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Hi everyone - this is my first post but I have been lurking here for quite awhile. I have gotten a lot of good info here and appreciate how everyone is willing to help answer questions!
My husband and I (retired) in our late 60's - early 70's - live in PA and the last 2 winters have made me very cranky!! I would love to be a snowbird but he doesn't want to be gone from home for more than a month and we have 2 cats which unfortunately no one will allow in a winter rental. :-(( We are coming down to Naples in Jan for a month and had to hire cat sitter 3x per day because we can't bring them. So he said let's move down permanently although he is okay if we don't. He doesn't hate the cold as much as I do. He has a son about an hour away from us in MD.
He also has a daughter in Sarasota so ideally would live fairly close to her but not TOO close. From what I have read here, Venice sounds like a good spot for us. He golfs but I don't so living in a golf community is not a priority. We would be looking to buy 2-3 bedroom w office/den, big kitchen, with pool and budget is about 400,000 - 425,000.
We live in a small active adult community (80 homes but no fitness center or pool) but our community is very social w bunco, hand and foot, ladies lunches, men's golf, ladies bridge, dinner clubs, Thirsty Thursdays). That is the kind of social life we are looking for because we would want to make some new friends.
We are in FL now to check out the summer weather and we went to Island Walk in Venice and Gran Paradiso on Sat. I loved a couple of the models at Island Walk and picked up the newsletter and the activities sounded like a good fit for us.
Gran Paradiso seemed very nice - beautiful clubhouse and fitness center, pool- but want to have some choices in colors, granite, etc etc.
Where else should we look - I have read info posted by some of the RE experts here so I think we will also look at Stoneybrook, Sawgrass, maybe Grand Palm?
Any other suggestions for community with really social calendar and more permanent residents than Snowbirds in our age group?
It is a very huge decision because we love our neighbors and our neighborhood here in PA but the winters are horrible.
I think I could deal with the heat here although humidity is not so good for my hair!!! Lol
Sorry for the long post - just seeking info and also input from those who have made permanent move.
Thanks!!
Sara
If you've been lurking you've probably seen me say this before...we really like IslandWalk. We closed on our new house last October, and haven't regretted the move. The neighborhood is great for walking or biking, there are lots of activities, and everyone we've met here has been super nice.
We found that the streets with the larger homes tend to have more full-timers. My street has only one house that's not occupied by full-timers. It really makes a difference in getting to know the neighbors.
Looking at your criteria I don't think you're going to find a much better community then IslandWalk. I can give you info on several other communities but I would be you'll end up back at IslandWalk. Let us know were you settle once you make your decision
Venice The Venetia is a gated community that has a heated resort style community pool, fitness center, tennis courts. They have a quarterly HOA fee of $590 depending on what section you're in. Venetia is situated on 322 acres just west of Tamiami Trail and south of Jacaranda Boulevard. The entrance to this gated, guarded community is graced by two large waterfalls, signaling the casual, natural environment that waits beyond the Venetia gate. A lovely, landscaped center island with fountains and flowers flanks the wide community road, and the neighborhood is designed to integrate with its natural surroundings, with many home sites backing onto nature preserves. Venetia features a 4,000 square foot clubhouse, two lighted tennis courts, an outdoor heated swimming pool, parks, playgrounds and nature trails.
When it is complete the Venetia community will be home to 450 families and individuals, with 180 multi-family condominiums and villas, and many single-family homes. The ‘builders of choice’ in Venetia are Venetian Homes and Waterford Homes. There are so many amenities and special touches here! As you drive through the Venetia community and pass the gentle curves and welcoming entrances of these Mediterranean style homes you will feel as if you are in a gracious, old Italian neighborhood. But all the homes here are new, with the modern conveniences and grand beauty you want in your home. Appointments and features include high 10’ ceilings in the bedrooms, tile floors, spacious rooms with plenty of built-in storage, and even solid marble window sills.
