Sabal Chase (and area) nice? (Tallahassee: houses, neighborhoods, buyer)

[williaca]

We are looking to buy a house for my 20-yr-old to stay in while attending FSU, and later live in it ourselves. We live in South FL now, but have a farm an hr away from Tall. that we'll be retiring to in a year or so. (We wanted to have a "city house" for us.)

So what we're looking for is a nice house for our daughter to live in now (might be for a few yrs because she's pre-med) with a roommate, but good for us down the road.

We didn't like Southwood or PineyZ. Didn't like area around Doomar. Liked the area around John Hancock, but couldn't get a seller to deal. Golden Eagle area too pricey. Our realtor has suggested Sabal Chase. Is that a nice area? Will the property appreciate over the years?

We don't need a huge house, but want a nice neighborhood, don't care about schools, don't want "college age", looking for younger families maybe? Are we asking for the impossible?

We want to buy something in the next month or so. Help!

[TD*]

I think Sabal Chase is perfect for what you want. It is FAR away from college students (10-15) miles, New neighborhood. houses less than 10 years old.. and its in a beautiful part of town.. Nice neighborhood, Smaller lots though, and not a lot of trees or shade...

Should be perfect for what u want.

[Squiffynole]

Sabal Chase is fine but I would be a little concerned about the distance driving back and forth to FSU and I assume the hospitals. But if the distance is okay I would also look in Killearn Lakes, better tree cover, better lots, more choices. But to me it makes more sense to live in town, Betton Hills is a great area close to the hospitals, Marion Avenue has got to be one of the most beautiful residential streets in Tallahassee.

[TD*]

Squiffy, the prices on Marion Avenue are out of range of this potential buyer.

[Squiffynole]

Got you, TD. It is a dream street to me and I got carried away.

[williaca]

Thank you for your input. Do you think Southwood is a good bet?

[TD*]

Southwood is nice, and out of the Campus area neighborhoods, but only a 10 minute drive from campus.

Its a nice neighborhood, if you have enough cash.

[Strel]

I literally live right around the corner from Sable Chase.

It's in a very good area for schools and with the recent development of the Bradfordville area, you can get pretty much anything you need without having to drive all the way into town.

The lots are not that big, so you are going to be pretty close to your neighbors. I also notice that they either cleared out all the trees from the place (or else is was a cow pasture before), so unlike most Tallahassee neighborhoods, it's not shaded by a million trees.

[scdc850]

I lived in Sable Chase for three years. The neighborhood is fine. It is mostly made up of families with elementary-aged children. The other responses are correct. The lots are very, very small, and there is absolutely no shade. For my family, this resulted in high utility bills (appx. $400). Our ceilings were very high (cathedral ceilings, I think is what they are called). It was a good neighborhood. One thing I didn't like was the neighborhood was used as a shortcut for the rest of Killearn Lakes, and those using it had no problem speeding through there no matter what time or day or how many kids were around. Since you're daughter is of college age, it probably won't be a problem for her. I attended FSU while I lived there, and it is a longer commute. However, the distance never really bothered me. Just know that traffic from 7:30 to 8:30-9 is pretty bad. It usually took me about 30 to 40 minutes to get to school for my 9:00 class.

[Strel]

Also, if you are not in a hurry, you can go down Meridian Road instead of Thomasville.

Driving down a beautiful, winding canopy road all the way into town gets you to work and school in a better mood, I find, than fighting the idiots in six lanes on US 319. Especially if you have a convertible and it's fall.