The VA Hospital (West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Wellington: foreclosures, rent, condo)

[lostsoul62]

I'm in Phoenix and am thinking of going to FL and need to live within 30 miles of the VA in West Palm Beach but I don't want to live in West Palm Beach or where there is a LOT of crime so I was thinking of living around North Palm Beach. I’m mentioning North Palm Beach because I have a cousin that lives there. I only have $150K to buy a house so I might have a problem. I'm 65 and retired so can anyone advise me where I could buy a house not over $150K in an area within say 30 miles of the VA where I won't have to worry about getting mugged?

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by lostsoul62

I'm in Phoenix and am thinking of going to FL and need to live within 30 miles of the VA in West Palm Beach but I don't want to live in West Palm Beach or where there is a LOT of crime so I was thinking of living around North Palm Beach. I’m mentioning North Palm Beach because I have a cousin that lives there. I only have $150K to buy a house so I might have a problem. I'm 65 and retired so can anyone advise me where I could buy a house not over $150K in an area within say 30 miles of the VA where I won't have to worry about getting mugged?

150K won't be a palace but yes you will be fine.

Here are a few zip codes for you near the VA that you can search on sites like realtor.com and most are less than 15-20 miles from the VA

33408, 33410, 33418, 33455, 33458, 33469, 33470, 33478

[Kel2013]

I would suggest Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach or Wellington. Palm Beach Gardens would probably be the closest to the VA (maybe 15 minute drive.) Palm Beach Gardens has lots of shopping, restaurants and golf courses. Royal Palm and Wellington would be about a 30 minute drive to the VA but are more inland so you are further from the beaches. There is also Jupiter, FL which a little bit north but maybe a 20-25 minute drive to the VA.

You could find a nice condo or town home in those areas for your budget. Finding a single-family home may be a little more difficult in that price range but isn't impossible.

I live in Wellington and I love it.

The VA itself is actually in Riviera Beach, which tends to be higher crime.

[gregm]

First the VA hospital is pretty good. The Dr. that did my spinal surgery last year works over there one day a week.

About location. The VA is easy to get to from almost anywhere. It's just west of I-95 and just off the Bee-line Hwy. I need to ask you something. At your age do you really want a home? Or would you be happier in a condo. I'm your age and I'm finding the upkeep of my home tougher every year. Then again I have over a acre to mow every week.

I mentioned a condo because you can find quite a few available in Royal Palm Beach. Really quiet city, but it is 18 miles west of the ocean. Wellington has way more problems with youth's than RPB, and is quite more expensive.

Prices are going up right now, but I for see a leveling to a drop coming up. My home on Zillo is up 40k since 2009. The speculators bought up most of the foreclosures where I'm at, and are flipping them for a lot more money than they paid for them. Example, the house across the street from me was bought for 88k. The buyer was a contractor RE agent, who put about 30k into it and is asking 188k now.(2,100 sq ft.) 80 to 100 per sq ft seems to be the average price now, with some areas carrying a premium, like PBGardens.

If you are not familiar with the county, I would come down and rent for a while, and take my time shopping. There are some deals, but you need time to ferret them out.

[Galan]

If you're looking north of the VA Hospital you're going to have a hard time finding anything that's move in ready for $150k or less. Well... that depends on what you're requirements are exactly. If you're looking for something with no garage and only about 1000 square feet than you'll have a lot more options for that price point.

I work at the VA.

[gomexico]

Have a look at some of the 55+ condo communities. Prices in the communities are low, low, low. For $30,000 you could buy a nice 2BR. Century Village West Palm Beach is just one such community to consider. Save your $$$.