Goose Creek, and then downtown...which is where I would choose to live! It is a wonderful place to live (I lived there 7 years) and I would go back in a heart beat...which I may if I don't move to SoWal.
There is so much happening there, and alot of art, history and culture...not to mention plain FUNN! Look it up on the net!

Hilton Head is a nice place to visit, but I am not sure I would want to live there. Charleston is beautiful, historic, large city that has alot to offer. The surrounding areas are wonderful too. You have Folly Beach, Sullivans Island, Isle Of Palms, West Ashley, James Island, Summerville, Goose Creek, and then downtown...which is where I would choose to live! It is a wonderful place to live (I lived there 7 years) and I would go back in a heart beat...which I may if I don't move to SoWal.
There is so much happening there, and alot of art, history and culture...not to mention plain FUNN! Look it up on the net!

WARNING*****
they serve alcohol out of pocket rocks.

My first choice would be Tallahassee. It is such a beautiful town and a nice sized one. The location is perfect. Close to the most beautiful beaches in the world. Close to Atlanta, Jax. We considered moving to Tallahassee about 20 years ago.

Amelia Island and all other east coast FL has an altogether different feel and one I personally do not care for, but that's just me.

Hilton Head is beautiful but too touristy to me.

Good luck in this though decision.

I love Charleston. I love the historic architecture and the fact that if you are living in town, there is really no need to drive everywhere, as this is a walking and a biking city (the same reason I love Athens). Also, just as you stated about Tallhassee being a progressive college town, Charleston has the College of Charleston, the Citadel which offers graduate programs to civilians, and a rapidly expanding satelite campus of Clemson University. Charleston is one of the cities I am considering within the next few years.

Much thanks for the input!
I have been doing some googling but I always like to get opinion, as well.
We are such noobs and it's good to hear what people have actually experienced.
I think the spouse is leaning towards Fernandina Beach but we won't know anything for sure until later this month.

I lived in Tallahassee for 18 years and worked in government and politics. If you like living near the water, Tallahassee will drive you crazy...there is no water. The college town atmosphere can be both exciting and frustrating...exciting because of all the students and their energy and the intellectual bent....frustrating for the "student" attitude--if you don't like football, watch out!

There is not as much culture as I like. No Performing Arts Center although they have tried for years to build one. The restaurants are not nearly as good as SoWal.

I traveled all the time with my job and I always said Tallahassee is a good place to come home to...it has a great sense of community, and as long as I could get my city fix, my culture fix, and my diversity of food fix elsewhere, it was pretty nice. Although as often as I could I came to SoWal for my beach fix. The crime rate is higher now than a few years ago and the traffic is still horrible.

I would not move back there. I stayed mostly for my work which was great and because my son wanted to finish high school with the friends he had had since pre-school.

Now, I miss all my wonderful friends, but I do not miss Tallahassee. Of the places you listed, I would choose Charleston if I had to leave SoWal.

good luck

Much thanks for the input!
I have been doing some googling but I always like to get opinion, as well.
We are such noobs and it's good to hear what people have actually experienced.
I think the spouse is leaning towards Fernandina Beach but we won't know anything for sure until later this month.

Love Fernandina Beach area and its near Jax if you need some city life. Lots of Jax folks relax in Fernandina on weekends. Go visit and stay at the Hampton Inn in the town of Fernandina (on the water). Amazingly good food around that place, and wonderful little shops. Some of the best seafood we've ever had, and its plentiful (unlike sowal).

Amelia Island = too high percentage of tourists.
Tallahassee - ditto the college town comments - refreshing minds, but rather boring and tiring year after year. Cannot wait for the students to leave, cannot wait for them to come back.
Hilton Head - a little too prissy for me.
Charleston and surrounding islands - Just right! I love that place! If I had not moved here, I would definitely be living in Charleston, Sullivan's Island, or Isle of Palms. (Be ready for the airline booze in SC). Isle of Palms reminds me of this area a little bit. The beaches are mostly unspoiled, but the water is the usual Atlantic dark and nasty stuff. However, if you don't compare it to the water here, it can be just fine. Like most resort areas, prices on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island have gotten a little out of hand, and most properties are owned by the filthy rich, politicians, or people who have owned forever.

Charleston is extremely cultural, with a big mix of people. Plenty of art, food, architecture, with a feeling of community, although there is also the crowd who keep their noses in the clouds. Many young people in the Charleston area keep it fresh.

