Some pros and cons of North Port? (Tampa, Plantation: rent, homeowners association)

[GroovyGrandmomma]

Because of health reason, my husband and I are looking into moving to North port FL. I'm scared because it is such a long way from our son and the grandkids. We would be opening a small business, so employment isn't an issue, but would like to know if it is a large enough area to support businesses? We currently live In Knoxville TN, so we are used the heat and humidity, but we do have 4seasons here and I'm guessing it doesn't cool down much there. We are trying wanting to buy a home in the price range of $180 to 250 k. Is that doable? What are the communities like there? How long does it take to get to a larger city with more advanced health care facilities? Any info would be appreciated!

[logybogy]

What small business will you be opening? Anything construction or contractor related should do well since that is the main driver of the economy, building homes, renovating homes, fixing broken things.

If you are thinking more along the lines of stores or restaurants, you really need to do your market research and see what the competition is doing and whether there is a hole in the market for what you do.

[GroovyGrandmomma]

We would be looking to purchase an accounting practice either in north port or in a larger surrounding area. We have several construction based clients now, so we are very familiar with their accounting needs. I was just wondering, beside the chamber of commerce is there somewhere i can get more information about the area. We are planning to come down in a couple of weeks. We are looking for a small older community that has a relaxed vibe. As i mentioned $250k would probably be the top of our price range. Could we find something nice for around that price?

Thank you for your reply!

[sware2cod]

Sarasota has good healthcare amenities and it's approx 30-50 minutes away depending on which area of NP and which area of Sarasota. One of the best hospitals in the area is Sarasota Memorial and they are planning to build a brand new hospital in Venice off I-75. This would be closer to North Port than the current Sarasota Memorial Hospital, which will stay. The new one will be their 2nd hospital. The same hospital systems also has urgent care facilities and lab/imaging in North Port.

In Tampa is the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, an excellent cutting edge cancer hospital, which is approx 1.5 hrs north, mostly driving on I-75.

https://www.smh.com/Home/Locations/H...-at-North-Port

https://moffitt.org/about-moffitt/nci-designation/

[logybogy]

I'm not sure how easy it will be to purchase an accounting practice in a small metro area or what the appropriate valuation would be. It seems you would be taking a lot of unnecessary risks. Also, there is the licensing aspect which can be difficult in Florida. There probably aren't that many wanting to sell and if you make unsolicited offers you'll probably overpay. Your best bet might be to find an accounting job and work for someone for a period of time and when you feel comfortable try to open your own practice and hire associates with clients.

[TamRE]

In order to have a CPA firm in FL you must have a license. Here is the link to the Department of Business and Professional Regulations for the requirements. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/int...rue&boardid=01

North Port has a few deed restricted communities with homeowners association and a lot of the area is non-deed restricted with no HOA's. You will be able to find something in your price range. A Realtor can assist you with your home search. Homes in HOA communities in your price range will be limited. Some of them are Cedar Grove, Lakeside Plantation, Jockey Club, Villas at Charleston Park, Villas of Sabal Trace. Most of the home in non-deed restricted areas are on well and septic.

Below are some web links to information in North Port. There are a lot of things to do in the surrounding areas too, not just North Port that are short driving distance.

City of North Port - North Port, FL | Home
Cocoplum Village Shops - Benderson Development Company
Explore North Port - https://www.visitsarasota.com/articl...ore-north-port
North Port Performing Arts - North Port Performing Arts Association

[Sunshine Rules]

North Port is not what most people would consider a traditional city. The actual city limits of North Port cover over 100 square miles of land, but a large portion of it is not developed.

North Port was originally laid out in the 1950's by a company called General Development Corporation. They laid out grids of roads within the huge land area of their city of North Port, then started selling lots to winter visitors. Things didn't go as planned and the company eventually abandoned North Port. So outside of the more established subdivisions you will find miles and miles of roads with few homes and many vacant lots.

Many of the individual, vacant lots are vacant because of the cost of running electricity to those lots is expensive. Developers have bought up a lot of the less expensive plots of land and several are building new construction.

More of the development is between Biscayne Blvd and Toledo Blade Blvd, where there is more access to utilities (much of North Port is on septic systems and well water). The north end of North Port is experiencing a building boom thanks to the West Villages development. The majority of the West Villages is located along US 41 and River Road at the edges of unincorporated Sarasota County and the city limits of North Port.

North Port actually has an entire state forest located within the city limits. North Port does not have a downtown area like those in Venice or Sarasota, most of the shopping areas are smaller retail centers or strip retail shopping centers.


I always suggest that buyers do as much research as you can on any community you are thinking of purchasing a home in. If the positives out weigh the negatives for your individual needs, then that community may be a good option for you.

It's definitely a good idea to visit the area, several times if possible, before you reach a final decision about specific neighborhoods in our area. And if possible, rent for awhile before buying, so that you do not commit to a home purchase that looks good on paper but turns out to be a wrong move in the long run.

[d4g4m]

Go to any mapping site for a sat [aerial] view of Northport zips 34286, 34287, 34288, 34291 All that green area you see is tens of thousands of empty 80x125 lots. The homes that you see [except in developments] are well/septic. Your up to $250,000 purchase will buy you a very big house with a pool.