My youngest will soon be 18, and by my divorce orders, I have to sell the house and split the profit with my ex. I haved lived in tampa, fl. for 27 of my 47 yrs of life. I really can't afford to buy another house here in florida, and besides I'm ready for a change. I like the weather here but besides that, nothing anymore. Where is a nice place that won't cost a fortune, and I won't freeze to death?
124152
It depends on what you want to do for a living.  You obviously want to go somewhere where you will be able to earn if you have to.\n\nHousing costs can make it prohibitive to live in places like Washington DC, where the unemployment rate is practically nothing, but a three bedroom townhome costs 400,000 dollars 1 hour out from the city.  \n\nThere are lots of nice cities in the mid west like Des Moines, and further west like Topeka, Lawrence, Omaha, Tulsa, etc, where the dollar still buys you a decent house and where you have adequate social offerings from local universities.  Yes, they do get some winter but offer four seasons and a nice balance.  Believe it or not, Joplin Mo, for example, is quite a jumping town for a little city, with a quaint city center and some light industry and other prospects keeping the economy going.  You can get a decent house there for 150,000.  Eastern Kansas, Eastern Oklahoma have hill country and trees and the snobbier sort of shallow people that sometimes "must" live on one cost or the other stay away, keeping the costs down.  If you must live on the coast, Wilmington NC gives you a little value, a quaint city center, and water sports, beaches, etc.  A little pricey for NC, but there you are.\n\nI would caution you at your age that moving is not very easy when you leave your support network and friends and move somewhere where the support structures are not transitory (people don't move away).  It can be hard to break in.\n\nGood Luck.
18546
Well, besides the weather, Florida has some of the best homestead laws in the country.  If (more likely when) you are sued many of your assets in Florida are protected from liquidation.  This goes far beyond just protecting your home and also applies if you file for bankruptcy in Florida.  Please see my sources for much more information.
151985
i live north of orlando, florida. i moved here from colorado one year ago. i just came out here to visit, but fell in love with it. the people here are so kicked back. the wildlife and scenery are amazing.
250823
Unfortunately, Florida is the fastest growing state (population) in the union. Employers can pick and choose workers and the housing market is artificially inflated. I am planning on leaving Florida and heading for a cooler climate myself.
503920
We used to live in California, and the situation you describe is precisely why we left.\n\nWe were both professionals making good money, but we couldn't afford a home and couldn't afford much else.  We moved to Texas and have been happy ever since...
112752
My parents have a place on a lake about an hour and half away. I try to get down there as often as possible in the summer. When I go on vacation, I love going down to my timeshare in Palm Beach right on the ocean. I look at the website sometimes and just wish I was there. My other retreat at work is Yahoo Answers.
179491
if u want beaches, fla. but the people are WIERD-florida is freeaakkky! NY is freakin awesome, but its no island getaway. Florida has ybor city, theres a coyote ugly, and miami is ALWAYS poppin! NYC is NYC! no place like it...thats tough, have fun tho!
18135
Deciding which parent to live with is never an easy decision, first try to come up with a pros and cons list, that might be a good first step. Secondly, decide what it might be like, a week, a month, a year, after your there, deciding if you can adjust to another surrounding is a hard, so give it some thought. Personally, I would move to Florida, just because, depending on the area, can be a really enjoyable place to live. Also, try to figure out as much as you can about where your mom lives, and what it is like there, what you can do for fun, what you could possibly do for work (not sure how old you are but ohh well...) and so on.....I hope I have given you enough to think about and good luck with your decision.
190504
Mexico. Preferably northern. Beautiful and inexpensive, rich and friendly culture. Close to home(if ur from the US). You shouldn't live near a beach though in my opinion. What if a brutal storm comes?? say goodbye to your belongings, some where a couple of miles away form the water would be good. That way you can go to the beach as a treat and it wont become mundane.