Amelia Island = too high percentage of tourists.
Tallahassee - ditto the college town comments - refreshing minds, but rather boring and tiring year after year. Cannot wait for the students to leave, cannot wait for them to come back.
Hilton Head - a little too prissy for me.
Charleston and surrounding islands - Just right! I love that place! If I had not moved here, I would definitely be living in Charleston, Sullivan's Island, or Isle of Palms. (Be ready for the airline booze in SC). Isle of Palms reminds me of this area a little bit. The beaches are mostly unspoiled, but the water is the usual Atlantic dark and nasty stuff. However, if you don't compare it to the water here, it can be just fine. Like most resort areas, prices on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island have gotten a little out of hand, and most properties are owned by the filthy rich, politicians, or people who have owned forever.

Charleston is extremely cultural, with a big mix of people. Plenty of art, food, architecture, with a feeling of community, although there is also the crowd who keep their noses in the clouds. Many young people in the Charleston area keep it fresh.

Well said, SJ..I love Charleston, it is just the right size for me, and there is so much to do!
No more airline booze...that has changed!!!! Free pour now a days!!!
Charleston has beautiful architecture! I enjoyed walking around downtown looking up! Just like I did in Greece! I had similliar feelings of awe in Charleston as I had in Europe!

A few pictures I took on my last trip to Charleston:

Hey there
Things have been percolating in the job search.
Spouse has job offers in Tallahassee as well as Amelia Island.
This week, he has interviews in Hilton Head and Charleston.
So I think we are on the verge of a decision. (However, I will stay here with our youngest until he finishes high school in May.)
Of course, it has to be the right job. But location matters, too.
The husband has been to Amelia Island several times; he says the beach is not as nice as here, but that he thinks I could be happy there.
I think Tallahassee could be a nice fit; I love its oak trees, I enjoy the progressive atmosphere of university towns. Obviously it is not a beach town but I was thinking that at some point we could maybe buy a lot here.
But something might come of the Hilton Head/Charleston interviews.
Can any of you guys offer any input about any of these 4 locations?

My first choice would be Charleston, but if the hubby is leaning towards the Jacksonville/Amelia area, I would look south, around the St John's River. Received some info recently on riverfront property and it was much more reasonable than our area. Cil, you would love the large oaks and the wild life in that particuliar area.

I heart Charleston. That's where I had my first Planter's Punch ever at the Mills House.

Thanks so much you guys.
I knew I'd get some good info from you.
Thanks for all the opinions, and Alli thank you for the pics as well.
I will keep you posted as to what happens in the next few weeks.

I heart Charleston. That's where I had my first Planter's Punch ever at the Mills House.

I love the fact you rate the cities by your booze intake :clap_1:

On this alone, I too would vote for Charleston.

My first choice would be Charleston, but if the hubby is leaning towards the Jacksonville/Amelia area, I would look south, around the St John's River. Received some info recently on riverfront property and it was much more reasonable than our area. Cil, you would love the large oaks and the wild life in that particuliar area.

Mucho preservation of old Florida, untouched miles and miles of woods with massive oaks, big artist community, and like I said - great great seafood! Very family oriented (lots of families with children live in Fernandina). May not be that much to do there, but probably a little more than where you are now.

Haven't been to Charleston in quite some time but have heard from many that it is a wonderful place with much to do and explore. But, not sure what it would be like to live there. I certainly would love to visit there again - Savannah too!

May not be that much to do there, but probably a little more than where you are now.

Yes, this is what the husband said. We do know that there is a movie theater there! Also he said there is a fantastic sushi restaurant in Fernandina Beach.
Being close to a large airport would be helpful for us in terms of visits to and from older son as well as the rest of the family.
Franny, I am not sure that the St John's area would work in terms of his job--but it might. We shall see!

I heart Charleston. That's where I had my first Planter's Punch ever at the Mills House.

Your first Planters punch at a Holiday Inn?

Your first Planters punch at a Holiday Inn?

Ya' know, I have heard this before. I can't believe it was a Holiday Inn when we were there like eons ago.

Ya' know, I have heard this before. I can't believe it was a Holiday Inn when we were there like eons ago.

Yes, but it may well be the best location being that it sits right on Meeting Street, and the building has so much history. I believe the property is still a Holiday Inn that is owned by a Hotel REIT called FelCor located in good 'ole Irving, TX.

Yes, but it may well be the best location being that it sits right on Meeting Street, and the building has so much history. I believe the property is still a Holiday Inn that is owned by a Hotel REIT called FelCor located in good 'ole Irving, TX.

REIT's are what put bread and butter on my table, so it's all good!!! That was a great hotel and location.

The Mills House is a great place! You can't go wrong in Downtown Charleston!