Raising children NY or FL (Jacksonville, Miami: student loan, neighborhood, public schools)

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by HarryWhom

Yes I'm serious. I moved to FL when I retired and my kids were middle aged. They had an idyllic childhood in a small NJ town. I would never have uprooted them for taxes. I can see leaving the sprawl of city life, but don't think Florida is the best choice for kids.

That very much depends where in NY/NJ and where in FL.

[pierrekid]

Originally Posted by HarryWhom

Yes I'm serious. I moved to FL when I retired and my kids were middle aged. They had an idyllic childhood in a small NJ town. I would never have uprooted them for taxes. I can see leaving the sprawl of city life, but don't think Florida is the best choice for kids.

Gotta say, this is a very subjective view. Im also a former New Yorker who chose Florida to raise a family independent of tax reasons. When I graduated college in miami after leaving NY, I wasn’t making enough to even recognize the tax benefits in Florida lol. My wife and I chose to stay here because of weather, great school system for our eventual family in weston, year round sports and activities etc… and now that we are almost 12 years removed from university with better jobs, also consider ourselves lucky to in a tax friendly state.

[HarryWhom]

Originally Posted by pierrekid

Gotta say, this is a very subjective view. Im also a former New Yorker who chose Florida to raise a family independent of tax reasons. When I graduated college in miami after leaving NY, I wasn’t making enough to even recognize the tax benefits in Florida lol. My wife and I chose to stay here because of weather, great school system for our eventual family in weston, year round sports and activities etc… and now that we are almost 12 years removed from university with better jobs, also consider ourselves lucky to in a tax friendly state.

Did you move your kids from a different state?

[Gerania]

New York Presbyterian/Columbia. I don't think that he should pass that up. You don't have to stay there forever. If or when you choose to leave the area having (Wow!) that on your resume will make things easier.

[RowingFiend]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I would think twice with leadership in FL doing all they can to dumb down public education (eliminating AP classes) and unbelievably make it a constitutional carry state for guns. Look at other warmer weather states like GA or NC for comparison and better options going forward.

Nobody is "eliminating AP classes" in Florida. Just another lie. AP courses that push "***** theory" and discrimination based on race are illegal here in Florida, which they should be. If you or the OP don't like it, then pick another state, because that stuff is not going to be taught in Florida schools anytime soon.

[lair8]

Your children will probably get a better education in NY.

But it may be easier for your children to be in the top of their class in FL, since their education is less competitive. Though you may need to take some extra time out of your day to help tutor your kids and teach them whatever they need to so they can be ahead of the class.

Because if you just leave them to the Florida education system, they may have the performance of the average Florida student.

[lair8]

The avg high school sophomore from NJ/NY writes better papers than the avg college sophomore in FL.

[NYLIER]

Originally Posted by lair8

Your children will probably get a better education in NY.

But it may be easier for your children to be in the top of their class in FL, since their education is less competitive. Though you may need to take some extra time out of your day to help tutor your kids and teach them whatever they need to so they can be ahead of the class.

Because if you just leave them to the Florida education system, they may have the performance of the average Florida student.

I went on the federal gov't website and was surprised to see that Florida's students are doing better than New York. Years ago I would have argued that fact but not anymore. I grew up and raised my children on Long Island. I have lived in Vermont for almost 20 years and the education system here is horrible. High education taxes with nothing to show for it.

When my husband was alive, his grandchildren would come and spend a few weeks with us. I was blown away by how well educated they were. Their teachers deserved every penny they made, and I'm sure they made a lot. They were from a nice area of New Jersey.

[ncnittany]

Originally Posted by islanders2021

Are you serious? I know dozens of families from the NY area that have moved to Florida. Both West and East coasts. Especially the Tampa area. Saving on state taxes is indeed looking out for your kids.

If your homeowner's insurance is double what you paid in NY state taxes, does that make you a bad parent?

[JenaS62]

Originally Posted by Litgirl29

Hi, long time lurker here decided to make an account just to post a question that has been a taking most of my mental space. My husband is graduating medical school in 2 months. He is specializing and his top choices to continue his career is New York Presbyterian (Columbia ) and another hospital in Florida not prestigious but somewhat close to family >200 miles. We need to make a decision on his job offers but we have 2 little girls ages 4, and 2 that drives our conflict. We are not sure if it’s better to take the NY offer with better school systems or if to stay closer to the family. What would you all take into consideration?

If you plan on sending your kids to college, FL offers the best deal. We have Bright Futures for kids that are high achievers in high school to help pay costs for college and the Florida state universities are still a relative bargain compared to other states. U of F is called Harvard of the South.

If you don't like the public school system, FL has tons of "charter schools".

I moved to FL with my three sons from New Jersey 23 years ago when they were 6 and 7 years old. They all did wonderfully in school and went on to state universities here. None of them have student loans more than 27K and all have great jobs.