[marypoppins]

Originally Posted by Floridaboundphil

I am trying to save time wasting driving round only to be very dissapointed when I get there.

Smart thing to do. Will you be living here full-time when you find something? If not, and your home will be unoccupied for long periods of time, might be worth considering a gated community.....just gives that little extra security.

[FLBob]

Floridaboundphil -Your requirements will still give you much of Florida to choose from.
St. Augustine is the oldest city in Florida, and a great attraction in and of itself. Just north of Daytona and convenient to Disney in Orlando and Cape Canaveral. Anywhere in Florida you'll find golf.
Historically the north east corner of has been the least threaten by tropical systems.
I looked to relocate to Jacksonville - St Augustine area about 10 years ago, I decided that the winters would be a bit too cool for me, but compared to the UK it might seem balmy.
I've decided that Venice Florida in south west Florida is a perfect place for me. Close to a very nice larger city Sarasota. A bit slower paced from the east coast. About a 2 -3 hour drive to Orlando. Sarasota has attractions such as Mote marine lab and aquarium, Selby Botanical gardens, the State art museum at the Ringling estate on Sarasota bay. To the south you'll find the Edison/Ford homes in Ft Myers.
Good luck on your search

[SoFLGal]

I would also suggest Rotonda where mr&mrssunshine suggested. There are beaches close by-10 minutes or less, golf within Rotonda, deed restrictions so everyone keeps their property up. It's about a 2 1/2 drive to Orlando. You could probably pick up a foreclosure in Rotonda in your price range.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I have to give a firm, strong no to Haines City unless your ONLY priority is getting a big house.

Isn't that everyones priority ?

Me personally, I'd rather have a big house and get more bang for my buck. Esp. with homeowners insurance the way it is. It's a short drive to I-4, Orlando, Tampa, and Lakeland.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Isn't that everyones priority ?

Me personally, I'd rather have a big house and get more bang for my buck. Esp. with homeowners insurance the way it is. It's a short drive to I-4, Orlando, Tampa, and Lakeland.

On the contrary, I take my little rinky dink condo in exchange for nicer surroundings, less crime and more to do within 50 miles. Maybe if I was married with children I would have different priorities.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

On the contrary, I take my little rinky dink condo in exchange for nicer surroundings, less crime and more to do within 50 miles. Maybe if I was married with children I would have different priorities.

Diffrent strokes for diffrent folks I guess.

I spend much of my free time in my house. I used to do things, However I'm now married... with children...

[blackhillsdreams]

Phil,

What about work? I'm assuming you are not retired and will have to find a job being that you are under 55, no? I personally grew up in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area (West Central Florida), have lived in Naples/Ft. Myers for 10 years (South West Florida), and have lived most of the last 4 years in Palm Coast (North East Florida dead center between Daytona and St. Augustine, an hour South of Jacksonville).

Tampa Bay area: Very Pricey anymore, super high taxes, way too much traffic, but there are nice beaches and lots of things to do in the area. $180K might get you a 2bed/2bath home unless you go North to New Port Richey/Spring Hill area. Weather is usually hot, but winter/fall does bring some change.

Naples/Ft. Myers: Even more pricey (but they have come way down), not close to the central attractions, crazy taxes, crazy traffic. But I liked Naples better than Tampa Bay for the most part. Weather is hot year round with 3-4 days you might need a jacket.

Palm Coast: Employment is just about dried up but they are building lots of stores and a new town center. Weather is much nicer than the rest of the state, you actually sort of have 4 seasons and it just might snow a little now and then (don't worry, it will be melted by 10AM if it does). GREAT location if you like the motorcycle events in Daytona or the NASCAR races. St. Augustine is just about my favorite place in the state to walk around AND it's not too far to go to Disney/Universal Studios and so forth. Houses in Palm Coast are very nice and SUPER Cheap right now because they over built during the boom. If you come to Palm Coast, look around in the neighborhood behind Home Depot, STAY AWAY from any neighborhood or subdivision with a lot of duplexes. Those are usually rented to Thugs you don't want any part of but Palm Coast is very nice.

Good Luck.

[Floridaboundphil]

All, I'm very impressed by this. (great idea this site). I have, in a short time seen so many ideas. In response to Blackhills I'll not be working but living off early pension.
Seems that votes are for St Augustine area in the north and Rotonda in the south. I notice first mention of north of Tampa, someone else off this site mentioned this to me. I'll check these out. Not sure about the snow .... I can get that right here !
Grateful for anymore comments before i finalise what looks to be a road trip.

[mr&mrssunshine]

Phil

I notice you are in Kent, so are we- near Tonbridge. if you have any questions would be happy to chat on phone, we are off back to Rotonda in 4 weeks (5 days 3 hours but whose counting) and have list of houses that meet your criteria. we are looking to pick one up next time. happy to share info

Pete

[Floridaboundphil]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

On the contrary, I take my little rinky dink condo in exchange for nicer surroundings, less crime and more to do within 50 miles. Maybe if I was married with children I would have different priorities.

Not sure I'm into rinky dinky condo but good points made. Nice location is important. Big house is great of course but if nothing to do and nowhere to go what's the point. At the end it will be about life balance, we all cannot have everything we want .. i make this comment assuming we have no Rock Stars, Soccer stars etc using this forum, if so I apologise to them now and wish them good luck.