Single, Retired , Best community? (Plantation, Tamiami: appointed, apartments, homeowners association)
Sarasota - Bradenton - Venice areaManatee and Sarasota Counties
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I would be an older single gal - it surprises even me sometimes
Big House ... just because of your descriptions of Punta Gorda it is staying on the research list for now. If nothing else I am going to visit it to see what it is like. It sounds like I might like the historical town aspect - is the town sort of like Mt. Dora (if you have ever been there). I always liked going there.
Hi Miruca,
No I haven't been to Mt. Dora. I'll have to check it out when I have time. PGI is not the only great place. There are many, but I would check it out. It is kinda centrally located to several great beaches, but not exactly situated on any. The beaches down here are distinctly different too, Sanibal & Captiva are courser beaches with tons and tons of shells! Unbelievable how many shells, while Siesta Key has soft baby power white sand, and Venice Beach is in between and the texture is in-between as well. The water everywhere is beautiful too. But, I would consider other things beside the beach, because you probably won't be spending as much time there as you would percentage wise on a vacation, you need other things to interest you. That is the draw for me here too. It is centrally located to a lot of things, it is a smaller town that has everything you need, but you can in a short drive hit larger attractions and venues. I would definitely check out Sarasota, Venice, and PGI.
There is definitely something here (in SWFL) for you!
So ... what if I narrowed this down to the Englewood area? SoFlaGal listed a couple and I've started to check those out - are there more that meet the criteria I listed in the first post?
There are a few more communities but they are a little older and might not meet all of your criteria, but I'll throw them out there for you to investigate:
Englewood Isles and Overbrook Gardens are built around canals and creeks.
Then there's Oyster Creek
Then over in that general area you have:
Cape Haze
Placida
Rotonda
South Gulf Cove
These are more like small towns within that area.
I did leave off four places Oak Forest, Arlington Cove, Eden Harbor and Park Forest, which are newer communities but I'm not sure they meet all of your criteria.
Thanks for all the great suggestions - based on prior posts I had started looking at some of them... and will keep doing so! I'm thinking that Port Charlotte, Northport, and Punta Gorda are too far from the beach for me. Maybe I would change my mind when I come down but I do think I want to be closer. I don't care about being on or around "water" other than proximity to the beach - I don't like those gaters!
Now... smiledoc... why did angelfish think you would not recommend village walk for singles? Your posts have definitely caused me to reconsider the Sarasota area. It just seemed too big to me and it is more expensive but I'm reconsidering that area.. I like the easy airport access - that became more and more important with my parents as the years went by...a 45 minute drive became a bigger obstacle. Geothermal heated pool... great way to go.
The Lakeside Village is nice but I'm leaning strongly for a non-attached living situation - I think I would go condo only if I was right on the beach.
I will be enlisting SoFlGirl talents for the grand tour . Thanks for the list, and for noting which are CDD - I definitely do not want to go there. I do want to do as much research as possible prior to my trip so that I can make the most of the time there. I'm planning late fall.
Perhaps another element that might help limit the universe of what and where to look is that I don't give a hoot about golf....so I'm just fine in a community without it.
Hi SoFlGal - - You sound perfect. I'm a Chicago Realtor (also have a Florida License), and I am considering moving to FLorida. I have spent 2 winters in Sarasota, but rented in an over 55 community on the Key to St. Armands. I really didn't like it - - I'm single and need a little more "action". Any suggestions. I am also considering St. Augustine. I did go to Punta Gorda to visit someone, and didn't like it. I'm not a boater or golfer. I like to be poolside, reading, gardening and just chillin.
everyone has talked about alot, but we have been down quite a few times and bought in La Casa , it is a manufactured home community, but a beautiful one, and they have 24 hr guard on duty, the place is well kept, you own the land underneath your home, and if you choose, and buy the right home you own a share of the park, It is an HOA but if you own a share the monthly fee is only 105.00.not horrible, the people there are very friendly,my DH will be 57 this year and I will be 49 so we are one of the younger ones in there but it is quite an active community
hope this helps
Hi SoFlGal - - You sound perfect. I'm a Chicago Realtor (also have a Florida License), and I am considering moving to FLorida. I have spent 2 winters in Sarasota, but rented in an over 55 community on the Key to St. Armands. I really didn't like it - - I'm single and need a little more "action". Any suggestions. I am also considering St. Augustine. I did go to Punta Gorda to visit someone, and didn't like it. I'm not a boater or golfer. I like to be poolside, reading, gardening and just chillin.
