We are here visiting NOW and totally overwhelmed! (Tampa, St. Petersburg: for sale, HOA)

[KarGaro]

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while but my husband's job is transferring us down here - it now looks like it won't be until the end of next summer. I have been reading the boards for a while and had a list of places that we wanted to look at. We got here on Thursday and are leaving tomorrow - we are totally exhausted and overwhelmed! My husband's office was going to be in Brandon but could possibly be in Tampa or St. Petersburg - he has some say in where he wants to be. So we spent some time looking around the Tampa area and north of here in Lutz and Land o' Lakes. We also looked in the Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor area. And then we headed south and looked at Lakewood Ranch and around different areas in Sarasota.

We really liked Lakewood Ranch and all that it had to offer. We are not thrilled with the CDD fees though. Palmer Ranch is also nice. We rode through Rivendell and liked that too. But our biggest problem with all of them is the lot sizes are sooooo small. Plus I think we are going to have a problem with the HOA rules with cars. We are a family of six plus my mother. Two of my kids drive now with another driving very soon. Although my two sons will be away at college most of the time there will be times when we will have six cars at our house. Looking at the above areas there is barely room for the three car garage that we want and definately not room for three more cars in the driveway. Where we live now we try to get everyone in the driveway at night - I really don't like cars in the street. But how do people deal with this? Other families must run into this when their children get to driving age!

We are planning to come down again in a couple of months and we definately want to look around some more. I saw a post back a few pages from someone else who wanted larger property sizes and SoFlaGrl gave a list of them. When I get home I will be printing that out! I have to narrow it down to school areas though because we would like our kids to go to Sarasota or Riverview Middle and High schools.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Karen

[Big House]

Originally Posted by KarGaro

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while but my husband's job is transferring us down here - it now looks like it won't be until the end of next summer. I have been reading the boards for a while and had a list of places that we wanted to look at. We got here on Thursday and are leaving tomorrow - we are totally exhausted and overwhelmed! My husband's office was going to be in Brandon but could possibly be in Tampa or St. Petersburg - he has some say in where he wants to be. So we spent some time looking around the Tampa area and north of here in Lutz and Land o' Lakes. We also looked in the Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor area. And then we headed south and looked at Lakewood Ranch and around different areas in Sarasota.

We really liked Lakewood Ranch and all that it had to offer. We are not thrilled with the CDD fees though. Palmer Ranch is also nice. We rode through Rivendell and liked that too. But our biggest problem with all of them is the lot sizes are sooooo small. Plus I think we are going to have a problem with the HOA rules with cars. We are a family of six plus my mother. Two of my kids drive now with another driving very soon. Although my two sons will be away at college most of the time there will be times when we will have six cars at our house. Looking at the above areas there is barely room for the three car garage that we want and definately not room for three more cars in the driveway. Where we live now we try to get everyone in the driveway at night - I really don't like cars in the street. But how do people deal with this? Other families must run into this when their children get to driving age!

We are planning to come down again in a couple of months and we definately want to look around some more. I saw a post back a few pages from someone else who wanted larger property sizes and SoFlaGrl gave a list of them. When I get home I will be printing that out! I have to narrow it down to school areas though because we would like our kids to go to Sarasota or Riverview Middle and High schools.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Karen

Moderator cut: realtor recommendation

Good Luck! Pick Sarasota area! It's warmer so the beer seems colder!

[FlaRan]

Take a look at Serenoa. It is off of Clark Road, east of I-75. The lot sizes are decent and the homes are large.

[SoFLGal]

Back by popular demand. The list of places where you can find a home on 1/2 acre or more.

