Country Clubs for Familes

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Marc Middleton

I hear you on the clubhouse with Espalande - its been a problem for many but it should be cleared up this year.

That’s good - but as I’ve mentioned earlier I was interested in buying there in 2014, and was told the clubhouse was “a couple of years away”. If the builder ran into these kinds of issues during construction, how does this impact the rest of the community, the course and the HOA?

[bbtondo]

Originally Posted by markjames68

That’s good - but as I’ve mentioned earlier I was interested in buying there in 2014, and was told the clubhouse was “a couple of years away”. If the builder ran into these kinds of issues during construction, how does this impact the rest of the community, the course and the HOA?

So true! Tried to rep you again, but CD wouldn't let me. LOL

[OnwardFlorida]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We've reached out to several clubs and are finding that most of them are built around snow birds. Grey Oaks seems to be big enough, with enough full time residents, that there are enough families for activities built around them. In fact, it seems extremely healthy in this regard.

But, that's about all we've found. It almost seems like Grey Oaks is the only option. Talis park has some families, but primary is 55+, as well as Mediterra. There are families, but the avg age of membership is 65. It's telling.

We also spent a week in the Tampa Bay area and really liked Sarasota, but the main family community there is more of a suburb (Lakewood Ranch.) Still very pretty, and full of families.

This gives us a lot to think about.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by OnwardFlorida

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We've reached out to several clubs and are finding that most of them are built around snow birds. Grey Oaks seems to be big enough, with enough full time residents, that there are enough families for activities built around them. In fact, it seems extremely healthy in this regard.

But, that's about all we've found. It almost seems like Grey Oaks is the only option. Talis park has some families, but primary is 55+, as well as Mediterra. There are families, but the avg age of membership is 65. It's telling.

We also spent a week in the Tampa Bay area and really liked Sarasota, but the main family community there is more of a suburb (Lakewood Ranch.) Still very pretty, and full of families.

This gives us a lot to think about.

You've hit upon the main challenge with Naples. The whole area in SWFL revolves around snowbirds and "season", as do the majority of clubs. This is not necessarily a showstopper but something to definitely consider, as a family with children will be in the minority and may not find services that appeal for the money spent.

For example, it was hard in my club to get anything targeting kids - golf clinics, tennis lessons, swimming lessons or any events.

Also, things started up in October/November and shut down in March/April. Summer was for maintenance and often the clubs were closed down for 1-2 weeks at a time, right when the kids are off of school and the activities would be most welcome.

[SellingNWCape]

Originally Posted by OnwardFlorida

We also spent a week in the Tampa Bay area and really liked Sarasota, but the main family community there is more of a suburb (Lakewood Ranch.) Still very pretty, and full of families.

Lakewood Ranch is a master planned community and is essentially a city of its own and home to some of the better schools in that area. Overall it's going to be much younger than parts of Naples but you will want to be mindful that each community/village within LWR is different and some are prone to be less family friendly than others. Mostly CDD area save a few in there. Be sure to check out the LWR village matrix on the main LWR site for a list of amenities in each. Villages with playgrounds and tot lots are going to be more family-friendly. Online search for Lakewood Ranch David will take you to an agent's site where he has compiled a list of all HOA & CDD fees for each village.

SunshineRules is an agent in that area and can point you in the right direction. Definitely check in on the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice forum if you start leaning that way as I'm sure she knows other neighborhoods that might fit the bill up that way. Also, Bradenton is home to the IMG Academy so there are sports program opportunities there as well.

[dcfas]

Naples is an absolutely gorgeous place with some great golf, but if we’re talking golf in SF Jupiter/PB is the first town that comes to my mind.

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by dcfas

Naples is an absolutely gorgeous place with some great golf, but if we’re talking golf in SF Jupiter/PB is the first town that comes to my mind.

Kid golf is excellent in Palm Beach, home of the PGA of course. No one has more courses than Naples/SW FL though. I like Palm Beach and also Sarasota. Lakewood Ranch has been booming for a while. Babcock ranch is now open with a cute town square and their 1st golf course is open. Not too far from the FT Myers airport but not a whole lot else.

The beauty of Naples is almost unparalleled though - that's what gets a lot of people.

Talis park is excellent but not know for kids. I think Mediterra would be better for a golf community that's kid friendly.

Grey Oaks is amazing! You'd be hard to find something similar in Sarasota.