Cost Of Living (Sarasota, Homestead: HOA, home owners insurance, condos)

[NewEnglander66]

Hello

I'm here up north looking for a place down in the Sarasota area to vacation and hopefully move too. I'm trying to figure a cost for having a place down there. Im probablly going condo/townhouse. I was looking for some guides/averages on taxes, insurance cheap/expensive down there (average cost)
and how is electric and water.
and If you have any suggestions on location please feel free.
Thank you for you time

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by NewEnglander66

Hello

I'm here up north looking for a place down in the Sarasota area to vacation and hopefully move too. I'm trying to figure a cost for having a place down there. Im probablly going condo/townhouse. I was looking for some guides/averages on taxes, insurance cheap/expensive down there (average cost)
and how is electric and water.
and If you have any suggestions on location please feel free.
Thank you for you time

Hi NewEnglander66,
We are in central Mass. and just bought a house in Sarasota in the Palmer Ranch area. I invite you to read my post "Just bought in Sarasota. Helpful hints."
We got our first water bill a few days ago. There is a base water charge of $13.15 per month plus $2.95 per 1000 gallons used. There is a base sewer charge of $13.65 per month plus $6.95 per 1000 gallons. There is a charge of $30.00 per year for a backflow test. My son is used to taking long showers in college. I can assure you that he will be get just as clean in half the time when he is in Sarasota.
I don't remember the electric bill, but we were not there much so my figures would be inaccurate for a full-timer.
I don't know the tax-rate off hand.
Insurance costs will vary based on the construction and distance from the water. Our house was built in 2002 and is rock solid and conforms to all the latest codes. Personally, I did not think the insurance costs were out-of-line, based upon our house here in central Mass.
Beautiful day here.

Feel free to PM me if you so desire.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by smiledoc1

Hi NewEnglander66,
We are in central Mass. and just bought a house in Sarasota in the Palmer Ranch area. I invite you to read my post "Just bought in Sarasota. Helpful hints."
We got our first water bill a few days ago. There is a base water charge of $13.15 per month plus $2.95 per 1000 gallons used. There is a base sewer charge of $13.65 per month plus $6.95 per 1000 gallons. There is a charge of $30.00 per year for a backflow test. My son is used to taking long showers in college. I can assure you that he will be get just as clean in half the time when he is in Sarasota.
I don't remember the electric bill, but we were not there much so my figures would be inaccurate for a full-timer.
I don't know the tax-rate off hand.
Insurance costs will vary based on the construction and distance from the water. Our house was built in 2002 and is rock solid and conforms to all the latest codes. Personally, I did not think the insurance costs were out-of-line, based upon our house here in central Mass.
Beautiful day here.

Feel free to PM me if you so desire.

Your electric bill depends on how cold you keep your home, how well it's insulated, also take into consideration, the higher the ceilings, the more it will cost, plus, with the gas constantly increasing, you will see your FPL bill go up....for example, in the summer eight years ago, my house was 4,200 sq. feet with three zones, and all the doors to the seperate zones were kept closed, but with 10-12 foot ceilings, our FPL was around $350 a month between June and October. And we had the best insulation possible blown in and layed when we built the home in the mid '90's....but I don't think there is a "typical" FPL bill...

just figure that everything you buy at the supermarket will be $5/an item and take it from there, along with your fuel bills for your autos...make sure you come with a nest egg or you'll be yolk before long.

[BeetleBailey]

We just bought here last year.The water bill is high(We like loooong showers to boot)
Make sure you buy a new/newer home,since a home bought later than 2002,will be up to code and anything earlier than that will cost you more in home owners insurance.
A good neighborhood,will have a HOA and a CDD.Check to make sure you know the costs.
Condos in slow markets always depreciate faster.So if you get a good buy,OK but personally I wouldn't buy one.
People who live here get a Homestead(tax reduction) but if it isn't your permanent home,you don't get it.
It isn't cheaper living but if you love it like myself,you don't mind the extra money.
Going back North is a must,so you can remember why you left,plus it is nice to keep connected to your roots.We love heading back North and coming back to Florida. We go back every other month for a week.
Many people complain here but I think they need to get to take a trip back,once in a while.
I don't think you ever get from thinking about your home State.
We live in Lakewood Ranch.