[beachmouse]

Florida does have wildfires; it’s forest ecosystems developed in a way that they’re actually needed to help some pine species reproduce. But even during our bad drought and wildfire years, they’re not as scary because the ambient humidity is still high enough that it doesn’t allow for the really fast spreading you get in the much dryer West

[Fredesch]

If you need your wife's income, she needs to get a job in Florida before you move here. Age discrimination and low wages are part of the Florida job market. Older folks are expected to volunteer (work for free).Florida attracts young folks that will work for $8 an hour to live in Florida. Your wife can't compete with that unless she is a nurse or physical therapist.

Florida is subtropical and desirable building materials and styles are different here than most places. Stucco over wood frame is not a good choice here. Our house is built with concrete bricks. We thought that was odd, until folks explained that frame houses get eaten by termites, can get mold beside the siding and stick built houses don't do as well in high winds. I believe hip roofs are required on new construction because of wind codes. Hurricane Matthew totaled our roof. We put on a aluminum roof and have replaced our windows and glass doors with impact resistant (hurricane) windows and impact resistant French doors. You can improve you house to withstand lower category hurricanes. I don't think houses can withstand a Cat 4 or Cat 5.

From Green Cove Springs your best bet for an ungrounded beach will be near the Matanzas river south of St Augustine.

Good luck.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by UNI4MER

thank you all. So hurricane insurance?

Yes, you'll absolutely want insurance for hurricanes. It's generally packaged together, but you'll want to make sure it's on your insurance. It'll be called "windstorm". And how a house is built can make a substantial difference in the cost for windstorm. The insurance company will want to look at your inspection report for "wind mitigation." Definitely make sure you have a highly competent realtor that is familiar with this.

For example, in South Florida, if you have a house built after 2001 or so, it's up to the latest hurricane code and could be WAY cheaper insurance than a house built just a couple of years prior. So that is something to consider. Expect to pay a few hundred per month for insurance, obviously depending on how expensive your home is. Many people don't understand how much this adds to their monthly housing outlay and end up needing to purchase a less expensive home than they originally thought. Flood insurance is only $400 or so per year, FYI.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by BNBR

Yes, you'll absolutely want insurance for hurricanes. It's generally packaged together, but you'll want to make sure it's on your insurance. It'll be called "windstorm". And how a house is built can make a substantial difference in the cost for windstorm. The insurance company will want to look at your inspection report for "wind mitigation." Definitely make sure you have a highly competent realtor that is familiar with this.

For example, in South Florida, if you have a house built after 2001 or so, it's up to the latest hurricane code and could be WAY cheaper insurance than a house built just a couple of years prior. So that is something to consider. Expect to pay a few hundred per month for insurance, obviously depending on how expensive your home is. Many people don't understand how much this adds to their monthly housing outlay and end up needing to purchase a less expensive home than they originally thought. Flood insurance is only $400 or so per year, FYI.

We pay $1500 per year for flood on a small, older home two blocks from the bay, and is required for mortgage. Depending on age of home, and flood zone this amount can vary wildly. People need to do due diligence on the insurance issues before committing to purchase here.