[Canad-eh]

Hi there... we're looking to rent a place in Florida for a couple months this coming winter (Jan/Feb) for my mom (a senior). She doesn't use a computer, so I'm looking into rentals for her... but, I really don't know Florida (she says she'd like to be on the Gulf side) and general searching for rentals brings up way too many websites.

Does anyone have advice for finding a safe, seniors condo/villa etc, that's handicap accessible? Any advice would be welcomed!!

(p.s. This is my first time using a forum, so apologies if this question has been raised before -- I'm still learning the "in's and out's" of the site).

[sellingelmwood]

can i suggest St Petersburg? Safe and easy to get around.

[Canad-eh]

thanks... any suggestions on a good site to find rentals for st. pete's??

[DaniellaG]

Last year I did this for the first time for myself but I am under 55 and then again for my mom. It was quite an experience. For myself at that time I wanted 3 months and after searching a lot I ended up using a realtor who found me a place. I made this choice though at the end of Dec which was dumb. For my mom she just wanted a few weeks in March. I found hers on craigslist. Just FYI the places on craigslist are not always as they seem. Some of the places I viewed I could not even tell they were the same as on the web. Also some use sample of a place. Since your mom is over 55 she would be able to get a better deal cause the over 55 which I saw are cheaper but nice. Some places add on a sales tax which is for under 7 month rentals I think but they will not state that so you may want to ask. Are you going to rent this unseen or do you have a friend or family member that can view? Does your mom know anyone here cause I think that would be nice to live near them?

[Canad-eh]

no, doesn't know anyone... so she's open to location. We'll be renting unseen, so i was hoping someone might have been to a place -- or had a family member who had been -- that they could recommend. Using a realtor is a good idea... i didn't realize they'd search for rentals as well. Thanks for the tips!

[DaniellaG]

It was not ideal using the realtor cause I have and had issues with them doing follow up but sometimes being out of state it is hard. I just know a few places in Palm Beach County like Delray and Boca area. Not sure if she would be interested in those areas. Both are very heavy with snowbirds and many over 55. If I can help in any way I am here though still new myself. How much are you looking to spend per month? In season prices go up for short term especially.

[faithfulFrank]

Check out VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner (http://www.vrbo.com - broken link)
It stands for Vacation rentals by owner and it is the top website for these situations.
I use it for my place.
you MAY have a more difficult time, depending where you want her to stay. You are asking for peak season. I have had that time booked for almost a year now, and I give preference to longer stays.

Good luck! Frank.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by Canad-eh

Hi there... we're looking to rent a place in Florida for a couple months this coming winter (Jan/Feb) for my mom (a senior). She doesn't use a computer, so I'm looking into rentals for her... but, I really don't know Florida (she says she'd like to be on the Gulf side) and general searching for rentals brings up way too many websites.

Does anyone have advice for finding a safe, seniors condo/villa etc, that's handicap accessible? Any advice would be welcomed!!

(p.s. This is my first time using a forum, so apologies if this question has been raised before -- I'm still learning the "in's and out's" of the site).

Anna Maria Island is beautiful, relatively safe. You can google it & get information for rentals that way. AMI is a key island on the Gulf of Mexico between St. Pete and Longboat Key.