Pelican Pointe, offers all the amenities-clubhouse, tennis, fitness center, social activities, community heated pool, 27 holes of golf all located minutes to shopping, Downtown Venice, and the beach. Quarterly HOA of $715. The Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club is a deed restricted, award-winning community voted by the ‘best of the best’ by Sarasota Magazine. Spread over 1,000 acres, Pelican Pointe offers country club elegance with a tropical flare.
True to its name, the gated community of Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club offers championship golf on courses designed by Ted McAnlis, a 22,000 square foot clubhouse, a pro shop, fitness center, two state-of-the-art tennis courts, three gorgeous pools, vibrant lounge and elegant dining. The 27-hole championship golf facility opened in 1995 with three nines that blend and wind through natural preserves and lakes. Golfers stroll through a calming environment, where they glimpse local wildlife and lush greenery. The course also has strategically placed bunkers and waste bunkers, and every hole presents an invitation to test your skills. Take golf lessons, schedule private group tournaments and practice in the grass hitting stations, on the 5,000 square foot putting green, or try your hand at the chipping green, and the bunker green.
Enjoy Pelican Pointe dining, 7 days a week for lunch, early light dinner or a prime rib buffet with the finest entertainment in town. Enjoy our banquet facilities and schedule your special family events in the newly remodeled ballroom. This gated, master planned community was lovingly designed and crafted by well-renowned builder Sam Rodgers, and every home features beautifully conceived details and design. Surrounded by natural beauty, Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club is a quiet retreat in the midst of southwestern Florida. Pelican Pointe is maintenance free with public water and sewer, and streetlights.
Sawgrass, a gated community, has a community heated pool, fitness center, and golfing. Annual HOA of $1023The Sawgrass community is a gated, golfing community with 27 holes of golf, a fabulous clubhouse and cabana, a fitness center, playground, warm, a sparkling 70-foot pool, tennis courts and over fifty-four acres of lakes and nature preserves. Golfers will also enjoy the bonus of playing on the cozy 9-hole course designed by renowned golf course designer, Ted McAnlis for the Waterford Golf Club. This course features 3,332 yards of golf and a par 36 and it opened in 1989. Nature lovers will be bowled over by the wildlife and photographic opportunities right outside their window. Blue herons, egrets and cranes wander the landscape, and biking trails and pathways will take you deep into the realm of nature where you can commune with wildlife and listen to the songs of the local birds. The community is further completed by old-fashioned streetlights, safe sidewalks, and tropical landscaping. This guarded, gated community has underground utilities and public sewer and water, and it is deed restricted.
Designed by developer Taylor Woodrow Communities and constructed by J&J Homes – builders of over 4,000 homes in the Venice area - you will be impressed with the quality of workmanship and forethought that have gone into this community. Homes are designed in a contemporary, tropical Florida style with just a hint of the Mediterranean. There are maintenance-free villas and single-family homes on 311 beautiful acres. Every home features a special perspective; some have private preserve views, others have scenic golf course views. All are picturesque and elegant. The builders have constructed ten models for prospective residents to view, making it that much easier to choose the home that is right for you.
Venice Golf & County Club, At VG&CC there is something for everyone...golf, tennis, water aerobics in, work out center, mah jong, bridge, book clubs, jewelry making...and more! Tennis courts, fitness center. The stylish Clubhouse, offering both casual and fine dining, is a great spot to meet friends or entertain your guests. Social membership is required. Golf membership is available. For the maintenance free homes the monthly maintenance fee is $194 (which includes-Ground Mtnce, Manager, Private Road, Security, Trash Removal) and HOA is $1824 annually.
Hidden Lakes Club, has a rec building, tennis courts. Annual HOA of $1600 and a $150 maintenance fee per year.
