[kgarrett16]

I currently live in California. I am trying to find a city in Florida where my parents who are retired and I can live - not together but close by each other. I can afford California but I'm worried that they won't be able to do so. They currently live in Virginia and are on a fixed income. Each year it gets more expensive here in CA. I want a place where we can live near each other so if something happens I will be there for them.

Here is my wishlist:

A condo on a beach that I can walk on for some distance. Walking on a beach is one of my favorite things to do.

An active 55+ retirement community with homes in the 200-300k range for my parents. Preferably within a 10 minute drive of my condo. My mom loves to walk so I want a place where she can walk that doesn't have alligators (the thought of them terrifies me).

Great healthcare for seniors.

Within an hour or so of a major airport.

Low crime rate.

I prefer a more sedate place than a party destination for drunk college kids.

A city geared to seniors with a metro population of between 250k and 1 million or so that has lower insurance rates (for Florida) would be ideal.

I want to move in the next 2 years so they can get established somewhere before they start to have health problems but I'm having a hard time figuring out where I should even look.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[jambo101]

I'd focus on the St Petersburg area particularly the Beach areas.
https://www.google.ca/#q=st+petersburg+fl

https://www.google.ca/search?q=st+pe...eSBSgQ_AUIBygC

[ReachTheBeach]

Originally Posted by jambo101

I'd focus on the St Petersburg area particularly the Beach areas.
https://www.google.ca/#q=st+petersburg+fl

https://www.google.ca/search?q=st+pe...eSBSgQ_AUIBygC

I was going to suggest the same but would extend the search area south to Sarasota also.

[kyle19125]

The St Petersburg area would be my recommendation as well but would recommend focusing more on towns like Indian Rocks Beach or Belleair Beach where it's not as touristy and less commercialized. They are to the north both along a neighboring beautiful stretch of beach for a few miles that consists of mainly low to the occasional mid-rise buildings versus consistent highrise development seen to the north or south of them. Both towns feature a nice selection of low key restaurants/beach bars and close proximity to groceries/drug stores/etc just across intracoastal waterway bridges to the mainland that are minutes away. It's a very safe area with about a 40 minute drive time to Tampa International Airport. There would be plenty of housing options for your parents in the nearby area, particularly in the Belleair//Belleair Shores area just inland from Belleair Beach. There's also quality health care options available for your parents in nearby Clearwater at Baycare-Morton Plant Hospital and it's surrounding medical complex.

City of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
About Us | City of Belleair Beach
https://www.baycare.org/mph/about-us

[jwolfer]

Jacksonville Beaches( Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jax Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach)would be good. Sweetwater is near I295 and SR202, it is 55+ has single family homes and condos, real nice ammenties and walking trails, my ex wifes mom lives in there and they enjoy it. Its about 10 min from Jacksonville Beach.

Jax has the Mayo Clinic right near the beach and the Baptist and St Vincents have hospitals on the Southside, UF Health has a hospital downtown.

Jax does not have a lot of snowbirds like places farther South and it is cooler in the winter.

You mentioned your parents live in Virginia, so if that is home its a quick flight or 10-12 hour drive( direct flights to DCA, IAD, and soon RIC on Allegiant) if you or they wanted to visit VA.

[kokonutty]

Originally Posted by kgarrett16

I currently live in California. I am trying to find a city in Florida where my parents who are retired and I can live - not together but close by each other. I can afford California but I'm worried that they won't be able to do so. They currently live in Virginia and are on a fixed income. Each year it gets more expensive here in CA. I want a place where we can live near each other so if something happens I will be there for them.

Here is my wishlist:

A condo on a beach that I can walk on for some distance. Walking on a beach is one of my favorite things to do.

An active 55+ retirement community with homes in the 200-300k range for my parents. Preferably within a 10 minute drive of my condo. My mom loves to walk so I want a place where she can walk that doesn't have alligators (the thought of them terrifies me).

Great healthcare for seniors.

Within an hour or so of a major airport.

Low crime rate.

I prefer a more sedate place than a party destination for drunk college kids.

A city geared to seniors with a metro population of between 250k and 1 million or so that has lower insurance rates (for Florida) would be ideal.

I want to move in the next 2 years so they can get established somewhere before they start to have health problems but I'm having a hard time figuring out where I should even look.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Is finding work a factor for you? Are there school age children involved?

[kgarrett16]

Thanks for the great tips! I work from home so work isn't an issue. No kids except the 4 legged kind.

[RMD3819]

What is YOUR housing budget?

Naples seems to fit but if the beach condo is a must you will need substantial income.

Do not worry about alligators.

[gypsychic]

I would look on Gulf coast from St. Pete down through Venice. There should be something that would fit the bill.

[BNBR]

Why not Palm Beach? You can get a place on the ocean, with endless miles of beach for under $200k. It's warmer in the winter, too. If looking, I'd definitely look at the West coast but also the northern areas of Palm Beach are worth driving.

If an airport is important, you have 3 major airports (Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami) which have tons of direct flights just about anywhere from all major carriers.

Here is a list of 55 and up communities in Palm Beach. http://www.55places.com/florida/area/palm-beach-county

Then use Zillow or Realtor.com to check out beach condos and see if anything sparks interest.