Help me move to Florida...

[Poohs Pal]

I plan to put my house up for sale in the spring and then after the sale move to Florida. I'm doing my research now. Due to a auto accident DS needs access to a good hospital, neuroligist, rehab doctor, physical therapist and sensory therapist and homecare(24hr nursing). It would also be nice to find a good day program for the severly disabled for DS to attend. DD works at a Hospital and said if i'm going to Florida she'll be right behind us. I remember the day when she couldn't wait to get away from me and now she will be following me over 1000 miles away . OK now for what I would like, close to disney but I also would like to be close to the water. Simple needs . DD works at a Hospital in a office. She's the person you see when you first walk into the doctors office and she has also worked where they order your medical supplies. She would like to continue working in a doctors office. Her other request, close to Jellyrolls. Ok, My choice's so far have been a nice town close to disney(this is where I need the most help)or the Clearwater area, i'm thinking Tampa should have a decent hospital and the other area somewhere close to Jacksonville. Jacksonville is my least favorite choice due to the distance from disney but they have the Mayo Clinic so I figure they should have everything DS needs. After I sell the house the plan is to rent where I think I would like to live and if I like the area buy a condo or build a home, if I don't like the area I can move. Now I need suggestion's from all of you. Where do you think the perfect town would be for DS, DD and myself. Thanks Susan

 

[LindaG4458]

We are in Vero Beach part-time and find the medical care to be far superior to that at our NH home. In fact, we have transferred our primary care here. The hospital has just become affiliated with Duke University and its cardiac surgery program. There are many community in-home and outside services for disabled people. I'm not sure if the level of care is sufficient for your situation but the local VNA might be able to give you more information.

There are lots of doctor's offices, surgical centers, and such where you daughter could work. She should have no trouble finding a job.

Disney is two hours away. The beach is 7 minutes from my condo, although we live on the mainland.

Real estate here is affordable compared with other communities on both the east and west coasts, and prices are starting to stabilize. There is a backlog of new, already-built homes, and some developments are offering incentives to sell. For instance, one place will pay your mortgage for the first 6 months; another will give you a PT Cruiser at closing.

 

[Poohnatic]

Valrico, Florida just got named one of the top 25 places to live. It's about an hour from WDW, there are several good hospitals nearby (Tampa General, Lakeland Regional and smaller community hospitals).

It's close to the gulf. I grew up near the ocean, but I prefer the gulf beaches.

Just south of Valrico, if you'd like a big, planned community (a la Celebration), there's Fishhawk Ranch. www.fishhawkranch.com.

Good luck with your move.

Suzanne

 

[Poohs Pal]

I just stayed at Vero Beach and the ocean veiw was awesome. Lots of helpfull info LindaG4458

Poohnatic, Ckecked out that web site. Looks like a nice area. Susan

 

[rparmfamily]

I live near St Augustine, just south of Jax and we love it here. MUCH more affordable in terms of housing, you can buy for under $200K here (3br 2bth) whereas in other parts of Florida, it's $$$. Also, we haven't been hit by a hurricane in nearly 40 years (at least) so homeowners ins is a little less. I live about 35-40 miles from the beach, which is close enough to hit the beach for the day but far enough away in there was a hurricane. Jax does have great hospitals (Mayo Clinic for one) and Gainesville is another area with awesome hospitals, but Gainesville is inland and hotter than the coast.

Good luck! We moved from Ohio in 89' and LOVE living in Florida. Took a little getting used to, but now I am grumpy on days I can't wear my flip-flops!! Can't take the cold anymore!

Some towns around me to consider are:
Green Cove Springs (inland old town south west of jax)
St Augustine (awesome historic town on the coast, south of jax)
Ormand Beach (daytona area)
Palm Coast (south of jax, north of daytona)
Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island (north of jax)

 

[Poohs Pal]

rparmfamily, I have considered St. Augustine. Could you tell me if any new condo's are going up in or near by. Thanks Susan

 

[Poohs Pal]

Anyone else Susan

 

[Galahad]

Valrico, Florida just got named one of the top 25 places to live. It's about an hour from WDW, there are several good hospitals nearby (Tampa General, Lakeland Regional and smaller community hospitals).

