SE FL Mama's!! I need advice!

[Sisyphus]

My IL's live in Boca and it looks like my FIL is terminal, so we are planning to come down to the SFLA area and "park it" for a while (until he dies, I guess) to help out with driving to doc appts, etc. DH does consulting work all over the world, so he can live anywhere as long as it's got access to an airport.

Me, I'm pickier LOL. I lived in Boca for about six months when I was pg with ds1 (about 9 years ago) and LOATHED it (though, when I then moved to Orlando, I realized what LOATHE really means LOL). Suffice it to say I'm not a big FL fan but I know we need to be there temporarily... SO... that said, this is what I'm hoping for in an area/neighborhood (it doesn't have to be right IN Boca, just close enough and if it's outside of Boca, I'd rather it be on the Ft. Lauderdale side):

1. Inclusive and eclectic home schooling community... I'm an atheist, so I'm not going to fit in with a christian/religious group, no matter HOW "inclusive" they are LOL (I'm looking around for Yahoo groups, etc. too)

2. AP mama's in the area, preferably some queer mama's as well.

3. Access to museums and kid-friendly stuff, preferably inside stuff as I can't stand the humidity (though, winter will probably not be bad)... parks, etc. are important, too.

4. Good gyms and yoga studios in the area... I need a full service gym that offers classes, has good, well-maintained equipment, child care, etc.

5. Access to fun extra curricular stuff for my kids to do. Here, they take fencing, ice skating, spanish, acting, etc... tons of classes, most of which are for home schoolers.

6. Access to decent libraries.

7. A good, extremely liberal UU church.

8. LGBT groups in the area if possible.

Any other ideas or advice about things to do, etc. there is appreciated. I know I have a bad attitude about Florida in general and I need to change it... I'm working on that.

Thanks!

[Mom2J]

I'm sorry about your FIL. I can help a little with your list- I lived in S. FL for most of my life (we're in GA now).

I'm thinking the further east you go, the better off you'll be- maybe something in the Ft. Lauderdale-ish area. The drive would probably take about 30-40 mins though, so that might be pushing it. If that's too far, the best alternative is probably the eastern-most part of Boca. At least FAU is there, so you get a tiny bit of the college town feel, although I wouldn't call it a college town if that makes sense. The western part of Broward (and most of Palm Beach too) is pure suburbia, and not at all crunchy.

2. There are some, just not tons. You're looking in the right place though. I know a couple of members are in the Boynton Beach area.

3. Winter will definitely be better. Still not CA weather, but a lot better than summer! There are a lot of things to do, so don't sweat that. In Ft. Lauderdale there are several museums, water taxi rides, airboats in the Everglades, Jungle Queen cruise, etc. Drive a little to the south and see the keys- that's the best part of FL imo! Go snorkeling at Pennekamp, do the glassbottom boats, tour the historic homes, etc. You'd love the people in Key West! Miami has a lot of stuff too. Seriously, there's a ton to do.

There are a ton of county parks as well. I know there is a website, so check that out.

5. No problems there either.

6. The libraries are decent- not great, but decent. The regional ones tend to be better. The main one is in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.

8. Again, I'm thinking East is better.

Good luck!

[cameransmommy]

I would say east Boca as well, or east Delray are the best places for you. Lots of yoga studios and both have areas that are pedestrian friendly (if that is important to you.). Finding a homeschool group that is not Christian based will be difficult, i have been feeling my way around the different groups and have not found any i am comfortable with. There is an active Waldorf initiative that would be good contacts, though. There are a couple of AP playgroups and mom meet-ups in the area. One through yahoo groups and another on meetup.com. No problem with libraries, museums, lots of activities for kids. There is a UU church right in Boca, there is a wonderful creative arts school that offers drama for your DS's age out of that church also.
Hey..it is easy to have a bad attitude about south florida, it can be a craphole! But, if you know the right places to look, it can be wonderful also!

[Sisyphus]

Hi and thanks for the replies!

I've been in CA and had wonky internet for two weeks so I haven't been able to reply.

It's so funny that you recommend east Boca around FAU.... that is exactly where we lived LOL... dh grew up in Boca.. his parents still live on NW 5th and we lived on 13th St.

I'd love to live in Old Floresta LOL!!

If anyone else has ideas, advice or info I'm all ears!

Thanks again!!

[goodygumdrops]

Hi,

I just wanted to say hi and good luck on your move. We're moving to fl from Seattle in about two months. We're not even sure where we're going to live quite yet but we think North Ft Lauderdale area...

Maybe we can meet up... I posted a few weeks ago about moving so maybe you can find info in that thread.

gl

[torio]

I'm in Miami, but friends say the Boca children's museum has great classes. Good luck!