Sarasota county:

Sarasota:
Sherwood Estates-Sarasota-not gated, 1950's-60's homes, McIntosh middle and Sarasota High
Desoto Acres-Sarasota-not gated, homes from the 1950's-1980's, Booker Middle and High
Myakka Valley Ranches-Sarasota-not gated, Zoned agriculturally, Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, Homes built in the 1980's
Angus Acres-Sarasota-Not gated-1970's homes, McIntosh middle, Sarasota High
Bel Air Estates-Sarasota-Not gated-homes built in the 2000's, McIntosh Middle, Booker High
Bent Tree-Sarasota-Gated-homes built in the 1980's and early 90's, Sarasota Middle and High
Country Creek-Sarasota-Homes built in the 1980's and 90's, Sarasota Middle and High
Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, Gated-Sarasota-very high end-in the 2000's, Sarasota Middle, Riverview High
Founders Club-Sarasota-Gated-very high end-built in the 2000's, McIntosh Middle, Sarasota High
Foxfire-Sarasota-Sarasota Middle, Riverview High, Homes built from the 1970's-2000's
Gator Creek Estates-Sarasota-Sarasota Middle, Riverview High, homes built in the 1970's and 80's
Harbor Acres-Sarasota-by downtown-very high end-not gated, Most homes were built in the 1980's and 90's, Brookside Middle, Sarasota High
Lake Estates-Sarasota-McIntosh Middle, Sarasota High, The homes were built in the 1980's and 90's
Lakewood-Sarasota-Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, homes built in the 1980's and 90's
Laurel Oak Estates-Sarasota-McIntosh Middle Sarasota High, Gated, homes built in the 1990's
Oak Ford Golf Club-Sarasota-McIntosh Middle, Booker High, Homes built in the 1990's and 2000's
Palmer Farms-Sarasota-zoned agriculturally, McIntosh Middle, Sarasota High, 1960's-2000's
Preserve at Heron Lake-Sarasota-high end small subdivision, Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, homes built in the 2000's
Prestancia-Sarasota-golfing community-Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, homes built in the 1980's and 90's
Racimo Ranches-Sarasota-Booker Middle and High, Homes built in the 1990's
Saddle Creek Estates-Sarasota-Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, Gated, homes built in the 1980's-2000's
Sapphire Shores-Sarasota-Booker Middle and High, Many homes were built in the 1950's
Sarasota Polo Club-Sarasota-McIntosh Middle and Booker High, very high end, Built in the 2000's
Sarasota Ranch Club-Sarasota-McIntosh Middle and Booker High, High end homes built in 2000's or newer
Serenoa-Sarasota-Sarasota Middle and Riverview High, Homes built in the 1990's

Osprey:
Sara Bay Acres-Osprey-not gated-mostly 1950's-60's homes, Laurel Nokomis and Venice High
The Oaks-Osprey-Very high end-Laurel Nokomis Middle, Venice High, Homes built in the 1990's and 2000's
Pine Ranch-Osprey-Laurel Nokoimis Middle, Venice High, 1970's homes

Nokomis:
Venetian Gardens-Nokomis-not gated, 1950's homes, Laurel Nokomis and Venice High
Mission Valley Estates-Nokomis-not gated, agriculturally zoned, Laurel Nokomis Middle, Venice High, Most homes were built in the 1970's and 80's
Pinto Estates-Nokomis-Laurel Middle, Venice High, 1980's style homes
Sorrento Ranches-Nokomis-Laurel Nokomis and Venice High, Homes built form the 1970's to 2000's

Englewood:
Artists Acres-Englewood-not gated, 1980's homes, LA Ainger and Lemon Bay High
Englewood Farm Acres-Englewood-Agricultural, 1970's-2000's, LA Ainger Middle, and Lemon Bay High
Englewood Gardens-Englewood-1960's-2000's, LA Ainger Middle, Lemon Bay High
Gulf Coast Groves-Englewood-LA Ainger, Lemon Bay High, Homes built from the 1970's-2000's

Venice:
Venice Farms-Venice-not gated, 1970's homes, zoned agricultural, Venice Middle and high
Lake Geraldine-Venice-Venice Middle and High, Homes built in the 2000's
Myakka River Trails, Venice, Gated, Venice Middle and High, zoned Agriculturally

North Port:
North Port Estates-North Port-Zoned Agriculturally, Heron Creek Middle and North Port High, 1980's-2000's

Casey Key-most are 1mil and up
Manasota Key, Englewood has a bunch of homes on 1/2 acre or more. Most homes are 1mil+, LA Ainger, Lemon Bay High

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by KarGaro

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while but my husband's job is transferring us down here - it now looks like it won't be until the end of next summer. I have been reading the boards for a while and had a list of places that we wanted to look at. We got here on Thursday and are leaving tomorrow - we are totally exhausted and overwhelmed! My husband's office was going to be in Brandon but could possibly be in Tampa or St. Petersburg - he has some say in where he wants to be. So we spent some time looking around the Tampa area and north of here in Lutz and Land o' Lakes. We also looked in the Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor area. And then we headed south and looked at Lakewood Ranch and around different areas in Sarasota.

