Thought this would be the ideal forum for such a post in hearing from the horses mouth as they say. We are seriously considering relocating from Northeast to Florida and seeking opinions on what would be considered best overall places to live in southeast area in terms of neighborhood (single family homes), schools, baseball and overall quality of life. Son is H.S. freshmen and daughter is in 6th grade.

Thanks.

"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox

Lots of questions to consider -- like employment opportunities and education. Coming from the NE, you might be a bit....um...disappointed with Florida public schools, and need to investigate private schools as well.

Do you want beach? Then I, too, would recommend the mid-Gulf Coast. If you want more infrastructure, I would recommend Orlando (and look to our South Florida posters to talk about their end of the peninsula).

This topic can get contoversial if it's to give you any meaty answers. Please PT me with questions if you'd like more specific answers.

---------------------------------
From 'Nice Guys Finish Last' by Leo Durocher:

Baseball lives at the center of a never-flagging whirl of irreconcilable opinions.

I am with TARako, St. Pete- Clearwater area is great considering the terms you asked.

"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez

The St. Pete/Clearwater is the best baseball rihgt now, but that changes year to year.

Orlando was PC when talking about the education system. I'd suggest you try and find a solid private school to attend that is solid in baseball.

Feel free to email me at RobPincus@aol.com. I'll be haooy to try and help you, as I know most of the high school coaches in the state.

Bob Pincus
Head Coach
Central Florida Renegades
www.eteamz.com/centralfloridarenegades
RobPincus@aol.com

If I had a choice, my West Palm Beach backside would be on the west coast of Florida faster than Jeb Bush's head could spin. (Hopefully will spin). I grew up here and it's gotten too crowded and growing too fast. School's are reaching capacity faster than they can build them.

There are some excellent public and private baseball programs with some fantastic coaches.

The Jupiter, Florida area still hasn't really been overgrown, yet. Plus, you can save a bunch on travel and hotels because they host about 1/2 dozen tournaments there a year - Perfect Game, Headfirst, etc. They have Jupiter and Dwyer High School, although large schools they have a very good reputation and have produced alot of talent.

My guess, is that if you're coming from Long Island, you'll think you're in heaven no matter where you land. Find the best job and take it from there, there are alot of quality teams and schools from coast to coast, north to south.

Good luck - If you end up in the West Palm Beach - I can give you some pointers.

Guys, thanks for the comments so far.

I would imagine opinions could be somewhat biased and create just a little controversy as Orlando mentioned...

Let me also add that empolyment is not an issue here as I can transfer and work out of our Miami office. Therefore southeast area is what I'd be interested in. Area's of interest would be Boca, West Palm, Delray, Coral Gables and any other areas you may know of. Feel free to comment further. Thanks again.

"On two legs, Mickey Mantle would have been the greatest ballplayer who ever lived." - Nellie Fox

Southeast or Southwest Florida are two great areas!!! Please make sure you tell all your friends, also! (Heh heh)(That's supposed to be a winking smiley face that I can't get to work)

Moc1

CLD, I currently live in So Florida. There is a good level of baseball here, but the area is built out and it reflects in home prices. There are many good private school programs. I can help you sort through the mountain of information on baseball. There are also good travel opportunities as well. Feel free to pm me with your number and we can talk if you like. I can also steer you away from bad teams as well.

the Florida Bombers
"I love the HSBBW"

best place to live is west palm south to kendall area in south miami. best baseball schools are miami pace, tampa jesuit, bishop kenny in jacksonville, both westministers in ft.laud and miami, brito and many more of course. though it fluctuates year to year these schools are rock solid and most are in the se corner of the state.