[MajesticPalm]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Tampa has plenty around for 400k homes.

Are you taking into account the school district?

[a person]

Originally Posted by MrGuy

Does this mean that I am too old for Sarasota, or it's too old for me?


I am inclined to the east coast overall, as it seems less muggy and the water quality seems better.

I mean Sarasota is a very popular retirement/snowbird destination (as is most of SW FL). I wouldn't consider it with young kids. Not a great place to raise a family IMO.

It seems to me that most of the people in this thread are ignoring the fact that you have young children and you're not of retirement age. I think you should take a look around at the neighborhoods and schools in the Jacksonville area.

[a person]

Originally Posted by MrGuy

Any feelings on Panama beach or Naples/Ft. Meyers? I've never been to either place, but have heard good things, and both look pretty awesome.

Haven't been to PCB but I work with a couple guys who used to live there. They say it's boring and the schools aren't that great.

Naples and Fort Myers, again, lots of blue hairs. Don't get suckered in by pretty pictures. Look at demographic info and school ratings. Also, Naples is expensive as crap.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by MajesticPalm

Are you taking into account the school district?

I think most schools are so so at best. Never had kids so never think about schools.

[a person]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

If i had to pick a place in Tampa it would be Danashores by the airport. Waterfront homes at around 350 k and up and about 25 mins to Clearwater beach. I lived there for 41 years before moving on the gulf.

Waterfront homes that cost 350k because they're not all that nice, and the flood insurance right on the bay like that has to be ASTRONOMICALLY high I would imagine.

If I were you, I would make damned sure to not buy a house in a flood or hurricane evacuation zone. Everyone's different, though.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by a person

Waterfront homes that cost 350k because they're not all that nice, and the flood insurance right on the bay like that has to be ASTRONOMICALLY high I would imagine.

If I were you, I would make damned sure to not buy a house in a flood or hurricane evacuation zone. Everyone's different, though.

I am in flood zone A but go bare since i paid cash for my house. Saved enough to buy another house in the last 14 years.

[OysterCatcher]

Originally Posted by MrGuy

Hello. So this is probably the 1,000,000th time this has been asked, but I am seriously considering moving to Florida.


I currently live in Colorado and have for most of my life. I live at 9,000 feet. I am now 40 with 3 kids, aged 0-7, and am burned out on the cold. I can make a good chunk of change on my current house, so I am looking at spending up to 400K. I want to live closeish to the beach and must have a pool. I have a job that allows me to work from home 4 days a week, and I only have to live within 2 hours of my office. I can transfer to offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Ft. Meyers, St. Pete, Tallahassee, or Jacksonville. So basically I can live anywhere in the state and traffic is not much of a factor for me.


Yes I have searched the forum archives. Yes I am aware of bugs, snakes, gators, unbearable heat, etc. Yes I understand that pest control, insane property taxes (relatively for me anyway), pool maintenance, and insane electricity bills are to be expected and factored in. If I can't take it I can always transfer back (or to somewhere else) in 2 years. Obviously my main consideration (after the beach and a pool!) is quality of education/life for my kids. I have been to Florida many times, mainly Ft. Lauderdale, St. Pete's Bradenton, Duendin, and treasure cost.


Being from Colorado, I am pretty into privacy and open space. I am not into HOAs, etc. However, I accept that I will have to deal with fairly close proximity to neighbors and HOA nuttiness. I understand I cannot afford to live on the beach, but would love to be as close as possible.


I have basically narrowed my areas of consideration down to the following and would appreciate any input about which area would be best.


1. Anywhere from Sarasota to Duendin (including St. Pete's, etc);


2. Space coast/Merritt Island, down to North end of treasure coast;

3. Ft. Myers/Naples area


4. Panama City/Eastport/St. George


Open to all other suggestions or perspectives from those who have done the mountain to beach lifestyle transition.


Thanks!

Considering your conditions and requirements I would choose one of these 3 options;
- St John's/Ponte Vedra
- Viera/Melbourne
- Palm Harbor/East Lake/Oldsmar

[a person]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

I am in flood zone A but go bare since i paid cash for my house. Saved enough to buy another house in the last 14 years.

Precisely. So you are literally the polar opposite of MrGuy and his needs.

[Kayaker13]

Originally Posted by MrGuy

Hello. So this is probably the 1,000,000th time this has been asked, but I am seriously considering moving to Florida.


I currently live in Colorado and have for most of my life. I live at 9,000 feet. I am now 40 with 3 kids, aged 0-7, and am burned out on the cold. I can make a good chunk of change on my current house, so I am looking at spending up to 400K. I want to live closeish to the beach and must have a pool. I have a job that allows me to work from home 4 days a week, and I only have to live within 2 hours of my office. I can transfer to offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Ft. Meyers, St. Pete, Tallahassee, or Jacksonville. So basically I can live anywhere in the state and traffic is not much of a factor for me.


Yes I have searched the forum archives. Yes I am aware of bugs, snakes, gators, unbearable heat, etc. Yes I understand that pest control, insane property taxes (relatively for me anyway), pool maintenance, and insane electricity bills are to be expected and factored in. If I can't take it I can always transfer back (or to somewhere else) in 2 years. Obviously my main consideration (after the beach and a pool!) is quality of education/life for my kids. I have been to Florida many times, mainly Ft. Lauderdale, St. Pete's Bradenton, Duendin, and treasure cost.


Being from Colorado, I am pretty into privacy and open space. I am not into HOAs, etc. However, I accept that I will have to deal with fairly close proximity to neighbors and HOA nuttiness. I understand I cannot afford to live on the beach, but would love to be as close as possible.


I have basically narrowed my areas of consideration down to the following and would appreciate any input about which area would be best.


1. Anywhere from Sarasota to Duendin (including St. Pete's, etc);

Sarasota is upscale, beautiful. St. Petersburg is a vibrant city with a lot to do; Dunedin is a cute area.
I prefer the west coast of Florida over the east coast. More liberal, if that's what you're into, more cultural offerings. Less "riff-raff."


2. Space coast/Merritt Island, down to North end of treasure coast;

This area seems like it never recovered from the 07-08 market crash (and a series of hurricanes). Very affordable, for the most part. But it seems run down.


3. Ft. Myers/Naples area

Nice areas. Like a few locations in Florida, the area can suffer from fires (forest to the east.) Naples very recently suffered a major fire and people were evacuated (not along the beach!).


4. Panama City/Eastport/St. George

The panhandle, along with places in east Central Florida--like eastern part of Volusia County--has the reputation of being "the Redneck Riviera."


Open to all other suggestions or perspectives from those who have done the mountain to beach lifestyle transition.


Thanks!

Floridians missing the mountains tend to vacation in the mountains of Georgia or North Carolina -- up to a 10 hour drive or, of course, a much shorter flight.

[TD*]

Tallahassee is always nice.