It's close to the gulf. I grew up near the ocean, but I prefer the gulf beaches.

Just south of Valrico, if you'd like a big, planned community (a la Celebration), there's Fishhawk Ranch. www.fishhawkranch.com.

Good luck with your move.

Suzanne

That's where we lived for 3 years and DW worked at Tampa General and
McDill AFB. A very nice place - closer to 45 minutes to Disney for us.

 

[flatline]

we live right next to Poohnatic. love the Brandon, Valrico, and Riverview area. our neighbor is an ER doc at Tampa General. they moved here from Michigan last year because he said he couldn't pass up the salary increase. we're an hour away from WDW and close to the Gulf beaches. better yet, we're outside of the hurricane evacuation zones.

Brandon Regional is another hospital in the area.

we're so close to so many things to do here, it can be a little overwhelming at times.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Galahad and flatline, Looks like I'll be doing alot of research on the Valrico area. Susan

 

[flatline]

Galahad and flatline, Looks like I'll be doing alot of research on the Valrico area. Susan

I sent you a PM with some contacts.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Flatline, I didn't receive your PM. Susan

 

[tkd lisa]

Another Valrico resident here! I didn't know you guys were in Valrico!

A lady I work with (and actually worked with in MD) moved here about 6 months before me. Her DH has a severe heart condition, and hospitals were one of their primary worries. She's very thorough and did lots of research, and they live right down the street from me. According to here, Brandon Regional is really good for immediate care, and Tampa General is excellent. A friend of mine from church works at Tampa General, and another friend from church works at South Florida Baptist (It's in Plant City, about 20 minutes from Valrico).

And from my door, it's 50 minutes to the WDW exit, about 60-70 minutes to actually get into the park. You can't beat that with a stick!

As far as I'm concerned, housing is very reasonable here. I bought a 4 bed, 3 bath house in a planned community (comm pool, ball fields, security,etc.) for $257,000 in October. The market has slowed down a bit recently, so I know you would be able to find a house fairly quickly.

Feel free to pm me with any specifics!

 

[Poohs Pal]

tkd lisa, Thanks for the info. I would really be interested in a condo. Have you seen any new condo's going up? I'm looking in the $200,000 area or rent up to $1500.00 a month. Thanks Susan

 

[bridget&jimmy]

We are also hoping to relocate to Florida as soon as our house sells. We heard such great things from family in Florida about the Brandon/Riverview area and the schools also rated pretty high so we have decided that is the area we would like to go. You are close to Disney about an hour and close to Clearwater about an hour and also close to Tampa about 30min.

Good Luck

Edited to add check our realtor.com and you will find a ton of new townhouses and condos listed, just go into the advanced search and search for a house in the year range you want.

 

[Poohs Pal]

briget&jimmy realtor.com sound's like a good. I've looked at apartments.com for rentals. Thanks Susan

 

[tkd lisa]

Yes, there are condos just at the front of my neighborhood. 3 bd 2 bath brand new starting at 200k.

 

[flatline]

Flatline, I didn't receive your PM. Susan

what the? I'll try it again. there are a bunch of new condos going up next to us as well. I'll get some names for you. there are a lot of houses for rent in the B/V/R area as well.

New Tampa was an area highly recommended to us also when we were looking to relocate. we like the eastern location because of the access to the stuff we do the most. an hour or less to Orlando, 45 minutes to Sarasota and Siesta Key.

 

[Poohnatic]

Susan,

There's a 3br house across the street from me that just sold for 227k. 1850 sf, 1/3 acre property. Gives you an idea of what's in the area.

You can get a lot for your 1500 rent around here. One of the luxury places rents 3 br, 1100 sf for 1300 a month. I rented a 1500 sf house for 1200 a month and I know of some nice duplexes going for 1100.

Suzanne