Looking to relocate to FL from CA... (Miami, Tallahassee: credit, estate)

[danielletbd]

Hi, I am currently living in Los Angeles but am looking to move out of the city to a smaller, quieter beach town. I'm sick of the high rental costs and the traffic, but I don't know Florida well, as I've only ever visited Disney World! Any suggestions you have would be great. I am a writer, so I do most of my work from home and would love to live in a quaint town (preferably within minutes to the ocean) to aid in my creativity.

[SoFLGal]

Anna Maria is a very cool little beach town. Here's a link to the local Chamber . There is a free trolley that runs the length of the island. It's kind of a sleepy little beach town.

Another idea would be Manasota Key. Here's an article I wrote about Manasota Key to give you a better feel for the area:

Manasota Key is a barrier island off the southern Gulf Coast of Florida near the town of Englewood. Bridges from Sarasota County and Charlotte County provide easy access to Manasota Key. Here, visitors and residents can forget the cares of their busy world, and leave the crowds behind. A simple two-lane road runs the entire length of the island with beautiful white beaches on either side. There are two sections of Manasota Key - the Sarasota County section is residential, and the Charlotte County section is residential with few businesses. Nestled at the far southern end of Manasota Key you will find a state park and wildlife sanctuary. Residents of Manasota Key enjoy Manasota Beach, with 24 acres of white sand and dunes, boardwalks and bathhouses. This beautiful beach is equipped with fire pits and picnic tables and is rivaled only by Blind Pass Beach where visitors and residents swim, fish and hike. Blind Pass provides a boat docking area with access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Imagine having snorkeling, water skiing and diving all within your reach. The southern tip of Manasota Key has numerous short canals that provide convenient access to the Gulf of Mexico and Lemon Bay. This is a boater’s paradise, with plenty of opportunities for sports and deep sea fishing and pleasant weather year round. Golf courses dot the Key, and nearby Englewood has plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment. On Manasota Key you can dig your toes in the sand, do a little beachcombing and watch the sea turtles, birds, rabbits, and lizards in their natural habitat or wander among the sea grape trees and lose yourself in the gentle breezes.

Manasota Key offers many types of properties and home styles to meet your needs. Only 1,500 people live on Manasota Key. Whether you are looking for a beach villa, or a gulf front estate, you can find it here. Manasota Key is unspoiled by high rises or hotels, and neighbors enjoy the many activities and lush landscape as a winter retreat or a full time residence. Low-rise condominiums and apartments dot the southern end of the island, while the northern end has private single-family homes. You can find large homes of 6,800 or more square feet with five bedrooms and four baths, and smaller homes of 2,900 square feet with four bedrooms and 3 baths. On Manasota Key you can find landscaped homes in gated communities, beachfront property, multi-million dollar estates and much more! This community is perfect for families, singles and retirees.

[LM1]

If you want "quaint" in the postcard sense, St. Augustine usually wins that contest hands down.

If you want "quaint" in terms of peace, quiet, and 'unspoiledness', there are a few coastal places left along the gulf side that still fit the bill, without the hordes of touristas and ridiculous traffic. I'm not going to say their names out loud on this forum, as too many people read this and those places are better off with as low a profile as possible... Just get a population map of FL and start in the places that have the least people. You'll eventually find them.

[amerikanchic]

I 2nd that, St. Augustine is great! Small town, beach atmosphere. I lived at Whispering Woods Apts, and they have great affordable rentals. The beautiful scenery will definitely aid in your creativity here! Good luck

[TNRyan23]

Wilmington, N.C.



Honestly, If you're deadset on Florida, ( Which is funny since you're tired of high costs and are looking to live near the coast ) I would suggest looking in the Panhandle area between Tallahassee and Pensacola.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Wilmington, N.C.



Honestly, If you're deadset on Florida, ( Which is funny since you're tired of high costs and are looking to live near the coast ) I would suggest looking in the Panhandle area between Tallahassee and Pensacola.

Just moved back to Miami from San Diego -- even SoFla is WAY cheaper than SoCal.

[**NoodLes**]

Ponce Inlet.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Just moved back to Miami from San Diego -- even SoFla is WAY cheaper than SoCal.

I remember wanting to live in L.A., They had plenty of cheap apartments but none in good neighborhoods. I would compare SoCal prices and taxes in line with Florida. I'll give Florida credit though, Atleast you can buy a house for under $300k in Florida.

[planetsurf]

Cali 8% State Income tax + 2 cent higher sales tax --- so not really.

Services ARE better in Cali (parks, hospitals, school,) but not by much.

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by danielletbd

Hi, I am currently living in Los Angeles but am looking to move out of the city to a smaller, quieter beach town. I'm sick of the high rental costs and the traffic, but I don't know Florida well, as I've only ever visited Disney World! Any suggestions you have would be great. I am a writer, so I do most of my work from home and would love to live in a quaint town (preferably within minutes to the ocean) to aid in my creativity.

DESTIN, FLA, NAVARRE BEACH, FLA., both in the Panhandle. The most beautiful beach in the world, but is very laid-back.