[AnewEarth]

Hello all!

My husband and I are trying to fly away from the cold and corruption of the city of Chicago. We are thinking about moving to Florida but we have some concerns:
1. I need a cheap university to finish my bachelor (around $9000 per year or less would be great)
2. We would need jobs
3. We want to buy a medium size house for no more than $190,000
4. We are use to the big city and nice suburbs with community feel..do you know about a crime free zone with good schools?
5. Need to be a mostly walkable place (Chicago is so huge that my car became my third leg)
6. Close to the beach for swimming and fishing, with no worries of eating shellfish embedded in oil (beach no more than one hour away)

We are undecided about the place. We were looking at Tampa (my big concern: SInk Holes ) and also, West Palm Beach..but...the number one thing for us is the university. DO you know which is the cheapest university in the state? I know is a long list, but we are sure that Florida is the right place to emigrate from the cold...

Thank you in advance for all your advice!

[Hawaii4evr]

Well, I would choose Palm Beach, because it is warmer, and I think the beaches in South Florida along the Atlantic are the best in the state. There are areas in Palm Beach County that are relatively cheap. I saw a couple on House Hunters buy a house of around $200,000. They renovated it, but the house came with a pool and a good sized yard. I think it was in Delray Beach. Anyways, here are some colleges in PBC:
-Florida Atlantic U in Boca Raton
-Palm Beach Atlantic U in West Palm Beach (it's a Christian school, not sure if you care about that)
-Digital Arts Media College in Boca Raton
-Nova Southeastern University (Palm Beach campus)

My dad has a friend that recommended Delray and Boynton Beaches, in terms of safety. I've also heard good things about the school system in Palm Beach County. In terms of Tampa, my dad likes it, but Tampa also has a higher crime rate than PBC. Best of luck, and I hope this helped!

[Not_liking_FL]

You have the cities backwards on your poll flip the east west around.

[bmw335xi]

South Florida has a much more vibrant nightlife and better beaches! (West Palm Beach -> Delray Beach -> Boca Raton -> Fort Lauderdale -> Miami)

[tonyff67]

Well, what's more important, warm weather or a nice house?
South Fl is warmer, though still not warm enough.
Tampa is much more affordable. You can get a pretty nice house in he suburbs for $190,000.

[safak]

im so confused, i thought the gulf coast was to the west. have i been looking at my map in the mirror again?

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

You have the cities backwards on your poll flip the east west around.

Originally Posted by safak

im so confused, i thought the gulf coast was to the west. have i been looking at my map in the mirror again?

Fixed it for you, but your poll may be off now since you had things mixed up with those 4 votes.

[OptimusPrime69]

East coast of FL. Better beaches, more to do, warmer climate, etc.

As far as affordable colleges and universities you have:
1. Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton (Public state university).. I graduated from there
2. Florida International University in Miami (Public state university)
3. Palm Beach Atlantic University (Private Christian university...good Pharmacy program)
4. Lynn University (non-religious Private university)
5. Nova Southeastern University (non-religious private university)
6. Palm Beach State College (public school offering limited 4 year bachelor programs)
7. Broward College (public school offering limited 4 year bachelor programs)
9. Miami-Dade College (public school offering limited 4 year bachelor programs)
10. Barry University (Catholic university....private)

Good luck! and yay for leaving the cold winters of Chi-town