[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by a person

Pipe down, princess. I'm down there regularly for work and play. It's a geezerfest, and it's getting older. Sorry the truth hurts.

[a person]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

Uh, now try responding to the part I bolded where you put words in my mouth. Yes, I'm down there regularly for work and to go to the beaches (which is the play part). Plenty of fun to visit when going to the beach. But I'm still waiting for you to show me where I said I didn't like it. For extra credit, maybe you can try to refute the claim that it's a haven for old people, too.

[OptimusPrime69]

These "wish lists" seem comical to me.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

These "wish lists" seem comical to me.

How so?

[projectmaximus]

As far as Jax goes, it really depends on what the OP is envisioning. What is a thriving walkable downtown?? Like bona fide downtown that you would generally expect (which Jax is sorely lacking) or simply walkable areas with "restaurants, cafes and stores" which is found in a few places including DT Jax Beach and the Beaches Town Center.

Jax is very affordable and 350k will get you a pool in a decent neighborhood. There's a pretty good mix of ages as the retirement segment is far fewer than what you find in other parts of FL.

Anyway, worth considering.

[gimme it]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

These "wish lists" seem comical to me.

Why is that?

[NorthofHere]

Originally Posted by gimme it

I need some help, please. I want to tell you what we are looking for and hopefully you know of areas in Florida that we should explore further.

-Someplace where you can get a beautiful home with a pool for around 350k or so
-not far from lovely beaches
-very, very safe area (very important)
-a lively, thriving walkable downtown with restaurants, cafes and stores (very important)
-a place with natural beauty and pretty parks, etc
-A great library
-Not a huge city with lots of high rises.
-Not too crowded, but not dead
-A mix of ages
-Open to all areas as long as it's near beaches, has a somewhat educated population and has things I mentioned. We will be relatively young retired folks, NE transplants, but not typical Northeasterners.

So far I was thinking of Sarasota and Naples. Any ideas?

Thank you all so much!

Port Orange/New Smyrna Beach area in particular look at the area just west of I95 such as the communities of Venetian Bay/Water's Edge and Cypress Head. Venetian Bay has a small town center with a restaurant and lots of sidewalks for walking/biking. It is close to shopping centers but still has that country feel. It is a safe area and you will find a mix of ages, though probably more retired folks. It is minutes from New Smyrna downtown which is on the riverside and Flagler Avenue with shops and restaurants on the beach/ocean side. It is also minutes from Dunlawton Ave ramp (Daytona Shores) where you can drive onto the beach and park. I love the area more than the west coast where it is more congested. I have never been to the Library but the Library in Daytona beach is right on the river and looks very beautiful. BTW I am from the Northeast via South Carolina before moving here.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by NorthofHere

Port Orange/New Smyrna Beach area in particular look at the area just west of I95 such as the communities of Venetian Bay/Water's Edge and Cypress Head. Venetian Bay has a small town center with a restaurant and lots of sidewalks for walking/biking. It is close to shopping centers but still has that country feel. It is a safe area and you will find a mix of ages, though probably more retired folks. It is minutes from New Smyrna downtown which is on the riverside and Flagler Avenue with shops and restaurants on the beach/ocean side. It is also minutes from Dunlawton Ave ramp (Daytona Shores) where you can drive onto the beach and park. I love the area more than the west coast where it is more congested. I have never been to the Library but the Library in Daytona beach is right on the river and looks very beautiful. BTW I am from the Northeast via South Carolina before moving here.

Buying a home there now. Great place.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by expatCA

There are lots of homes with pools under $350,000.00 on the East Coast (Central FL)and near nice beaches and without the crowding and traffic.

You skipped the walkable factor...then, not so much.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

You skipped the walkable factor...then, not so much.

New Smyrna has 2 nice down towns to walk. The regular one on the mainland and the beach one with restaurants and shops. Both are very nice.