Arizona to Naples or Sarasota? (Miami, Tampa: rent, HOA, condo)

[chrhill]

Hey folks, I'm currently living in Buckeye, Arizona. I have a 2,500 sqft new build with a nice mountain view and the HOA park in my front yard. But, I'm looking to trade this for something different, namely more greenery, water, and a less blue-collar and more educated demographic.

I like Arizona, but Buckeye is just a little too far out there for me, and the crime is worse than it's made out to be. Before I lived in Buckeye, I lived in N. Scottsdale, and before that Irvine, California. I loved both Irvine and N. Scottsdale for the upscale feel and open space, but was priced out to buy anything good in both of those areas.

I'm wondering if Naples or Sarasota would be a better fit and also give me some of the SoCal beach experience that I'm missing. I am planning a trip to the area within the next month, and wonder if any of you have suggestions or any ideas of what I should look out for while I'm there.

I like masterplanned communities, so Lakewood Ranch in/next to Sarasota is at the top of my list, but I'm afraid it might be too family-ish. I'm 43 and happily single, but I prefer peace and quiet and want a similarly sized place (budget maxes out around $600k). I'm looking for access to a good grocery store and restaurants. I'd also like a place where I can date single women in my age group, and I realize that Naples probably has less of that than Sarasota, but I'm not sure how different the feel is. I'm used to driving long distances being way out here so that's ok for me if necessary.

Also if anyone can comment on the appreciation and growth rate of both - it looks like Sarasota has a lot of recent development. Do you think my appreciation will be greater there?

Really appreciative of any advice. And if I can help anyone on Arizona, I've got pretty extensive knowledge of the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro so happy to return the favor. Thanks!

[movin1]

I moved from Naples to Las Vegas after five years of enduring the humidity in Florida - that was was all I could handle. Also, it rains every day except in the short winter season and there is also hurricane season.

@chrhill, you have lived on the west coast where high dew points are not common. The weather is not the same in FL as it is in SoCal, Scottsdale etc. There are other threads on C-D on the differences between Sarasota and Naples, search my posts.

As far as the demographics and the dating scene, Naples is much older, but more families have moved there. It's a retirement/vacation community for wealthy snow-birds and golfers. You need to be in Tampa for smart, professional singles your age. You could spend 3-4 days in both Sarasota and Naples on one trip. Have a realtor show you around a few days and drive around on your own a few days. Neither place is that big. I can tell you about Naples, but not Sarasota, I was only there a few times. It was OK, but not as nice as Naples. Take some extra time and go to Tampa. You can drive from Tampa through Sarasota to Naples. Moving is expensive, make sure you make the right decision.

If you go in the next month, the weather will be very nice. You need to experience May through September and think it could be more like that from April thought November, lol. The further north you go, the less hot it is, but it's still humid many months of the year.

I personally won't live in a humid climate ever again. I lived in Central Illinois most of my life, the weather there was bad in the summer and winter.

I had over $700K in my house in Naples. I sold it in a down market (May 2019) after Hurricane Irma hit there for $550K. Zillow say it's now worth $868,200. Prices have skyrocketed there.

If you want to live in Florida, you need to look around the entire state, east coast and west coast. Lots of places that are all different. I liked Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Gainesville.

[blueherons]

I would take a hard look at downtown Sarasota. I think Naples is gorgeous but could never live there.

A single guy living in Lakewood Ranch doesn't seem to be a great idea. It is nothing but families.

Unless you speak fluent Spanish, I would skip Miami. It really is a foreign country.

Fort Lauderdale is a good choice. Downtown is a good option, Las Olas, Poinsettia Heights.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by movin1

I moved from Naples to Las Vegas after five years of enduring the humidity in Florida - that was was all I could handle. Also, it rains every day except in the short winter season and there is also hurricane season.

@chrhill, you have lived on the west coast where high dew points are not common. The weather is not the same in FL as it is in SoCal, Scottsdale etc. There are other threads on C-D on the differences between Sarasota and Naples, search my posts.

