Where is the safest/best place to live in Florida?

I have lived in Nebraska all of my life & want to move to Florida b/c i hate it here! I am a single, 25 yr. old female who wants to live somewhere that's always warm & that has more diversity. I have a Spanish/Sociology degree (currently am a Spanish Translator) & would love to live somewhere where I could utilize my Spanish skills more. My parents are concerned about my safety, the hurricanes and the high cost of living. Where would be the best place for me to move considering my situation?

Public Comments

1. Central Florida area. I live just a little north of the city of Orlando and there are so many things to do, nice areas to live in, very good shopping and the cost of living is reasonable. There are also plenty of good jobs here and local government agencies are very helpful. If you would like more information feel free to contact me.
2. you are 25 and you still listen to what your parents think- GROW UP !!!
3. malabu?
4. Don't move to Florida. It will be under the ocean soon.
5. The best way to know is go to Google. A lot place is going to pop up.
6. Be aware, Florida has many problems that are far from being solved. In addition to a property insurance crisis (most companies have pulled out, leaving homeowners to pay extremely high insurance costs to a state insurer, which means higher rents), the state is also struggling with high property taxes (again, rents are affected, too), clogged roads, severe drought, wildfires and hurricanes. And if you've never experienced the heat and humidity of a Florida summer, you're in for a surprise (esp. in Central Florida without the ocean breezes) .... That said, Daytona Beach and nearby New Smyrna Beach are still a bargain and offer the things you're going to Florida for: Sunshine and surf. There are also some nice sports still in the Panhandle, up near Destin, Fort Walton, and Pensacola, albeit without the diversity you seek. North Florida experiences a real winter, Jacksonville can be downright cold and wet. If you're used to an urban environment and enjoy the diversity, check out Miami. You'll pay higher rents, but you'll experience a place President Clinton once called "the Capital of Latin America," and with Castro's health in question, you may find yourself living in Miami during the city's most exciting time, if Cuba falls. Avoid Southwest Florida, Ft. Myers and Naples are expensive, traffic-choked and not diverse. The Tampa/St. Pete area can be nice, but it is very largely covered with sprawl to the interior and condos lining the beach along the Gulf. Good luck.
7. I too live in Central Florida, near Orlando. I moved here in Dec. because my husband teaches at MMI In Orlando. I saw a survey that said Fl ranks no 8 in as far as crime. But hey that's bad everywhere. I really like it here. My daughter is moving here as well in June, she is 24. She loved it here because there is so much to do. There is also a large amount of Spanish speaking immigrate here so you may have no problem getting a job.
8. Tampa is a nice town with a lot of culture and has a vibrant Cuban community. Palm Beach County and Broward County have large Hispanic communities and their crime rates aren't too bad if you stay out of the bad neighborhoods. They are more expensive and more hurricane prone than Tampa, though. Driving on I-95 down there will be a real education-- wear your seat belt! Stay out of Dade County (Miami) it is extremely expensive, has many unsafe areas and if you recall, was hit really hard by Hurricane Andrew some years back. I live in the center of the state, and we had extensive damage from hurricanes in 2004 when Charley, Frances and Jeanne cut through across the state but otherwise, haven't been affected. You and your parents should remember that unlike tornadoes, we get plenty of warning about hurricanes and you can (and should!) evacuate if a large one is headed your way. I have lived in Florida all of my 40-something years and 2004 is the only time I have been affected by hurricanes. For my first 20 years, I lived on the east coast (Daytona area) and the only effect they had on my life was that I got a day or so every year off of school and/or work because there was a hurricane watch.
9. Venice, Fl.