Thanks for the information Cranachin! VERY helpful!

Valentina, posters here have tried to give you useful information, but perhaps you would be happier posting your questions on the city-data forum where members answer relo questions.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/

Nice to have your information about heat tolerance! That is a huge help, and I think we only were insistent because it is a real difficulty for many people. I actually lived in Florida BAC -- before air conditioning!

Of the places you ask about, I am quite familiar with North Naples and give it a positive recommendation, but it is neighborhood by neighborhood. I have had positive impressions of parts of Fort Myers, though it is quite depressed now, and of Bradenton, Sarasota and that area.

The Florida economy could not operate without illegal immigrants, so you will find them everywhere, in a variety of colors, from a variety of cultures and speaking a variety of languages, Mayan for instance. Most ask only the opportunity to earn a decent living for their families, the same thing that brought my ancestors here, albeit hundreds of years ago.

Thank you 321go!

Ackislander, Great information!- Thank you. It looks like we are leaning more to: Naples, and Ocala... Do you, or anyone else know what are the areas around Naples that are "not as nice", etc, etc? I have heard to stay away from Bonita Springs, and Golden Gate, why? Also, what is the difference between: Naples, Naples Park, and Naples Manner? I keep reading from other posts that Naples is this "ritzy" place, older folks, etc, etc (Which we are fine with). BUT does this apply to all of the Naples I just mentioned? or how does this work? -I am confused. Please feedback is welcome! Thanks again! =)

Bonita Springs has neighborhoods of multimillion dollar houses and rundown neighborhoods of 1940's bungalows and everything in between.

The same things apply to all the places you mention, less so to Naples, though I am not familiar with Naples Manor. In general, the closer to the beach, the more upscale. Properties to the west of US 41 generally cost more than properties to the east of it, and the effect goes all the way to I-75.

Because of property price meltdowns, you really can't make a decision from afar. Neighborshoods and school systems that were great a few years ago might be broke now.

You are at the point where if you are serious, you need to talk to a really good realtor, have her/him search out some properties, then go visit for a few days to see as many of the properties that sound good as possible. In the present economic climate, I think it would be very, very risky to buy a property for sale by owner. I can recommend a good realtor, though I have no personal or business connections with her. She just did well for us on both the buy and the sell side.

We can't figure out the attraction of Ocala. It is horse country and has what passes for hills in Florida, but the city of Ocala isn't much, it isn't near any beaches, and the weather can be quite chilly (downright cold, below 32) in the winter, but it is very popular with midwesterners. To us, it isn't a whole lot different from Georgia or Alabama, and they would be significantly cheaper. But our view of the area is pretty superficial.

I would most like Sarasota of the choices, as I think it is most interesting culturally and has best public schools ( I know nothing about christian schools at all).