More Affordable alternative to Naples? (Sarasota, Venice: homes, living in, prices)

[Monello]

Seacrest, Rosemary Beach, Seaside.

[kyle19125]

Another thought might be Key Largo or Islamorada. Good options in that price bracket and enough to do to stay busy if wanted. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...95,11&qdm=true

[slduvall]

Originally Posted by Monello

Seacrest, Rosemary Beach, Seaside.

Not on her budget. Not for full time living anyway. I have been shopping that area for 5 years now and $1M won't get you much. Currently a 372 sq ft studio in Seacrest (which is the cheapest of the three) is going for almost $500K. A 1300 sq foot is going for $975K, but its a new listing and I imagine it will go for much higher. Average qtrly HOA fees in the area run about $3-4K a year and higher in Seaside and Rosemary.

She doesn't mention if she minds being in a completely rental community, which most retirees don't seem to want. There are some non rental communities along 30a, but if they don't come with deeded beach (which drives up the price) you are competing with tourists for beach space, parking space, groceries etc.! Seaside has become a nightmare to even visit. We stay out there last fall and even then it was swamped nightly. People parking in front of our rental etc, hoping they don't get towed.

[roxyrn]

I agree with everything you said about Seaside- we were also there in the fall and it was totally overrun with families on fall break. Rosemary and Watercolor were the same.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by roxyrn

I agree with everything you said about Seaside- we were also there in the fall & was totally overrun with families on fall break. Rosemary and Watercolor were the same.

And for those high prices, most of the homes are frame...not cinder block. I prefer block w/ flat cement tile roofs in hurricane-prone areas.

The ppsqft there for frame is insane imho. We took a pass on Santa Rosa Beach. Also, the public beach parking & facilities are sorely lacking. Private property owners are cordoning off the beaches too...huge beach wars ongoing there.

I dont know of a more affordable alternative to Naples now...3-4 years ago yes, but no more. Heck, there are very few affordable coastal towns anywhere in Florida anymore unless they are remote, like parts of Hutchinson Island, & areas just North of the Sebastian inlet. Dunedin is nice, but not cheap anymore, and that is a cooler temperate zone. I liked Vero Beach until the plan for high-speed trains rumbling right through the center of town came about...used to be called Brite-line...not sure of latest name, but that ruined Vero for me. Stuart's nice...worth a look.

Forget cheap in coastal Florida near sandy beaches...its all gone.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Another thought might be Key Largo or Islamorada. Good options in that price bracket and enough to do to stay busy if wanted. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...95,11&qdm=true

I disagree, the upper keys aren’t as nice as Naples.

[blueherons]

Of all that has been mentioned, I'd go with Sarasota over Naples. I love Naples and work over there on and off but it is too slow for me.

Downtown Sarasota would be really nice.

[beach43ofus]

Try downtown Venice condo's. Zip code 34285

[manny118]

Originally Posted by blueherons

Of all that has been mentioned, I'd go with Sarasota over Naples. I love Naples and work over there on and off but it is too slow for me.

Downtown Sarasota would be really nice.

I'd also take Sarasota over Naples. Sarasota and the surrounding island towns are a bigger and better Naples. The St. Armands Circle is basically the same thing as Naples 5th Avenue plus Sarasota has younger hipper areas like Siesta Key and downtown Sarasota. The beaches also look better in the Sarasota area.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

Maybe so, in which case I’d agree. If he’s saying Naples has more to do than Sarasota I’d like to hear his case for that assertion.

Big selling point for Sarasota it's quite a bit closer to Tampa and St. Pete as well.