[Space_League]

Like the rest of the country I have been looking at Florida as a potential relocation. I'd be coming from Atlanta. I've spent about 5 months of the past 12 in Florida, in the early summer and in the winter. I had enjoyed almost everything about my time there and would like to give it a try full-time.

Where I stayed in Indian River county was like a paradise for me. I did enjoy almost every aspect, however the median age was a bit high. I think I may struggle meeting people my age for friends and dating in that area. I'm not sure if Brevard might be a better balance or some other areas across the state.

I am looking for someplace with good beach access, I was about 15 minutes drive where I was staying this year and ended up going there about 3 days a week to run or just chill and read. Not that interested in nightlife.More interested in an active young professionals community so that I can network and get involved while still being WFH. would prefer climate zone 9b or higher. Budget would be up to 2k/mo for a rental, preferably less

Tampa bay area seems nice, I have never been out that way. However it seems very saturated and it's hard to stomach moving someplace where prices have gone up so much so fast. I'm not that familiar with Miami either and haven't spent any time in places like West Palm or Ft. Lauderdale, for example. There is a lot to explore, hoping anyone here could help.

[Ghaati]

All prices in Florida have gone up a lot, in a very short period of time. You're looking to live in fairly expensive areas, and you won't find much in the way of an "active young professionals community" for that amount. None of the towns you refer to are in planting zone 9B. Brevard isn't a town, it's a county.

You can get an apartment in Brevard County for under $2000 but it won't be near the beach, it won't be particularly nice, or new, or in good condition, and it won't come with many amenities at all.

If you want a gated community with lots of amenities (which is where you'd actually meet those people and network), you'll be looking at studio or 1-bedroom apartments starting at $2500 and up - not including utilities.

[Space_League]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

All prices in Florida have gone up a lot, in a very short period of time. You're looking to live in fairly expensive areas, and you won't find much in the way of an "active young professionals community" for that amount. None of the towns you refer to are in planting zone 9B. Brevard isn't a town, it's a county.

You can get an apartment in Brevard County for under $2000 but it won't be near the beach, it won't be particularly nice, or new, or in good condition, and it won't come with many amenities at all.

If you want a gated community with lots of amenities (which is where you'd actually meet those people and network), you'll be looking at studio or 1-bedroom apartments starting at $2500 and up - not including utilities.

I'm asking for advice on places to check out ... You're saying stay out, we're full it sounds like I'm seeing tons and tons of places under 2000 all across the state. i'm seeing a four bedroom house on merritt island for 2k/mo.. when I say near the beach I mean within 15 minutes drive. Why do you have to live in a gated community to network? that doesn't make sense, you don't have to network where you sleep.. Planting zone 9b+, most of brevard is in Zone 9b with the coastal bits in 10a

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by Space_League

I'm asking for advice on places to check out ... You're saying stay out, we're full it sounds like I'm seeing tons and tons of places under 2000 all across the state. i'm seeing a four bedroom house on merritt island for 2k/mo.. when I say near the beach I mean within 15 minutes drive. Why do you have to live in a gated community to network? that doesn't make sense, you don't have to network where you sleep.. Planting zone 9b+, most of brevard is in Zone 9b with the coastal bits in 10a

I'm telling you there are places that are under $2000/month, but they are generally not in nice areas, OR they are run down. I checked Merritt Island for rent, and saw 1-bedroom condos for $1300, but the building they were in looked like a no-tell motel, where you have a 2-floor walk-up unit that's only around 450 square feet, and the featured pool looked like no one had cleaned it in a year.

There were several single-wide trailers for rent well under $1500/month, but - you'd be living in a trailer park. It's not likely you'll find many professionals who want to network in that neighborhood.

In Florida, gated communities are where you'll find most "upwardly mobile" singles. That's why I recommended you seek there. However again - you won't find that many of them that meet all your criteria for that price, unless you set your standards very low.

[silverct9a]

If you were married or a blue collared worker PSL could have worked…somewhat.

You need to be in West Palm Beach at a minimum. The Treasure Coast is too sleepy for anyone under 40 yrs old and lacks white collared professionals who AREN’T retired. Stuart could work, but I’m fairly confident you’ll find yourself driving to WPB after a while anyway.

[Space_League]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

I'm telling you there are places that are under $2000/month, but they are generally not in nice areas, OR they are run down. I checked Merritt Island for rent, and saw 1-bedroom condos for $1300, but the building they were in looked like a no-tell motel, where you have a 2-floor walk-up unit that's only around 450 square feet, and the featured pool looked like no one had cleaned it in a year.

There were several single-wide trailers for rent well under $1500/month, but - you'd be living in a trailer park. It's not likely you'll find many professionals who want to network in that neighborhood.

