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OT: Where in FL????

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Joey Bacala

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Aug 12, 2005
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OK this one should tap into the collective expertise of this board.

Looking to buy a townhouse or small single family in FL. Don’t need a lot of space. Since I’ve got about 6-7 yrs til retirement I’m gonna start being a snowbird next winter if all goes well since my job is a “work from anywhere.”

Want nice but reasonably priced place. Gulf coast or Atlantic? Out of high potential hurricane zone. Looking to spend $450 max. Beachfront prob not realistic but within 10 miles of beach.

And…….GO!
 
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Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,176
15,988
113
With the increased size and spread of recent Atlantic hurricanes there is literally no area in FL that is immune to hurricane damage.

RU#’s can better address this but as a Gulf Coast resident that is my belief.
 
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koleszar

Heisman
Jan 1, 2010
35,792
55,698
113
Joey Bacala said:
OK this one should tap into the collective expertise of this board.

Looking to buy a townhouse or small single family in FL. Don’t need a lot of space. Since I’ve got about 6-7 yrs til retirement I’m gonna start being a snowbird next winter if all goes well since my job is a “work from anywhere.”

Want nice but reasonably priced place. Gulf coast or Atlantic? Out of high potential hurricane zone. Looking to spend $450 max. Beachfront prob not realistic but within 10 miles of beach.

And…….GO!
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I'm going to say Naples is out. My Mom's house just sold for $695k and she was 15mins. (with minor traffic) from the Gulf. It was nothing spectacular, 3 bedroom house and a little rundown as she built it in the early 90's. Usually got a little storm damage but nothing catastrophic.
 
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newell138

newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
35,789
45,431
112
I vote for the gulf coast. Anything within 10 miles to the beach is not cheap at all and as others have said the HOA's are where they get you. If you are looking for a bargain, you can still find some bargains near Ft Meyers that were damaged by the hurricane but those are mostly rebuilds. I have been looking for the last 2 years but have basically decided its cheaper to rent for a month and a lot less hassle.
The beauty of renting is that we go to a different spot each year, because there are so many nice spots to enjoy on the gulf coast as well as the keys.
If i had to pick any one spot I would look towards Sarasota, while prices are pretty high in Siesta Key and Lido Key, you should check out Venice, its a small little beach town and you may still be able to find a decent place there in your price range.
There is a pizza spot in Sarasota that had one of the best slices I have ever had.
 
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carolina scarlet

Freshman
Nov 9, 2006
217
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tom1944 said:
What is the homeowner insurance situation I read that it is a problem but what does that exactly mean?

Is it significantly more than we pay in NJ?
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It's not really the homeowners insurance premium but the hurricane coverage that is really high. Plus with a mortgage banks are going to require federal flood insurance. We sold out of Florida and found the Carolinas' more affordable and less traffic.
 
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tom1944

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Feb 22, 2008
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So when you take basic fixed costs of car and home insurance, utilities and taxes is Florida still an inexpensive place?
 
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JayDogSmooth

All-Conference
Aug 18, 2006
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We like SW FL and the panhandle but it depends what you’ll want to do and be into

Both are on the sleepy side, moreso the panhandle near Destin

Naples, Bonita & Estero are all great options - and much more to do than the panhandle

Both beaches are great - we prefer the gulf side due to more midwesterners who are typically more laid back, more relaxed vibe, less crowded but getting more crowded, and the beaches

Sarasota and Lakewood ranch also are great, and offer the most to do out of the 3, and also closer to bigger city (tampa), which hasn’t been hit by a big hurricane in a long time
 
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Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,176
15,988
113
DanRU said:
This is a new development I was considering. I drove through the area when they were starting construction. As stated above, I don't think anyplace is safe from hurricanes but I'd at least want to be safe from storm surge.

https://www.taylormorrison.com/fl/sarasota/nokomis/the-townhomes-at-palmero?utm_medium=newhomefeed&utm_source=zillow/paid_network&nhf_channel=6&nhf_listing_id=76898&nhf_listing_type=community&utm_term=comm_TheTownhomesatPalmero&utm_campaign=Nokomis/FL
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I know that area well. Attractive but I’d avoid units with a 1 car garage since there are no basements or attics for storage.

