[Taters]

My wife and I are retiring soon. We both love to fish and understand that Okeechobee is the place to be. Can ya'll make some recommendations. Our pockets are not too deep, so we have to be careful. A park model is what we have in mind, just have to find a place to put it. We live in western Kentucky by the Land between the Lakes - Marshall. Okeechobee seems to be a perfect fit for a couple of snowbirds like us.

[ellie]

I dunno Taters, being that far down in the peninsula in a travel trailer or mobile home (if that's what you are talking about) is pretty risky. If I were going to retire, I'd pick some place where evacuation wouldn't be such a nightmare. There's also been a whole lot of concern recently about the integrity of the levee around Lake O. You can find all of the info online.

Do some more research about places farther north in the state. There's good fishing all the way through the whole state along inland rivers and lakes.

[hiknapster]

In 1928, at LEAST 2,500 people were killed due to a hurricane breaching the ****. It is one of the worst natural disasters in the US. It is often not mentioned, unlike the Galveston hurricane.

It was a pretty freak occurence. The hurricane was believed to be a Category 5. Still, in 2004, there were a couple of hurricanes that came very close to there; Frances and Jeanne, I believe. I remember holding my breath.

Also, it is out in the middle of nowhere. But if you want to be really out there, it just may be for you. At least it is still affordable, I think.

Someone else recently asked about the area, too. You might want to do a search.

[hiknapster]

Oh, one other comment. There are a lot of citrus and cattle there, so there are bus loads of Mexcan pickers that come in to help pick. Lots of businesses geared toward that community.

Not saying that is bad or good. Just giving you a sense of the place.

My memories of the area is that it is very quiet. Sometimes creepy quiet.

[tallrick]

It really isn't affordable anymore. Real estate prices there have spiked to TEN TIMES what they were in 1999. Better wait for the bubble to deflate or for a storm to break the levee. Either would be good for me, as I am holding some land in Hendry county to build on.

[hiknapster]

Good Gawd, how much land do you have TallRick?

[Taters]

Thanks for the info. We would only be spending Jan,Feb,Mar there.

[hiknapster]

Understood. But you will have to worry about your property during storm season. During Hurricane Charley, I tried to help as many snowbirds as I could on the local paper's forum, but the power is was out for a very long time. The owners were frantic.

It is such a long way from any civilization. But, it is more affordable than other parts of Florida. Do you have friends there? That would make a huge difference. I've driven by a couple of retirement villages in the area and they seemed so isolated. Kind of barren.

My husband, who lived in Florida and loves to fish said Lakeland might be a better place. Also, any place well north of Orlando. Safer from hurricanes. More old Florida feel.

I'll keep trying to think of places for you.

[MrTudo]

Have a good trip Taters . It's a great place