[city living]

Hello,

I have some family members looking to possibly relocate to Florida. They are probably looking around Deltona, maybe within an hour's driving distance from there, nothing too close to coastal.

Looking for suggestions of safe, established neighborhoods. SFH (no HOA-heavy areas) in the 100-200K range. Similar to Deltona wouldn't be too bad. Not too big or small with stores within reasonable driving distance. If there is some kind of bus service in the area (I know public transit isn't great, just something) that might be a plus as well. I was also given in the suggestion of DeBary, but really looking for more options. Thank you in advance!

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by city living

Hello,

I have some family members looking to possibly relocate to Florida. They are probably looking around Deltona, maybe within an hour's driving distance from there, nothing too close to coastal.

Looking for suggestions of safe, established neighborhoods. SFH (no HOA-heavy areas) in the 100-200K range. Similar to Deltona wouldn't be too bad. Not too big or small with stores within reasonable driving distance. If there is some kind of bus service in the area (I know public transit isn't great, just something) that might be a plus as well. I was also given in the suggestion of DeBary, but really looking for more options. Thank you in advance!

I wouldn't necessarily recommend Deltona which is often by definition not safe or established and not the wisest investment in terms of property values. Deltona was probably permanently damaged by the housing bust in 2005-2007 with lots of foreclosed and abandoned homes that seriously devalued that have in many instances wound up as rental property and with that comes the many issues you don't see in SFH neighborhoods usually.

DeBary is a good option but seriously lacks in public transit. If looking for some transit options and close proximity to stores/services without a lot of HOA neighborhoods, they might check out southern Seminole County which was largely built out before HOAs became so popular and is fairly safe/established along with good investments. Seminole County home prices have gone up 20% just over the past two years, due largely I think to the excellent school system (ranked #2 in the state). Check out towns like Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs (I would avoid the southern end which was seriously impacted like Deltona) and Fern Park which is unincorporated but listed often under Casselberry.


https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...t/12_zm/0_mmm/

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...t/12_zm/0_mmm/

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...t/12_zm/0_mmm/

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...t/12_zm/0_mmm/

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...t/12_zm/0_mmm/

[TD*]

Deltona is a giant suburb.

I would reccomend a real city like Tallahassee

[city living]

Thank you for your responses.

1. I am not sure they would want to be in a city, TD.

2. Thank you for your suggestions, kyle. I'll run a couple of suggestions by them, show them some properties, etc. I wish they knew what they wanted with a little more clarity but I don't think they even know anything besides a one story, SFH home that doesn't require any work, possibly has a pool, preferably brick and with a garage. (All relatively easy to find.) I used Deltona as the starting point because I have a family member who lives there and given some medical issues, I think they'd like to be somewhat close (I think within an hour's drive is reasonable) to them.

[city living]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I wouldn't necessarily recommend Deltona which is often by definition not safe or established and not the wisest investment in terms of property values. Deltona was probably permanently damaged by the housing bust in 2005-2007 with lots of foreclosed and abandoned homes that seriously devalued that have in many instances wound up as rental property and with that comes the many issues you don't see in SFH neighborhoods usually.

DeBary is a good option but seriously lacks in public transit. If looking for some transit options and close proximity to stores/services without a lot of HOA neighborhoods, they might check out southern Seminole County which was largely built out before HOAs became so popular and is fairly safe/established along with good investments. Seminole County home prices have gone up 20% just over the past two years, due largely I think to the excellent school system (ranked #2 in the state). Check out towns like Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs (I would avoid the southern end which was seriously impacted like Deltona) and Fern Park which is unincorporated but listed often under Casselberry.

Okay, so my friend says that taxes and property costs are higher and that there is more traffic in these areas suggested. Is that true? She then suggested Geneva or Oviedo.

The money thing is pretty important, because I am talking about people who may move down only in a disability check. They can sell their current house, will buy something 100% cash down and then have probably a few hundred thousand leftover to live on and eventually, when they get SS, they will not be getting much at all. Not sure if there are any benefits/exemptions for someone in this type of situation but that's how it's probably going to be.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by city living

Okay, so my friend says that taxes and property costs are higher and that there is more traffic in these areas suggested. Is that true? She then suggested Geneva or Oviedo.

The money thing is pretty important, because I am talking about people who may move down only in a disability check. They can sell their current house, will buy something 100% cash down and then have probably a few hundred thousand leftover to live on and eventually, when they get SS, they will not be getting much at all. Not sure if there are any benefits/exemptions for someone in this type of situation but that's how it's probably going to be.

More traffic, yes...but if wanting to be in an area with transit options you won't be finding that in low density areas like Geneva or Oviedo unless they qualify for ParaTransit services. Property taxes are a mixed bag but run fairly equal in Seminole County, with older properties typically less per square foot as appraisal values haven't kept up largely with market value over the years. In terms of the money situation it would seem buying outright is a good idea and from my understanding SS benefits can continue if one has received a settlement so hopefully that's less of a concern with the tax situation. Going back to location however, not all areas of South Seminole County are congested or noisy so wouldn't eliminate the option entirely without some investigation.

[Fredesch]

Originally Posted by city living

Okay, so my friend says that taxes and property costs are higher and that there is more traffic in these areas suggested. Is that true? She then suggested Geneva or Oviedo.

The money thing is pretty important, because I am talking about people who may move down only in a disability check. They can sell their current house, will buy something 100% cash down and then have probably a few hundred thousand leftover to live on and eventually, when they get SS, they will not be getting much at all. Not sure if there are any benefits/exemptions for someone in this type of situation but that's how it's probably going to be.

Florida has a homesteading law that may help. You can homestead your house, get reduced property taxes and I think it also limits property appraisal increases. Our yearly garbage collection fee ($190) is included in our property tax as well. Florida does not have a state income tax and does not tax (unprepared) food. Florida gets a lot of revenue from tourists, which means residents don't pay as much tax as other places.