NW Florida home (Miami, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola: real estate, upkeep, condos)

[skaral]

Thinking about buying a vacation home in the Forgotten Coast area, planning a visit there in a few months. I've loved FL for years but have been priced out of SW FL. However, I think all of FL is pretty lovely, so I'm open to looking at alternative locations. From what I've read about Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, it sounds great. Does anyone think fractionals will continue to expand in the Forgotten Coast towns? I don't want the upkeep of a house, but am looking at condos/townhouses where I could increase my ownership of it over time. Also, is the noise from the AF base comparable to VA Beach?

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by skaral

Thinking about buying a vacation home in the Forgotten Coast area, planning a visit there in a few months. I've loved FL for years but have been priced out of SW FL. However, I think all of FL is pretty lovely, so I'm open to looking at alternative locations. From what I've read about Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, it sounds great. Does anyone think fractionals will continue to expand in the Forgotten Coast towns? I don't want the upkeep of a house, but am looking at condos/townhouses where I could increase my ownership of it over time. Also, is the noise from the AF base comparable to VA Beach?

I believe Cil use dot live in that area, I'll contact her and ask for feedback...

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by skaral

Thinking about buying a vacation home in the Forgotten Coast area, planning a visit there in a few months. I've loved FL for years but have been priced out of SW FL. However, I think all of FL is pretty lovely, so I'm open to looking at alternative locations. From what I've read about Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, it sounds great. Does anyone think fractionals will continue to expand in the Forgotten Coast towns? I don't want the upkeep of a house, but am looking at condos/townhouses where I could increase my ownership of it over time. Also, is the noise from the AF base comparable to VA Beach?

We looked around for you in that area to see what might be available in regard to fractional ownership. From a quick glance, our resources show that some of the fractional projects have been put on hold. However, with the current real estate market, you never know what kind of opportunities might be out there. We know the area but not well enough to tell you what it's like to live there ~ hopefully Sunrico's contact or anyone else with knowledge of the area will respond to your post. If you end up peeking around in our area, the Scenic Highway 30A and Beaches of South Walton, we would be more than happy to answer any questions for you.

Kindest Regards

[BlueWillowPlate]

hello
We lived in Port St Joe (hereafter known as PSJ) from Oct 2005 until late May of '07.
There are a zillion condos in Mexico Beach right now; they were building them the entire time we were living in PSJ. Some of them look really nice.
The northwest Florida housing bubble popped in '05 and the PSJ market sputtered, but all of northwest Florida is a lovely, lovely place, there is simply no getting around this. I don't know anything about fractional ownership there. In terms of inventory, there is everything from condos to townhomes to multimillion dollar single family homes. Joe Company was able to move two miles of the coastal 30A highway away from its expensive (and beautiful) WindMark subdivision. Prices of everything have come down.

Mexico Beach has astoundingly lovely beaches, well the entire area does (not Apalachicola, but St George Island does.) Cape San Blas is beautiful. St Joseph Bay is incredible. You can walk for 40 minutes and not see another person.
The wildlife is the most amazing I've ever seen. I saw bald eagles daily, squadrons of stingrays, pelicans, osprey, dolphins etc.
The fishing is excellent, as are the oysters, scallops, and crab.
OTOH, this is more the Deep South than a "Miami" type of Florida.
The other name for this area is Redneck Riviera. So you'll see plenty of that.

The jets from the Air Force base will indeed zoom overhead a couple times a day. It never bothered me but I do like fighter jets. You'll see them anywhere but you'll hear them more at Mexico Beach. Also, if this matters to you, dogs are not allowed at Mexico Beach, but are allowed at all other beaches.
Many MB dog owners are still able to walk their dogs nearby, because the line between Bay County (MB) and Gulf County (PSJ) is right at MB's city limits.
Some pics:

[skaral]

This info has been so helpful, many, many thanks. I think we're just going to have to experience the jet noise on our vacation to see what it's like. The entire Forgotten Coast sounds beautiful, I'm counting the weeks until our trip! Thanks again.