[DebbieM76]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum. I have been looking for advice on Florida.
I currently own a home in Massapequa Park NY.. I am 35 years old. I was working up untill last year 2010. I ve had a spinal cord injury and my spine is fused with 3 full rods and 19 screws. I am fused from T4 to L3. I usually hate the cold, but this year here in NY is the wrost. And, with my back condition I really need to get away from the COLD>>>!!!!
My husband is 55 retired from the Port Authority of NY&NJ. He would also like to leave for the winter. I have been looking at a few area to purchase a house just for the winter. I am learning. I know to stay away from lehigh Acrea, Cape Coral, Poinciana, polk county...SW Florida.
I need a safe area becasue when I head back to NY after the winter I am afraid someone may try to break into our home. I see the house prices are very cheap even in places like Vero Beach. Is it safe there? I dont want to spend over 1 hundred grand on a home. I have also seen home in kissimmee, sabastian, melbourn and orange county.. any info on what area would be good for us. I dont care about school because we dont have/nor want any kids. We also have a car so no need for transportation. I would like somewhere quiet and safe.

Thanks for all help.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by DebbieM76

Hello All,

I am new to this forum. I have been looking for advice on Florida.
I currently own a home in Massapequa Park NY.. I am 35 years old. I was working up untill last year 2010. I ve had a spinal cord injury and my spine is fused with 3 full rods and 19 screws. I am fused from T4 to L3. I usually hate the cold, but this year here in NY is the wrost. And, with my back condition I really need to get away from the COLD>>>!!!!
My husband is 55 retired from the Port Authority of NY&NJ. He would also like to leave for the winter. I have been looking at a few area to purchase a house just for the winter. I am learning. I know to stay away from lehigh Acrea, Cape Coral, Poinciana, polk county...SW Florida.
I need a safe area becasue when I head back to NY after the winter I am afraid someone may try to break into our home. I see the house prices are very cheap even in places like Vero Beach. Is it safe there? I dont want to spend over 1 hundred grand on a home. I have also seen home in kissimmee, sabastian, melbourn and orange county.. any info on what area would be good for us. I dont care about school because we dont have/nor want any kids. We also have a car so no need for transportation. I would like somewhere quiet and safe.

Thanks for all help.

You might take a look at condominiums, especially in the Walt Disney World area. There are a number of nice 3 bedroom condos in your price range, just to the south of WDW in a quieter area called the Four Corners. In real estate searches use the town name of Davenport. It's very safe and quiet, yet close obviously to the numerous services that WDW attracts. A huge benefit as well to a condo since you're using it seasonally is the ability to rent it out while not there. Websites like VRBO allow you to post your property and rent it out weekly or monthly which is very popular with European tourists, and your proximity to WDW would be golden. Good luck!

[NaleyRocks]

We vacationed in Deland Fl and loved it. Smallish city, 25 minutes from Daytona, 45 minutes to Orlando. It is a very laid back place. We didn't see anything sketchy about the area, but we were only there for a week. You'd want to check the stats on that.
We can't wait to go back and even though we are in our early 30s, right now that is where we want to retire.

[Specval09]

Originally Posted by NaleyRocks

We vacationed in Deland Fl and loved it. Smallish city, 25 minutes from Daytona, 45 minutes to Orlando. It is a very laid back place. We didn't see anything sketchy about the area, but we were only there for a week. You'd want to check the stats on that.
We can't wait to go back and even though we are in our early 30s, right now that is where we want to retire.

I'm also looking to move down to FL from the north, although I'm hoping to live their full time. In my research I found out that Deland, FL had a lot of sink hole problems a few years back. I'm not sure how reliable this information is and if the problems have all been discovered and corrected but it's something to keep in mind especially if you plan on leaving your home vacant for a couple of months.

[kyle19125]

I think Vero Beach could be a good option for you. Homes are quite inexpensive and it doesn't have the crime issues like Port St Lucie. It's quiet yet has enough to do that you won't get bored. It's also not part of a busy tourist area (like Central Florida) so you won't have the congestion that comes with that. If you're looking for someplace near the beach (which is something of a perk for a vacation home) you can't go wrong with Vero Beach given its real estate prices.

[younameit]

Hello to everyone,I am very new to this forum and i i interested in moving to Deland,FL from Texas but i am not sure how safe and if there is job.I would like to have a look at the area also via computer but i am not getting the location to pull up.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by younameit

Hello to everyone,I am very new to this forum and i i interested in moving to Deland,FL from Texas but i am not sure how safe and if there is job.I would like to have a look at the area also via computer but i am not getting the location to pull up.

Deland has one of the very worst job markets in the country, with an unemployment rate of almost 11%. Otherwise, it's a fairly safe area if you can find a job.

Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[jambo101]

Is it my imagination or is the main reason for every one moving to Florida their dislike of colder weather/winter?If so is this a recent phenomena? as i dont recall people so down with winter in the past, sure the occasional super cold day or the day after a blizzard can be a bit inconvenient but generally i dont see so much wrong with winter that i'd pack up my whole life say goodbye to all family and friends and move down to Florida.For me my annual 3-4 week winter vacation is all that i need.
Ultimately if enough people contract this aversion to cold weather/winter Florida is going to suffer from that old conundrum of trying to fit 10lbs of .... in a 5lb bag..
As for safe areas for snowbirds i'd look to a gated community with security either a housing development or large trailer park or condo in a secure highrise..

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Is it my imagination or is the main reason for every one moving to Florida their dislike of colder weather/winter?If so is this a recent phenomena? as i dont recall people so down with winter in the past, sure the occasional super cold day or the day after a blizzard can be a bit inconvenient but generally i dont see so much wrong with winter that i'd pack up my whole life say goodbye to all family and friends and move down to Florida.For me my annual 3-4 week winter vacation is all that i need.
Ultimately if enough people contract this aversion to cold weather/winter Florida is going to suffer from that old conundrum of trying to fit 10lbs of .... in a 5lb bag..
As for safe areas for snowbirds i'd look to a gated community with security either a housing development or large trailer park or condo in a secure highrise..

This is nothing new. Why do you think Florida has upwards of 18 million people? And especially older people hate the cold. I don't blame people a BIT for hating the cold and wanting to get out - but I'm glad not everyone wants to, because as you said - 10 lbs in a 5 lb bag thing.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Is it my imagination or is the main reason for every one moving to Florida their dislike of colder weather/winter?If so is this a recent phenomena? as i dont recall people so down with winter in the past, sure the occasional super cold day or the day after a blizzard can be a bit inconvenient but generally i dont see so much wrong with winter that i'd pack up my whole life say goodbye to all family and friends and move down to Florida.For me my annual 3-4 week winter vacation is all that i need.
Ultimately if enough people contract this aversion to cold weather/winter Florida is going to suffer from that old conundrum of trying to fit 10lbs of .... in a 5lb bag..
As for safe areas for snowbirds i'd look to a gated community with security either a housing development or large trailer park or condo in a secure highrise..

The winters have gotten longer as the climate changes. Until this past January I spent the past 7 years in Philly and 6 years in DC, and can tell you over the past several years that what is referred to as "Winter" now starts in November and hangs on until April at minimum and sometimes even May. Five to six months of below freezing temperatures is not appealing to many...