Posted on 07/10/2016 2:46:43 AM PDT by freepertoo
Mods, this is such a vanity! Please move or remove as you see fit, if necessary. Could use some moving to Florida advice. Retiring in a few years from the DC, Maryland area. Have looked at Ocala because of the cool 55+ communities there, but the crime rate is scary. Also looking at Lake Mary and surrounding area. Costs are a lot less than in Maryland, and I admit to being a pathetic Disney junky. Advice, Floridians?
I’ve toyed with renting, but, God willing, I hope to live 30 to 40 more years. Rents would go up a lot in that time.
As others have suggested, go down there during the worst part of the year, every other time will be an upper. Rent a while and check out the areas.
It seems to me that I heard property taxes were pretty high, probably because there is no income tax and they gotta get the money from somewhere.
Another suggested a pest control contract - please do. We lived in Navarre beach (Panhandle) and termites were EVERYWHERE.
Finally, what many don’t consider: The home you buy will probably be the one you die in, so lose the idea of thinking of your home as an investment to be cashed in on later on. The flip side may occur - constantly rising prices mean constantly rising property taxes that may squeeze you out or make your life a bit harder on a fixed income.
Great restaurants. Many Bible adhering churches.
Winter Haven sounds great.
What’s your opinion of the Bradenton area?
Next door.
What is next door? Another 55+ community?
Yes. It’s called Pine Run Estates.
Do you like it? May I ask what made you choose it, rather than OTOTW? The HOA fees at OTOTW are crazy high.
Not dead set on Florida, just seems to fit my interests. Lots of scary stuff to think about as well as the cool stuff...like hurricanea, bugs, lightening...like that. But, this thread is very helpful. Alabama, huh?
Actually, Frog you are more right about "Swiss cheese", than wrong.
Florida is a limestone shelf covered with sand, and under the limestone is a freshwater river; limestone and water don't agree with each other as the water erodes the limestone.
That is one of the reasons why I personally would avoid any area where there is a standing body of water at the surface,
and I would look more towards either the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, or the Panhandle.
Proximity to known 'sink holes' will also raise your residential insurance costs.
The idea of retiring on a fixed income of Social Security and possible pension can be eaten up by raised rates of taxes, utilities, transportation, infrastructure.
That is why I suggested that you see where the retired military folk go when they retire; they know where the services are, and where the fixed cost of living is low.
As someone earlier said for you to go during the 'tourist season', and then go during the 'off season' and see what works for you.
The difference can be astounding; also, the rates of rentals as well as home purchases vary according to the season; prudence says buy during the 'off season'.
“What’s your opinion of the Bradenton area?”
Too urban and too much traffic. It does have a WaWa however.
The Villages population may indeed be on the verge of a swing towards political left-leanings and that may be the catalyst for the rise in STDs, but it is not driving down the values of those homes nor has it impeded the sales of new ones.
Looks like it will probably be Lakeland or Winter Haven, folks. Thanks so much for all of the input.
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