If you like the Sarasota area then Lakewood Ranch is an attractive location.
 
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DHajekRC84

Heisman
Aug 9, 2001
30,709
19,816
0
newell138 said:
have basically decided its cheaper to rent for a month and a lot less hassle.
The beauty of renting is that we go to a different spot each year, because there are so many nice spots to enjoy on the gulf coast as well as the keys.
Click to expand...
Exactly what we have been doing the last 3-4 years. Soon to expand to 2 months and then 3. Hop around wherever we feel is a good new spot to check out.
 
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R

RU from Jersey_rivals

All-Conference
Jan 16, 2002
2,609
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You should look at the Space Coast. You might be able to find something on the barrier island for $450K, but you could definitely find something on the "mainland" for that price and you would be a short causeway ride from the beach.
 
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Morrischiano2

All-American
Dec 3, 2019
5,956
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Joey Bacala said:
OK this one should tap into the collective expertise of this board.

Looking to buy a townhouse or small single family in FL. Don’t need a lot of space. Since I’ve got about 6-7 yrs til retirement I’m gonna start being a snowbird next winter if all goes well since my job is a “work from anywhere.”

Want nice but reasonably priced place. Gulf coast or Atlantic? Out of high potential hurricane zone. Looking to spend $450 max. Beachfront prob not realistic but within 10 miles of beach.

And…….GO!
Click to expand...
Florida has become expensive, and is become more unsafe due to rising crime and stronger storms. Look at North Carolina or Delaware (combined tax rate similar to Florida).

I’m 50 but already thinking about a retirement house in NH (near zero income tax and 1% sales tax). In 15 years it will be warmer up there.
 
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Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,176
15,988
113
rubaseball78 said:
I've had a townhouse on Sarasota Bay in Bradenton Beach since the early eighties. Nice relaxing area that is close to Sarasota and Tampa.
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Agree. He also said no high potential hurricane zone. That rules out all coastal FL locations. He’s looking for a unicorn.
 
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Rutgers8086_rivals

Senior
Apr 24, 2015
613
603
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carolina scarlet said:
It's not really the homeowners insurance premium but the hurricane coverage that is really high. Plus with a mortgage banks are going to require federal flood insurance. We sold out of Florida and found the Carolinas' more affordable and less traffic.
Click to expand...
My homeowners insurance just went up over 50% to $6000 annually. Soon to be followed by increased flood insurance Thanks Florida legislature
 
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rutgersal_rivals139582

Heisman
Jun 7, 2001
34,592
42,007
113
Joey Bacala said:
OK this one should tap into the collective expertise of this board.

Looking to buy a townhouse or small single family in FL. Don’t need a lot of space. Since I’ve got about 6-7 yrs til retirement I’m gonna start being a snowbird next winter if all goes well since my job is a “work from anywhere.”

Want nice but reasonably priced place. Gulf coast or Atlantic? Out of high potential hurricane zone. Looking to spend $450 max. Beachfront prob not realistic but within 10 miles of beach.

And…….GO!
Click to expand...


Kings Point in Sun City Center, FL is amazing and conveniently located between Tampa and Sarasota. 55+ Community. Will easily fit your budget, and provides resort type amenities. My mom only sold so she could be near grandkids in NJ. It’s inland yet convenient to the beach, so no hurricane issues. Right off I-75.

 
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MoreCowbellRU

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Jan 29, 2012
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rutgersal said:
Kings Point in Sun City Center, FL is amazing and conveniently located between Tampa and Sarasota. 55+ Community. Will easily fit your budget, and provides resort type amenities. My mom only sold so she could be near grandkids in NJ. It’s inland yet convenient to the beach, so no hurricane issues. Right off I-75.

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Dad has a place there. Great if retirement community is what you're after. Tons of amenities and lots of golf courses (5 I think).
Fees are reasonable and upkeep is top knotch.

Clearwater/Largo area has some reasonable prices also. We are 10 mins from Clearwater Beach. 20-25 from Tampa airport.
 
