[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by Roma

Our needs are....

1. Safe, low crime rate
2. Nice with a upscale feel
3. Beautiful beaches
4. "Year round" living, so lots of variety of shopping and restaurants
5. Veterinarians (got pets)
6. Friendly and welcoming
7. Price range around $1,000,000.
8. Oceanfront Condo (at least 3+2)

We are 40 year old retirees missing the beach. We can move anywhere. We have no children (just pets). We used to live oceanfront in Calif but prices are way to high to get back in at the beach there. So we are exploring Florida.

Thanks,

Roma

You will like Naples with that criteria.

Marco Island is beautiful but somewhat secluded. Traffic rises dramatically in season in proportion to the huge snowbird population.

The gulf front condos in Naples/North Naples are also beautiful. They are also full of snowbirds.

Another poster mentioned Pelican Bay. That is also a beautiful area that is very upscale. There is a section of Pelican Bay called Bay Colony that is exceptional. It is for the ultra wealthy and I'm not sure you could find someplace for under a $1,000,000.

Someone mentioned Naples bashing. That needs to be put in context. Much of the "negativity" towards Naples is directed towards the high cost of housing/living for middle class incomes. This is simply a reality.

If you are retired in your forties and looking for a millon dollar condo then you will love Naples.

[Sunandsand]

All three are great but please be careful when you start talking a million dollar condo in Florida. We are in a historical housing bubble that could very well have a long way to go down. Especially the condo market.

Since you are not from the area, do a ton of research and rent for a year to really learn the area and the market.

You must be very careful not to pay $900,000 for a condo that was listed at $1,300,000 at the peak but may fall to $600,000 in a few years.

[FoRuMRideR420]

i would say go with boca

[uketrader]

Thank god for RMD3819's reply. Finally a logical opinion on Naples besides my own. As for the commentary about condos falling from 1.3 mil to 600k, good luck buddy. You'll be waiting for a lifetime. Wealthy folks that own gulf front property will never sell for 50% off a peak price. You have to understand inflation and the fact the supply really does exceed demand overall for gulf front property. A lot of overpriced stuff is sitting now, but a 50% price reduction from the peak is pure nonsense. I would buy 5 more properties if that were the case. Either way, Boca and Naples are great choices, just really depends on the demographic you want to associate with. Naples will be great forever.

[Roma]

Well I just looked online at Pelicans Bay in Naples that you guys suggested and I don't think we can get an oceanfront condo for around 1,000,000. The lowest I saw was 1,698,000. Darn!! I loved the idea of Pelicans Bay!! I'll keep looking though, it could of just been that particular realtors site.

[uketrader]

You absolutely can Roma. Go to this link. It's the current inventory of all pelican bay high rises with gulf views:

[uketrader]

I'm one of the newer high rises, built in the 90's. They're a little more desirable because of the improvement in hurricane preventive construction. If you need advice or help just post here, I could even refer you to a great realtor I've worked with.

[House4Sale]

I live there so of course I'm partial. However, my SIL's friend is selling a new and awesome home on the water in Naples. She did a 360 panaramic view of the interior when it was built. She lived in it for a few months and went back to CA. The house was decorated by a designer or she bought the model. Something like that. Really exquisite.

[Roma]

Originally Posted by uketrader

I'm one of the newer high rises, built in the 90's. They're a little more desirable because of the improvement in hurricane preventive construction. If you need advice or help just post here, I could even refer you to a great realtor I've worked with.

Thank you for the link. That was very helpful. I do see where I could get something in my price range in Pelican Bay.

My husband has been to Destin and loved it. I have never been to Florida, so as soon as one of our properties sells, I'm going to fly out and check everything out (in a couple of trips).

[citrushills]

Naples: Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Watch out for the LOW LYING areas with creative names.