[seeker283]

Want to relocate to Florida, looking for all opinions on these two areas.
40's couple, no kids, upper middle class (160K combined)

We want the gated community, golf, water views and nice restaurants, we will be renting the first year or more untill we decide if we like it.

So... because we can find the above amenities in many cities we need to consider some other options such as town crime rate, stability, traffic and general atmosphere, weather. We don't want to be stuck to far out in the burbs.

We are relocating from a major, diverse city, prefer not to say which now.

Thanks

[Karla with a K]

seeker
i am in Jacksonville
You might look at "The World Golf villiage" in St Augustine.
I know there are "higher end" gated communites located there.
Karla
Here is what I found on google
Moderator cut: link

[logybogy]

Definitely St. Augustine. First of all, it's much more affordable than Sarasota. Also, most importantly for the future, Hurricanes are very rare on the northeast florida coast.

Sarasota is too close to South Florida. When you purchase a home there, you'll be killed with homeowner's insurance premiums.

[Edvard]

I would stay away from Sarasota.
The homeless winos. The insurance rates. The crime (going up fast as a result of our liberal crackpot judges that won't jail anybody for any reason). The snowbirds are so bad you can hardly stand to go out of your house or office from Nov-May.

If you need any work done on or around your house stand-by with guards and interpreters. And the contractors probably won't show up any how so line up 3 or 4 of them for the same day.

I work in Sarasota and live in North Port, and NP is just starting it's slide. I grew up in Venice, Sarasota area used to be so nice. I moved out of SRQ about 5 yrs ago when I saw where it was headed. Leaving NP as soon as the market picks up a bit.
Look somewhere North of Gainesville. S Fla is overcrowded and the crime issues are just beginning. Great deals on land in Columbia County.

[seeker283]

Fellow members...

Thanks for the info , the fact that all three of you have the same opinions really helps. I'm planning a 5 day Thansgiving trip so I 'll be checking out St. Aug and surrounding areas first hand!

Thanks

[logybogy]

Yes, Columbia County Florida is very affordable. It's about 45 minutes north of Gainesville, straight shot on I-75. Very pretty "Old Florida" area. What Florida used to look like before it was paved over with concrete. The biggest city is Lake City, but the star attraction is the location.

It's within a half hour drive to numerous gorgeous springs. If you can, I suggest making it out to Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

Also check out the small towns around Gainesville and Ocala. They are all very affordable compared to anything you'll find on the coast, especially when it comes to insurance premiums. Anywhere near the water in Florida you are going to get blasted pretty badly.

High Springs, Micanopy, Newberry, Hawthorne are all within a 30 minute drive to all the shopping and restaurants you want in Gainesville. Gainesville has more high end shopping and restaurants and tends to have more stuff "to do" as it's home to the University of Florida so there are lots more lectures, museums, sports, performing arts shows than Ocala. But they are both very nice.

For a gated golf community, I'd look at Turkey Creek in Alachua. It's just north of Gainesville. I can't get the link to work on this board but copy and paste and it should work.

http://www.bosshardtrealty.com/turkeycreek/index.php

[Edvard]

http://www.leoaffairs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8644 (broken link)

These are the guys you classy Sarasota residents are paying to watch your backs. Balkwill has you folks well-protected

You would soil your undies if you knew what they do for off-duty cash flow. But what do I know? It has it's good and it's bad, like anything else.... but if someone wants the TRUTH, I won't withold that from them.... no matter how badly it may sadden someone who already pays to stay there.

I gotta go cash some of your checks now Keep em coming!

[photoman_6]

St Augustine is great if you and your children want to vegetate with no culture and entertainment. Good luck with that. Why don't you actually visit Sarasota and make up your own mind.

[daytonadewd]

Originally Posted by seeker283

Want to relocate to Florida, looking for all opinions on these two areas. 40's couple, no kids, upper middle class (160K combined)

We want the gated community, golf, water views and nice restaurants, we will be renting the first year or more untill we decide if we like it.

So... because we can find the above amenities in many cities we need to consider some other options such as town crime rate, stability, traffic and general atmosphere, weather. We don't want to be stuck to far out in the burbs.

We are relocating from a major, diverse city, prefer not to say which now.
Thanks

Hope you enjoyed your recent trip to Florida.

Based on your age and that you're a childless couple, I'd most definitely recommend St. Augustine. The main sticking point will be the golf/gated community thing. So I'd check out Ponte Vedra Beach, which is just north on the barrier island on A1A. It's a development right on the beach that has numerous communities, golf courses and club houses -- and also close enough to flights out of Jax airport.

St Augustine IMHO is much younger, diverse and sophisticated than Sarasota, making it more "button down" and laid back. Because it is an older town, it was developed (centuries) before gated communities and golf courses! Sarasota has these, but the age factor would hit you hard in these places.

St Augustine has some of the nicest restaurants in NE Florida that are world class and a population who appreciate them. If you're urbane, the downtown IS a walking, cycling city -- although you'd need the car for a major grocery shop, etc.

Downtown Sarasota is starting to get a vibe and become gentrified with some interesting folk. It's also on the bayfront. But again, there aren't any gated communities there, unless you join a club nearby that's not restricted to that community.

Both cities have great cultural and art activities. Sarasota tends to be more formal/traditional Republican and St Augustine tends to be more progressive/trendy (but also starving) Democrat.

Both will be challenges for air travel. (You may also want to check out Amelia Island just north of Jax, which is near enough for urban conveniences but a walkable island that's also an easy drive to Hilton Head and Savannah).

I think if you lived in Ponte Vedra Beach and had a studio in downtown St Augustine, you'd be in heaven!

[OysterCatcher]

Originally Posted by seeker283

Want to relocate to Florida, looking for all opinions on these two areas.
40's couple, no kids, upper middle class (160K combined)

We want the gated community, golf, water views and nice restaurants, we will be renting the first year or more untill we decide if we like it.

So... because we can find the above amenities in many cities we need to consider some other options such as town crime rate, stability, traffic and general atmosphere, weather. We don't want to be stuck to far out in the burbs.

We are relocating from a major, diverse city, prefer not to say which now.

Thanks

Seeker,

I'd like to hear about your trip, what you found out and your evaluations...Thanks!