Plantation Golf & Country Club, Governors Green-is a gated golf community. Annual HOA of $1189 and monthly maintenance of $66. Wexford on the Green is also located with Plantation Golf. It has a community pool and golf. The HOA is $525 annually and the community is maintenance free so the monthly maintenance fee is $501. Plantation Golf and Country Club has 1300 acres of land including two 18-hole championship golf courses. This member-owned, private club has a spacious club house with all the charm of old Florida. The two golf courses – Bobcat and Panther – are graced by natural views and dancing fountains in sparkling lakes. Ron Garl designed two impeccably maintained courses of challenging golf with distinctive layouts. Renowned New York architect recently added the finishing touch by supplying new bunker designs. Both the Bobcat and the Panther courses were also renovated to include state-of-the-art irrigation systems. Award-winning PGA and LPGA professionals provide a standard of excellence that rivals the most prestigious clubs in the nation. If you still need to be convinced of the caliber of Plantation Golf and Country Club, consider the fine dining facility that features gourmet meals and houses private events, thirteen Har-Tru tennis courts with USTPA instructors, a spa, weekend socials, a pro shop, a heated junior Olympic swimming pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Plantation Golf and Country Club was voted ‘Best Private Country Club’, ‘Best Banquet Facilities’ and ‘Best Tennis Facilities’ by the Herald Tribune Reader’s Choice Awards. Plantation is a regular host for major sporting events, including LPGA tournaments. In 1987 Plantation Golf and Country Club was also selected to host the LPGA Annual Tour Qualifying School and since then has been one of only two qualifying schools in the national.
Plantation Golf and Country Club includes a mandatory homeowners association that ensures high standards and an elegant atmosphere with a contemporary Florida design. Waterford Builders have selected several single-family floor plans for the homes at the Courtyards at Plantation. You can also select from a wide range of patio homes, and condominium plans, many with golf course views. Villas and private apartments are surrounded by beautiful gardens, pools and landscaping. Homes range in size from 3,100 to 4,100 square feet with 3-4 bedroom layouts and 3-5 baths.
Belliago on the Island of Venice, is a gated community with amenities that include a clubhouse, heated swimming pool, clay based tennis court, fitness center and gazebo. Walking, biking path next to intra coastal waterway. Quarterly HOA of $698. The Venetian Waterway Park is the ideal location for a leisurely walk or bike ride to the beach. Bellagio on the Island of Venice is also convenient to the downtown area where you will find galleries, a beautiful park and gazebo, a theater, plenty of dining and beautiful little sidewalk cafes, retail and antique shops. Within minutes of leaving your private enclave, you can play golf on a challenging twenty-seven-hole public course, or go boating or fishing. Stroll down the historic streets of Venice and browse the booths and tables at the sidewalk arts and crafts shows. Bellagio is close to all services and convenient to medical facilities, the library and a full service marina, and it is only minutes from the beaches on Gulf of Mexico. You can picnic, swim or fish on the Venice public beach, or hop on your bike and head to Caspersen Beach, for a few hours of uninterrupted tranquility and bliss. Here in Venice, you can go rafting or kayaking, sailing, water skiing, snorkeling, or horseback riding. It is all at your fingertips!
Bellagio on the Island of Venice is your private sanctuary, with all the amenities you desire. You can swim in the heated community pool, walk along the beach, meet friends in the clubhouse, work out in the fitness center or on the tennis courts, or bike or jog on the Venetian Parallel Park on the Intracoastal Waterway bike trail. Bellagio on the Island of Venice is a new community – and the last of the planned island communities. Bellagio blends seamlessly with the Mediterranean flavor of old Venice. These Mediterranean style homes offer many choices and there is one to fit every lifestyle. Each single family home is over 2000 square feet and offers a choice of two master suites, great room, family room or den. Bellagio on the Island of Venice is beautifully landscaped and you will love walking on the paved trail, taking in the sights and enjoying the nature preserve on your own private island.
