topic Re: Florida 55 plus in Community Chat

Florida 55 plus

Ditzydori — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 06:42:09 GMT

can anyone recommend a nice, affordable, 55 plus community on the west coast?? One with many activities, not too far from the beach, and in a good neighborhood.

Does such a community exist??

Re: Florida 55 plus

chihuahuamom — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:16:21 GMT

There's no such thing as "affordable" in California-especially near the beach. You'll pay dearly..

Re: Florida 55 plus

Nuttmeg — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:21:33 GMT

This reader is looking for a place in Florida.

Re: Florida 55 plus

Dawnie — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:23:03 GMT

We have a few in Ft. Myers. Mostly golf communities. Do you play golf?

Re: Florida 55 plus

Big Sister — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 08:17:10 GMT

On the west coast check out the Sarasota area.

Re: Florida 55 plus

151949 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:27:59 GMT

I live in a suburb of Sarasota and the only place I know of that has a lot of activities is the Villiages and they are far from the beach. However, if you google Del Web communities you have a good chance of finding places with actiivities. There is a plan to build big time in an area in North port, sarasota County called The West villiages you may want to look into but I don't know what the prices may be like - I do know that taxes in that area are very high.A friend of ours was telling us the taxes on his villa there were over $3000 last year - as opposed to our villa - same sq ft - in a different area were less than half that. I can tell you that places like Sun City , SC where there are a lot of activities the HOA fees are generally very high, and you don't get much for it.So you have to look at all that. Cost, taxes and HOA fees and location.

Re: Florida 55 plus

Deb1010again — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:59:17 GMT

@151949 wrote:
I live in a suburb of Sarasota and the only place I know of that has a lot of activities is the Villiages and they are far from the beach. However, if you google Del Web communities you have a good chance of finding places with actiivities. There is a plan to build big time in an area in North port, sarasota County called The West villiages you may want to look into but I don't know what the prices may be like - I do know that taxes in that area are very high.A friend of ours was telling us the taxes on his villa there were over $3000 last year - as opposed to our villa - same sq ft - in a different area were less than half that. I can tell you that places like Sun City , SC where there are a lot of activities the HOA fees are generally very high, and you don't get much for it.So you have to look at all that. Cost, taxes and HOA fees and location.

My parents did an exhaustive search in Florida and ended up at The Villages which they LOVE! Here's a link to their web site...

https://www.thevillages.com/AboutUs/aboutus.htm

Re: Florida 55 plus

millieshops — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:51:30 GMT

@151949I know you are a snowbird (as I am), but I have no idea where your permanent address is. I do know this. When I began spending more time in Florida than in the North, I became a Florida resident- that made a huge difference in my property taxes - same condo I've always been in, but far different taxes.

I point that out because it's very important for people buying in Florida - or really any new area - to know how the taxes work. Florida taxes on identical properties are NOT identical - at one time when RE prices skyrocketed, and I was still a NY owner, my taxes here were more than twice those of my next-door neighbor! - within a few dollars of the taxes on my more expensive LI house.

As for OP's quest - I can't help really because I'm on the East Coast -although I can say that around here most of the active 55+ communities cost more to buy and to live in than do other similar housing in different communities for the most part.

Re: Florida 55 plus

Ditzydori — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 14:59:09 GMT

Thank so much, ladies. I'll google del Webb.

Re: Florida 55 plus

KingstonsMom — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:06:38 GMT

@Pianomama wrote:
There's no such thing as "affordable" in California-especially near the beach. You'll pay dearly..

@chihuahuamom

I also thought she meant Cali, when she said "west coast", LOL!

Re: Florida 55 plus

Zhills — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:26:17 GMT

How close to the beach do you want to be? Florida is only 160 miles wide at it's widest point so anywhere is fairly close to a beach.

Most communities have a heated (just warm) pool and hot tub you can enjoy most days here. I am an hour from the beach and I love it.

Florida has a homestead exemption for taxes. The only way the taxes would vary that much is whether it is your residence or your second home. Of course, a second home is higher. HH said she has made Florida her home.