17780
Home ownership is probably going to be your first obsticle. It is VERY competitive down here and you want to get yourself a good real-estate agent to find a house that is going to be in your price range.\n\nIt will depend on what kind of lifestyle you are used to living as to how much you will need to live in Orlando. I would say that living fairly comfortably $80,000/year is about what you would want to make but you could get away with making $60,000 if you skimmed in some places (didn't go out as much, ate at home, etc...).\n\nMost of the people that I know that live here in Orlando in the community that I live in are retired from other parts of the United States and make more money than what I do. I make a bit less than $80K but I just have my wife and myself. If I had four kids I would need at least $100,000 to live the life my wife and I enjoy now.
214199
I agree..:) i live in NJ now.. in an area that my son goes to a blue ribbon school..:) but I am trying to move because of cost of living.. housing here is ridiculos now..you can't find a one family home in a decente neighborhood for less than 500,000...and the taxes are the equivalent of a high scale rent...:) so my advice is don't come..:) I am leaving..:)
593464
You ask a good question at the end. "Is there anywhere people are still nice?" That's an important factor when deciding what's cool.\n\nI share your pain. I've lived in Tucson for almost two years and find the people very narrow-minded, aggressive and yes, lacking somewhat in, shall we say, self-care. I'm looking for my way back to California, which is home, but it's a very expensive home now. That's very uncool.\n\nSouthern people have incredible manners, but many southern states are still not very color blind.\n\nI'll list my favorite cities: San Francisco--crowded, sometimes smelly and full of homeless people, but oh, the things to do there, the food, the weather and the culture. Love it.\n\nThere are some small beach towns in Cali that are spoiling quickly because of the ruined real estate market there, but they're still wonderful. Big Sur is an amazing place for a quieter life and so, so beautiful (if you love the mountains and the sea.)\n\nThe Oregon coastline is full of small towns that are wonderful to visit; the trick is finding a way to make a living.\n\nWant a big house for little money in a large town? Move to Dallas. But again, the heat...\n\nI'm very fond of Portland, Oregon for its modern urban vibe and clean green streets.\n\nWhy not make a list of what things are most important to you. Weather? Music? Culture? Lots of young people? University town? Crowded with lots of energy? Quiet and relaxing? Good schools (definitely not AZ!) It's probably your best start. Do your research, then take a 3 or 4-day trip, check it out for yourself. Good luck, hope you get out of here soon!
573423
Well written article.  \n\nHaving just sold a home in the town immediately north of Port Charlotte, I can tell you that the market there has gone flat.  We were able to sell because we put a realistic price on our house.  The 1/2 dozen others on OUR STREET that were for sale when we put ours on the market remain on the market today.\n\nThe woods across the street from our old house are being turned into homes that are selling for upwards of $500,000.  Mind you, the same builder was selling the same houses in another development 2 years ago for 1/3 of the price.  I wish the new owners luck in being able to afford homeowners & flood insurance.\n\nAll over the area in Sarasota & Manatee counties the market has gone flat.  Too many people trying to cash in on the post hurricane demand for existing homes.  Made everyone's property taxes go through the roof.\n\nWe moved out of Florida, to a part of the country where you can still afford to live.
234297
Move.  Florida is nowhere to be if you have no money and unemployed.  St louis is a cool town.  4 weeks is a small margin for error in this economy.
67648
If you are moving to Tampa, go to South Tampa.  I have lived in Tampa my whole life and have seen every area.  Trust me South Tampa is where it is at.
584749
Been there.  Ultimatums are never good. Small towns are full of gossip. The transition is easier because of family and friends. Both of you list pros/cons of where you'd like to live. Ask him if he'd be willing to check out some places that would fit what you're both looking for.  He may feel that you are choosing to move home to get away from him. Try to compromise. I did and I don't regret not moving back home. I found things that I really liked about where I live and we have been here for 25 years. Really think about this before you do or say something that you can't take back. I hope I helped.
432627
Try moving out of the US... :D