[mandy3838]

Hi all!
Currently my husband and I live in Iowa. We are quite bored here lately and feel "there's gotta be something more". We are starting to think that Florida may be where we want to go. We loath winters and love sunshine! We originally moved to Iowa from Virginia Beach, so we can handle hot summers--maybe not quite as hot as Florida, but we like summers... We have heard that New Port Richey was a developing area.. We want to go near Tampa area... any suggestions for an area with jobs, nightlife, and starter homes--and maybe not so hurricane threatened? I'd appreciate any help I can get!!

[po43292]

Orlando area is pretty fun, it's not as Disney as you think and it's growing. Disney is actually at the very south edge of the city. Lived here for 7 yrs, UCF area. Coral Springs/Ft. Lauderdale is good too but probably more hurricane prone than Otown.

[richkat]

The New Port Richey area and a bit inland is both a growing area and has new affordable housing and is in a good spot for hurricane protection. A bit far from Tampa, though, if you need to work there. We tried Orlando first but the jobs were scarce and the housing much more expensive. It's really boomed in recent years and real estate is out of sight. But Pasco and Hernando Counties are the new focus for people coming to the Tampa Bay area. But could be pretty sleepy for young adults.

[FlaMoose]

Located outside Orlando and only 65 miles from Tampa. You'll be safe unless there is a Cat 5 Hurricaine in which there is no such thing as safe in Fla. St Cloud is a great small town and affordable and 20 minutes from Orlando.