Hilon Head Island or Port St Lucie? (Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach: insurance, condo)

[FLARpsl]

If you had a choice to live in either place ???

[jhlcomp]

You pose a thought provoking question. I live up in Vero Beach just 25 miles north of PSL. Some sites say that the cost of living is 13% lower in Hilton Head. While I am not terribly keen on PSL I prefer it over South Carolina and Hilton Head. But, all in all, it’s a tough call because it depends on your interests, hobbies, proximity to family, health concerns etc.

PSL has had tremendous growth particularly in the over 55 group. If you are near retirement age, that might be an added attraction. One thing to check out is cost of housing, property taxes and insurance. PSL has higher property taxes then Vero Beach which is one of the reasons we moved to Vero and why you want to cross check this info in Hilton Head, too.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.

[DanielAvery]

I live in Stuart, across the river from PSL, but grew up in Savannah, across the river from HHI.

I don't recall the snowbird migration being as pronounced in HHI as it is in PSL--people seem to want to move there permanently (and not just retirees). But Port St. Lucie is much like most of South Florida in being overrun by Snowbirds from (roughly) November to April. HHI's main highways are busy year-round, though. Both areas were planned communities that were 'invented' for the most part in the 1960s and 1970s, so houses built in that era will likely be easy to come by. PSL attracts a lot more Northeasterners. One of the unexplainable things I noticed about Hilton Head when I lived nearby was that people from Ohio seem to flock to HHI. PSL is more tract-housing/subdivisions whereas Hilton Head has a lot more condo complexes and townhouses. This might be a function of the lack of room to expand on an island, though--Bluffton is a nice, mainland alternative if you prefer a house with land.

I think HHI has a slightly higher chance for a hurricane to drop by, though hurricanes more often make landfall further up the coast (between HHI and Charleston).

[kyle19125]

I would choose HHI for the lifestyle and amenities not seen in PSL. It's in my opinion an islandy-beachy vibe in HHI versus PSL's suburbia which could be anywhere in the Southeast. Go with your preference there.

[Carlton Harris]

PSL is like that country song, "Rearview Town".

[WonderwomanNot]

Although HHI is mostly beach, you need ACCESS to the beach which is difficult. Tons of ocean front properties, timeshares, etc., Public parking is difficult. You just can't stroll up to the beach unless you are actually living on a beach block (or blocks).....

On the other hand, it's got alot of restaurants and the scene is active year round.

[double6's]

winter weather could be a consideration also

[manny118]

Wouldn't it be better to compare Hilton Head to Stuart or Hutchinson Island. Port St Lucie and Hilton Head feels like an apples vs oranges comparison.

I've never been to Hilton Head but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have the turquoise ocean and tropical landscape of South Florida, so Stuart would be an easy choice for me.

[WonderwomanNot]

You are right. The ocean color at Hilton Head is murky and brownish on most days. Not the spectacular blue that one would think....

[Ginachecked]

I haven’t had much luck with medical care in FL. My next move I am placing that first on
my list.