Lakes of Jacaranda, gated, community pool, tennis, rec building. HOA $547 annually. The Lakes of Jacaranda is a deed restricted community that features a community pool, a plantation style clubhouse, tennis courts, streetlights and sidewalks, convenient underground utilities, public water and sewer, and a homeowners association. Enjoy scenic lake views and stay fit on the trails and walkways that meander through the community. At over 260 acres, the Lakes of Jacaranda offers oversized lots, nature preserve views and a variety of single-family home styles. Join the nearby golf club – just a short ride away by golf cart. This charming community offers its residents a casual lifestyle in a gorgeous setting.
The Lakes of Jacaranda community offers several home styles and sizes, many with charming appointments and bonus features. Whether you are looking for a kitchen with granite countertops, a three bedroom home with a high ceiling and lots of light, recessed lighting, a lake view, a lanai, or just plenty of green space, you will find it here at Jacaranda. Many of these lovely homes have plantation shutters, soft colors and upgrades. Enjoy the casual lifestyle without sacrificing the beauty and comfort you want. Here at the Lakes of Jacaranda, you can appreciate the natural surroundings, and take advantage of the nearby conveniences.
Waterford, is gated and offer tennis, a community pool, golfing, fitness center and a playground. Annual HOA of $1332. The Waterford Golf Club is one of the best in the area, attracting regular players with beginner to expert abilities. It received the ‘Best of Venice’ award in 2004 and was listed as one of the Top 20 golf courses in Southwest Florida. Waterford has 27 holes of fairways and pristine greens with the hazards and water that make it a challenging course. It is segmented into three, 9-hole courses are available -Turnberry, Gleneagles and Sawgrass. The pro shop and clubhouse are favorites of local golfers.
There is more to see and do in the Waterford community. This gated neighborhood is on a private road with streetlights and wide sidewalks. The homeowners association is mandatory and the community is deed restricted with underground utilities, public sewer and private water systems. The community also features tennis courts, a spacious pool and spa and a fitness center. The resort environment and casual lifestyle of the Waterford community appeals to residents of all ages.
Islandwalk, which is technically annexed to NP but they like to say it's in Venice. Anyway, is gated and has 8 har-tru tennis courts, tennis pavilion, heated lap pool, fitness center, card room, library, full time activities director are all in place with more to come. Miles of walking and bike paths, pedestrian bridges, boardwalk with gazebos for enjoying nature all surrounded by lush landscaping and unlimited lake views. HOA is $910 per quarter.
Whitestone at Southwood, Community heated pool. HOA of $601 quarterly.
Ventura Village, is gated and has a community pool and clubhouse. HOA quarterly of $254. Ventura Village is a new Kimball Hill subdivision on SR 776 just after you turn off to drive toward Englewood. Its location makes it convenient to both Venice and Englewood and just five minutes to the beach. Woodmere Park, the library and ample shopping and restaurants are nearby.
Kimball Hill was a major U.S. homebuilder of affordable housing with neighborhoods in eight states. Both maintenance free single family and paired villas are available. Models include one and two story homes with a selection of various floor plans. Larger Heritage homes that include a 3-car garage and go from 2202 sq. ft. to 2954 sq. ft. Innovative designs are intended to create lasting value for your family.
Save money, unlike some communities, no developer’s CDD fees are added on to your taxes at Ventura Village.
Don’t waste time keeping up the outside of your home. Maintenance fees include full lawn care, mulch replacement twice a year, exterior painting, roof reserves, basic cable, gated entrance and a clubhouse with a heated pool. All you have to do is relax. For affordability and convenience, check our Ventura Village.
