Retirees Looking for Safe, Clean, area, any Reccomendations? (Jacksonville, Orlando: real estate, insurance)

[nwuguy23]

Hello,
We are from Ohio, and we are considering retiring down in Florida (other contenders are San Diego, and Phoenix). We are looking for an area that is first and foremost safe, and clean.
Being "close" to stuff isn't much of an issue as long as we aren't stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Our price range is up to 450, and we are looking for a single family home, not a condo or retirement community.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[tropical87]

Safe and clean?

Stay out of South florida

[FLBoy123]

I have been living here for 5 years and I would say for retired people I do not know if it is best. But I am only 24 years old. I love it here and come on down if you want it is not that bad. 450 can get you a decent home. Keep in mind you will pay alot on insurance. ( Hurricanes) grrrr I was in a small town in VA and when I moved down here to South FL I fell in love! Never want to leave for sure. Weather is nice , beaches are close. Yeah ok traffic is bad, Big woop. Get over it people. Life goes on. So good luck with your choice.

Places to live
Deerfield Beach < some areas
Lighthouse Point
Coconut Creek
Ft Laud Beach
Sunrise < some areas
and many more!

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by nwuguy23

Hello,
We are from Ohio, and we are considering retiring down in Florida (other contenders are San Diego, and Phoenix). We are looking for an area that is first and foremost safe, and clean.
Being "close" to stuff isn't much of an issue as long as we aren't stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Our price range is up to 450, and we are looking for a single family home, not a condo or retirement community.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your advice!

You are twenty years too late. The closest you'll get is a gated community. The demographics shifts in the area are huge, and a lot of the retirees moved out to the Carolinas and Tennessee during the last real estate run up.

[Nikki9947]

Safety? Ehh.. I say try anywhere north of Orlando (except for Jacksonville) or perhaps the treasure coast areas. Nowhere is 100% safe however if that is your #1 priority, then I wouldn't recommend any of the "major" cities in Florida. You will always feel like you are looking over your shoulder.

[FTLkid754]

Coral Springs is a nice area in Western Broward County. It is kinda far out but it is quieter and well mantained. Coconut Creek is pretty safe and it is located in Northern Broward County. Margate also could be an option and probablly would be less expensive than the other two.

Overall if your looking for safe areas you'd be much better off in San Diego which as an insanley low murder rate and was pretty clean when I went there. Honestly, for you San Diego or AZ would be a better fit than South FL.

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by nwuguy23

Hello,
We are from Ohio, and we are considering retiring down in Florida (other contenders are San Diego, and Phoenix). We are looking for an area that is first and foremost safe, and clean.
Being "close" to stuff isn't much of an issue as long as we aren't stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Our price range is up to 450, and we are looking for a single family home, not a condo or retirement community.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your advice!

Before I moved to any area...I would go onto the State Tax site that I am considering moving to and fill out the tax forms......to determine what it is going to cost me to live there yearly......you may find it is not as nice as you thought......As far as insurance...I never thought much of it until my friend in Florida told me how much he was paying for Home Owners/Flood/Hurricane/Auto Insurance......

Your taxes on a $450 thousand dollar home in Florida will be $8,000 plus a year and since you are not interested in being too near the water...your home owners should be reasonable......but it is better to do your research now rather than......later...

[FLBoy123]

Yes that is very true! My friends sister pays a year 27,000 in taxes on her house! it isn't even that nice just is a nice area. Plus on the canal but so what I think I will throw my money away else where

[compelled to reply]

Weston. It's starting to bore me for the same reason, but it's just what you are looking for. Also try Parkland and Cooper City, Coral Springs, Plantation west of University Dr, Sunrise west of Nob Hill Rd (surprised how much some of the areas have declined in Sunrise have declined over the past year or so), Pembroke Pines (most), most of Davie, and west Miramar (especially west of 75).

[Sea watcher]

Hi,
I would like to suggest a small seaside town called Lauderdale by the Sea. Please check out our site www.Lauderdalebythesea.com There is a blog and message board on the site which we provide to assist you with further information. We have lived here for 12 years and in the immediate Fort Lauderdale area for over forty. Lauderdale by the Sea is a safe clean area that is located east of the intracoastal waterway and west of the Atlantic Ocean on a barrier island. There are all types of properties avaiable from waterfront properties, condominuims, single family homes in a family/retirement life style. Walking to the beach is available from almost any part of the town, which is why we have a "season" in the winter months. From our small town you have accessible to Fort Lauderdale within minutes (just over the bridge), and Boca Raton and Delay within 20 minutes. All this is available on a coastal ride along Ocean Boulevard. Please feel free to contact us through our site for further information. We are here to help those interested in this area of Florida!
Sea Watcher