[Axxlrod]

Doing some long range planning.

Wife and I will be empty-nesters in 5 years. We currently live in the San Diego area, and of course, like many things about it, but I don't like the direction CA is going, and I doubt our kids will be able to afford to live here after college, so we're thinking about moving to another state.

We would be in our late 40's, so def not looking for any type of "senior living" development.

Must haves:

coastal city
waterfront home w/boat dock
upscale area
good restaurants/entertainment/shopping
proximity to decent airport
prefer a non-liberal/progressive area


I'll be selling my company when we move, so no need to factor in employment options or commute times.

I think the humidity would be the biggest change for us, but we'd probably spend most of the summer somewhere else anyway.


What city/area would you recommend for us? The only cities I've been to in FL are Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale. Enjoyed Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks.

[manny118]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

Doing some long range planning.

Wife and I will be empty-nesters in 5 years. We currently live in the San Diego area, and of course, like many things about it, but I don't like the direction CA is going, and I doubt our kids will be able to afford to live here after college, so we're thinking about moving to another state.

We would be in our late 40's, so def not looking for any type of "senior living" development.

Must haves:

coastal city
waterfront home w/boat dock
upscale area
good restaurants/entertainment/shopping
proximity to decent airport
prefer a non-liberal/progressive area


I'll be selling my company when we move, so no need to factor in employment options or commute times.

I think the humidity would be the biggest change for us, but we'd probably spend most of the summer somewhere else anyway.


What city/area would you recommend for us? The only cities I've been to in FL are Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale. Enjoyed Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks.

Based on your interest in upscale near the coast, below are my recommendations for Southeast and Southwest Florida since they are the regions I'm most familiar with. Most of the upscale coastal communities will be more moderate in their political beliefs, particularly compared to CA.

Southeast Florida: Stuart, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne.

Southwest Florida: Naples, Marco Island, Sarasota.

The Southeast Florida communities will have access to bigger airports and a more cosmopolitan/big city lifestyle. However, the Southwest Florida communities I listed are home to lots of wealthy people and will certainly have lots in the way of restaurants and nightlife.

[Axxlrod]

Thanks Manny.

This helps give me some areas to research.

[kerri2455]

We live in San Diego now and are looking to move to Florida as well but sooner than you as we are older. We were there in August and really liked Ormond Beach/North Daytona Beach and will go back in February to check the area out again. We liked the 55 plus Margaritaville community in particular. We were in Naples and Fort Myers briefly as well and didn't give them much of a chance but those are much bigger areas and Naples is more upscale than we need/care for. Ormond Beach reminded us of old school Carlsbad, it has a small town feel and slower pace of life but also the water is there and fun bars and restaurants so we will be out looking in Feb at the area to ensure we still think that's the direction we will be moving in. Good luck to you!

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

Thanks Manny.

This helps give me some areas to research.

Also check Volusia County, away from Daytona proper. I was born and raised in SoCal, lived in SD County twice and now live in Volusia County on the East coast and ... the area I am in is very much like Costa Mesa/Newport Beach where I grew up in the 60's and 70's. Lots of money here, but you would not know it as people do not flaunt it. Laid back with a lot of things to do and a LOT of restaurants and close to Orlando.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by kerri2455

We live in San Diego now and are looking to move to Florida as well but sooner than you as we are older. We were there in August and really liked Ormond Beach/North Daytona Beach and will go back in February to check the area out again. We liked the 55 plus Margaritaville community in particular. We were in Naples and Fort Myers briefly as well and didn't give them much of a chance but those are much bigger areas and Naples is more upscale than we need/care for. Ormond Beach reminded us of old school Carlsbad, it has a small town feel and slower pace of life but also the water is there and fun bars and restaurants so we will be out looking in Feb at the area to ensure we still think that's the direction we will be moving in. Good luck to you!

Yep, hope it works for you.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Have you considered the panhandle? Destin area? Cooler winters, best beaches in the world (IMO) lots of upscale-ness and yet earthy and not liberal. Lots to do, lots to explore.

[kerri2455]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Yep, hope it works for you.

Thank you, Me too!!

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

Doing some long range planning.

Wife and I will be empty-nesters in 5 years. We currently live in the San Diego area, and of course, like many things about it, but I don't like the direction CA is going, and I doubt our kids will be able to afford to live here after college, so we're thinking about moving to another state.

We would be in our late 40's, so def not looking for any type of "senior living" development.

Must haves:

coastal city
waterfront home w/boat dock
upscale area
good restaurants/entertainment/shopping
proximity to decent airport
prefer a non-liberal/progressive area


I'll be selling my company when we move, so no need to factor in employment options or commute times.

I think the humidity would be the biggest change for us, but we'd probably spend most of the summer somewhere else anyway.


What city/area would you recommend for us? The only cities I've been to in FL are Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale. Enjoyed Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks.

Hey! I've been lurking around the San Diego forum and Orange County forum and remember seeing your name.



What's your budget, your requirement for a home with a boat dock will eliminate most places unless you have a high budget.

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by Dave_n_Tenn

Have you considered the panhandle? Destin area? Cooler winters, best beaches in the world (IMO) lots of upscale-ness and yet earthy and not liberal. Lots to do, lots to explore.

Though the nearest decent-sized airport to most of the panhandle is New Orleans, which is still a significant hike to the state line even from Pensacola. (Though if you're okay with connecting, you will eventually learn to stop worrying and love, or at least appreciate, the ATL.)

I'd have a look at Jacksonville which is, IMO, nicer than greater Daytona at the top end and tends to fly under the radar a bit in terms of relocation awareness. Also a good number of little coastal surf towns, even if the waves aren't quite as good as you find in the Daytona-Cocoa Beach area