Suntree, Viera, Long Tree (Melbourne, Live Oak: real estate market, coupons, houses)

[lameduck51]

We're Long Islanders looking to relocate to Florida within the next 6-9 months. Both my wife and I are retired, so Melbourne and its reputation for being the polar opposite of the Big Apple is right up our alley.
A "little birdie" suggested that we look into the Suntree, Viera and Long Tree communities.

What do you all think? and are they other communities that we should also consider?

My wife likes to shop, but at workin' folks stores like Walmart and Target. Nothing fancy.

I'm basically a couch potato whose primary need is a strong DirecTV signal that will allow me to continue my allegiance to the Yankees and football Giants.

We're looking for a relatively quiet, safe neighborhood.
3 Bedrooms, 2 baths and as little property to maintain as feasible.
Although we're both older than 55, we're not leaning towards an 'adult community; just a community where people act like adults.
Family neighborhoods and kids are fine. We've got 3 children and 4 grandchildren of our own, and we hope that they'll all pay us a visit once in a while (but not too, too often).

As long as I can say that I've shoveled my last flake of snow, I'll be a happy guy.

Any thoughts and/or opinions you'd care to share would be greatly appreciated.

[nicolemphmsw]

Your post made me smile. You paint a great word picture. :-)

I'm a big Viera fan. Everything's new there.

My understanding of Suntree is that it's popular, and that the real estate is expensive for the area because the schools are great there. Same for the Longleaf area. Of course, expensive is relative, and it depends on what you get. I think you'd be happy in any of those areas. Each is close to activities and beaches, and has a lot to offer in the neighborhood.

[lameduck51]

Originally Posted by nicolemphmsw

Your post made me smile. You paint a great word picture. :-)

I'm a big Viera fan. Everything's new there.

My understanding of Suntree is that it's popular, and that the real estate is expensive for the area because the schools are great there. Same for the Longleaf area. Of course, expensive is relative, and it depends on what you get. I think you'd be happy in any of those areas. Each is close to activities and beaches, and has a lot to offer in the neighborhood.

Thanks, Nicole. Glad my quirky commentary could bring a smile to your face.

My wife and I are doing a 9 stop tour of Melbourne homes sometime during the week of February 21st. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I won't be signing autographs or doing interviews. ;-)

All of the 9 homes we're looking at have a list price under $160,000. I don't know whether that's considered expensive for Melbourne, but here on Long Island, you can't buy a decent one car garage for a $160k....even in this difficult real estate market.

I'm hoping to see all 9 homes in a single day, and we probably will......unless the little lady spots a Super Target along the way. If that happens, not only won't we see more than 3 houses, but we'll probably miss our flight home as well.

[namomof3]

Don't discount pockets of west melbourne! - just got here last week and love it. I am a mom of 3 in a subdivision near 95 and 192. Fyi-- 192 has any store you need and then some. As I drive my kids to school there are adults taking walks and its nice and quiet in the evening. Your dollar may stretch a little more here and melbourne than viera or suntree but compared to ny, its a bargain by far. Good luck!

[lameduck51]

Originally Posted by namomof3

Don't discount pockets of west melbourne! - just got here last week and love it. I am a mom of 3 in a subdivision near 95 and 192. Fyi-- 192 has any store you need and then some. As I drive my kids to school there are adults taking walks and its nice and quiet in the evening. Your dollar may stretch a little more here and melbourne than viera or suntree but compared to ny, its a bargain by far. Good luck!

YES !!! Just what I was looking for......thank you. :-)

Now, where are these 'pockets' ?? Landmarks?.....sub-division names?.....any info would be helpful.

I'm basically a cheapskate at heart, so I'd never turn down a bargain....
......and my wife spends one day a week cutting coupons.

I'm pretty sure she got 75 cents off *me* when we got married almost 37 years ago.

[namomof3]

Sheridan lakes, sheridan woods, drive down sheridan and there are a few more I can't think of. Also what about beachside communities? Satellite beach melbourne beach. Etc... Homes will be cozier but being near the coast!!!

[lameduck51]

My wife and I spent 9 hours looking at homes in Melbourne last Wednesday. Absolutely LOVED it.
Saw places we liked in 12 sub-divisions.....all reasonably priced and well maintained.

Now comes the tough part. Which of the 12 sub-divisions is the best long-term option?
Suntree? Eagle's Landing? Live Oak? Magnolia Springs? Augusta Village? Wickham Forest? Misty Creek? Devon's Glen? Suntree Lakes? Grand Haven? Mandarin Lakes? Pineda Crossing?

or did we miss others that are equal to or better than the 12 we visited?

We made the trip without our agent, and saw approx. 27 properties in 9 hours....and still had time to take in a deep dish at Pizzeria Uno.

Feedback from anyone willing to offer an opinion would be greatly appreciated.

[namomof3]

the suntree area is nice-plus it's proximity to all the shopping in Viera is prime. so you can't go wrong there~

[lameduck51]

Originally Posted by namomof3

the suntree area is nice-plus it's proximity to all the shopping in Viera is prime. so you can't go wrong there~

BTW....we also looked at a place in Sheridan Lakes, but the 'roundabout' just west of 95 scared the he!! out of my wife.
She doesn't drive on highways or complex roads. Up and down Wickham she can handle, and she's okay on side roads, but roundabouts??? not so much.
Since I have no intention of going EVERYWHERE with her, we essentially stayed east of 95, give or take a few blocks.

[lameduck51]

Been to Melbourne twice in the past year. Still not sure where to buy. We've loosely established geographic parameters as follows:

North of Lake Washington Road
South of Viera Boulevard
East of 95
West of Route 1

.......but we've also been told by a few Melbourne residents to stay north of Post Road and to avoid the area between Lake Washington Road and Post Road.

Not sure whether the advice we've been given is elite and parochial, or whether the areas south of Post Road are really sub-par.

Anyone live in this area who would care to offer a helpful opinion?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.