For some context, we own our first home in Bradenton. Got in right before covid. Bradenton while close to the beach, is extremely overcrowded and the people are extremely hostile on the roads. I need the sunshine and the warm weather for mental health reasons and my wife needs peace. She's a teacher here and we're trying to figure out better options for a better quality of life. We've visited Dunellon and Ocala area and while it's not near the beautiful gulf beaches, there's peace up there. I personally like North Port but prices are going up there. Our mortgage is under $1,000 and I really don't want to give that up... At the same time we're constantly stressed and the traffic is outrageous not to mention the infrastructure that's not keeping up with the population and awful urban planning of the area.

With all of this said: what are some better areas? How is Citrus Springs or Inverness? We find newer homes that are in our price range. The house I own now we've done a lot to though not completely done, we have some good equity in. The mortgage will still be significantly more but less would have to be done hopefully on the next house. Where are good areas that aren't so crazy?