In Florida, gated communities are where you'll find most "upwardly mobile" singles. That's why I recommended you seek there. However again - you won't find that many of them that meet all your criteria for that price, unless you set your standards very low.

I'm just confused because of all the stuff I'm seeing listed for less than 2k in what appears to be fancy new buildings:

https://www.zillow.com/b/the-nolen-c...ter-fl-BgxNJY/
https://www.zillow.com/b/sawgrass-co...ton-fl-5XhzH2/
https://www.zillow.com/b/the-vintage...mpa-fl-5XhzPB/
https://www.zillow.com/b/saratoga-pl...ota-fl-5XhzDN/

https://www.zillow.com/b/centre-poin...rne-fl-BLYgLP/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...83899828_zpid/ (looks nice enough for me)
https://www.zillow.com/b/the-sovana-...art-fl-BPmx85/

You guys are the residents though, not me. These buildings could all be in bad locations, have bug problems, breakins, disruptive neighbors whatever maybe they are worse than the look at first glance.I just copied the first ones I found out of many.

All that aside though, lets say I pushed the budget to 3000/mo. Where would you suggest?

[Space_League]

Originally Posted by silverct9a

If you were married or a blue collared worker PSL could have worked…somewhat.

You need to be in West Palm Beach at a minimum. The Treasure Coast is too sleepy for anyone under 40 yrs old and lacks white collared professionals who AREN’T retired. Stuart could work, but I’m fairly confident you’ll find yourself driving to WPB after a while anyway.

I did notice that Treasure Coast was a little sleepy. What I liked is that it was close to family and that it seems like an area that hasn't been overbought/overpriced yet. So I could potentially still buy something in one of those sleepy towns without going into huge debt. I am interested in PSL/Stuart area as well as Ft. Pierce. I've heard some negative things about these towns though in terms of crime/QOL. Could they be similar or worse than Atlanta in that regard? Over here unfortunately homicides are pretty common, even in the nice neighborhoods. My area has been getting about one a month recently, some right on my block. Petty crimes like car breakins happen on a very regular basis, even in my gated, private indoor parking garage we have breakins reported at least once a week and occasionally cars are even stolen out of the garage somehow. One of the reasons I want out of here is because of all the crime, so I definitely wouldn't want to move someplace that is similar to that. My understanding is that parts of Florida are just like this, but most places are relatively safe.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by Space_League

I'm just confused because of all the stuff I'm seeing listed for less than 2k in what appears to be fancy new buildings:

https://www.zillow.com/b/the-nolen-c...ter-fl-BgxNJY/
https://www.zillow.com/b/sawgrass-co...ton-fl-5XhzH2/
https://www.zillow.com/b/the-vintage...mpa-fl-5XhzPB/
https://www.zillow.com/b/saratoga-pl...ota-fl-5XhzDN/

https://www.zillow.com/b/centre-poin...rne-fl-BLYgLP/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...83899828_zpid/ (looks nice enough for me)
https://www.zillow.com/b/the-sovana-...art-fl-BPmx85/

You guys are the residents though, not me. These buildings could all be in bad locations, have bug problems, breakins, disruptive neighbors whatever maybe they are worse than the look at first glance.I just copied the first ones I found out of many.

All that aside though, lets say I pushed the budget to 3000/mo. Where would you suggest?

No you're right. These are fine. The one in Tampa is actually in a highly desirable, sought-after part of the city. There are quite a few options for under $2k in that area, which is, again, very desirable:

https://www.zillow.com/tampa-fl/rent...oom%22%3A15%7D

[digidaze]

I've been looking in Volusia, Brevard and Indian River Counties for a 1BR and prices are approaching $2k for a "safe" neighborhood. The ones listed for 1K - 1.5K are in undesirable areas. I drove through some on a scouting trip last month and would never rent there. By the way, you can add an additional $200 to listed rent after all the "hidden" fees are added on for garbage, water, etc.... What the heck is a technology fee anyway ?!

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by digidaze

I've been looking in Volusia, Brevard and Indian River Counties for a 1BR and prices are approaching $2k for a "safe" neighborhood. The ones listed for 1K - 1.5K are in undesirable areas. I drove through some on a scouting trip last month and would never rent there. By the way, you can add an additional $200 to listed rent after all the "hidden" fees are added on for garbage, water, etc.... What the heck is a technology fee anyway ?!

Hey it's all good. They started out asking for a specific planting zone, but included towns that weren't in that zone. They started out wanting UNDER $2000/month, but now they can go up to $3000/month.

Just let the thread continue, and in another page or two we'll see they're find spending $5000 a month in the heart of the panhandle for 50 acres so he can build his family compound.

Happens to all threads like this.