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[quote=Anonymous]I was born in New England but grew up in the sticks of Florida, north of Tampa. Tampa was our big city, and still two hours away.

Culturally you are in for a shock.  Very conservative, there are pockets of interesting neighborhoods (Ybor, Dali museum, beaches, Davis island, etc). But extremely diffuse so will drive for the smallest excursion. No town there. No downtown.  Lots of suburban chain sprawl. That is the 'good' life there.   And other industries:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/23/politics/tampa-gop-strip-clubs

Definitely avoid new Tampa if staying long term. It was a product of the housing bubble.  What people don't understand about Florida is that other than some oceanfront property, it is flat huge and empty. There have been several land booms that end in tears and then move 10 miles up the road for the next round of suckers.

So look for established neighborhoods with good schools or good private options, the boomtown schools only have high ratings BC of the influx of wealthy students and high property values, which have now reversed and will not return unlike close in DC. For example I have friend with home in new Tampa bought 2006 for 240k; zillow says now 120k and even that may be high. My hometown 2 hrs north near Ocala, perfectly ok 70s ranches go for 50k. Different world than here so look for lasting quality neighborhoods.

Even if you get into decent public schools, they will not not compare to here. The academic and cultural shock from going from easy but ok schools to NE rigor will be hard.  Less opportunity and it is more like 3kids go to duke and Harvard and everyone else goes to UF which is no UVA.

That said you might consider living in Gainesville as it is a prototypical college town, but you husband would be a weekly commuter.

Sorry, central FL is a tough transition from NE. And summer is endless hot and sticky.

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