[TriMT7]

Hello, I've been tasked with an assignment for a friend. Because there is no "Panhandle" portion of the forum, I thought I would ask here.

A friend of mine has parents that are currently looking to move from the Treasure Coast to somewhere with cooler (not cold) winter weather. This friend does not want her parents moving to East Boondocks, TN, where her parents are currently looking, however, because it is a 16 hour drive to visit, and she plans on having kids soon and wants to be in drivable distance to visit.

The goal is thus to find a place in North Florida. A 2/2 at the minimum, single family home, country setting. It doesn't have to be TOO close to civilization, but maybe within a 2 hour drive to Tallahassee or Pensacola, or somewhere else with a VA Hospital.

Country setting is important. They have nostalgia for the country life. Think Eastern TN in the panhandle.... they want to be far from any ghettos and associated crime, however.

Anything or any options in the sub-70k range? The more North in Florida (possibly inching into S. Georgia, but not ideal), the better, winter weather wise. Also, HILLS (I know there are hills in the panhandle) are desired. Amenities not really that important. I'm sure a Wal-Mart would be enough.


I've been looking at the maps and note lots of little towns throughout the panhandle, but am scared and skeptical when I come across cheap cheap homes.

Thanks!

[TatersFan]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Hello, I've been tasked with an assignment for a friend. Because there is no "Panhandle" portion of the forum, I thought I would ask here.

A friend of mine has parents that are currently looking to move from the Treasure Coast to somewhere with cooler (not cold) winter weather. This friend, however, does not want her parents moving to East Boondocks, TN, where her parents are currently looking, however, because it is a 16 hour drive to visit, and she plans on having kids soon and wants to be in drivable distance to visit. The goal is thus to find a place in North Florida. A 2/2 at the minimum, single family home, country setting. It doesn't have to be TOO close to civilization, but maybe within a 2 hour drive to Tallahassee or Pensacola, or somewhere else with a VA Hospital.

Country setting is important. They have nostalgia for the country life. Think Eastern TN in the panhandle.... they want to be far from any ghettos and associated crime, however.
Anything or any options in the sub-70k range? The more North in Florida (possibly inching into S. Georgia, but not ideal), the better, winter weather wise. Amenities not really that important. I'm sure a Wal-Mart would be enough.


I've been looking at the maps and note lots of little towns throughout the panhandle, but am scared and skeptical when I come across cheap cheap homes.

Thanks!

Is this a genuine question?

Anyhow, a couple of things... when to refering to the "boondocks" in East TN also remember that the panhandle is no different, if not more so. And also, there isnt anymore ghettos or crime in Eastern TN than there is in the panhandle. Are these little jabs you are taking at East TN? I live in FL, as I was born here, but I went to college in beautiful East TN. If they are trying to find something East Tennessee-like in the panhandle, it is going to be very hard to do considering the beauty of the TN mountains (especially if they are not wanting to be near the beach), which is the beauty of the panhandle.

I would ask the moderator that lives in the panhandle what he/she suggests. His/her name is Sunrico.

[beachmouse]

The small towns where you get Mayberry tend to have homes go for more than $70K for something habitable. If you can go a little higher, I have been charmed by the Chipley area the times we've driven through- nice small town with some beautiful homes near downtown, and a Walmart out by I-10, and not too far from Tallahassee.

[TatersFan]

^^^ Yes, Beachmouse. Good one. I was thinking and thinking about a town and couldnt remember the name of it, and it's Chipley! Right on beach!

[mango23]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Hello, I've been tasked with an assignment for a friend. Because there is no "Panhandle" portion of the forum, I thought I would ask here.

A friend of mine has parents that are currently looking to move from the Treasure Coast to somewhere with cooler (not cold) winter weather. This friend does not want her parents moving to East Boondocks, TN, where her parents are currently looking, however, because it is a 16 hour drive to visit, and she plans on having kids soon and wants to be in drivable distance to visit.

The goal is thus to find a place in North Florida. A 2/2 at the minimum, single family home, country setting. It doesn't have to be TOO close to civilization, but maybe within a 2 hour drive to Tallahassee or Pensacola, or somewhere else with a VA Hospital.

