Looking into the future, where to buy! (Miami, Orlando: oceanfront, rent)

[S2000]

Approaching 40yrs old (37), need investment 15yrs into the future for an active 55+ lifestyle. Currently living 1500ft from Long Island Sound up here in CT in a 2 Bedroom 1200sqft house. Ideally would like the same setup down there to enjoy 6months of living. Which areas do you suppose I focus my search?

County: PALMBEACH
Budget $250k or less.
Between i-95 and route 1, reasoning to be less than 10mins from ocean and be able to walk but not with the liability that comes from oceanfront.

Features:
Middle Class Neighborhood or a neighborhood that is in transition. I only plan to buy now and rent it out for 15yrs to pay it off, then live down there for 6months of the year. ie Escape New England winters.
Single family 2+ Bedroom house with Yard.
House can be in need of repair as long as there is space for expansion.

What I don't want:
maintenance fees and/or HOA fees
next to gated or a gated community
malls or commercial zones

I am probably 2 years away from making this a reality. I have friends and some family already down there. I'd like to narrow my search so when I go down to visit i can begin looking into areas recommended here.

Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

[skylinet]

Jupiter, or East Boca/Delray you can find a few communities that would work for you.

[TriMT7]

I'll echo East Delray. Also add Southend West Palm Beach (south of Okeechobee Blvd.)

Jupiter has some nice non-HOA neighborhoods, but I'm not sure about distance to beach.

[S2000]

Thanks for the responses. I may be down there next month. I'll try hanging out a few of those areas.

[Reedsmit]

Jupiter, Tequesta and Juno are towns along the ocean from the Martin Co. / Palm Beach Co. line to just north of PGA Blvd. There is every type of home imaginable. Thousands of homes within 10 min. of the beach. The area has a low crime rate.

I have made my home here for 30+ years, raised a family here, and can't really imagine living elsewhere.

My husband enjoys fishing - so he will take a charter out of the Jupiter Inlet. The beaches are gorgious and there are a lot of parks in the area. We even have an old historic lighthouse.

Shopping is close; pharmacies - groceries seem to be around every corner. I-95 & Turnpike is no more than a 10 min. drive from north county. Gardens Mall is about 15 min. from North County.
West Palm - 30 min. via I-95, Ft. Lauderdale - 1 hr., Miami, South Beach - 2 hr., Orlando & - Cape Canaveral 2 1/2 hours.