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brgRC90

Heisman
Apr 8, 2008
34,957
15,859
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Florida's moment when real estate becomes expensive because of too much demand has probably been long delayed because so many new arrivals are older and usually looking for less space than people who are younger. Less land gets chewed up by people looking for a 1 bedroom house or apartment with little maintenance than people looking for 5000 Sq ft mini mansions. But it was inevitable. I'd guess Florida is nearing a topping point when population growth slows dramatically.
 
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RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
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It's just too damn hot, if you're not right on the water.

For 450k you can get this:



No property taxes, insurance is a couple grand a year at most and you can have a view of any beach in the world,
 
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RUnTeX

RUnTeX

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Dec 21, 2001
7,091
4,251
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Rutgers8086 said:
Editorial in today's Tampa Bay Times. Very relevant for this discussion.

Florida Growth
Click to expand...
From the editorial:

"What would help Florida absorb so many more residents while maintaining what makes it such a great place to live? One idea: update zoning laws. Too many communities rely on antiquated zoning that requires single-family homes on relatively large lots. What we need to get our heads around is housing density — more of it, in appropriate areas. That doesn’t mean building condos in rural communities or putting up skyscrapers in the suburbs. But it does mean packing our cities with more duplexes, more quadplexes, more six-story apartment buildings. It means allowing single-family homes on smaller lots. It means going all in on garage apartments and other accessory dwelling units. And, yes, in the downtown cores of our busiest cities, it means more residential towers. Some of this is happening already, but not enough given the increasing population. We can’t keep lamenting sprawl and then not having the backbone to prevent it. Zoning and density can be the antidote."

This is a familiar conversation now being had across several jurisdictions in various states. Balancing competing interests but development is ultimately about tradeoffs.
 
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RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
30,733
0
RUnTeX said:
From the editorial:

"What would help Florida absorb so many more residents while maintaining what makes it such a great place to live? One idea: update zoning laws. Too many communities rely on antiquated zoning that requires single-family homes on relatively large lots. What we need to get our heads around is housing density — more of it, in appropriate areas. That doesn’t mean building condos in rural communities or putting up skyscrapers in the suburbs. But it does mean packing our cities with more duplexes, more quadplexes, more six-story apartment buildings. It means allowing single-family homes on smaller lots. It means going all in on garage apartments and other accessory dwelling units. And, yes, in the downtown cores of our busiest cities, it means more residential towers. Some of this is happening already, but not enough given the increasing population. We can’t keep lamenting sprawl and then not having the backbone to prevent it. Zoning and density can be the antidote."

This is a familiar conversation now being had across several jurisdictions in various states. Balancing competing interests but development is ultimately about tradeoffs.
Click to expand...

So their solution is to turn Florida into Scalding Hot Hudson County?

Hard pass.
 
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RUnTeX

RUnTeX

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2001
7,091
4,251
113
RU4Real said:
So their solution is to turn Florida into Scalding Hot Hudson County?

Hard pass.
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Agreed, def hard pass for me.

But some of the planners and pols in various metros are advocating to make inner ring burbs denser while keeping outlying areas less developed through zoning reform that they believe would promote less sprawl. So I suppose that would be more Hudson County-type density in areas immediately surrounding Miami, Orlando, Jax, Tampa, etc.
 
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tom1944

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Feb 22, 2008
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Mr_Twister said:
I’ve owned on Marco Island for almost 40 years. To think that living in Florida is expensive and comparable to NJ is absurd. Florida has no state income tax and real estate taxes are laudable. Enough to make you shake your head.
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My retirement income will be close to $150,000 and my NJ income tax will be zero.

My property taxes, car and homeowners insurance will be about $14,000.

I figure Florida would be less but not a significant enough difference to move away from NJ.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
64,385
43,487
113
Knightmoves said:
With the increased size and spread of recent Atlantic hurricanes there is literally no area in FL that is immune to hurricane damage.