As far as the demographics and the dating scene, Naples is much older, but more families have moved there. It's a retirement/vacation community for wealthy snow-birds and golfers. You need to be in Tampa for smart, professional singles your age. You could spend 3-4 days in both Sarasota and Naples on one trip. Have a realtor show you around a few days and drive around on your own a few days. Neither place is that big. I can tell you about Naples, but not Sarasota, I was only there a few times. It was OK, but not as nice as Naples. Take some extra time and go to Tampa. You can drive from Tampa through Sarasota to Naples. Moving is expensive, make sure you make the right decision.

If you go in the next month, the weather will be very nice. You need to experience May through September and think it could be more like that from April thought November, lol. The further north you go, the less hot it is, but it's still humid many months of the year.

I personally won't live in a humid climate ever again. I lived in Central Illinois most of my life, the weather there was bad in the summer and winter.

I had over $700K in my house in Naples. I sold it in a down market (May 2019) after Hurricane Irma hit there for $550K. Zillow say it's now worth $868,200. Prices have skyrocketed there.

If you want to live in Florida, you need to look around the entire state, east coast and west coast. Lots of places that are all different. I liked Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Gainesville.

Good way to describe Naples.

I lived in Naples from 1991 to 2002. I was a kid then, 19 when I left to go back north for awhile.

I will say though Naples during the 1990s didn't seem NOWHERE near as old as it is today. I mean back then it was a retirement town but it still had a number of young people in the mix too.

I still have some cousins in Naples so I'm down there from time to time and I must say it seems much older now. The last few years the median age in SWFL has went up a few years, the census backs that up.

Sarasota County, Charlotte County, Lee, Collier Counties all have a median age of around 50 and older.

Hillsborough County has a MUCH young median age.

Dating is horrible in SWFL. I use the dating sites and the selection of women if laughable in my age range.

But then I plug in Zipcodes for the Tampa Metro or Orlando area and much better selection of women, much more educated as well.

[big_c]

In your position I'd probably check out tampa, Miami, and Orlando

[Marc Middleton]

Lakewood Ranch isn't full of singles, its mostly families and you're a far drive to the singles scene when you do want to go out.

Face it, any neighborhood will have this issue. Masterplanned areas will be for families and the cities will be where the singles are.

Naples is probably your best bet. you can live in a beautiful area not full of families but have a mixture of young & old, snowbirds, people relocating, quiet/safe, great shopping etc and have a decent single selection in the 40-50 year old range. Otherwise, you'll need to be near a city like Ft Lauderdale. I think that is your best bet overall. You can be East of i-95, find a good community/area with your budget, and have a much more enjoyable/fun lifestyle like biking to the beach, trendy restaurants, lots of singles, close to a big airport, etc.

A condo on Las Olas would solve almost all your desires

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Marc Middleton

Lakewood Ranch isn't full of singles, its mostly families and you're a far drive to the singles scene when you do want to go out.

Face it, any neighborhood will have this issue. Masterplanned areas will be for families and the cities will be where the singles are.

Naples is probably your best bet. you can live in a beautiful area not full of families but have a mixture of young & old, snowbirds, people relocating, quiet/safe, great shopping etc and have a decent single selection in the 40-50 year old range. Otherwise, you'll need to be near a city like Ft Lauderdale. I think that is your best bet overall. You can be East of i-95, find a good community/area with your budget, and have a much more enjoyable/fun lifestyle like biking to the beach, trendy restaurants, lots of singles, close to a big airport, etc.

A condo on Las Olas would solve almost all your desires

Is Ft. Lauderdale housing and rent prices as bad as Naples though?

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by big_c

In your position I'd probably check out tampa, Miami, and Orlando

I guess depends on age. I would think Orlando would be better if you're in the younger range. Lots of young single women like to work at or near Disney because they're obsessed with it.

[OysterCatcher]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

I guess depends on age. I would think Orlando would be better if you're in the younger range. Lots of young single women like to work at or near Disney because they're obsessed with it.

Is that really the type of woman you want to date? I know a few like that, no thanks.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by OysterCatcher

Is that really the type of woman you want to date? I know a few like that, no thanks.

Well, I'm a bit older, but yea girls are obsessed with Disney, Adult women. A lot of cute girls work at Disney too btw. I have a 28 year old cousin and she's obsessed with it. Lives in the Tampa area so it's not a long drive and has yearly passes and constantly goes there and Busch Gardens as well.