Ellen
I think somewhere in the downtown Sarasota area would be to your liking. There's always something going on there. Cherokee Park, Aqualane Estates, McClellan Park, Harbor Acres, Bayview. These are not gated communities.
The Palmer Ranch area in southern Sarasota has different things going on all the time. Depending on which community you choose. Some are gated and some are not. Village Walk and Silver Oaks in there might be good areas to investigate in there. I would leave Prestancia in PR if you're not into golf. I listed all of the communities in Palmer Ranch on one of the threads on City-Data. I think it's the one that says,"Palmer Ranch vs. Lakewood Ranch."
miruca, your criteria sounds a lot like mine during my search for a retirement property over the last couple of years. I will be retiring and moving down to Venice shortly after November 8th of this year (I’ll be turning 62).
This past August. I bought a villa in what I call a “resort” condominium/villa complex called Bird Bay Village in the City of Venice. I’ve never really seen it mentioned on this forum. Maybe FLBob or SoFlGal can enlighten us as to why. Anyway, Bird Bay Village is exactly what I was looking for. It has the most recreation facilities and activities then any condo/villa community I’ve ever seen. It has an absolutely beautiful, huge, clubhouse that the association spent a million dollars remodeling about a year and a half ago. Adjacent to the clubhouse is a crafts building, a fitness building, and an outstanding library. There are five swimming pools spread out throughout the mature tropical grounds, the largest being Olympic size by the clubhouse. Also around the clubhouse area are four bocce ball courts, a couple of shuffleboard courts, and five tennis courts. Bird Bay Village is a waterfront community. The northern section borders Bird Bay which is off of Roberts Bay (Venetia Bay). There are wooden raised railed nature trails all along the shore meandering through the mangrove trees, great for nature walks and nature photography (one of my many interests). I know this won’t interest you, but to me it was an important consideration, much of the community is build around an eighteen hole executive golf course. As I age, an executive course becomes more and more desirable. My villa is just off one of the greens. I can chip on from my back door. Yes the condos and villas are older, they were built from the mid seventies to the mid eighties. An advantage to a active HOA and management company, is that the grounds and buildings have been kept up beautifully. Another advantage to an older resort community, like Bird Bay, are the mature tropical flora. They do have a web sight – birdbayofvenice.com – be sure to click on the “Document Library” and check out the latest newsletters and activity list.
Location, location, location. Check out the shopping plaza and restaurants literally adjacent to Bird Bay Village. In a previous posting on this thread someone mentioned there recommendation was close to the Legacy Trail, Bird Bay Village is on the Legacy Trail. We are about one mile from the beautiful historical downtown Venice area and about another ½ mile down Venice Avenue to Venice Beach, directly on the Gulf. A healthy walk or relaxing bicycle ride away. Any Real Estate agent will tell you the cost of Villas and Condos in Bird Bay Village is probably one of the best values in the area. For a large two bedroom Villa (I know there are about 3 listed) you’re talking the lower range that you mentioned in your original posting. I hope this information helps in your search, and, welcome to paradise.
Wow! Nice first post SeaBirdie! Bird Bay does have some of the best values right now in Venice. You've done a fantastic job of describing Bird Bay and everyone that I've sold to in Bird Bay seems to be very happy with their purchase. There are so many communities from Punta Gorda to Sarasota that it's hard to recommend just one or two.
If they are looking for a condo or villa Bird Bay is surely worth a look!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaBirdie
miruca, your criteria sounds a lot like mine during my search for a retirement property over the last couple of years. I will be retiring and moving down to Venice shortly after November 8th of this year (I’ll be turning 62).
