Where would you live in Florida?

[Seeker]

[This message has been edited by Seeker]

I suppose the question should have been: Where would you invest in Florida? If you're familiar with Florida, I would like to know where you think would be the best city or region to invest in Real Estate and why. I'm considering Coral Springs and Sarasota because they've been ranked high in best places to live in the U.S.. If you say Miami or another big city, please provide smaller perimeters within the city to consider. I have a property in Ventura, CA that is worth around 600K, but it only rents for $1,900 per month. I think I could do a lot better in Florida. I'll be selling it within the next few months.

[Seeker]

... in response to Where would you live in Florida?, posted by Seeker on Apr 10, 2005

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[gkdrummer]

... in response to Where would you live in Florida?, posted by Seeker on Apr 10, 2005

Not sure about the earlier post claiming it takes a long time to sell - my experience is that the market is hot here.  My ex is buying land 45 min away in Myakka because she claims she can't find a decent modest 3/2 place in Sarasota for under 200K.  I'm sure the weather is a bit warmer in Ft Myers, but it is still central florida and cold weather is not a concern here.  Sarasota is an "artsy" city, and has a bit more to see and do than a lot of other cities this size.  Plus, Tampa is only an hour away for all the "big-city" activities (concerts, sports, etc)  (bucs sucking wind.....ouch!!!!) and Orlando with all it's tourist attractions is only 2 hrs away.
The job market is decent, but the wages are a bit lower than average.  There is no state tax, and people call the lower wages "the sunshine tax".  There is a lot of growth going on, so construction will be hot for a while.  I moved here 12 years ago.  Didn't like it at first (flat as a pancake), but I have grown to enjoy it.  It's the smallest city I have lived in, but not so small as to be "country".  The lack of traffic jams alone has me sold on staying in smaller cities from now on.  I get to Miami fairly often, and it is a zoo.  Ft Myers has a larger population than Sarasota (which surprised me), but seems a bit sleepier.  If you have any questions, just let me know............

--gk

[dolphin]

... in response to Where would you live in Florida?, posted by Seeker on Apr 10, 2005

Seeker, I live in Lehigh Acres Florida.  It's true, life here is very, very slow.  there is nothing to do here but watch the grass grow.  however, the weather is great.  Yes, property values are going up each year by 20% or more, but that will soon peak I would imagine.  Jake, you live in Ft. Myers?  Where in Fort Myers?

Dolphin

[Jake]

... in response to Jake, I live in Lehigh Acres, posted by dolphin on Apr 10, 2005

Dolphin... I live in North fort myers by the lee county civic center . 2 years ago my place was appraised at 250,00 now it is 450,000 . I have direct access to the gulf of mexico  , but on a natural river . Jake

[valleydude]

... in response to Where would you live in Florida?, posted by Seeker on Apr 10, 2005

Here is the catch about Florida, (I say this because your profile says you are 35)

There isn't squat there to do, especially compared to California. I have family in the Ft Myers area and went to college in Florida. I have been going there for over 30 years. I can tell you that I think of moving there when it comes to the "homebody" life style, and it is great for that, but if you want things like musuems, going to concerts, sporting events, etc... You won't find it there south of Sarasota. I am not knocking the area, it's beautiful there, but I'd like to see you prepared because it will be a culture shock. I guarantee it!

It's true for 600,000 you can probably get 3-4 homes. (3 bedroom /2 bath) However, you will have to drive at least an hour to do anything entertaining outside of going to the beach or going to dinner. My buddy from college bought a brand spanking new home just south of Sarastoa for 109,000. 3/2 and it was about 2 years ago. He is pulling 70g's there and that is HOT for that area. True, the homes there jump in value, but the problem is that in that area, there is so much vacant land it is cheaper to build. People in that area have been trying to sell homes for 3-4 years. (Some 8-9 years.)

I personally love Miami, and the east is more expensive but it will still be totally cheap to you. I am always looking for someone that wants to go for a weekend, so if you are interested in going to compare things, let me know. I'm always game for a quick flight.

Another factor is that if you are only 35, jobs are super hard to come by in that area with a decent wage.

