Family living boating? (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota: insurance, big house, theater)

[jdl711]

Looking for the right places to choose to live, we have so many options as we work in the medical field, trying to decide areas we need to check out, family of 4, 2 kids under 5, love boating, fishing, tubing, camping, spearfishing, surfing, and a lazy days at the beach, hopeing for some comments and places to check out please keep in mind family first so safety and good schools are a must, along with our love for boating. we know to check out jupiter area/ treasure coast, but not sure anywhere else, tampa area?? etc, and is gulf side water deeper and less clear as eastern side??thanks

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by jdl711

Looking for the right places to choose to live, we have so many options as we work in the medical field, trying to decide areas we need to check out, family of 4, 2 kids under 5, love boating, fishing, tubing, camping, spearfishing, surfing, and a lazy days at the beach, hopeing for some comments and places to check out please keep in mind family first so safety and good schools are a must, along with our love for boating. we know to check out jupiter area/ treasure coast, but not sure anywhere else, tampa area?? etc, and is gulf side water deeper and less clear as eastern side??thanks

The beaches on the east side of the state are ocean beaches. That is important to note because ocean beaches have a coarse, darker sand, colder waters and often rough waves. Ocean beaches, however, are PERFECT for surfing. The waves and characteristics of the tide make it a surfer's haven. People come from miles around to surf these crisp, clear ocean waters. Jupiter is the only place I would consider living on the eastern side of the state.

Sarasota is located on the West coast of Florida. It's close to major cities like St. Petersburg, Tampa and Ft. Myers. The beaches that are in and around Sarasota are gulf beaches, which have silky smooth white sand and much tamer, greenish blue waves. Not ideal for professional surfers, but perfect for relaxing and shell hunting! The calmer waters allow more boating, skiing, and scuba activities. What's important to note about Sarasota is its clean, friendly community and art-driven downtown center. Sarasota takes pride in its theater programs, art galleries and trendy boutiques.

Sarasota county is also known for it's fantastic school system. Pine View School for the gifted was recently recognized as having the best academic performance of any school in the state of Florida by BusinessWeek Magazine (http://www.sarasota.k12.fl.us/pvs/PDF/Newsbox/Pine%20View%20BusinessWeek%20ranking%20NR%202-19-09.pdf - broken link). I have two children that attend Pine View and we love it. There are many, many other fabulous schools in Sarasota county.

Keep in mind is that ANY place in Florida is a vacation! But beyond that, consider what you and your family enjoy the most about Florida and choose a location based on that. I would highly recommend you visit both areas as well, to get a feel for the varying types of the Florida lifestyle that can be found throughout the state!

Hope I've helped a little

[Big House]

For a second, I thought you were considering living on a house boat. When I visited the Florida Keys I met a husband and wife that sold their business in MD, and bought a large boat that they converted into a house boat where they lived. I thought that was pretty cool. He said that it cost him about $500.00 per month in electricity and water and sewer, and $1,000 per year for the boat slip. It was a huge boat. I think it was some kind of trawler. He drove a cab, and she worked in a restaurant down there. He said they were never home much, and I saw them around town several times when I was there. I thought - what a great life! They didn't worry about a thing.

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by Big House

For a second, I thought you were considering living on a house boat.... I met a husband and wife that sold their business in MD, and bought a large boat that they converted into a house boat where they lived. I thought - what a great life! They didn't worry about a thing.

Except hurricanes?

[jdl711]

Thanks i will def look into Sarsota, any 1 else want to chime in??????? any boating paradises out there tks

[Big House]

Originally Posted by imagardener

Except hurricanes?

I know, I'd have worried about that too, but they weren't worried. I don't understand. shrugging shoulders!

[Big House]

Originally Posted by jdl711

Thanks i will def look into Sarsota, any 1 else want to chime in??????? any boating paradises out there tks

I live in Punta Gorda Isles, and i think it is the best property deal around, to be on salt water, with gulf access at the prices here! Its unbelieveable. The community is great. In 5 minutes I am in the harbor and on my way to the gulf or several other good fishing spots around!

[jdl711]

Hurricanes are least of my worries we have them in texas too, days to plan and leave, Insurance covers your stuff and some of our best times have been the random hurricane forcing us north for a few days on our mini vacation, tks

[SoFLGal]

I think you're going to have some kind of potential natural disaster where ever you live: blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, etc. At least with hurricanes you usually get ample warning if you want to get out of Dodge. I was born and raised here and haven't left yet due to a hurricane. Not to say that I wouldn't, just never felt the need to.

The communities in Sarasota that would have waterfront property are: Aqualane Estates, Bayview, Sapphire Shores, Cherokee Park, McClellan Park, Coral Cove, Harbor Acres, Oyster Bay, Phillipi Gardens and Southpointe Shores. And of course theres Siesta Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, Casey Key and Manasota Key.

Then in Osprey you have South Bay Yacht Club, which might be a great possibility for you.

Heading south from Osprey you have the Island of Venice, which has some waterfront. And Eagle Pointe Club.

Continuing down the coast you would have Englewood Isles in Englewood. Then Cape Haze, Placida and Boca Grande.

Still to the south is Port Charlotte, and then Punta Gorda which has the Punta Gorda Isles area and Pirate Harbor.

So, there you have it. That should be most of the waterfront communities in Sarasota ans Charlotte counties.