Country setting is important. They have nostalgia for the country life. Think Eastern TN in the panhandle.... they want to be far from any ghettos and associated crime, however.

Anything or any options in the sub-70k range? The more North in Florida (possibly inching into S. Georgia, but not ideal), the better, winter weather wise. Also, HILLS (I know there are hills in the panhandle) are desired. Amenities not really that important. I'm sure a Wal-Mart would be enough.


I've been looking at the maps and note lots of little towns throughout the panhandle, but am scared and skeptical when I come across cheap cheap homes.

Thanks!

Check out a town I am sure you never heard of. Bristol Florida. 35 minutes from Tallahassee.
Of course Chipley, closest thing to Mayberry you will find.
People live there for generations and those who move away when they retire many move back. I researched their obituaries. It was funny to find all the people who have lived all over the world and done all kinds of things that come back to retire in Chipley where they grew up. Many who could live anywhere they choose. That says something. It is one of those towns that doesn't change.

[wacahootaman]

Keystone Heights between Jacksonville and Gainesville is a nice safe town. Not sure if the bad economy has changed that much but check it out.

Some nice hills and lakes but many of the lakes are almost dry these days.

Lots of small rural lots available at reasonable prices and good schools. The cheaper ones are not good buys though if they are on bone jarring dirt roads in the sticks.

The VA at Gainesville is a 30 minute commute and Jax is 30 minutes the other way.

Alachua north of Gainesville has lots of nice rolling hills and big oaks as do some of the towns south of Gainesville like Micanopy and McIntosh. But the land is more pricey than Keystone.

Lake City, has some nice rolling land to the NW is hilly. It is a fast growing very political conservative town with a VA hospital.

All of these areas have frosty mornings in the winter. Last winter was cold here in Wacahoota with 20 morning lows below 32. The days usually are sunny and much warmer than the mornings although cold afternoons do happen but they are rare.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by wacahootaman

Keystone Heights between Jacksonville and Gainesville is a nice safe town. Not sure if the bad economy has changed that much but check it out.

Some nice hills and lakes but many of the lakes are almost dry these days.

Lots of small rural lots available at reasonable prices and good schools. The cheaper ones are not good buys though if they are on bone jarring dirt roads in the sticks.

The VA at Gainesville is a 30 minute commute and Jax is 30 minutes the other way.

Alachua north of Gainesville has lots of nice rolling hills and big oaks as do some of the towns south of Gainesville like Micanopy and McIntosh. But the land is more pricey than Keystone.

Lake City, has some nice rolling land to the NW is hilly. It is a fast growing very political conservative town with a VA hospital.

All of these areas have frosty mornings in the winter. Last winter was cold here in Wacahoota with 20 morning lows below 32. The days usually are sunny and much warmer than the mornings although cold afternoons do happen but they are rare.

The change of seasons is nice as long as you don't need the snow chains. I like some cold. Hot weather every day gets real old.

[TriMT7]

Thanks, yes, it is a real question.

I say, "East Boondocks, TN" because that's exactly how my friend described it when asking me if I could help, and I think it's funny.

I will look into Bristol and Chipley, as well as some of the other areas, so thanks to everyone who contributed. I found some deals in Quincy, but don't know enough about the particular area I saw the cheap priced homes!


As for economies of an area, it does not matter, since they will be retired when they make their permanent move.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Thanks, yes, it is a real question.

I say, "East Boondocks, TN" because that's exactly how my friend described it when asking me if I could help, and I think it's funny.

I will look into Bristol and Chipley, as well as some of the other areas, so thanks to everyone who contributed. I found some deals in Quincy, but don't know enough about the particular area I saw the cheap priced homes!


As for economies of an area, it does not matter, since they will be retired when they make their permanent move.

Florida has a good road system and even in the boondocks you are never more then 30 minutes from most anything you want.

In interesting thing is, in more rural areas you don't contend with traffic. I can run into town say 7 or 10 miles away faster then I can make a short trip across town in say Fort lauderdale or Miami. More like 1/3 the time. Not to mention in Miami, I am lucky to make it home alive with the drivers.

[wacahootaman]

Brooksville, north of Tampa, has some nice hilly rural areas.