To move or not to move......that is the question???? (Clearwater: short sale, rent)

[Feet in the Sand]

We are a family of 4 including two kids ages 10 and 13, wondering if a move to FL is the right thing for us. My husband's company has a branch office in Oldsmar, FL. We would be moving from MN, which to us is a nice thought not to have winters anymore!!! We have vacationed down in Clearwater Beach in 2010 and 2012 and loved every minute of it. We are an "outdoorsy" family and liked the fact that we could be outside nearly all year long compared to here in MN. We are looking into a few different cities to live at and would like some advice on what towns might suit us best. I have looked at Oldsmar, Trinity, LOL, etc. We would like to be within a 30 min commute at most to Oldsmar and also within that amount of the beach. We fell in love with Clearwater Beach so we would like to go there often. We have family up here, but don't see them much but wouldn't have anyone down there....it's a scary thought to leave everything we have and want to make the right decision!!!
We would be looking for a 3+ bedroom 2+ bath house with a min. of 2,000 sq feet. We would prefer a newer home that is energy efficent and hasn't been left unattended to have mold issues (major allergies) to cause health concerns. I've heard a lot of the homes that have been in forclosure of short sale and not lived in have a mold problem because of the warm humid air.
If at all possible we would like to get something that is within 5 years old or even new construction. Please give any advice that you have.
Would like to stay around $1,000-$1,100 monthly home expenses including mortgage, insurance and taxes.

[tinytrump]

Hmm maybe a town house, and I say that as one bedroom rent is $800- 1000 with isn etc etc is very little for a 5 yr old home close to the city.

[Pragmaticus]

Originally Posted by Feet in the Sand

We are a family of 4 including two kids ages 10 and 13, wondering if a move to FL is the right thing for us. My husband's company has a branch office in Oldsmar, FL. We would be moving from MN, which to us is a nice thought not to have winters anymore!!! We have vacationed down in Clearwater Beach in 2010 and 2012 and loved every minute of it. We are an "outdoorsy" family and liked the fact that we could be outside nearly all year long compared to here in MN. We are looking into a few different cities to live at and would like some advice on what towns might suit us best. I have looked at Oldsmar, Trinity, LOL, etc. We would like to be within a 30 min commute at most to Oldsmar and also within that amount of the beach. We fell in love with Clearwater Beach so we would like to go there often. We have family up here, but don't see them much but wouldn't have anyone down there....it's a scary thought to leave everything we have and want to make the right decision!!!
We would be looking for a 3+ bedroom 2+ bath house with a min. of 2,000 sq feet. We would prefer a newer home that is energy efficent and hasn't been left unattended to have mold issues (major allergies) to cause health concerns. I've heard a lot of the homes that have been in forclosure of short sale and not lived in have a mold problem because of the warm humid air.
If at all possible we would like to get something that is within 5 years old or even new construction. Please give any advice that you have.
Would like to stay around $1,000-$1,100 monthly home expenses including mortgage, insurance and taxes.

Sure, how much down payment you want to put? You need quite a bit to be in a nice area and buy 3/2 house 2000 sq.ft with that price.