IslandCazy

I would appreciate recommendations for our next family move. We are a family of 5 with twin 14 year-old boys and an 11 year-old girl who all play competitive tennis. We moved from Northern California to Hilton Head Island (Sea Pines) in August 2011 sight unseen (yes we are all adventurous). Hilton Head Island is beautiful and we have really enjoyed our time here thus far. There are two things that are missing for us and that is 1) warmer winter temperatures and 2) blue and/or green water. I would appreciate hearing recommendations on places we should research. In addition to the 2 wish list items, it also needs to be a safe place which supersedes everything else. We are even open to venture outside the U.S. to the Caribbean.

Lookin_Glass

School systems aren't one of your priorities?

suewoo

If you want blue/green water, you need to look at the Gulf or Carribean. The Atlantic is too churny to have that.

emalloy

Look at Marco Island, Anna Maria, Sanibel, FL hit your 1 & 2.

nanabee

I would consider Coronado, CA (a very safe place with excellent schools). It has a beach that is consistently ranked one of the world's best (your kids can learn to surf - but they will need wet suits). Your kids can bike and walk around anywhere on their own (as the entire island is a mile by a mile).

Or my second suggestion would be the island of Oahu. They have some of the best private schools in the world. Not to mention the best beaches in the world, and no wet suits!

DebitNM

Don't think you will find competitive tennis in Caribbean islands assuming you wanted to stay on US soil. Doubt that USVI would offer the level of tennis competition you seem to be seeking.

Gretchen

Interesting. What level of tennis? My grandson may have played your sons. Do you want good tennis academy access also? Do you home school as some junior tournament people do?
The west coast of Florida would offer what you want as has been suggested and would also be tennis central.

IslandCazy

Sorry about that...we homeschool the kids so no school systems are not a factor.

Gretchen

But I assume you want a tennis academy situation for their progress. It doesn't much happen without that.
So, what do you think about the suggestions. Florida has its own "region" of the USTA. You want to go to an "island or elsewhere".
You don't seem to need to have an employment situation, and your children's tennis competition seems to be the paramount situation. Also interesting.
Are you American nationals--or just using this as a travel opportunity as well as tennis for the kids. Just curious. I've seen all kinds at the tournaments.
I still recommend Florida--Sarasota area also--northerly of Marco, etc.. Of course, Nick is there, but also innumerable other tennis academies, including Dennis VanderMeer, I suspect.
I think your kids might be the level below DGS. Good competition.

IslandCazy

Thanks for the suggestions. We prefer to stay on the East Coast or Caribbean after spending many years on the West Coast. It sounds like the Gulf Coast would provide the nicer waters. The kids tennis is definitely not paramount in this decision. It's what they are enjoying right now. Van Der Meer Tennis Academy is actually on Hilton Head and the kids have trained there for the past 14 months until last month. We are not worried about being close to an academy as I feel a private coach works better for us at this point.

That said, I do feel the Caribbean would probably be tough for competitions.

I am thinking the Gulf Coast of Florida could be close to what we would like. So what do you think about cities with the best weather (not cooler than 65 degrees in Winter), nice waters and a safe/ideal for families? I have heard a lot about Sanibel.

suec1

We have visited Sanibel many times over the years - I would think it would be quite safe since you have to pay to get over the bridge. Captiva is beautiful too - like Bermuda but here in the US. I don't think there are any gated communities tho. Boca Grande is a bit further north and seemed quite nice on the day we tooled around on a golf cart. Then there are the larger communities like Naples or Ft. Myers where I'm sure you could find safety with a gated community. Probably the best idea is to take an exploratory trip to the area and see which one "sings" to you! Sanibel, Captiva, Boca Grande are all pretty small, quiet? just depends on what you are looking for!

Gretchen

Do you consider that between home schooling, gated communities, and not having at least the contact with peers at the tennis academy might be sort of socially isolating for your kids, particularly moving to a new area? Just a thought.

IslandCazy

Just looking for opinions on new and exciting places for raising a family, not parenting advice. Our kids are very well adjusted socially.

Lookin_Glass

Cut us some slack IslandCazy. As a first time poster, starting a rather off the rails thread about an island search, , , well It's a bit off the rails.

There's not a big demographic here in which one would suggest an island that has competitave tennis playing as a hobby, with the option of hiring a private coach to live on your island rather then a nearby academy.

There appears to be no concern about making a living, school or societal structures that offer a sense of community for all ages.

I wish I knew how to coach competative tennis! I like islands a lot. But I can't even hit the ball.

Tomsd

I am also a big confused as to your priorities/preferences for where you want to live and options for your family.

Suggest you do some traveling to a few places that you might like - and then determine if you are ready for another move.

nanabee

I agree tom and lookin glass. We are getting bits and pieces here and there. I think the OP is obviously quite capable of knowing what he/she wants actually and probably doesn't really need much input from posters here.

Fra_Diavolo

"Just looking for opinions on new and exciting places for raising a family, not parenting advice."

No one expects the Fodor's Inquisition.

Gretchen

I made my offering very sincerely, seeing a LOT that goes on on the junior tennis circuit and at an academy.
I am sure the OP knows that the Florida juniors is a very competitive situation, and says, it is a passing (maybe) thing for their children. It will be much more intense than SC!! Kids in these tournaments can be very friendly, and make friends, have fun-- or not. But from my experience, there are real friendships that happen along the way for the children, if there is enough contact. But if they play tennis competitively, there is no winter basketball, spring baseball, fall soccer leagues--no team sports. it's fine if or while they are succeeding. When the winning stops, they drop out. And with twins, maybe one is more successful than the other.
I find it quite interesting that this person would ask for advice on a travel board.

Gretchen

They chose Arizona! Interesting story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/sp...ef=sports&_r=0

Katzgar

warm winter temps within the US means S Florida or one of our Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico or US Virgin Islands. Summer heat will make tennis difficult in S Florida.