RU#’s can better address this but as a Gulf Coast resident that is my belief.
Click to expand...
Generally true, although there are differences, with the NE FL coast (north of about Daytona Beach) and a small section of the easternmost panhandle being least likely to be hit by a hurricane than anywhere else in FL, mostly due to being further north and the shape of the coast (meaning hurricanes are more likely to hit south of there given how the peninsula juts out). But those northern areas do often see remnant tropical storms and depressions with flooding rains and tornadoes. See the graphic below of return periods for landfalling Atlantic hurricanes.

As much as I love wild weather, I don't need to have my house in harm's way. That and the heat, the bugs, the flatness, the lack of seasons/snow and being filled with old people are enough to keep me far away from FL, except for visiting family.

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/atlantic-hurricane-season-2021/

 
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Mr_Twister

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Apr 1, 2004
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tom1944 said:
My retirement income will be close to $150,000 and my NJ income tax will be zero.

My property taxes, car and homeowners insurance will be about $14,000.

I figure Florida would be less but not a significant enough difference to move away from NJ.
Click to expand...
My real estate taxes in Florida are less than $2400 per year. I live in a 2BR/2BA waterfront condo.
That leaves a lot of leeway to pay for car and homeowners insurance.
I live in the Morristown NJ area (Harding Township) 5 months a year.
 
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RUBlackout7

All-Conference
Apr 10, 2021
1,535
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Mr_Twister said:
My real estate taxes in Florida are less than $2400 per year. I live in a 2BR/2BA waterfront condo.
That leaves a lot of leeway to pay for car and homeowners insurance.
I live in the Morristown NJ area (Harding Township) 5 months a year.
Click to expand...
I guess it depends where. In Miami prop taxes were basically the same as NJ.
 
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tom1944

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Feb 22, 2008
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Mr_Twister said:
My real estate taxes in Florida are less than $2400 per year. I live in a 2BR/2BA waterfront condo.
That leaves a lot of leeway to pay for car and homeowners insurance.
I live in the Morristown NJ area (Harding Township) 5 months a year.
Click to expand...
So, you pay NJ property taxes but you save on NJ income tax. As I said for me that would be zero savings.

My brother was looking to sell his house and Westfield and almost bought a home in Harding the property taxes were low.
 
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ManasquanMike

Sophomore
Feb 5, 2011
338
185
23
JayDogSmooth said:
We like SW FL and the panhandle but it depends what you’ll want to do and be into

Both are on the sleepy side, moreso the panhandle near Destin

Naples, Bonita & Estero are all great options - and much more to do than the panhandle

Both beaches are great - we prefer the gulf side due to more midwesterners who are typically more laid back, more relaxed vibe, less crowded but getting more crowded, and the beaches

Sarasota and Lakewood ranch also are great, and offer the most to do out of the 3, and also closer to bigger city (tampa), which hasn’t been hit by a big hurricane in a long time
Click to expand...
Depends on what you enjoy doing. If you don't live on the beach in any of those places, in season is absolutely dreadful as far as traffic and restaurants (worse than Manasquan and Brielle in the height of the summer). While those same midwest folks are laid back, their lack of driving skills and culinary blandness makes for "meh" foods. 5th Ave in Naples is ok, overpriced and no parking. As you can tell, not a fan. Ft. Myers beach before the storm had more character than any of the places you mentioned. Now, if you just want to relax and play golf, can't be beat. Agree with Sarasota (lived in Bradenton), Lakewood Ranch is becoming its own monster and far enough from the gulf it takes over and hour to get there (season).
 
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Knight Shift

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
85,811
83,354
113
Mr_Twister said:
I’ve owned on Marco Island for almost 40 years. To think that living in Florida is expensive and comparable to NJ is absurd. Florida has no state income tax and real estate taxes are laudable. Enough to make you shake your head.
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Will have to meet up next time we are there. Friends have a place close to Tigertail Beach.
How did you weather Ian? They did OK. Some water in the garage, and that was it.

BTW, do you go out to Goodland on Sunday afternoons? That is quite the party scene out there with the several bars in one area. Reminded me a little bit of the old days in Belmar or Seaside Heights, but with an older crowd. Bands at 2 or 3 bars playing some fun, old time rock music.
 
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