Retiring in about 12-18 months - -Tampa, Sarasota or Jax (Jacksonville: real estate, homeowners insurance)

[sandyart]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I would really appreicate some help and guidance on our retirment spot. Both in our mid-late 50's. Owned a condo in Sarasota which we sold- - liked Sarasota but thought it was way overpriced for what one got in a single family home with a pool.
Don't know much about Tampa, know nothing about Jax.

We are looking for warm as we live in NJ and the winters are not fun. WOuld like normal, down to earth people- - no snobs or rednecks.

We would like to get P/T jobs - - nothing big. I am working for a large pharma organization, so something less stressful.

We love the beach, kayak, good resturants, excellent medical care and reasonable housing, taxes and hurricane insurance. We want a newer single family 2500 sq ft house with pool for around 350-400K

Does anything like my description above exist and can people let me know what communities would make sense.

Thanks so much!
SC

[spainbrit]

Tons of those around the area (homes) can't say what you think is reasonable on tax and insurance. Just ask any insurance broker, and ask them for an estimate.
You can see taxes on the local tax appraisers sites. I'm referring to Tampa/Clearwater/St Pete. I think this area is less expensive than Sarasota. Jax has more cooler winters than the West Coast from Tampa down.
All are good possibles, with Bay area and Jax more likely to offer greater job opps, as they are larger connurbations.

[St.Pete727]

Jacksonville is pretty cold in the winter, so i say tampa bay area.

taxes seem to be high though if you ask me.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by sandyart

Hi everyone,

My husband and I would really appreicate some help and guidance on our retirment spot. Both in our mid-late 50's. Owned a condo in Sarasota which we sold- - liked Sarasota but thought it was way overpriced for what one got in a single family home with a pool.
Don't know much about Tampa, know nothing about Jax.

We are looking for warm as we live in NJ and the winters are not fun. WOuld like normal, down to earth people- - no snobs or rednecks.

We would like to get P/T jobs - - nothing big. I am working for a large pharma organization, so something less stressful.

We love the beach, kayak, good resturants, excellent medical care and reasonable housing, taxes and hurricane insurance. We want a newer single family 2500 sq ft house with pool for around 350-400K

Does anything like my description above exist and can people let me know what communities would make sense.

Thanks so much!
SC

I think something in the Tampa Bay/St. Pete area would suit all your needs nicely.

Lots more choices for affordable housing, closer to beaches, more job opportunities, things to do, etc. I am sure one of our nice realtors on this board could recommend areas to look based on your criteria.

[sandyart]

Thanks, everyone- -

I posted another thread to give people some more info about my husband and I and what we are looking for in Tampa. A realtor would be great!!!!

Regards,
Sandy

[Keeper]

We have several realtors on City-data who post valuable info. Most specialize in one city or the other. You can tell the ones by the little house icon next to their name. Most have received good reviews from our members who have used them

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by sandyart

Thanks, everyone- -

I posted another thread to give people some more info about my husband and I and what we are looking for in Tampa. A realtor would be great!!!!

Regards,
Sandy

There are plenty of Real Estate Agents on this site...but if you want one to work for you....and you only....get a buyyer's Agent...the Seller's Agent...works for the seller and as such cannot give you answers to some questions you may have...a Buyer's Agent works for you...it does not cost you anything....and a Buyer's agent is obligated to get you the best price and can tell you things that a seller's agent cannot.......the better move...

[armando416]

Originally Posted by St.Pete727

Jacksonville is pretty cold in the winter, so i say tampa bay area.

taxes seem to be high though if you ask me.

I don't know if I agree about Jax getting all that cold...I lived there for 8 years, and i only remember one cold winter. You can wear shorts about 1/2 the time even in Jan/Feb. No, you can't swim all year round like you can in Miami, but it is still nice weather, and a slight change of seasons can be a nice thing.

Jax will have the lowest cost of living of the 3 cities. If money is a factor to you in retirement that will be important. About the only thing Jax is really lacking in is culture...you won't find many world-class museums, theater, etc. there. But, you will find there is plenty to do, generally friendly people, and some very nice areas if you look for them. Oh, and the homeowners insurance in Jax is bound to be a lot cheaper, too. One of the least hit parts of FL.

[Ronnie-N]

I would definitely look at the Clearwater area. Great beaches any many nice neighborhoods. Homeowners' insurance has gone through the roof. You might pay $3,000/yr. on a nice home.

[tjax1000]

I don't think Jacksonville proper is a an ideal place to retire at all. At least, it isn't where I'd want to spend my retirement.

However, have you considered a little further south of Jax... like the Palm Coast area? It is in Flagler County and seems to be popular with retirees. They have beaches, golf, etc. The drawback is that it is a bit of a hike up to Jax for all the heavy duty shopping and so forth. It is probably (very roughly) about the same distance if you went south, down to the Daytona area.

On the other hand, if you guys are younger retirees, maybe you don't want to live around a bunch of other older retirees, like you'll find in areas that heavily cater to retirees. It just depends. Might be worth taking an exploratory trip and spending a couple nights in each place, basically trying to do the things you'd do if you lived there.

good luck