help please- advice

Kath1424

Hi All, my husband just got notice that he may be laid off in the coming months. If this happens we have decided we would just relocate. He is in law enforcement so I am not even sure there are jobs to be found in Florida. But my question to you all is where are some top notch places to consider in Florida? We want easy access to a beach.. we want superb public schools, lower taxes, house prices not too insane.... Any good suggestions for me? I appreciate any input you can provide to me.

 

I also posted this in South Carolina's board because we are considering that area as well.

ashleemw

*hoping LB can find that recent thread where someone asked essentially this same question and Madisen and other people PIP'd house and beachy places they recommend...*

LXLX

ashleemw:

*hoping LB can find that recent thread where someone asked essentially this same question and Madisen and other people PIP'd house and beachy places they recommend...*

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/47421190.aspx

LXLX

And I remember hearing JSO is on a hiring freeze, but maybe that has changed. 

ashleemw

Lucille Bluth:

ashleemw:

*hoping LB can find that recent thread where someone asked essentially this same question and Madisen and other people PIP'd house and beachy places they recommend...*

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/47421190.aspx

I you.  

clseale13

Lucille Bluth:

ashleemw:

*hoping LB can find that recent thread where someone asked essentially this same question and Madisen and other people PIP'd house and beachy places they recommend...*

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/47421190.aspx

LoL.

OP: We're all N. FL (most of us in the Jax area.) Affordable housing and good school districts made me think of St, Johns county. Quick commute to downtown and the beaches. GL.

LXLX

I'm sure you've already done some of this, but per google:

http://www.indeed.com/q-Police-Officer-l-Florida-jobs.html

http://www.jobcop.com/indeed?pid=9393550403673268&q=Law+Enforcement&l=florida

Personally, I'd probably focus on where there are jobs readily available over access to the beach.

luckyinlove11902

clseale13:

Lucille Bluth:

ashleemw:

*hoping LB can find that recent thread where someone asked essentially this same question and Madisen and other people PIP'd house and beachy places they recommend...*

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/47421190.aspx

LoL.

OP: We're all N. FL (most of us in the Jax area.) Affordable housing and good school districts made me think of St, Johns county. Quick commute to downtown and the beaches. GL.

I think that may have been record time LB.

OP: I agree with Christie. St. Johns county in Jacksonville would fit your criteria relatively well. One thing to note though is that there are a lot of communities with CDD fees and HOA fees that get rolled in with your mortgage/taxes and jack up your monthly payment so be sure to consider that.

ashleemw

In all seriousness, I think you need to not worry about where to live, but where to find jobs. It seems like police forces are being cut most places, so I would take a step back from looking at a great beach community, and focus on where you can find a stable job where your husband won't be layed off again. Good luck, I know it's tough out there right now. 

LXLX

ashleemw:

In all seriousness, I think you need to not worry about where to live, but where to find jobs. It seems like police forces are being cut most places, so I would take a step back from looking at a great beach community, and focus on where you can find a stable job where your husband won't be layed off again. Good luck, I know it's tough out there right now. 

This is what I was trying to get at.  But while we're at it...

People pay "insane" housing prices for lower taxes and superb schools.  Not to mention easy access to the beach.  That's what everyone wants. 

Also if I'm giving advice, my advice would be to NOT buy in Florida or wherever you end up relocating if you do and to rent awhile.  Make sure you're going to stay wherever you move.  And also wait to make sure this job you're moving for is going to be around for awhile.

Kath1424

Thank you for all of your input!! I agree a solid job comes 1st!!!!! How is the City of Atlantic Beach? They are hiring.. (or so the website says)

 How are your taxes in Florida? I am in NJ and they are HORRENDOUS!!

Madisen

FL has no state income taxes which is great, but property taxes and sales tax can be higher than other states...not sure how they compare to NJ.

DevonStiles

Lucille Bluth:

And I remember hearing JSO is on a hiring freeze, but maybe that has changed. 

Yes, they are still on a hiring freeze.  DH has been waitlisted for over a year now.  If he's already a certified LEO in the State of Florida, he may be able to get in with JSO or one of the smaller agencies in surrounding areas.

What type of law enforcement is your DH in?  I think that DJJ is hiring Juvenile Probation Officers & DOC has a few positions open for Corrections Officers & Correctional Probation Officers. 

LXLX

Kath1424:

Thank you for all of your input!! I agree a solid job comes 1st!!!!! How is the City of Atlantic Beach? They are hiring.. (or so the website says)

 How are your taxes in Florida? I am in NJ and they are HORRENDOUS!!

Atlantic Beach is nice, but as most beach communities are, it's expensive and you pay a premium (rent or housing prices) for being that close to the beach.  The good thing is there are some nice communities inland within commuting distance.  If you start looking at apartments or houses for rent, try Fort Caroline, Arlington (hit or miss), Intercoastal E or W.  There are TONS of neighborhoods off of Kernan Blvd. where people bought SFHs as investment properties that are now for rent. 

I have no idea how property taxes compare to NJ, but it wouldn't be an issue if you were renting. 

DevonStiles

Kath1424:

Thank you for all of your input!! I agree a solid job comes 1st!!!!! How is the City of Atlantic Beach? They are hiring.. (or so the website says)

 How are your taxes in Florida? I am in NJ and they are HORRENDOUS!!

They are only hiring those are who already have a state of Florida LEO certification.  If your DH doesn't, he can look into attending one of the academies at FCCJ or SJRCC - self paid of course.

jodippls

Lucille Bluth:

Also if I'm giving advice, my advice would be to NOT buy in Florida or wherever you end up relocating if you do and to rent awhile.  Make sure you're going to stay wherever you move.  And also wait to make sure this job you're moving for is going to be around for awhile.

I agree with this. I bought my house 3 years ago planning to be there 5-6 years and there is no way I could sell anytime soon. I live in a half full new construction neighborhood. If I were to do it again, I would look for an established neighborhood. I have a neighbor who just put his house on the market for $104k. There is no way he will get that when someone could buy a new house in our neighborhood for a few thousand more. You can vacation at the beach, I would be more worried about job security than tanning.

+jennasue+

Kath1424:

  We want easy access to a beach.. we want superb public schools, lower taxes, house prices not too insane....

Jacksonville fits 3 out of 4 of those requirements... but from all the teachers I've spoken to, the Duval county school system is horrible.

jenhappy

FL prop taxes are about 1/3 of NJ.