New to Snowbirding in Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood: rentals, condo, tornadoes)

[cb2008]

Please suggest places we can consider for renting for a moth or two - Jan to March time period. First time for us in florida, we have rented for one month in LA on the beach.
we would like to be walking distance to the beach, located in a a nice town with good amenities. a nice library, downtown with great restaurants, interesting character, nice weather (that is no hurricanes or tornadoes.) we are retired and flexible time wise. looking for a furnished place, that is clean and comfortable. range - 2500 to 3000 per month.
we have friends who go to venice and like it and i think we may like something like that. i have also heard of Sanibel but have no idea what that is like.
thank you.

[wizrap]

Did you check the Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) website? I was just on there because I was looking to rent something the week of Thanksgiving and I saw many small properties in Lauderdale By The Sea listed. LBTS is a very nice town right on the beach.

However, you may have to rethink your budget. You are coming down during the peak tourist season, so no bargains to be had at that time. I am coming down right before high season, and looking at VRBO, adding the cleaning fee to the room rate, I came real close to $200 a night, studios and one bedrooms. Good luck!

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by wizrap

Did you check the Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) website? I was just on there because I was looking to rent something the week of Thanksgiving and I saw many small properties in Lauderdale By The Sea listed. LBTS is a very nice town right on the beach.

However, you may have to rethink your budget. You are coming down during the peak tourist season, so no bargains to be had at that time. I am coming down right before high season, and looking at VRBO, adding the cleaning fee to the room rate, I came real close to $200 a night, studios and one bedrooms. Good luck!

yes, you are right. it is not reasonable as i thought. all the snowbirding boomers! i will look at LBT. i was looking at venice and ft. myers area.

[Nolefan34]

No hurricanes or tornadoes? You might want to try California. Florida is ground zero for hurricanes and tornadoes, although the weather is much better during the winter months. If you visit during November-March, you will avoid hurricane season entirely. It is hard to beat South FL weather in the winter.

The Southeastern FL areas cater more towards people from the Northeastern states, while the West Coast is predominantly Midwesterners. The East coast is far more built up and congested, but is slightly warmer in the winter months and has more things to do, places to go, etc.

Good areas in Broward County/Fort Lauderdale area that fit your description would be Pompano Beach (on the beach), Lauderdale By The Sea, and Hollywood on the beach. Those areas are where snowbirds flock and there is a lot here in the way of restaurants and shops. Downtown Hollywood, Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale By The Sea, and Mizner Park area of Boca Raton all have lots of character and great restaurants.

The west coast of FL is nice too, but a different vibe. It depends what you like. Sanibel is more of a tourist trap. It has nice beaches, but I think that's all that is there. You would most like rent a condo in nearby Fort Myers and drive to Sanibel to go to the beach.