Have you considered a mobile home community? They are really nice here and are much cheaper in price, not in quality of living!!!!! They usually have a full slate of activities. We have everything but an orchestra! Got a string band, art club, chorus, cards, shuffleboard, bowling, golf, Silver Sneakers, yoga, pool exercises, quilting, sewing, you name it, you got it!

Re: Florida 55 plus

Ditzydori — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:40:39 GMT

Thanks zhills. What community are you in? I know they can be much more affordable. The only thing I think about with a mobile home is if a hurricane hits. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Re: Florida 55 plus

Zhills — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:12:46 GMT

Florida hasn't had a hurricane hit in the last 10 years. However, they are always in the back of our minds.

In 2004, CHARLEY, came in at Punta Gorda and went up the center of the state. It took my daughter's pool cage and put it on top of their house then when the eye went over it blew it back down in place. A million dollar home!

Central Florida does not usually, yes, usually get the brunt of a hurricant because most of them have slowed down after hitting land. I have lived in a mobile homes and houses and I have lived here all my life and never had any damage to my homes.

If a bad storm is coming, you evacuate a mobile home. Most towns of any size have shelters and of course there are motels and friends around. They don't last long! The only damage I have ever had was from a small twister in a summer shower. Didn't know it had happened until part of the carport roof hit the concrete.

I would not hesitate to buy a mobile home. They have restrictions for safety in the Florida statutes. You don't just set one down! Worth looking into!

Consider Pasco or Polk County. Beautiful area. Rolling hills to the North and beach to the East and West. Disney in the middle.

Re: Florida 55 plus

151949 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:30:46 GMT

I totally disagree with Zhillis - I wouldn't live in a mobile home in Florida. I was here in hurricanes when i was a child and they are way to scary. The new homes are built to withstand horrific storms - however nothing is flood proof. I also would not live far from the coast because IMO it gets much too hot inland.It may be hot here but there is always a sea breeze. I always recommend south of Tampa and on the coast for the ultimate best weather. i read somewhere that the largest and fastest growth area in the USA is Florida's west coast between Tampa and Naples. I love that so much of our area is younger retirees.

BTW - our town has not had a direct hit from a hurricane in 47 years. Knocking wood as I type that.

Re: Florida 55 plus

sunshine45 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:29:07 GMT

lol i skipped right over the "florida" part right when i saw the wording "west coast.".....didnt realize initially that she meant the west coast of florida.

my aunt lives in a single home boynton beach near the beach in a community on the east coast and she loves it.....it is now pretty affordable since the housing crisis began. they maintain the area so well and have nice facilities. it is not too far from palm beach.

Re: Florida 55 plus

151949 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 17:52:51 GMT

The homestead exeption is as follows in sarasota county -- 50% reduction off all your property taxes assessment except the school tax and 25% off your assessment on the school taxes IF you are a Florida resident and have lived here at least 30 days in the previous year.Which results in a significant savings if you are going to actually live here full time. There are so many property owners here who reside elsewhere that tose of us who do reside here, this is your voting residence, get a great break.

I editted how I said this to be more precise.

Re: Florida 55 plus

Zhills — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 17:19:31 GMT

@151949

You may disagree but you are giving out incorrect information!

Re: Florida 55 plus

Laura14 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 17:40:54 GMT

I can add a vote for the Villages. My mother just bought a house there and she loves it. In fact, she is there now. You can also rent out your home there if this is going to be a second house. The demand is quite high for rentals in that neighborhood especially during the winter if you are looking to make some extra money.

Re: Florida 55 plus

Zhills — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 17:48:10 GMT

The Villages is a wonderful community. Everything you could ever want in your own community.

However, it is expensive compared to some other areas of Florida that have the facilities in the nearby towns but not in the immediate community. We are near it all, just not within golfcart distance!

If I played golf, I would want to be there!

Re: Florida 55 plus

Ditzydori — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 17:52:56 GMT

zhills. What is the name of the community you live in? I would like to look it up. Thanks.