Sebastian? (Port Orange, Vero Beach, St. Augustine: move to, best, golf)

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by justNancy

I just had an argument with someone who can't understand why my neighbor's barking dogs are forcing me out of my home. It's insane. Why would I complain if it wasn't bothering me..because I enjoy complaining? Since dogs have been mentioned so much on this thread, I thought I'd ask if it's common to tie dogs outside 24/7 in Sebastian and if barking is a common problem. I love animals, especially dogs, but I need to sleep at least a few hours, and I enjoy watching TV, reading and just plain chillin' without listening to barking.

I can't say from experience but it seems to me all the Sebastian single houses are not HOA so anything goes. It only takes one rude neighbor, as you know. And anybody can move in on a block in the future, therefore I am strictly pro HOA for that and other reasons.

I have never seen that in Vero Beach then again, I haven't lived on those non HOA streets but tied out dogs is something I would NEVER MISS seeing. Over by my former rental in an HOA there was one large house with barking dogs a few blocks over... but luckily only a little. Two got loose and I found one, a beagle in my yard and found the owner through the SPCA. They were your typical family who doesnt bother to walk their dogs and leaves them in the yard. But a beagle? yikes...and the other was a Jack Russell LOL.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by runswithscissors

I can't say from experience but it seems to me all the Sebastian single houses are not HOA so anything goes. It only takes one rude neighbor, as you know. And anybody can move in on a block in the future, therefore I am strictly pro HOA for that and other reasons.

I am looking for an attached villa in a gated community or at least one in which there are some rules to protect the residents. (and the animals too..living on a chain is not a good life!) If there are any listings in the low $100s I would appreciate some suggestions.

I realize I'm a bit sensitive to noise, being a light sleeper, but this morning (it's Sunday) I woke up before dawn to loud barking and it continued for 4 hours. My whole day has been shot, since I finally got back to sleep at 10. At least my headache is gone. Well this board isn't about me, so sorry for crying here about my personal problems. I just want to make sure that wherever I move to isn't going to be worse than where I now live. Actually, it was very peaceful here until 6 months ago, so you're right - it does only take one rude neighbor to change everything. There is also someone who drives by with ("music?") blasting so loudly the windows rattle, but it's only for a few seconds. I guess if I had another $100,000 to spend, I could possibly avoid all of this, but I don't. I was thinking about a mobile home park too.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by justNancy

I am looking for an attached villa in a gated community or at least one in which there are some rules to protect the residents. (and the animals too..living on a chain is not a good life!) If there are any listings in the low $100s I would appreciate some suggestions.

I realize I'm a bit sensitive to noise, being a light sleeper, but this morning (it's Sunday) I woke up before dawn to loud barking and it continued for 4 hours. My whole day has been shot, since I finally got back to sleep at 10. At least my headache is gone. Well this board isn't about me, so sorry for crying here about my personal problems. I just want to make sure that wherever I move to isn't going to be worse than where I now live. Actually, it was very peaceful here until 6 months ago, so you're right - it does only take one rude neighbor to change everything. There is also someone who drives by with ("music?") blasting so loudly the windows rattle, but it's only for a few seconds. I guess if I had another $100,000 to spend, I could possibly avoid all of this, but I don't. I was thinking about a mobile home park too.

Actually there is a mobile home park right on the Intracoastal here in Vero at the causeway bridge. I was shocked to see the excellent direct view they have. They are slightly crowded in there but the people seem nice and the property manager and owners are the original ones and their families live there too. They have some fancy new homes there, modular. And some old traditional ones.

The owner promises you if they sell that they'll buy your home back since you can't move it. I dont like the idea because you are spending BIG BUCKS to rent the lots in those communities like 400 to 600 a month, so why not spend alot less and get a condo? I dont' get it. I guess because it feels like a house inside but more like a railroad car since they run long and narrow lol.

But I suggest Vista Royale or Vista Gardens condos both nice HOA communities over 55. They are very reasonable now, cheaper than most of the mobile homes over on the ICW. $30,000 can get you in and they are peaceful, occupied by alot of year round residents, and stable. Vista Gardens has gorgeous landscaping since they were part of the neighboring bottanical gardens before they were condos.

There aren't alot of villas here but my old HOA has villas in the 100,000 range it's called Woodfield. A very nice brand new community by the mall but you're paying for a very fancy clubhouse. I don't know what the HOA will end up to be once the builder turns it over to the residents.

I would chose Vista Gardens condos over Woodfield villas, personally. for the 60-70,000 savings? you betcha. They are not villas but there are say, 4 units two up and two down. Block not frame and you dont hear the neighbors. I have friends renting them out seasonally.

