Melbourne..Viera..Sebastian..Vero Beach.. relocating from NYC (Orlando, West Palm Beach: real estate, broker)

[Florida15]

I agree.......Melbourne is ten times better than Ocala.

[justNancy]

Hi, I also am thinking about a move to the Treasure Coast. Originally I was going to leave FL (still thinking about it) but I saw many listings in my price range in Vero Beach. I am not looking in the $400K range like the OP, but need a home under $150,000. Mercedes Homes has new homes in Vero Lake Estates and I am wondering what that area is like. It's so hard to judge an area by pictures and, of course, we all have our personal preferences. One thing I need is an area with trees and natural beauty. That's one thing I really like about Bonita Springs. I've been in Vero Beach several times, but only close to the coast. Is Vero Lake Estates very different? Are there any not-so-nice sections of Vero Beach or Sebastian? I am trying to read all of the posts so I don't ask questions that have already been answered, and I'm sorry if I missed any.

Thanks kindly for your replies.

[MichaelNYC]

Thanks Beth,

But if I look at Ocala... there are SO MANY other places in FL I can look at..meaning inland.

But I am seeking a lil closer to the beach.
We are not exactly beach go'ers... but want it there for when we do go.. sunrises, sunsets etc
We are not sun worshippers at all.. too dangerous,,,,
Just like walking in the sand,,, along the water,,, looking at people, kids, beach weddings.. so a shorter drive, bike ride would be preferable

Thanks for the note, suggestion.,,, hey ya never know,,,
But in this case.... would not work for us...
But Thank You Beth !!

Originally Posted by Beth Anthony

Have you thought about Ocala, Florida? We are centrally located and we are within
1 hour of nice beaches and Disney depending on where you live in Ocala. I have lived here for 35 years and we love it. The homes are priced very reasonable here especially
now, there are some great deals on homes. I am a Realtor and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me. We have lots of trees( not just palms) rolling hills and horse farms. Marion county is beautiful!

[MichaelNYC]

Thanks for the continued comments and time !

Yup... we know it is slower.. and cannot wait.
Get us OUTTA 'ERE in NYC.
We both had enough and want to simply chill, enjoy each other, our sone due in Oct and our surroundings.

Zero interest in NYC... and all it offers.
I lived Upstate NY and it was slower paced and it was lovely !

So the slower mood there in FL is welcome, needed and will be quite enjoyable

Where do you live Bunky ??

Yes my profession gives me a nice living... my wife will stop working with the baby,,, but wants to start a business for herself one day. Has an MBA in Marketing and works hard for a major company, little compensation.. so I said and she said as well.. put your marketing education and work experience to your own stuff. I have had many businesses myself and want to get into another one as well.. separate from my wifes that is

Originally Posted by bunky3301

I think moving from New York City to Ocala (all though a pretty place, very rural) would be total Culture shock....my opinion.

Michael certainly with your profession and your wife's profession Melbourne would also be a great place to check out.....I would live there as well. I hope you do realize that almost every place that you are looking at is going to be alot slower than what you might be use to in New York. Which in my opinion is a good thing. At least I found it to be a good thing for me being from the Washington DC area and even its a little slower than New York for sure.

[MichaelNYC]

Hi F-15,

I hope Melbourne and the surrounding areas are ALL 10x better than ANYPLACE I look....

I am excited to get down there in July and drive... drive... drive... all around and speak with brokers and local work associates (fellow pharmacists) and ask questions and questions,,, and look 360º around.

Been there done that back in Oct in Pinellas Cty and now wanting to get to it in Brevard.

Thanks F-15 for all the comments,,, it is quite valuable, sincerely it is.

Originally Posted by Florida15

I agree.......Melbourne is ten times better than Ocala.

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by MichaelNYC

Where do you live Bunky ??

Michael we currently live in Chula Vista ,CA (a suburb of San Diego). We're 12 miles from downtown San Diego and roughly the same distance to the Mexican border. We absolutely love it here and not just because of the weather but the people here are extremely nice and for a good size city it has a laid back feel to it as well.

The wife is Navy and we were sent out here from Va.Beach, VA a year ago for her to further her education in her field. But now we are being sent back to the East coast to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland sometime in August. Knowing we were only going to be here a year, I did not pursue work to be able to stay home with our daughter. Its one of the best decisions I've ever made, its been a blast taking care of her over the last year. But it's back to work I'm sure when we get to Maryland. My background is retail management.

The wife is going to do 3 more years and get out and if our income justifies it we may go back to San Diego we liked it so much and seems like a great place to raise a family. But extremely expensive to live here.