110 degrees here is still cooler than 85 there.
Crime rate is low, Gas is totally cheap! haha!

All in all, I would go to Sarasota if I was financially set, wanted to be low key, be at home all the time, and go to an occasional dinner and the beach. If I wanted this and something more, I would go to Miami.

V-Dude

[Seeker]

... in response to Re:  Where would you live in Florida?, posted by valleydude on Apr 10, 2005

Thanks V-Dude,

Thanks for your advice. I'm mostly considering Florida for real estate investment purposes. I'm very attached to my beautiful, little town of Santa Barbara. I was born and raised here and would find it very challenging to live anywhere else. However, I would consider Florida as a viable alternative. I suppose that if I had a loving Colombiana wife and family, low key would be appealing.

I would like to check Florida out in the next few months. However, I've begun the countdown for my departure to Medellin on May 10th. I'll be in Colombia for a few weeks. Let's keep in touch and maybe we can have the first annual PL Latin Seekers Conference in Florida. LOL!!!

[maggiemtnman]

... in response to Re: Re:  Where would you live in Florida..., posted by Seeker on Apr 12, 2005

Seeker... in Medllin here is the name of a guide that speaks English and can take you anywhere inside or outside of the city. Ivan Dario Velez ... cell 310 448 8236. He did a great job for me in December 2003 ... good luck george

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: Re:  Where would you live in Florida..., posted by Seeker on Apr 12, 2005

Afterward I realized that your post may have been geared toward just buying as an investment and not to relocate.

I know you are joking about a conference but it would be cool to get together with some guys on here after we are all hitched. I could dig it!

V-Dude

[Jake]

... in response to Re:  Where would you live in Florida?, posted by valleydude on Apr 10, 2005

V-dude ...there is no doubt compared to Miami that Fort Myers is nothing . But some people like the low keyed life style , I can go out in my boat almost everyday of the year . There are not very many places in the US that you can do that .  One in four families own a boat in my county . So if you enjoy the water  , this is a great place to live ... I have been in fort myers for 25 years and i have never been bored . In 2 hours i can be in Miami heading to SA . Or in tampa in 2 hours to watch the buc's suck wind .
Jake

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: Re:  Where would you live in Florida..., posted by Jake on Apr 10, 2005

Dude 25 years in Fort Myers and never been bored? Wow! Hey I won't say anything about that. I have family right around the corner from you and have been going there for many years.  I do know that people are either pro Fort Myers or against it, so I was just giving a general overview and trying to be nuetral.

Why are you heading to Tampa when you have highschool football right there in your own back yard? Haha! Sorry, but it was just too weird for me the first time I saw highschool football all over the news. Another weird thing that I will never forget is a headline I saw on the news there: "Coming up at 11:00 ... People living near the airport say it's too noisy!" I will never forget that.

Overall though, I know it is a good safe quiet area but it does get a over hyped. Now that I am into it, Yeah I am jealous of the thought of you making a quick weekend jaunts to SA out of Miami. You got me there!

V-Dude

[Craig]

... in response to Where would you live in Florida?, posted by Seeker on Apr 10, 2005

I will tell you nothing you don't know already know but the object is to buy cheap and that place is Brevard County. It's called the Space Coast because of the Kennedy Space Center. If you buy beach side which is A1A and buy pre-construction prices...let's say a condo..I've seen people turn it around in 6 months and make a 100k profit on a 220k investement. Indialantic, Melbourne Beach,Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach. You can't loose there. It seems people from Orlando are moving east to be closer to the ocean. If your thinking about the effect of the hurricanes on prices. Prices have risen and the hurricanes have had no effect on sales at all.
I live east of I-95 in a modest development my house is 4 years old and has risen in price about 70k

[Jake]

... in response to Where would you live in Florida?, posted by Seeker on Apr 10, 2005

I live in Fort Myers . The east coast is twice as much as the west coast .  Any thing below Sarasota is good . It is colder north of there . We have a tropical weather south   of Sarasota . You could easily but 2 very nice houses maybe 3  for 600,000 ... they would rent for about 1200-1500 a month  , depending if they have a pool.

I do not like the east coast because of the travel conditions ... very much like LA. hopes this help you
Jake