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My wife and I are life long Long Islanders. We love it here, including winters. Sadly however, my wife has Scleroderma and it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to go to a warmer place from January till spring.
Here is what I need to know.
I am looking for a community that has really nice Condo's, can be reached by air in under 3 hours, is warm and dry in the winter, looking for lows in the mid 60's highs in the high 70's. Has a lot of good restaurants especially seafood and italian. And where there are a few good parks and a few Golf courses (a local casino is icing on the cake but far from mandatory.) Finally if it can be rented out in the other months that would be good too.
From my personal experience it sounds like Tampa Fl and surrounding areas might fit your bill. The weather/condo/golf courses are there...only thing missing are the casinos!! January temps are in the upper 50s/low 60s at night and upper 70s during the day with very few exceptions. The real estate market there is deader than a doornail so you can probably find great deals!!
If you can deal with the occasional cold spell...Memphis TN has some really nice suburbs and the MS River boat casinos become an option!
You may also want to look into SE Texas. the south suburbs of Houston are very flat and not that aesthetically pleasing...but cost of living is now and the weather in the winter is delightful!!!
Other then FL or the rest of the gulf coast (most of which I would not recommend)...you would have to look in the SW United States which can get really pricey and push your 3 hour travel limit :-) (but then you have VEGAS BABY!)
Yes, I live outside of Tampa and that sounds exactly like what you described. The Tampa Bay area is huge and has about 6 counties in it. It's central FL so the winters here are much cooler than Miami. It feels like a mix of spring and fall. There are a ton of condos, golf courses, a casino and lots to do. Not sure about the pricing, you may want to contact a local agent for that.
Here is what I need to know.
I am looking for a community that has really nice Condo's, can be reached by air in under 3 hours, is warm and dry in the winter, looking for lows in the mid 60's highs in the high 70's. Has a lot of good restaurants especially seafood and italian. And where there are a few good parks and a few Golf courses (a local casino is icing on the cake but far from mandatory.) Finally if it can be rented out in the other months that would be good too.
If you do decide on the Tampa area and are in need of a realtor...PM me...I happen to know the areas regional director for a very successful Real Estate company quite well!!
Actually she can help you anywhere in the country...but with a special focus in Florida.
My wife and I are life long Long Islanders. We love it here, including winters. Sadly however, my wife has Scleroderma and it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to go to a warmer place from January till spring.
Here is what I need to know.
I am looking for a community that has really nice Condo's, can be reached by air in under 3 hours, is warm and dry in the winter, looking for lows in the mid 60's highs in the high 70's. Has a lot of good restaurants especially seafood and italian. And where there are a few good parks and a few Golf courses (a local casino is icing on the cake but far from mandatory.) Finally if it can be rented out in the other months that would be good too.
Any suggestions for a second home?
Thanks
My mom has MS, I have scleroderma (limited form) and can sympathize with your wife's condition and need for warmer winter climes.
My parents moved to St Augustine Beach and love it there. A little north of them is Sawgrass (TPC) at Ponta Vedra and there is a community named Royal Golf Village. Ponta Vedra is beautiful.
It's all a short hop to JAX and there's Johns Hopkins there with regard to any health needs. (The local hospital for ST AUg is fine, too)
There are many lovely condo communities along A1A in St Aug beach -- one more beautiful than the next.
There are many places to dine- wonderful fine and casual dining restaurants.
I fly Delta (Comair) from LGA to JAX non stop and the trip (even with delays) always has me into the airport under 3 hours. My father suggested I fly into Daytona Beach, but I haven't found a flight I like into Daytona yet. JAX is a very nice, modern airport.
St Augustine Beach reminds me of LI with palm trees! When I head down in February it is shirt sleeve comforable during the day (60's-70's) and at night you need a light jacket or sweater. (50's) There has been a couple of times when the temp has gone into the (40's) but that is not very often.
Both my mom and I are affected by the temperature -- with MS, she has more heat issues, and like your wife, I have cold issues. The 'winter' weather I have encountered in St Aug has been delightful and hasn't given my skin and joints much trouble at all.
Please feel free to send me a private message if you want some more info or detailed particulars. I would be happy to try to help
There is a casino in Tampa on the Indian Reservation. There is a hard rock cafe there. Tampa area might be just the place. You can find waterfront condo's in at least 3 different counties. Tampa also has condo's on Tampa bay, while the view is pretty the beaches don't compare to the gulf.
It normally gets colder and rainey in Jan/Feb, every now and then even in Dec. but it never stays cold for long and usually warms up during the day. Good hospitals with USF having a medical center in Tampa.
Thanks for all the input. Tampa is as nice an area as I have ever been in Florida. My college roommate lives there. He was our best man and is a Doc so medical will take care of itself. I am going to call him to see if we can arrange a visit in February.
I have been to St. Augustine and Jax and I like the area a lot, I think my wife may like Tampa a little bit more being that it is more built up. I would love both areas. Well I guess I will be needing some travelin' music.
St. Augustine is nice and quaint and beaches are nice, the only drawback would be your air travel. You can get non-stop flights out Tampa several times a day to NY including JetBlue. There is also an airport in St.Pete/Clearwater. It also gets colder in JAX than it does in Tampa area.
I think the gulf side has prettier beaches and the water is warmer.
If you are looking for places outside of Florida you may want to check out South Carolina. I am in the Myrtle Beach area & there are a ton of Condos for sale & they have good rental possibility through the summer. I particularly like this community which has a nice golf course. True Blue Condo
It is 30 minutes to MB airport & Spirit Air has been charging $65 each way to fly. The only consideration is that it does get brisk at night, sometimes around freezing but warms up nicely during the day into the 50's-60's usually.
It is warmer down near Hilton Head, St Simon's Island etc. which are nice golf areas too.
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Thanks