If that doesn't work out , we will be coming home to Florida which is cool too. Probably Melbourne even though we use to live in Vero Beach. Theres more work opportunity in the Melbourne area.Vero is actually where I met my wife. So we'll see what happens? I have to put up with the Washington DC area again for 3 years and then we're out of there. Its just NOT a good place to raise a family these days....my opinion.

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by justNancy

Hi, I also am thinking about a move to the Treasure Coast. Originally I was going to leave FL (still thinking about it) but I saw many listings in my price range in Vero Beach. I am not looking in the $400K range like the OP, but need a home under $150,000. Mercedes Homes has new homes in Vero Lake Estates and I am wondering what that area is like. It's so hard to judge an area by pictures and, of course, we all have our personal preferences. One thing I need is an area with trees and natural beauty. That's one thing I really like about Bonita Springs. I've been in Vero Beach several times, but only close to the coast. Is Vero Lake Estates very different? Are there any not-so-nice sections of Vero Beach or Sebastian? I am trying to read all of the posts so I don't ask questions that have already been answered, and I'm sorry if I missed any.

Thanks kindly for your replies.

Nancy,

Vero Lake Estates is actually "Sebastian" and you would access it from the Sebastian Exit of I-95. I don't know why it actually has a Vero Beach address?? Just the way it's always been. Also it is nothing like Vero Beach at the coast. It is a nice area and has a rural feel to it as well, the lots seem to be bigger than the lots in the Sebastian Highlands. It use to be that all the roads were dirt, but I understand that quite a few of them now are paved.

When I lived in Vero Beach the company I worked for did some work for Mercedes Homes and they seemed to build a quality house. But if I were you and you can find a home there for under $150,000 I would go look at it ...like the old saying "a look is worth a thousand words".

As far as crime goes...Vero Beach and Sebastian are extremely low. I would go to the Indian River County web site and I'm sure they can give you the statistics. Hope this helps. I still have family that lives in Sebastian and Vero Beach and they just love it.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by bunky3301

Nancy,

When I lived in Vero Beach the company I worked for did some work for Mercedes Homes and they seemed to build a quality house. But if I were you and you can find a home there for under $150,000 I would go look at it ...like the old saying "a look is worth a thousand words".

This is the web site:

Mercedes Homes: Find Your Home: Mercedes Newest Model in Vero Lakes Estates

BTW, I just noticed the price does not include the site. It's a bit confusing, since they have "quick move-in homes" so one would imagine the land is included in the price. The more I look at homes, the more I realize I might have to take a chance and get a condo, since I enjoy being near the beach and close to town. There are many nice homes under $150K in Lee County too (in Cape Coral) but they are isolated way off the beaten path.

[MichaelNYC]

Hi Bunky,

I offered to my wife as well...

You work and I will stay home with the upcoming baby !!

She smiled and said Do Not Even Think It

Oh well I tried...

Any comments on the barrier islands,,,, Satellite, Indian Harbour, Indialantic etc to live ?

As I wrote.. we have no problem being inland,,, less HOI etc.
But on/near the beach is damn nice as well

We are opting for maybe $300-$400K.. possible for the beach area ?
Not just Satellite etc,,, but also Melbourne Beach etc.

And affirmative D.C. is not the place...
After all it is full of politicians,,,,,,,,,,, there goes the neighborhood !!

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by MichaelNYC

Hi Bunky,

I offered to my wife as well...

You work and I will stay home with the upcoming baby !!

She smiled and said Do Not Even Think It

Oh well I tried...

Any comments on the barrier islands,,,, Satellite, Indian Harbour, Indialantic etc to live ?

As I wrote.. we have no problem being inland,,, less HOI etc.
But on/near the beach is damn nice as well

We are opting for maybe $300-$400K.. possible for the beach area ?
Not just Satellite etc,,, but also Melbourne Beach etc.

And affirmative D.C. is not the place...
After all it is full of politicians,,,,,,,,,,, there goes the neighborhood !!

Michael,

Hey it was worth it to offer your services to stay home..lol...it's certainly a rewarding job. But I know first hand it can be hard on families that have to have two incomes. But for the year it was worth the sacrifice.

I have to say I can't give you any advice on the barrier Island anywhere North of Sebastian. I just never have spent any time up there. Living on the barrier Island in Indian River county(Vero) is quite expensive and maybe and its a big maybe that you'd find anything in your price range. The only thing would be a condo...and I'm not sure about that anymore.

We're actually going to go home a few weeks after the baby is born for a visit to Vero Beach in mid-June...really looking forward to it alot.
Hope your search goes well..goodluck.
bunky