Stoneybrook, has a community heated pool and fitness center. HOA is $459 quarterly. The neighborhood will have 900 homes when complete. Stoneybrook at Venice features a lagoon style pool, a spa and a children’s splash fountain, a complete health club with weight and cardio equipment that is accessible twenty-four hours a day, and even a movie theater and media room. This is designed as a family community with activities for adults and children. Try out the in-line skating and hockey rink, four lighted tennis courts, a nature trail and a butterfly garden. If you are a sports buff, you will love the two sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, baseball diamond and multi-purpose soccer field. The community has a full time activities director, and a catering and function hall for those special events. Stroll the property, hang out near the gazebo or visit with friends and family in the community cookout area, complete with gas grills. This family-friendly community has thirty-five pristine lakes and plenty of green space. Though some of the home sites are still not complete, there are about 844 families currently living in Stoneybrook. KB Homes still offers new home sites on both preserve and lakefront lots.
Location: Sarasota/ Bradenton - University Pkwy area
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Hi Sara,
Welcome to the forum.
Be sure to check the fees on the various new construction communities. Some have rather expensive CDD fees, others have CDD fees but are more reasonable. HOA fees can get complicated as some have neighborhood and master fees. You will want to know the financials, especially on something like a 20 year (or longer) CDD. Sometimes you have to ask the on site sales reps for that specific info, it doesn't always get added to the folders they hand out.
Also, in our area the builders usually put "premiums" on many of the lots being sold, the highest premiums would be on lake front or preserve (woods behind) lots. Even corner lots usually have some sort of premium. The premiums can often go into the $30k range, so be sure to ask about the lot prices for any that you are considering.
Another suggestion has to do with the golf and country clubs if you do end up looking at some of those. Check out the expenses involved with respect to the golf & country club up front as that too can add up quickly. The ones that are equity memberships are owned by the residents, so will not have an outside company that can fold (more on that later), BUT the equity buy in can be expensive, I've seen fees of up to $30,000 to join (Venice Golf & Country Club's full golf membership). Then there are additional annual fees and costs such as minimum dining room food & beverage requirements.
Some golfing communities do not have mandatory equity membership. However, you also cannot use their facilities unless you are a member or guest of a member. So if you are not a member you cannot use the clubhouse pool, tennis courts, fitness center, dining room, golf course, etc. If you don't want to buy a membership in the country club, you will be restricted to use of your neighborhood community pool (if there is one). Several offer tiered memberships with tiered pricing, from social (use of clubhouse and pool) up to full membership (golf, tennis, fitness center and clubhouse amenities all included).
If the golf and country club community does not require residents to be members, they are generally owned by outside business entities, which do not always make wise financial decisions. Three Sarasota - Bradenton golfing communities have seen their golf courses sold off to developers to build new homes on the previous rolling greens. Sabal Trace Golf and Country Club (North Port) residents woke up one morning in May to the news that the group that owned the golf course had closed suddenly due to financial difficulties. Now the future of that golf course is uncertain. This may have a future financial impact on residents who's homes back up to the current golf course as well.
If you like Island Walk in Venice, Divosta also has The Isles, Villagewalk and Sandhill Preserve in Palmer Ranch in south Sarasota. Sandhill has many of the same floor plans as Island Walk. The others are built out, so resale only. All have large clubhouses with on site activities directors and lots of clubs, groups meeting each month. Taylor Morrison also has new construction in Palmer Ranch, Cobblestone. They too will have an on site activities director to make it easier for residents to socialize.
Back in Venice, Grand Palm by Neal has some very nice amenities but not a social director. There will be almost 2000 homes by the time the community is completed, so it will be one of the larger south Venice area communities when built out. There is an annual CDD fee built into the property taxes.
Grand Oaks is almost built out, it's a small community of homes with a smaller clubhouse and pool, no CDD fees there.
Stoneybrook at Venice is built out, it too is quite nice. Great amenities, large resort-style pool plus a splash pool, clubhouse with fitness cednter plus a variety of sports courts/fields for the younger set. It does have CDD fees.
Venetian Falls is a 55+ community that is built out, homes built in the mid to late 2000's. Tiled roofs, paver drives. Clubhouse has an activities director, there are 2 pools, other amenities.
