[City-Desiderata]

I'm a very big fan of the desert biome, and having lived in Palm Springs for several years, I can attest that the dry (searing) heat, elegant xeriscaping, and midcentury modern design combine to make that area sensually and aesthetically ideal for me.

However, those are not the only considerations I have in choosing a home right now. I see that I can get more house for the money in Florida, where I also have an abundance of family.

I also appreciate the down-to-earth vibe of Albuquerque where I've also lived, and where brown is truly the new green. But it's too cold for too long there, and overall things are just a bit too shabby.

So... If Palm Springs and Albuquerque had a baby *and never gave it golf clubs... I'm wondering where in Florida, among the great diversity of towns, cities and regions, is most 'similar' to Palm Springs in climate, culture, midcentury amenities, and landscape (aside from mountains obviously) ... And a place that yet keeps its pretensions to a minimum as much as its irrigation and standing water.

Most specifically, I'm looking for retirement communities with low HOA, no or low golf and recreation opportunities (I'm a very young barely qualified 55+ so don't need structured activities or facilities).

Commuting, nightlife, schools are immaterial, but solid infrastructure, total peace and quiet, and shopping are important. And xeriscaping (or the chance to do that for myself), and as FAR AWAY FROM 'extra' WATER (HAHAHA!) as possible in this state that is synonymous with water.

I'm thinking Sarasota or the Villages (I guess), but I haven't been around the state very much, so I welcome any and all suggestions, and already can hear the dearth pouring in!

[BucFan]

I'd look at (and post your same question) in the Ocala subforum.

[BucFan]

https://www.55places.com/florida/area/ocala

also there are several less politically staunch rightwinged communities in and around and other than the Villages.....

[WinterK]

There is absolutely no place in Florida that is desert like. And it's all hot and humid. Your family should be able to tell you that. Sorry to burst your bubble but that's the truth.

[OptimusPrime69]

yeah, FL is super not a desert.... it's humid and rainy, especially during the summer. Lots of thunder storms, random down pours, etc.

No deserts anywhere on the east coast.

[EscAlaMike]

Nope. Florida doesn't have what you're looking for.

[grad_student200]

Originally Posted by WinterK

There is absolutely no place in Florida that is desert like. And it's all hot and humid. Your family should be able to tell you that. Sorry to burst your bubble but that's the truth.

I agree. I went to high school in New Mexico long ago. I then lived in Florida for about thirteen years - mostly in Tallahassee. But I also lived in Fort Lauderdale for a year.

There is no place similar to ABQ or Palm Springs in Florida - not at all. Albuquerque is high and dry with snow in the winter. Trust me. I've seen it many times. It does snow in Albuquerque. I've done construction labor at 6 AM in the winter at 22 F in ABQ. It's not exactly a hot desert in the winter.

Palm Springs is also very dry with desert foothills that are large. They have a wind tunnel facility out there because of the thermal drafts present much of the year. It is a hot desert much of the year.

Both ABQ and Palm Springs are ultra-dry. All counties in Florida are pretty much very humid and flat with dense vegetation from Escamba County of the Western Panhandle to Jacksonville and down to Miami.

The "closest" resemblance to Palm Springs may be Clermont, FL with its rolling huge hills. It's one of the rare places in FL that is not actually flat. But it is very humid much of the year. It also gets hot in the summer with that ugly "sticky" feeling not found in ABQ.

I moved back to my home state of AZ over a year ago and hiked up La Luz Trail by ABQ about two months ago to the summit of about 10678 feet. I loved hiking through the snow and aspen trees. The altitude and low O2 levels were hard but worth it. There is no place like that in FL.

[gypsychic]

There is NOTHING anywhere east of the Rockies even remotely like that. I suggest you stay out west if you want a desert clime.