We really liked Lakewood Ranch and all that it had to offer. We are not thrilled with the CDD fees though. Palmer Ranch is also nice. We rode through Rivendell and liked that too. But our biggest problem with all of them is the lot sizes are sooooo small. Plus I think we are going to have a problem with the HOA rules with cars. We are a family of six plus my mother. Two of my kids drive now with another driving very soon. Although my two sons will be away at college most of the time there will be times when we will have six cars at our house. Looking at the above areas there is barely room for the three car garage that we want and definately not room for three more cars in the driveway. Where we live now we try to get everyone in the driveway at night - I really don't like cars in the street. But how do people deal with this? Other families must run into this when their children get to driving age!

We are planning to come down again in a couple of months and we definately want to look around some more. I saw a post back a few pages from someone else who wanted larger property sizes and SoFlaGrl gave a list of them. When I get home I will be printing that out! I have to narrow it down to school areas though because we would like our kids to go to Sarasota or Riverview Middle and High schools.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Karen

[KarGaro]

Thanks for the list! What would we expect to pay in some of these neighborhoods? We would need a four bedroom house with a den/office that we could use as a 5th bedroom. Anybody have any ideas about my car issue? Thanks for all of your help! ~ Karen (who is not thrilled to be back in NJ tonight!!!!)

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by KarGaro

Thanks for the list! What would we expect to pay in some of these neighborhoods? We would need a four bedroom house with a den/office that we could use as a 5th bedroom. Anybody have any ideas about my car issue? Thanks for all of your help! ~ Karen (who is not thrilled to be back in NJ tonight!!!!)

It would probably be easier to do this the other way around and give me your price range and then I can tell you what neighborhoods you might want to look at.

You probably would have an issue with that many cars in any neighborhood that has deed restrictions. You might be more likely to get away with it in a more rural/farm kind of neighborhood. If you were set back from the road and had some land it might not be as noticeable.

[KarGaro]

We could probably spend up in the 600's - of course we would rather not spend that much! What happens in these deed restricted neighborhoods though when children grow up and start driving? What do they do about their cars?

Karen

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by KarGaro

We could probably spend up in the 600's - of course we would rather not spend that much! What happens in these deed restricted neighborhoods though when children grow up and start driving? What do they do about their cars?

Karen

Then you could probably pick up something in every neighborhood listed, except possibly the neighborhoods that I list as very high end. Some communities are more horsey and some are just gated and no horses allowed. I'll try to list a few price ranges in a few minutes.

I'm not sure how to handle your car issue except maybe to find a few communities you like and then ask about their restrictions on how many cars. My daughter drives and shares a car with my husband but we don't live in a deed restricted community so it's not a problem. I know many of her friends share cars with their parents as well. Not sure if it would be an option to have two kids/people per car. It would only be for two years. From 16 when they get their license to 18 when they go to college (hopefully).

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by KarGaro

We could probably spend up in the 600's - of course we would rather not spend that much! What happens in these deed restricted neighborhoods though when children grow up and start driving? What do they do about their cars?

Karen

OK, here's what I did. I searched at least four bedrooms, on 1/2 acre or more, under $600k and in Sarasota county. There are 88 properties.

