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Old 12-03-2012, 11:49 AM
 
252 posts, read 371,229 times
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We've been looking at gulf-front condos on LBK and watching the prices slowly climb for the last year. We're hoping to be retired and living seasonally either on LBK, Anna Maria Island, or Venice. Of course we love the beaches on AMI, the privacy of LBK and the lower prices of Venice, so there will be a compromise somewhere along the way. Longboat is the front-runner though. I'm just looking for pro's/con's from condo/home owners about living on an island, and whether or not they regret it. Would love to hear from anyone snowbirding down there as well. Thanks a bunch!
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Old 12-03-2012, 07:44 PM
 
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
11,936 posts, read 13,107,880 times
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Yes, my parents own four condos on LBK. No, they don't live there and would not. The condos are all rentals. They also have five condos on Siesta and wouldn't live there either. Me? I'd live on Siesta.

One of the long time posters on this forum grew up on LBK. Hopefully she'll give you her story. If not, you can search for it on this forum. It's quite interesting.
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Old 12-04-2012, 07:38 AM
 
252 posts, read 371,229 times
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Thanks for the reply. It's such a huge decision to invest in another country, but our hearts are set on it. My personal opinion in terms of real estate, is to buy the most desirable property that you can afford, assuming you love it. If LBK, or even Florida in general doesn't pan out for us, then we'd like to have an easy-to-sell property. We're primarily interested in a gulf-front 2+2 lock and leave condo, in the $375-550k range. Assuming we don't over-pay, we feel this is the safest place for our $$. The other side of the coin is, that we will have a resort-style winter getaway, which appeals to us more than a subdivision or downtown condo. But being the worry-wart that I am, I'm looking to be talked into it or out of it based on real-life experience.
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Old 12-04-2012, 07:39 AM
 
252 posts, read 371,229 times
Reputation: 287
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueherons View Post
Yes, my parents own four condos on LBK. No, they don't live there and would not. The condos are all rentals. They also have five condos on Siesta and wouldn't live there either. Me? I'd live on Siesta.

One of the long time posters on this forum grew up on LBK. Hopefully she'll give you her story. If not, you can search for it on this forum. It's quite interesting.
Could you elaborate on why you wouldn't live on LBK?
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Old 12-04-2012, 08:04 AM
 
17,534 posts, read 39,131,539 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by La-La land View Post
We've been looking at gulf-front condos on LBK and watching the prices slowly climb for the last year. We're hoping to be retired and living seasonally either on LBK, Anna Maria Island, or Venice. Of course we love the beaches on AMI, the privacy of LBK and the lower prices of Venice, so there will be a compromise somewhere along the way. Longboat is the front-runner though. I'm just looking for pro's/con's from condo/home owners about living on an island, and whether or not they regret it. Would love to hear from anyone snowbirding down there as well. Thanks a bunch!
La-la land, I don't live on Longboat, but have lived in Sarasota for a long time. Longboat has some of the wealthiest areas in the whole state. It is quiet, well-manicured and safe. For what you are looking for, it seems to me the top choice. They are also building a fabulous new Publix grocery there, and there are a couple others nearby so you don't have to leave the island. It is close enough to AMI to enjoy the beaches, and close enough to St. Armands to enjoy entertainment there. I would consider it to be an excellent place to make an investment. I am not a realtor, so I don't know what properties are going for, I imagine it depends on the building and amenities. Since you would only be living here during the winter, evacuation from storms won't really be a concern for you.

As much as I love AMI, keep in mind it won't be nearly as quiet, there are tons and tons of rentals there, not to mention tourists. It is all small-scale, so there won't be any large condos, and nothing all that private.

Venice might be a good second choice after Longboat, it's a small town, very charming and safe. Mostly older condos there, though. It might be worth taking a close look.

Hope this helps!
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Old 12-04-2012, 08:09 AM
 
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
11,936 posts, read 13,107,880 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by La-La land View Post
Could you elaborate on why you wouldn't live on LBK?
While I absolutely love LBK, I just would not want to live there. I also love Miami but wouldn't live there either.
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Old 12-04-2012, 09:25 AM
 
252 posts, read 371,229 times
Reputation: 287
Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsychic View Post
La-la land, I don't live on Longboat, but have lived in Sarasota for a long time. Longboat has some of the wealthiest areas in the whole state. It is quiet, well-manicured and safe. For what you are looking for, it seems to me the top choice. They are also building a fabulous new Publix grocery there, and there are a couple others nearby so you don't have to leave the island. It is close enough to AMI to enjoy the beaches, and close enough to St. Armands to enjoy entertainment there. I would consider it to be an excellent place to make an investment. I am not a realtor, so I don't know what properties are going for, I imagine it depends on the building and amenities. Since you would only be living here during the winter, evacuation from storms won't really be a concern for you.

As much as I love AMI, keep in mind it won't be nearly as quiet, there are tons and tons of rentals there, not to mention tourists. It is all small-scale, so there won't be any large condos, and nothing all that private.

Venice might be a good second choice after Longboat, it's a small town, very charming and safe. Mostly older condos there, though. It might be worth taking a close look.

Hope this helps!
That does help, thankyou! Since I discovered the search feature, Ive been reading most of your posts on the SRQ area, and they're all very helpful.
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