Verona Reserve was just completed this past spring, the builder was Taylor Morrison. There is a community pool but no clubhouse. Lawn service is included in the HOA fees.
In Osprey one of my favorite neighborhoods is Rivendell, Woodlands at Rivendell, Cottages at Rivendell. The Cottages section has a great small town feel with white picket-style fencing, garage entrances are from the alley. Osprey is located south of Sarasota, north of Venice.
Many of the newest neighborhoods are now including pet restrictions in the deed restrictions, limiting pets to 2 or 3 per household, some also prohibit certain aggressive breeds. But, since you have just 2 cats, that should not be a concern for you.
If you'd like to search a public version of the local MLS to help you become more familiar with local neighborhoods, it is at Florida Homes for Sale direct from MLS.
Did you check out the two other builders at Gran Paradiso besides Lennar? They build more custom homes where you can have many options.I believe that the other builders are Sam Rodgers and Arthur Rutenberg. Check out Gran Paradiso at the West Villages - Venice Florida
You did not mention how you felt about kids being around or if you have grand kids that will visit and need some others to play with. If the answer to both is no, I wouldn't bother with Stoneybrook.
My personal impressions- Mostly adults: IslandWalk, Sawgrass, Pelican Pointe, Plantation, Venetia, Sarasota National
Some kids: Grand Palm, Gran Paradiso (this could change either way as they continue to build out)
Lots of kids: Stoneybrook
Thanks for all the information and suggestions. From my "lurking" I had already learned about the CDD fees, HOA fees and lot premiums. I have also read about the old roofs, the Chinese drywall and the piping problems in older homes. For those reasons, we prefer a new or newer home after 2008 probably. Not ruling out a resale
And husband is fine with living in a non golf course community because of the financial aspect of some of them.
We have grandkids who would be visiting so don't mind kids. Really think we need fitness center/ activities to make new friends although I have read there is a newcomers club in Venice and we would be looking into that too
We did see that there were 2 other builders at Gran Paradiso but I thought I read here that they were more expensive and would be out of our price point. It was pouring rain the day we were there so didn't look except at Lennar and the clubhouse.
We have some work to do on our house before we could put it on the market, cosmetic issues and cleaning out our basement! Hubby is sort of a pack rat. Oh forgot to mention we probably need a 3 car garage! LOL Probably wouldn't put ours on market till next spring if we decide to move. As I said it is a huge decision.
Thanks for all the information and suggestions. From my "lurking" I had already learned about the CDD fees, HOA fees and lot premiums. I have also read about the old roofs, the Chinese drywall and the piping problems in older homes. For those reasons, we prefer a new or newer home after 2008 probably. Not ruling out a resale
And husband is fine with living in a non golf course community because of the financial aspect of some of them.
We have grandkids who would be visiting so don't mind kids. Really think we need fitness center/ activities to make new friends although I have read there is a newcomers club in Venice and we would be looking into that too
We did see that there were 2 other builders at Gran Paradiso but I thought I read here that they were more expensive and would be out of our price point. It was pouring rain the day we were there so didn't look except at Lennar and the clubhouse.
We have some work to do on our house before we could put it on the market, cosmetic issues and cleaning out our basement! Hubby is sort of a pack rat. Oh forgot to mention we probably need a 3 car garage! LOL Probably wouldn't put ours on market till next spring if we decide to move. As I said it is a huge decision.
Yes, in Gran Paradiso you have Lennar, Sam Rodgers and Arthur Rutenberg. All three builders would be in your price range, depending on which upgrades you choose. That's where the price starts to climb.
Thanks SoFLGal ! Problem is I want all the options! LOL
We will check out the other two builders when we are down again in Jan for a month if we are still interested. Meanwhile we will get working on the basement which needs doing anyway.
The regulars here for some reason are fixated on homes in deed restricted subdivisions, I suspect because they are easily Googled for information to post here.
There are plenty of other areas of Venice and North Venice that are not deed restricted for you to consider.
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