There are also alot of Century Village condos all over Florida that are reasonable with alot of services too, I believe by Palm Beach, Coconut Creek and other places on the west.

Tamarac near Fort Lauderdale has Lime Bay in the same price range around 35 and up. Over 55 and Tamarac is a quiet suburb BUT FLL IS JAM PACKED NOW so unless it's for a job I'd go to Vero. Then again, I'm prejudiced LOL.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by Js81

Now... does anybody know of ANY areas that would have dog friendly beaches? I mean somewhere where I could let her off her leash to frolic, fetch, swim, etc... any ideas? !

Well....absent a dog beach we have an off leash dog PARK here....

Yeah, sorry it's the best I could come up with!

There is a DOG BEACH (specifically for dogs) either in Ft Lauderdale or Palm Beach I forget. My son took his Dane there all the time. But that's pretty far down from here.

[Js81]

OK, thanks for the replies. Now another idea. I know some had earlier expressed to me that there's not a whole lot to do in Sebastian (in terms of shops, etc.) - to me that's a GOOD thing. But then again, I don't want to be somewhere like I am now. I know there's a Wal-Mart (been to it, years ago) - what about the other "regular stores" - Publix/Winn-Dixie, Petsmart, bookstores, etc.? I don't mind if MAJOR shopping trips have to be to Vero, but can most every day things take place in Sebastian? Also, what about restaurants? Sorry if this has already been answered and I overlooked it...

[runswithscissors]

No Petsmart it's in Vero with Petco and another superstore. There's a Wynn Dixie. A Bells I think....I'm telling you there's only one or two strip centers that's it LOL. The other ones have businesses like real estate agents etc in them.

It's no big deal though, Vero is close. You can go behind the Publix at Pelican Point and come down the back way on 58th I think. Takes 10 minutes or so on that road to get to the actual Vero and another 10 minutes to get to the stores and park.

Google shopping some stores will come up....

When you drive down that way between Sebastian to Vero you are in the unincorporated Vero area with TONS OF open space, a vast open area with horses, farm-ettes, a few developments back off the road.

And the same driving up or down 66th.

I think you're not visualizing the small area between both places so it's not so big a decision really. Just your ambiance vibe imo.

There's plenty of seclusion AND shopping anywhere between VB and SEb and they are so close it only matters how your personality reacts to it. People who don't shop wont care.

Someone like me, who likes DANNON Coffee yogurt every single morning has to go to Publix or Target [which is 8 cents cheaper but they just STOPPED CARRYING IT and that means I'm ticked off to spend almost 25.00 per month on stupid yogurt.]...but to Wynn Dixie for produce since Publix produce is bad. OR the Fort Pierce open market on Saturdays OR the farms back off of 66th that sell produce when it's in season.

If you go to the dog supply store every single week you'll be driving to Vero. You can do your shopping then at Target, the mall, whatever....now that I think about it is there a Home Depot or Lowes in SEB? I forget....uh oh! LOL

Book stores...well...there's a Walden in the Vero Mall but I was looking all over the city for a JACKSONVILLE FL area map and couldnt find ANY.

Seriously, you get used to having a limited shopping experience here. Even the Macy's is a small version about 1/4 the size of up North. I dont really care but when I wanted a specific handbag I had to go down to West Palm Beach. I really dont understand why these Florida dept stores carry LEATHER NORTHERN handbags and very little "Florida" such as variety of stupid straw. So I had to go to WPB. An hour away LOL. Same thing with linens. You'd expect when you move to FL that the stores would be FILLED with tropical stuff to decorate your house. NO, you find Bed Bath and Beyond and the department stores with the same old maroon and heavy hot linens.

That being said once you find what you want and finish buying what you need you really dont shop for much. It just takes some getting used to the area and what has what in it. And finding the niche-y places or specialties like a screen door company.

[Js81]

Wow, thanks again - very detailed response. So the drive to Vero is really only like 10-15 minutes or so? I live in a really small town now, and its very rural. The nearest mall of any sorts is almost 2 HOURS away, but we do have most anything you'll need here (Wal-Mart, grocery stores, restaurants, a Tractor Supply, Lowe's, etc.) so as long as the necessities are close by it sounds great to me.

I must admit, this potential move is proving to be a unique situation to me - I'm 100% for it and my wife is waffling back and forth, lol. Today she's ready to ASAP - tomorrow, who knows... the thing is she LOVES her current job and is worried about finding something comparable. Me, I have no worries... It's worth the chance for something new and exciting!

