Retiring Full Time to Naples - Community Advice (Lely, Vineyards: 2015, HOA fees)

[bbtondo]

Longtime lurker. Really appreciate all the helpful information I've gathered here. We currently own a condo in North Naples and have stayed there on vacation for the past six years at varous times of the year. We now would like to buy a single family home for our retirement and become full time residents of Naples by next spring. We are in our mid to late fifties.

Our price point is $500,000. We would love a two car gargage, minimum 3 beds/2 baths and a pool (which is a deal breaker for us). We are looking for a gated community that has some social events with a clubhouse with a restaurant/bar to meet people at. We are not card players or bingo people or boaters. We would like a community that has retirees and families but is GEARED more to adults. We also would like a community where there is a nice mix of full time residents and snow birds. Although we golf a little, we don't want a golf community. We are not tennis players. We are beach, happy hour, pool, occasional golf, going out to dinner people. We are hoping to meet a new social group of friends. We are more than ready to leave work and enjoy ourselves!

We looked at houses in Longshore Lakes, Island Walk and Village Walk in Naples. I have read the newsletters for these communities to get more of an idea of living there.

Would love to hear advice on these three communities and also suggestions of other communities that fit our needs.

Babs

[movin1]

We moved in to Riverstone recently. We like it a lot. Meets most of your criteria (no restaurant).

I think you could still make it in around your budget if you don't spend a lot on upgrades.

[bbtondo]

Moving1: Thank you for your reponse, I really appreciate it. We looked at Riverstone and thought it was very nice. I got the impression that it was geared more towards families than retirees. Has that been your experience? A lot of the threads on CD where people are asking what communities are more family friendly, Riverstone seems to be mentioned a lot. We don't want to be the only "young" retired couple in a community that is more focused on families.

Babs

[movin1]

I'm only 61 and retired, I consider myself young to be retired. We walk our dogs twice every day, morning and early evening and have met folks of all ages here, some younger and some older than we are. Our neighbors are both younger with young children and we see some teens on our walk around the block. Age wise, it seems to be very diverse. You should talk to Tambra Wolfe about the demographics if you are interested and it is a concern.

With over 800 houses in a very large and expansive community, I doubt we will ever meet 1/2 the people here even if we go to all the social events or spend a lot of time at the clubhouse.

[bbtondo]

Movin1: Thanks so much for replying again! It is really helpful to get advice from someone who lives in a community. We will take a second look at Riverstone. It certainly is a beautiful community.

Babs

[NaplesNest]

I think you've selected some nice communities to choose from. There's a handful of others that are definitely worth a look, not all of them have a restaurant, but all are pretty active.

Autumn Woods
Carlton Lakes
Monterey
Saturnia Lakes
Sterling Oaks
Vineyards
Riverstone (already mentioned)
Lely Resort (if you're willing to consider East Naples)

If you prefer new construction - Camden Lakes would work with your price range. It's not a very large community though.

Hope this helps!

[markjames68]

Some very good suggestions. For your price point I agree that regardless of your desire to play golf (or not) that it's best to forego a golf community because of the price premium, which then narrows it down to the communities that have a social center vs those that don't have any amenities. Certainly lots to choose from...and a house around 2,300 sq ft will give you what you want.

[bbtondo]

Naplesnest and Markjames68: I appreciate your thoughts. Looks like we have a lot of nice communities to choose from. Just have to keep the taxes and HOA fees to a reasonable amount. Someone in our current Naples community mentioned The Quarry. Looks like a nice place, but the taxes seem high and not sure about the HOA fees. I know it has golf, but you don't pay unless you join the club? Anyone have any information about that community?

This is a big move for us and we certainly want to make the right choice of house and community. As I told DH, this is it! Probably the last house we'll buy. Sure wish we were ready to buy our retirement home last year. Prices have definitely increased!

Babs

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by bbtondo

Naplesnest and Markjames68: I appreciate your thoughts. Looks like we have a lot of nice communities to choose from. Just have to keep the taxes and HOA fees to a reasonable amount. Someone in our current Naples community mentioned The Quarry. Looks like a nice place, but the taxes seem high and not sure about the HOA fees. I know it has golf, but you don't pay unless you join the club? Anyone have any information about that community?

This is a big move for us and we certainly want to make the right choice of house and community. As I told DH, this is it! Probably the last house we'll buy. Sure wish we were ready to buy our retirement home last year. Prices have definitely increased!

Babs

I am not sure about The Quarry, but many golf communities either require you to maintain a golf membership or a social membership at a minimum - the latter is $2-$3k a year. Others require you to spend a minimum amount in food and beverage - which if you socialize over drinks might not be an issue. But yes, lots of communities to choose from!

[NaplesNest]

The Quarry is an excellent community with great amenities. It is a little far out, and the taxes are pretty high because there is an annual CDD (Community Development District) attached to the tax bill. Golf & Social memberships are optional, so it can be affordable depending on what you're looking for. For example, social membership for 2015 is only $380 annually with a $1k initiation fee. This gives you access to the restaurant at the club house and access to social events at the community.