Community Chat

[Zhills]

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!

[Ditzydori]

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. 

[Zhills]

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.

[151949]

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.

[sunshine45]

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.

[151949]

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.

[Zhills]

@151949

You may disagree but you are giving out incorrect information!

[Laura14]

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.  

[Zhills]

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! 

[Ditzydori]

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