I would LOVE to "research" some this summer when we come to Florida, but this year we'll be on the "wrong" coast - Treasure Island. We ALWAYS go on vacation in Daytona and visit my grandma near Vero (Yeehaw Junction), but my sister is getting married and wanted to get married on the beach. Problem is that they wanted a sunset wedding. Personally, I told them to do it near Daytona and fake it, lol. But I'm still excited - its been ugly, rainy and overcast here in KY for SIX DAYS STRAIGHT now. My grass is about a foot tall and its still too wet to cut! I absolutely cannot wait to be in Florida! Six weeks and counting!

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by Js81

Wow, thanks again - very detailed response. So the drive to Vero is really only like 10-15 minutes or so? I live in a really small town now, and its very rural. The nearest mall of any sorts is almost 2 HOURS away, but we do have most anything you'll need here (Wal-Mart, grocery stores, restaurants, a Tractor Supply, Lowe's, etc.) so as long as the necessities are close by it sounds great to me.

I must admit, this potential move is proving to be a unique situation to me - I'm 100% for it and my wife is waffling back and forth, lol. Today she's ready to ASAP - tomorrow, who knows... the thing is she LOVES her current job and is worried about finding something comparable. Me, I have no worries... It's worth the chance for something new and exciting!

I would LOVE to "research" some this summer when we come to Florida, but this year we'll be on the "wrong" coast - Treasure Island. We ALWAYS go on vacation in Daytona and visit my grandma near Vero (Yeehaw Junction), but my sister is getting married and wanted to get married on the beach. Problem is that they wanted a sunset wedding. Personally, I told them to do it near Daytona and fake it, lol. But I'm still excited - its been ugly, rainy and overcast here in KY for SIX DAYS STRAIGHT now. My grass is about a foot tall and its still too wet to cut! I absolutely cannot wait to be in Florida! Six weeks and counting!

Yes really. However, if you go from the very north point of Seb to the very south point of Vero it's longer. I'm just giving you the common areas from the boundary lines. It all depends on what you consider the city limits. There are a couple small municipalities in between like Wabasso and Gifford. You won't mind any of the riding back and forth it can be pleasant and it's not annoying. Route 1 is always sorta empty up there you can always drive at the speed limit and not get stuck at lights or anything. From Pelican Point condos which is the south end of Sebastian to the Mall, I'd say it's a good 20 minutes if you go the west way not the Rt 1 way.

I know right? What about a sunrise wedding LOL?

Yeehaw Junction that's so funny. When I first moved here I decided to drive west on 60. The only signs said yeehaw junction.

I kept DRIVING and DRIVING and DRIVING I was like wth.

It's a great ride, all those cattle farms ONLY for so many many miles.

So I got there. I was laughing thinking "did you really consider moving here?" Because it was so farmey.

I really enjoyed that ride and for all these people dismissing the sun in FL I got a sunburn in my car because it was 4 pm west. face and neck LOL.

I bet your grandmother loves it out there. My only concern is what the terrible situation is when there are hurricanes because I am a bleeding heart animal rights activist and it depresses me to be around potential animal destruction. Other than that it's such a tranquil feel there I'd like that too even though I'm a water person.

So you KNOW there is plenty of open space in this area. I am looking forward to making the ride ALL THE WAY OUT Route 60 if possible some day. Enjoy your trip in six weeks!

[Js81]

Hey run, thanks for the replies. I understand completely what you're saying about the time traveling to Vero. It sounds to me like it is indeed close enough for me. As long as we're close to some shopping and entertainment, I'll be content.

You know, I tried and tried to convince them to do a sunrise wedding. The problem is that neither of them like getting up early - I don't think either of them has EVER seen the sun rise, lol. They'd probably be pretty droppy-eyed in their wedding photos if that was the case!

So you've been to Yeehaw, huh? Now THAT'S an experience. I knew we were in for something special when the directions my grandma gave us when she first moved there were "come to the county line and look for a green mailbox." We thought she was kidding... she wasn't.

And I completely understand the "car sunburn." I'm terribly prone to leave an arm hanging out the window while I'm driving, only to get home and discover its blood-red up to my shirt sleeve. And that's here in Kentucky...

I can't wait to come south here in a few weeks, even if it is to the wrong coast. My wife just realized that since we'll come down I-95 and cross over on I-4 (quickest way from east KY) that we'll be driving right by Daytona. Oh, well... you never know, maybe we'll love that "other" coast (we DID NOT when we when to Panama City a few years back... but that's a whole other place there).

Thanks for all your help. I'm sure that after our trip my wife will be ready to move the next day. Geez, if it wasn't for those pesky little things like selling our house, finding a new job in a bad economy, moving 1,000 miles, etc., I'd be there TOMORROW.

[runswithscissors]

^^ sunburn go google Coolibar. Sun protective clothing. I even bought an ARM THING that you put on if you don't want your arm sunburned. How funny what a small world.

Buy the hats they sell....they have them with the thing dangling around your neck like landscapers wear.