[andyk56]

I am a 50 y/o single straight professional male relocating from Atlanta (I lived in Los Angeles prior). I have narrowed down my choices to Ft Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Sarasota. I would like to be somewhat close to the beach. Nightlife is important but South Beach is too much of a zoo and too young for me. I will rent initially but may buy in a year or two when prices come down more. I am familiar with Florida to some degree but would appreciate the perspective of residents.

[compelled to reply]

Hmm, professional, straight, like nightlife. I say Mizner Park in east Boca Raton, which has become a center for young as well as middle aged professionals, with decent nightlife, good restaurants and shopping, and close to the beach. It's a very classy, cosmopolitan area, "downtown" type area within an upscale city. You are also only a half hour to Fort Lauderdale, which is better for younger professionals and isn't as clean/safe as Boca.

I don't know much about Sarasota.

[MrTudo]

What fort lauderdale said, plus if you are into the go go up front attitude of the northeast, choose boca. If you on the other hand can deal with the "ohio" or mid west state of mind, choose the west coast.

Much better nightlife, restarants, "culture" ( heh ) on the east coast but it's also much more crowded, and fast fast . More expensive on the east coast too. You can even get an acceptable pizza on the east coast. On the west coast they're clueless.

I lived half my life between Ft Lauderdale and Boca. Left the country to retire in Asia, and lived in several countries there for a few years. Best laid plans as they say. Came back and no way would pay the kind of money the east coast demanded and bought a house on the west coast.

It's ok really It's more laid back here, cheaper, obviously not as productive as the east coast. Was in Boca over the weekend. It just too much go go for me at this point ( I'm 52 by the way, had open heart surgery 2 1/2 years ago so access to quality care is a must ) . While I still like how much greener ( and cooler ) it is on the east coast, much better restarants, etc ( all day dim sum in Ft Lauderdale yee haw! ), it's just too crowded for my tastes at this point. But remember I spent half my life there. Another 3rd in Jersey, 5 years in NYC. Several years on a beach and then side of a mountain on an island in SE Asia.

Personally if we can eek out another couple years of the bull market we're in, it's gonna be tough to stay anywhere in the USA. If it doesn't last then we'll stay but probably not here in SW Fla and not on the east coast either. Probably Fla unless they raise taxes smoe in which case it's adios muchachos.

Good luck! Far better than Atlanta/Peachtree City/Fayetteville, area in my opinion.'

Sorry if I've rambled. Got me started on this one somehow

[andyk56]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

Far better than Atlanta/Peachtree City/Fayetteville, area in my opinion.'

I lived in Brookhaven, which is next to Buckhead and actually a pretty fun and nice place. But I'm pining for the ocean - I play competitive beach volleyball. I really like the FL west coast (ie white sand, sunsets), particularly Sarasota, but think it may be limiting, especially off-season, as I am still looking to get hitched up. As far as the FL east coast goes, I have some nice NYC friends, but I don't know if I can handle being surrounded by too many New Yorkers bitching and moaning about how no place can compare to the City . So it is a dilemma.

[andyk56]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

Hmm, professional, straight, like nightlife. I say Mizner Park in east Boca Raton,

The more research I do, the more that area sounds interesting.

Maybe I should spend a month or so in Boca and another in Sarasota. Hmmm.

[rohlendorf]

I live in Sarasota and find it to be a very beautiful city. Siesta Beach has the nightlife and the white flour like sand. Sarasota has developed into a cultural center with opera and theatre. I was transferred here from Chicago in 1990 and have enjoyed my time here. I am 58 and have recently retired. We are planning to move up into the mountains in north Gerogia as soon as we can sell our home here.

You should certainly spend some time here. It's a nice place.

[CJFlorida]

I don't think you could go wrong with either Boca or Sarasota. As you said, you are past the South Beach stage, but still want some nice places to go out. Both areas have plenty to do for a single gentlemen in your age bracket.

[andyk56]

Originally Posted by rohlendorf

We are planning to move up into the mountains in north Gerogia as soon as we can sell our home here.

So you are going to be a halfback. The southern Appalachians are nice, from Carolina and Tennessee down to Georgia. I looked at some real estate investments there but now the market is tanking everywhere. It does get chilly in the winter and if you can do without being close to the ocean you should be OK.

I do have some concerns about the property insurance in FL. I don't mind the higher property tax, to compensate for no state income tax, but the supposed tripling of insurance makes real estate holding costs a real problem.

[rohlendorf]

Originally Posted by andyk56

So you are going to be a halfback. The southern Appalachians are nice, from Carolina and Tennessee down to Georgia. I looked at some real estate investments there but now the market is tanking everywhere. It does get chilly in the winter and if you can do without being close to the ocean you should be OK.

I do have some concerns about the property insurance in FL. I don't mind the higher property tax, to compensate for no state income tax, but the supposed tripling of insurance makes real estate holding costs a real problem.

We don't need the gulf or the ocean, we rarely go to the beach.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by andyk56

I have some nice NYC friends, but I don't know if I can handle being surrounded by too many New Yorkers bitching and moaning about how no place can compare to the City . So it is a dilemma.

There's only one NYC. However the ones that are moaning and groaning are generally the ones who don't have a nickel in their pockets. Most of us will catch the occasional flight up, get our fill over a few days and happily fly back "home" to Fla.