Opinions on Largo (Indian Rocks Beach area) (Clearwater: for sale, to rent)

[videojoe]

Hello Everyone,

I just came across this great forum and had some questions...

I live in Maryland and was speaking to a friend a few months ago who raved about the St Pete Beach area... After some research, my wife and I ventured down and looked around in September. We are an active couple in our mid 40s and have saved up a bit to buy a 2nd home for possible investment, retirement, vacation, etc...

We really liked the Indian Rocks Beach area as it seemed quiet and friendly but kinda right in between the ST Pete Beach and Clearwater areas for those times that we wanted something more exciting... While looking around, we found this huge older house for sale in Largo. Its off of W.Bay and just a few miles to the beach (Indian Rocks). The area seemed quiet and the house even had a small apt (not legal to rent out separately though). Our idea is too rent the house out and use the apt for trips down a couple times per year...

Any thoughts on this area? I was surprised at how much the insurance/taxes were projected to be ($5000/$4200 - not in flood area) but the price is right otherwise.

Thanks in advance, Joe


p.s.
If this place doesnt work out, we were thinking of buying a condo or townhouse as the insurance is usually built into the condo fee. We would like to be able to rent it out occasionally to recoup our costs (Price Range up to $250K)