Good place in Florida to live? (Palm Beach: rent, good schools, living)

i♥florida · 07-09-2009, 02:33 PM

Okay, well I've been looking into Sarasota, but Southside Village doesn't seem right for me. Any other suggestions?

SoFLGal · 07-09-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i♥florida

Okay, well I've been looking into Sarasota, but Southside Village doesn't seem right for me. Any other suggestions?

I think it might be hard to find what you're looking for in your price range. Usually the historical homes are pretty pricey. I dunno...maybe somewhere in the Tampa area.

You should use this website for your searching http://www.myfloridahomesmls.com/ It's the public side of MLS for this area. Many of the homes you see on Realtor.com are often pending by the time you see them.

Good luck with it

i♥florida · 07-09-2009, 04:23 PM

We also want somewhere safe.... I don't know if Tampa is that safe though....

gypsychic · 07-09-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i♥florida

Well, our price range would probably be around 140,000, our family loves old houses, schools are very important, and we like old towns, too. If we could find a house close enough to ride a bike to the beach, it would be awesome. And maybe a pool in the backyard?

Hope I helped.

This is not possible in Sarasota. There are homes in that price range, but not with a pool or area you probably want to live. You did not say if you need to work? If so, you probably need to choose a town where there is employment. Then revise your "wish list" in your price range. Some of the inland towns will be a lot more reasonable if you don't have to be close to the beach. You could check out Lakeland - it has a lot of vintage charm and old homes near the lakes, I believe you could get something neat in your price range, but not with a pool.

Good luck!

daytonadewd · 07-09-2009, 11:44 PM

I think Florida is out of your reach: 140K, Possible Pool; Good Schools; Gulf Beaches, etc.

There would definately be properties that suit your budget, but the schools and neighborhoods would be very disappointing/creepy for kids.

You have received some excellent recommendations, but I think you need to be more flexible considering your budget (Gulf Coast vs Atlantic). Especially if you want a historical house in this price range. Aside from some freak foreclosure sale, you will probably also have to build the pool later.

Another consideration would be home or private schooling in these affordable areas for you.

Best bets for affordable areas on the Gulf Coast would be Punta Gorda, Venice, Englewood and Tarpon Springs north to the Panhandle. You definately could find your dream home there in this market, but not the schools for your kids, as a general rule of thumb.

Good Luck!

doggiebus · 07-10-2009, 07:51 AM

Maybe a townhouse might be her budget???? OP, not sure if you already mentioned this, but you really should rent for year first. This way you get to know the neighborhoods better.

beachmouse · 07-10-2009, 09:32 AM

The metro parts of the Panhandle are actually some of the more expensive areas in the state these days. There wasn't the massive overbuilding to the level you got in the peninsula, and prices have crashed less than they have in other parts of the state.

According to last month's FAR numbers, Ft. Walton Beach had the second highest median sales prices for single family homes in the state after Boca-West Palm, for all that it's utterly bizarre to think of that area as more expensive than Ft. Lauderdale or Sarasota.

i♥florida · 07-10-2009, 09:47 AM

Okay people, just drop the pool idea. Everyone can wish.

i♥florida · 07-10-2009, 01:45 PM

Okay, so here's the deal. I want a house close to the Gulf of Mexico, for about 140,000, because that's what our historical house would probably go for. We would prefer a historical house, in a safe town with good schools. We don't want to rent the house, we want to buy it. And there would have to be a job available. Get it? Got it? Good.

gypsychic · 07-10-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i♥florida

Okay, so here's the deal. I want a house close to the Gulf of Mexico, for about 140,000, because that's what our historical house would probably go for. We would prefer a historical house, in a safe town with good schools. We don't want to rent the house, we want to buy it. And there would have to be a job available. Get it? Got it? Good.

Well, with that attitude, don't expect a lot of help . Get it? Got it? Good!