This past August. I bought a villa in what I call a “resort” condominium/villa complex called Bird Bay Village in the City of Venice. I’ve never really seen it mentioned on this forum. Maybe FLBob or SoFlGal can enlighten us as to why. Anyway, Bird Bay Village is exactly what I was looking for. It has the most recreation facilities and activities then any condo/villa community I’ve ever seen. It has an absolutely beautiful, huge, clubhouse that the association spent a million dollars remodeling about a year and a half ago. Adjacent to the clubhouse is a crafts building, a fitness building, and an outstanding library. There are five swimming pools spread out throughout the mature tropical grounds, the largest being Olympic size by the clubhouse. Also around the clubhouse area are four bocce ball courts, a couple of shuffleboard courts, and five tennis courts. Bird Bay Village is a waterfront community. The northern section borders Bird Bay which is off of Roberts Bay (Venetia Bay). There are wooden raised railed nature trails all along the shore meandering through the mangrove trees, great for nature walks and nature photography (one of my many interests). I know this won’t interest you, but to me it was an important consideration, much of the community is build around an eighteen hole executive golf course. As I age, an executive course becomes more and more desirable. My villa is just off one of the greens. I can chip on from my back door. Yes the condos and villas are older, they were built from the mid seventies to the mid eighties. An advantage to a active HOA and management company, is that the grounds and buildings have been kept up beautifully. Another advantage to an older resort community, like Bird Bay, are the mature tropical flora. They do have a web sight – birdbayofvenice.com – be sure to click on the “Document Library” and check out the latest newsletters and activity list.
Location, location, location. Check out the shopping plaza and restaurants literally adjacent to Bird Bay Village. In a previous posting on this thread someone mentioned there recommendation was close to the Legacy Trail, Bird Bay Village is on the Legacy Trail. We are about one mile from the beautiful historical downtown Venice area and about another ½ mile down Venice Avenue to Venice Beach, directly on the Gulf. A healthy walk or relaxing bicycle ride away. Any Real Estate agent will tell you the cost of Villas and Condos in Bird Bay Village is probably one of the best values in the area. For a large two bedroom Villa (I know there are about 3 listed) you’re talking the lower range that you mentioned in your original posting. I hope this information helps in your search, and, welcome to paradise.
Great post SeaBirdie! I do love the mature tropical flora and trails - that is a true bonus for me as I live now with stunningly gorgeous wilderness outside my door.
Is there a problem with insurance given the age of the buildings? I believe I read that wind maybe a problem with anything prior to 1994 and then not meeting the more recent hurricane code requirements may impact insurance also. Any information on that?
It looks like it is mostly condo's....with fewer villa's. Are the villa's attached to one another? I'm trying to find some on line.
This looks very interesting... not the least being that I could get it all and spend less . Allowing me to travel and spend parts of the year elsewhere. Is there a large snowbird population?
Remember I’ve only owned in Bird Bay Village since this past August and won’t be moving in until around November of this year. I’ll try to answer your questions the best I can. Maybe a long term resident or knowledgeable real estate agent is monitoring this thread and can add to any information that I have.
I wasn’t concerned with wind insurance initially because the premiums are paid through the HOA dues. For our villa, which is in what is called the Sea Grape Villas section, the HOA dues has just been raised for 2009 from $375 to $395. Still quite reasonable for the area especially given that it includes water, sewer, trash, cable TV, insurance, and all the other normal expenses associated with maintaining the grounds and exterior of our properties.
However, in reading the newsletters, it appears that “sometime in early 2007, the Bird Bay Master Condo Board authorized Steven Rosenbaum of Insight Inspections to inspect all buildings to see if they qualified for a reduction on their wind insurance, based on the new Florida State law. Sure enough, there was a savings of approximately $30,000 for our condominium association.” Not only that, apparently the individual homeowners can now apply to their individual insurance companies and qualify for a reduction in rates. To be honest, it wasn’t that much to begin with.
As to the snow bird population, I’m not sure. I purchased during the summer and there seemed to be plenty of neighbors. I would assume that there would be more snow birds in the condos. Personally, I like the idea of an off season to enjoy Venice and Bird Bay Village without the pressure of the increased population. Remember, Venice is a resort community.
The villas in our section are free standing and have only adjoining carports. I’m not sure about the villas in other sections.
I hope this helps.
Last edited by SeaBirdie; 02-22-2009 at 08:04 AM..
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