[mnj94]

We need help in deciding where to look for a winter home, and would really appreciate any help from the forum.

My husband and I currently live and work in Ireland. My husband (from NY) is 60ish and I (Irish) am 50ish. We lived in NY for many years but have been back here now for 5 years. We are getting ready to wind down a bit, and want to spend 4-5 months (Nov-Mar) in a warm climate, preferably Florida. It does not matter how hot it gets in summer, as we will not be there. We own a (very) small apt in NY, and will sell that to fund home in Florida. Our budget will be $200,000 at most. We would like to have at least 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, preferably a condo, as we would be absent a lot of the time. We have no children or pets to worry about. Probably an older community would suit us best, but not where the population is mostly 80+.

Here are our requirements: We would like to be in an area with a small-town feel, within walking distance of a few restaurants and a pub or two, within an hour of some culture (museums, galleries, theatres, etc). We don't want to drive 30 mins to do grocery shopping, but driving to malls, etc is ok. We would like not to be in direct aim of hurricanes! We (I) also don't like bugs, particularly anything that bites!

We have visited Florida many times, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Naples, Fort Myers. Naples is probably our favourite but way too high-end for us.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

[OysterCatcher]

From my research I have 2 suggestions on each coast that may meet most of your criteria.

East Coast -

Vero Beach
Stuart

West Coast -

Sarasota
Dunedin

Good Luck

[Ipty]

Research the expression 'Florida is the buggiest State in the Union!' Also hurricane prone areas on the coast. Home insurance is horrific.
I would stay central and north of Orlando, somewhere where the mosquitos die off in the winter!
Wishing you a rainbow........

[OysterCatcher]

oh and if you don't care about being on a coast...

As far as Central/Inland Florida, check out Lake County (north of Orlando), specifically Mount Dora. All the retirement guides like that town. One book says there is a nice golf community, b/w Mt Dora and Leesburg.

[doncorleyone]

Originally Posted by mnj94

We need help in deciding where to look for a winter home, and would really appreciate any help from the forum.

My husband and I currently live and work in Ireland. My husband (from NY) is 60ish and I (Irish) am 50ish. We lived in NY for many years but have been back here now for 5 years. We are getting ready to wind down a bit, and want to spend 4-5 months (Nov-Mar) in a warm climate, preferably Florida. It does not matter how hot it gets in summer, as we will not be there. We own a (very) small apt in NY, and will sell that to fund home in Florida. Our budget will be $200,000 at most. We would like to have at least 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, preferably a condo, as we would be absent a lot of the time. We have no children or pets to worry about. Probably an older community would suit us best, but not where the population is mostly 80+.

Here are our requirements: We would like to be in an area with a small-town feel, within walking distance of a few restaurants and a pub or two, within an hour of some culture (museums, galleries, theatres, etc). We don't want to drive 30 mins to do grocery shopping, but driving to malls, etc is ok. We would like not to be in direct aim of hurricanes! We (I) also don't like bugs, particularly anything that bites!

We have visited Florida many times, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Naples, Fort Myers. Naples is probably our favourite but way too high-end for us.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

I Am moving to Baltimore for my job... and i was going to rent out my condo in Miami Lakes. But i am also looking at the option to sell my condo at that price. here's the link to it.. 2 Bed 2 Bath Condo Miami Lakes - Free Direct TV! (broken link)

email davidacorley@gmail.com

and also to be fair.. FORECLOSURE is the new Phenomenon in Florida. you will be able to find ALOT of foreclosed houses out here..

[Alphaman]

Not sure about the prices of homes in St Augustine but it`s a nice town maybe Melbourne, Cocoa beach might be other options.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by OysterCatcher

From my research I have 2 suggestions on each coast that may meet most of your criteria.

East Coast -

Vero Beach
Stuart

West Coast -

Sarasota
Dunedin

Good Luck

I'd agree. I'd pick Stuart over Vero , but that would be nit picking.

[RMD3819]

I'll comment on Naples.

I don't think it is too high end anymore for what you want to spend. A few years ago, yes, but now there are a lot of places that you could afford. Condos here are full of snowbirds. I would look into any of the gated communities.

Small town feel-I don't really think so unless you move to Goodland or Everglades City.

Hurricaines-well this is Florida and no place is totally safe, although inland is probably better.

Bugs-well this is Florida (again) and there are going to be bugs. They spray for mosquitoes and I think they do a good job. In your house general sanitation will go a long way to controlling insects. A pest control service can do the rest.

[faithfulFrank]

I agree with Oystercatcher.
Many nice 55+ communities in the Leesburg/ Mt. Dora / Traveres area.

My florida home is in The Plantation.....but there are many nice communities to choose from. You may really like Lakes of Mt. Dora.....one of the newest Pringle communities.

Frank D.