What part of Florida? It varies a lot. I will echo a few sentiments:
- schools generally are not that impressive, but like elsewhere if you apply yourself you can do fine (dad grew up there and got scholarship to school "up north"). Also, there are several top schools, but you have to look for them.
- don't spend to much time worrying until you get to the offer stage. I know it can be hard since I often do it myself.
- when the time comes, negotiate for full relo, which includes sales commission, transport of property, etc.
- I have lived in Chicago, DC, Atlanta, and Houston. We prefer heat to cold. It's a trade-off either way. In either locale, there will be several months that you simply don't want to go outside. In FL buy a house that has a pool.
Is ND really booming other than energy? Perhaps that is your area. Florida, other than tourism, doesn't have any significant industries (others, correct me).
I think of ND as being fairly rural as compared to FL (much of which is countryside). On average, I would expect more to do in FL, but I really don't know ND.
Main thought, given kids appear up to it, is where would you prefer to be in the long run? Taxes in FL are nice (like ND, if I recall correctly).
Could be a tough call. But, my view is FL is not bad.