Sebring vs North Port (Sarasota, Port Charlotte: buying a home, buying, construction)

[Floridadwellerwannabe]

My husband lived in Sebring 35 years ago with his first wife and fell in love with the place. Now that we are going to "retire" in a year (I will need to find a part time job, to tide me over till I am 66), we want to move to Florida. We currently live in a small town, 35 minutes from Pittsburgh. We want the same "feel" of small town living. He is convinced that Sebring will give us that, but I would like to be closer to the gulf coast. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to convince my husband that North Port, or any small town near the gulf coast, would fit our needs? We currently have 2 realtors looking for properties in the 2 aforementioned areas, so we are not looking for anyone to represent us. We are considering property in the 125-150K range, hopefully with a pool, to give you an idea of what we can comfortably afford.
I will appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.

[FLBob]

I looked at relocating to Sebring about 10 years ago. I decided against it. The weather in the interior of the state is just more extreme than on the coast. The center of the state will have lower lows and higher highs, as well as more rain in the summer than right along the coast.

[Floridadwellerwannabe]

Thanks.... I also should have mentioned that my husband loves to play golf, and wants to be able to afford it year round..... He's afraid that he will have to pay $50 for a round or more during the winter closer to the gulf......

[SoFLGal]

You could afford a pretty nice home in North Port for 150K and under. It really depends on what your interests are as to whether you'll like it here or not.

Bobcat Trail, Sabal Trace and Heron Creek are the most popular golf courses in North Port. I've been told that Myakka Pines Golf Club on River Rd in Englewood is one of the most reasonable courses around. Here's the phone 941-474-3296.

There are currently 163 homes in North Port that are at least three bedrooms, two baths, 1200 sq ft or more and 2000 or newer under 150K. When I add in the criteria that it must have a pool it knocks it down to 4 properties. I would suggest looking into buying a home without a pool and having one built. Casa Pools in Port Charlotte has been advertising complete pool packages for 20K.

North Port is about 25 minutes from the beach, 40 minutes to Sarasota or Ft Myers. There's always something going on within close proximity to NP. North Port is a newer community with almost all of the commercial construction being newer as well as most/many of the homes.

[FLBob]

Originally Posted by Floridadwellerwannabe

Thanks.... I also should have mentioned that my husband loves to play golf, and wants to be able to afford it year round..... He's afraid that he will have to pay $50 for a round or more during the winter closer to the gulf......

There is a municipal golf course in Venice where the after 1 pm rates with cart during peak season are $32. less to walk.

Deep Creek has a nice course where afternoon riding rates are $39, again walking rates lower.

There are 6 course in Rotonda all with affordable rates.

Off season rates and availability are even better. You just need to shop around.

[Floridadwellerwannabe]

Thanks to both of you. I am going to try to contact the North Port Chamber of Commerce (Is there one?) to see if I can get a map of North Port and surrounding area. My husband keeps telling me that the 2 days that we will be spending in North Port in June won't be enough to make a decision. I keep telling him that the research that we are doing now will help us make the decision when we view the area then.....

SoFlGal.....is Casa Pools a reputable company? We had been told by the realtor in Sebring that it costs approx. 50K for a pool and a screened lanai.

FLBob.....thanks for the information on the golfing.

[mr&mrssunshine]

50 grand for a pool and screen !!!!! are they building round the ocean??

you pay less than half at the moment, thye are the figures we are looking at

[Floridadwellerwannabe]

That's hilarious, mr&mrssunshine!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Floridadwellerwannabe

Thanks to both of you. I am going to try to contact the North Port Chamber of Commerce (Is there one?) to see if I can get a map of North Port and surrounding area. My husband keeps telling me that the 2 days that we will be spending in North Port in June won't be enough to make a decision. I keep telling him that the research that we are doing now will help us make the decision when we view the area then.....

SoFlGal.....is Casa Pools a reputable company? We had been told by the realtor in Sebring that it costs approx. 50K for a pool and a screened lanai.

FLBob.....thanks for the information on the golfing.

Yeah, talk to Jerry over at Casa Pools in PC. He's done several pools for customers of mine and all have been happy. He'll also come out and check out a home before you buy and give you an idea of what shape pool you might be able to put in. He's even done drawings for a few customers to show them what it would look like, before they even put the offer in on the home. I believe they have been in business over 20 years. For 50K you could probably have them add a few waterfalls and a bunch of other stuff-or just keep the money in your pocket. The 20K is just the basic pool, deck, screen, and equipment.

Here's the link over to the North Port Chamber: North Port Area Chamber of Commerce - Home Actually, one of our regular posters on City-Data works over at the NP Chamber. Just give them a ring or shoot them an email and they can get you any info you're looking for on the town.

Two days is a pretty short time to view the town, but like you said, you're doing a lot of the legwork and research on CD ahead of time. You'll be a lot smarter than the average bear when you arrive.

[Floridadwellerwannabe]

Thanks.... I did find the Chamber of Commerce website, and e-mailed them our request. I will have to check out Casa Pools on the web.....and maybe get in touch with him while we are there in June.
You have been a great help!