Here are the areas where you might want to look:

Angus Acres-$375K
Bent Tree-$500K-$539K
Blue Dolphin Estates-$290K
Bryant's Pond-$525K
Country Creek-$500K
Deer Creek-$567K
Desoto Acres-$250K-$450K
Englewood Farm Acres-$525K
Englewood Gardens-$300K-$430K
Forest Lakes-$324K
Gulf Coast Groves, Englewood-$300K-$450K
Hidden Forest-$375-$530K
Hidden Oaks North-$350K
Knotty Pine Estates-$350K
Lake Geraldine-$395K
Lake Estates-$350K
Lakewood-$350K-$500K
Laurel Landing Estates-$440K
Laurel Oak Estates-$575K
McIntosh Lake-$390K
Mission Valley-$200-$495K
Myakka Valley Ranches-$500K-$600K
North Port Estates-$185K-$490K
Oak Ford Golf Club-$375K-$595K
Palmer Farms-$579K
Pinto Estates-$400K
Racimo Ranches-$350K
Saddle Creek-$555K
Sapphire Shores-$350K
Serenoa-$570K-$597K
Sorrento Ranches-$600K
The Meadows-$550K
Twin Laurel Estates-$495K
Verde Verde-$419K
Weslo Willows-$388K
Westwood by Myakka Valley-$600K
Whispering Pines, Englewood-$400K
Woodland Estates, North Port-$293K

This should be the entire list. If there was only on in a development I listed that. If there was more than one I listed the range up to $600K.

Hope this helps

[ZaraZoteBuccaneer]

Originally Posted by KarGaro

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while but my husband's job is transferring us down here - it now looks like it won't be until the end of next summer. I have been reading the boards for a while and had a list of places that we wanted to look at. We got here on Thursday and are leaving tomorrow - we are totally exhausted and overwhelmed! My husband's office was going to be in Brandon but could possibly be in Tampa or St. Petersburg - he has some say in where he wants to be. So we spent some time looking around the Tampa area and north of here in Lutz and Land o' Lakes. We also looked in the Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor area. And then we headed south and looked at Lakewood Ranch and around different areas in Sarasota.

We really liked Lakewood Ranch and all that it had to offer. We are not thrilled with the CDD fees though. Palmer Ranch is also nice. We rode through Rivendell and liked that too. But our biggest problem with all of them is the lot sizes are sooooo small. Plus I think we are going to have a problem with the HOA rules with cars. We are a family of six plus my mother. Two of my kids drive now with another driving very soon. Although my two sons will be away at college most of the time there will be times when we will have six cars at our house. Looking at the above areas there is barely room for the three car garage that we want and definately not room for three more cars in the driveway. Where we live now we try to get everyone in the driveway at night - I really don't like cars in the street. But how do people deal with this? Other families must run into this when their children get to driving age!

We are planning to come down again in a couple of months and we definately want to look around some more. I saw a post back a few pages from someone else who wanted larger property sizes and SoFlaGrl gave a list of them. When I get home I will be printing that out! I have to narrow it down to school areas though because we would like our kids to go to Sarasota or Riverview Middle and High schools.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Karen

I justwanted to throw some encouragement your way as you will be facing many changes in the next year... and with teenagers! and a parent too.... you guys will be busy for sure. I have three young kids myself and will be in your footsteps in about 10 years. I want to get down there and be prepared right away for the space necessary for the cars and everything else like you have said. And what about the toys? The bikes, the boat, the ski-do, what about the lawn equipment and all else that families collect??? It's probably better to just go with a 4-car garage but there's not many of them in FL! I have 3 stalls right now and can't live comfortably. I absolutely can't settle for less than what I already have.

I also agree with you about the lot sizes in many developments. I'm kinda bummed that they don't build up yards with bigger sq footage in Florida. I want at least as much space as you do. Once a person starts calculating the deck, the pool, the garden, the space to play/run etc... and then you also want distance from the lots around you so it's not like you're living on top of anyone... I get it. And for me someday I'll have to consider a future dog and possibly a shed for my woodworking and all the space for the trees I want to plant... my yard will look like a landscaped arboretum when I'm done with it. I can't do all of this on many of the properties for sale. It's hard to find somewhere that has it all already and it's expensive to build it from scratch too.

I'm excited to look through the list you just received from SoFlGal and start my own planning. By now you can see that I totally understand what you're going through and I wish you the best of luck in your relocation. I am encouraged to hear of companies still treating Tampa/St Pete and Sarasota as a viable destination. I hope you and your family enjoy the next several months as you dream of your new life in Florida. Take care and God bless.