Local community forum advice please
 

I'd like to start a local forum for my county. I have some kind of clue of what I'd like to have on it.

1- general discussion area
2- politics
3- business directory (small fee to add your company)
4- jobs or help wanted
5- general classifieds
6- a phone number page(s) similar to the phone book. Is this possible/legal?
7- a real estate section



What would be the best forum software to use? VB or is there a better free alternative? What else should I consider for the site?

Thanks. Also, anyone has any examples that would be great too ;)

You might look into using the free Joomla CMS. I have built community type websites using Joomla and once you get the hang of Joomla they are pretty easy to configure.

Go with vbulletin. Worth every penny.

Thanks,

I'm thinking getting the forum up first phpbb for now with maybe a nice skin, and add a http://www.phpmydirectory.com/features.html to it after it gets some traffic.

phpbb is a very suitable alternative. It is free and has many features and very comparable features to vbulletin.

I'm useing phpbb3 with a nice skin. Should be pretty cool. Letting everyone know my gay myspace page too. Should be live in a day or two.

Still looking for category suggestions. Am trying to lure in all age groups from high school to seniors. Would like to make it "hip" for all.

Thanks for your input and any further ideas. They are greatly needed!

SMF Is a personal favourite of mine, even over phpbb and its all completely free!

SMF is very very simple to use, but then these days phpbb3 is just as easy I hear. Both sound choices, Id then maybe build up to vbulletin as the forum gains popularity!